PPH 8/12/2012 (031085) Vol. 203 Kota Kinabalu, Monday, July 31, 2023 RM1.
50 Established 1963
Pledge on
identity
of
informants
PAGE 3
Despite over 100,000 Sabahans being jobless
Half Sabah’s workforce foreigners
Jeremy S Zabala
KOTA KINABALU:
State Federal Secre-
tary Datuk Makhzan
Mahyuddin (pic)
said nearly half the
800,000-odd work-
ers registered with the Labour
Department comprise foreigners. At
the same time there are more than
100,000 unemployed Sabahans.
Further analysis of the figures show
that the dependency on foreign man-
power is contributed by several sectors
such as agriculture, forestry and con-
struction where more than 80 per cent
employed are foreigners.
“Some 819,111 are registered under the
Labour Department of which 55.2pc are
locals and 44.8pc foreigners.
“Of the foreigners, 80.4pc have legal
documents or covered under the Sabah
Labour Ordinance.
“We can summarise that nearly 50pc of
industries in Sabah rely on foreign labour
despite 169,800 Sabahans being unem-
ployed,” he said at the Sabah Labour Con-
vention.
Rectifying rural power
supply shortcomings: DPM
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU:
New technologies are
needed to correct
shortcomings in the
Rural Electricity Sup-
ply Programme
(BELB), according to
Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
“The BELB programme, which falls
under my Ministry, began a long time
ago, but we discovered some failures
due to battery replacement problems.
“With the new technology, the bat-
tery lifespan is longer, and the mainte-
nance system will be changed by placing
several suppliers in several specific
areas, rather than just one supplier for a
state as large as Sabah or Sarawak,” said
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of
Rural and Regional Development.
He said this to reporters after offici-
ating the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth
Summit 4.0 (APCYS 4.0), here, Sunday.
He said renewable energy (solar
power) is included in the National Energy
Policy and the installation of solar panels
on a large scale has been done.
However, they discovered some diffi-
culties in terms of solar panel installa-
tion in rural areas.
“The installation of solar panels was
implemented in Sabah and Sarawak
over a decade ago.
“However, because the battery
replacement system is only given to one
party, the area of Sabah and Sarawak is
too large, making it impractical and
time-consuming.
“Eventually, the areas that use solar
energy will face longer outages,” he said.
“A new system for replacing this bat-
tery with a new battery, such as EV (Elec-
tric Vehicle) batteries, must be created.
“We believe this new technology will
be a game changer in rural electricity
supply,” he said.
Grants not an offence: MACC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Cor-
ruption Commission (MACC) said it was
not an offence for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi to promise an additional grant for
youths in Terengganu recently.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri
Azam Baki (pic) said the announcement
was above board as the allocations prom-
ised to Terengganu were federal-level ini-
tiatives, following backlash from quarters
over the announcement which constituted
‘bribery’ to voters in the ongoing state
elections.
“The government can implement initia-
tives deemed appropriate for the public. In
Of agropreneurs
and changing
mindset towards
agribusiness
PAGE 4
Also present were Sabah Labour Depart-
ment Director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa and
Sabah Social Security Organisation (Socso)
Director Dr Mohd Ali Hindia, among oth-
ers.
Due to a substantial number of locals
being unemployed, he said a holistic solu-
tion is needed to address the issue.
This should include proper coordina-
tion as well as views from the private sector,
non-governmental organisations and aca-
demics to enable the Federal and State Gov-
ernments in drafting and planning policies
as well as laws for the benefit of Sabah and
the people,” he said.
Makhzan also reminded employers in
Sabah to register their workers with the
Sabah Labour Department or risk legal
action.
Under the Sabah Labor Ordinance Sec-
tion 59A, business premises are required to
register with the department within 90
days and failure to do so can cost them up
to RM10,000 in fines, upon conviction.
Under this section of the ordinance, any
person or employer is required to give a
written notification to any nearby JTK office
regarding employment-related informa-
tion, and failure to do so is an offence under
Section 130E(f) of the Labour Ordinance
Meanwhile, he said youths play a key
role in bringing about changes in the
socioeconomic structure and that they
must be directly involved in the coun-
try’s governance and development.
“The cooperative movement is an
instrument capable of offering entre-
preneurial and leadership education
opportunities in order to develop high
quality and more competent human
capital talent,” he said.
According to him, the global eco-
nomic landscape is fast altering as a
result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which
offers a number of challenges that
demand immediate response.
He believes that youth participation
is vital since they are the group capable
of executing creative projects in keeping
with the digitalization wave.
“This group consists of age groups
that keep up with the pace of technol-
ogy and have extensive knowledge in
the field.
“I believe that the combination of
youth leadership and existing leader-
ship can accelerate the regional cooper-
ative movement’s achievement in
enhancing the community’s standard of
living for the sake of sustainable and
inclusive economic growth,” he said.
Entrepreneur Development and
Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon
Benedick urged more young people to
choose cooperatives as a source of
socioeconomic development as a group.
“Cooperatives are a vehicle to
empower individuals, particularly
youths, who share the same goal of
working together to contribute actively
in economic and social development.
“By fostering the spirit of together-
ness and solidarity, cooperatives are
able to change the lives of youths in the
face of uncertainty and current eco-
nomic challenges,” he said.
See Page 2, Col. 5
my view, there is no issue
with regards to these
grants as they are govern-
ment initiatives.
“If the allocations
were approved by the (federal) govern-
ment, there is no element of bribery,” he
was quoted as saying.
At an event in on July 28, Ahmad Zahid
had announced grants of RM250,000 to
the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council,
RM200,000 to motorcycle teams through-
out the state, and RM100,000 to the Cen-
tral Terengganu Development Authority
(Ketengah) youth association.
(Sabah Chapter 67). Employers, whether
new or seasoned, are required to register so
that the Sabah Labour Department has a
record of their businesses.
“In a limited time offered, the Labor
Department is exempting compounds for
employers in Sabah who wish to register
with the department before Oct. 31. They
can do so via scanning a QR code at
jtksbh.mohr.gov.my/qrdaftar/.
“The department will not press charges
or issue compounds to employers who reg-
ister before the deadline, including those
who have passed their 90-day premise
operation registration limit,” he said.
On the convention, Makhzan said it is an
initiative by the Labor Department to func-
tion as a platform for the Government to
deliver the country’s latest relevant policies
and laws to all parties to ensure that each
policy or law that they implement can
achieve the hopes and aspirations of indus-
try players in the State.
This involved some 40 participants in
the convention, including employers and
human capital officers from various sec-
tors, as well as representatives from
employer associations, labor unions, NGOs
and Institute of Higher Learning (IPTA)
students.
Interim Domestic
Trade Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime
Minister Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim said
Datuk Seri Armizan
Mohd Ali (pic) will be
the acting Domestic
Trade and Cost of Living
Minister.
Armizan is the Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak
Affairs and Special Duties), but will handle
the portfolio until a permanent replace-
ment is appointed for Datuk Seri Salahud-
din Ayub who died last week, Anwar said.
“For now, Armizan has been given the
responsibility to supervise and continue
the ministry’s operations,” he told
reporters.
Anwar also said Deputy Domestic Trade
and Cost of Living Minister Senator Fuziah
Salleh will work with the ministry’s secre-
tary-general, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, to
continue with their ongoing initiatives.
Last Sunday, Salahuddin, the minister
responsible for the Rahmah initiative, died
unexpectedly at the age of 61.
REVIVING THE SABAH PADI BOARD
Sabah needs to get rid of Bernas first
KOTA KINABALU:
Sabah should negoti-
ate with the Federal
Government to break
Bernas’ rice monopoly
and allow the pro-
posed Sabah Paddy
Board to take over, said
Senator Datuk John Ambrose (pic).
“Bernas has been raking millions of
ringgit in profits by importing rice from
other countries and neglecting local
paddy farmers.
“Eventually local paddy farmers just
give up. That is why Sabah’s rice self-suffi-
ciency level (SSL) is at 22 per cent while 78
per cent of the State’s rice needs are met by
Proposal right step: Farmers
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Farmers Organisation (PPNS) hailed
the State Government’s decision to revive the Sabah Paddy Board (LPS).
Its Chairman Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdullah (pic) said the proposal
would benefit the people and state.
The Board was scrapped due to rampant corruption, among others, during the Ber-
jaya administration.
“We are quite confident that LPS can help Sabah achieve rice self-sufficiency of 60pc
by 2030 as projected by the State Government compared to only 22pc now.
“It will reduce imports from Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan and others as well as the
outflow of currency,” he said, at the Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day Celebration
(HPPNS) at Wisma Pertanian Sabah, Sunday.
“Many farmers are involved in rice cultivation, especially in Kota Belud, Kota Marudu,
Papar, Keningau and others. They have contributed significantly to the production of
local rice in Sabah”, said Mohd Nazri.
Deputy Chief Minister I and State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry,
Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan officiated the closing of the HPPNS 2023 celebration.
Sabah Paddy
Board
for 60pc
sufficiency
PAGE 7
Zazuli (second right) with Nasir (second left) showing the
syabu that were seized during the Wednesday operation.
Bid to pass off RM3.3m
Syabu as detergent fails
Jeremy S Zabala
KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to smuggle
in syabu worth RM3.36 million disguised
as detergent failed with the year’s biggest
such seizure at Sepanggar Port last
Wednesday.
Customs Director General Datuk
Zazuli Johan said the Narcotics Branch
Enforcement Operation Unit, Customs
Operational Battle Force Response
Assault (Cobra) conducted a 5pm raid,
following a tip-off.
The team inspected the container that
arrived from Port Klang and found the
drug stored in nine boxes.
“Further inspection on the boxes
yielded the methamphetamine weighing
101.951kg worth RM3,364,383. The drugs
were packed inside transparent packets
kept inside Anchor brand detergent
packs.
“Aside from the drugs, the boxes also
contained actual detergent. It is believed
that this was a tactic to confuse authori-
ties,” he told a press conference at Cus-
toms Wisma Penguatkuasa, Sunday.
Also present was Assistant Director-
General (Sabah Zone) Mohd Nasir Dera-
man, among others.
imports from China, Vietnam, Thailand
and Pakistan as mentioned by Chief Min-
ister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor,” he said.
Ambrose, who is also Parti Gagasan
Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Supreme Council
Member, said he fully supports Hajiji’s
move to revive the Sabah Paddy Board.
“I have spoken in the Senate on numer-
ous occasions about the need to look into
rice self-sufficiency but nothing much
seems to have been done,” he said.
Ambrose said Hajiji’s farsightedness in
reviving the Board will go a long way in
ensuring the State would have sufficient
rice one day.
“Before, millions of ringgit for the
improvement of irrigation system were
For
more
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No arrest was made despite the whop-
ping amount. Investigations are contin-
uing to identify the sender and the
intended recipient at a condominium in
Likas.
Zazuli said the modus operandi was to
distribute the drugs using containers
and placing them in detergent packages
as well as declaring them to be so.
“The goods will be mixed with other
goods in a ‘Less than Container-Load’
(LCL) container. The case is being inves-
tigated according to Section 39B of the
Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
He said Sabah Customs also seized
122.9kg drugs worth RM7.66m in opera-
tions between January and July 25 this
year.
“This includes 103.17kg methamphet-
amine-type worth RM3,857,920.84;
10.09kg cannabis estimated worth
RM54,226.90; and 9.65kg Ketamine and
Ecstasy estimated worth RM382,443.80.
“In addition, Sabah Customs also
seized 631.77kg ketum worth RM6,289.31.
Some 581.48kg of ketum powder esti-
mated worth RM5,786.46 and 50.29kg
ketum leaves estimated worth
RM502.85,” he said.
announced for padi-planting areas such as
Kota Belud but today not many know what
happened…whether the millions spent
has bought about the desired results,” he
said.
Ambrose, who is also Fama Corp Chair-
man, said:
“In most areas such as Penampang, the
State Government stopped the conversion
of paddy fields for other development.
“However, many paddy fields have been
left idle as the older generation obviously
could not handle the task anymore due to
their age while the younger generation is
not keen.
“With the proposed Sabah Paddy
Board, these idle paddy fields could be
revived with the assistance of the Board.
The Federal Government should also
pump in allocations to assist Sabah paddy
farmers,” he said.
Ambrose said there is no reason why
Sabah could not achieve rice self-suffi-
ciency as the State has vast land, not
including the many abandoned paddy
fields all over the State.
“But first, the State Government has to
get rid of Bernas which is the stumbling
block. Hopefully the Federal Government
will let Sabah manage the rice trade as well
as pumping allocations to ensure the suc-
cess of Sabah’s padi industry,” he said.
Ambrose, who is also Yayasan Bumipu-
tra Sabah (YBS) Chairman, said once the
Board is set up, its officials should go to
rice producing countries like Vietnam,
China and Thailand to learn from them.

2 Local
CM to present
SPM High
Achievers Award
KOTA KINABALU:
Forty high-achiev-
ing students will be
awarded the Sabah
State Scholarship
Award of Excellence
(ABCNS), the high-
est academic recog-
nition in the State. 
The 34 th annual
award will be presented by the Chief Min-
ister-cum-Yayasan Sabah Board of
Trustees Chairman, Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji
bin Haji Noor on Aug 1 at the Auditorium
Tun Ahmad Raffae, Menara Tun Mustapha.
Yayasan Sabah Director, Dato’ Sri Haji
Gulamhaidar @ Yusof bin Khan Bahadar
(pic), said ABCNS is a prestigious award
given by the State Government through
the Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) to out-
standing Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
students.
Gulamhaidar also said ABCNS is a driv-
ing force for students to strive for excel-
lence in their academic pursuits.
YSG urges students to seize the oppor-
tunity to pursue and excel in education to
secure a job placement in the market.
“To all recipients, I hope they will use
this opportunity and not let it go to waste.
They are the chosen ones among thou-
sands of students. As the award celebrates
students’ accomplishments, I hope they
will continue to work hard to develop into
well-rounded individuals capable of
meeting the needs of the current job mar-
ket.
“Thus, I believe the award will serve as
an impetus to produce not only academi-
cally brilliant students but also responsi-
ble individuals who contribute positively
to society,” he said.
Presently, 484 recipients of ABCNS have
completed their studies, while another 213
are still studying.
“With another 40 students receiving
the award this year, the ABCNS recipients
will be pursuing various courses from a
wide field of studies aligning with their
career goals and the rapidly changing
knowledge-based economy,” he added.
Since its establishment nearly 60 years
ago, YSG has been fulfilling its mission to
uplift the quality of life of Malaysians in
Sabah.
Since then, YSG has been moving for-
ward and remains steadfast, contributing
to the efforts of the State and Federal Gov-
ernments in developing the State, partic-
Two more IKS
ularly in education.
Marts to open
in Tawau,
Lahad Datu
Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: Two more Small and Medium
Industrial Product Centres (IKS) or IKS
Marts will be opened in Sabah this year,
namely in Tawau and Lahad Datu.
Assistant Minister of Industrial Develop-
ment and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Andi
Muhammad Suryady Bandy, said there are
eight IKS Marts which are centres for micro,
small and medium enterprise (MSE) entre-
preneurs to place their products.
They are at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens,
Beaufort, Ranau, Papar, Kota Marudu,
Pasaraya Oceanus and Tuaran.
The opening of the two new IKS Marts
will give opportunities for SME entrepre-
neurs in Tawau and Lahad Datu to collect,
exhibit, promote and sell products pro-
duced by local entrepreneurs from all over
the district, thus increasing sales revenue.
Andi, who is also Kalabakan Member of
Parliament and Tanjung Batu Assembly-
man, said after officiating the Tawau Zone
Sabah PKMS Entrepreneurs Carnival at the
Tawau Municipal Council Square, here, Sat-
urday.
He said his Ministry would also open
another industrial park in the East Coast of
Sabah in addition to the existing industrial
park in the State.
“We will open an industrial park in the
area between Kota Marudu, Kota Belud and
another on the East Coast, possibly in
Tawau,” he said.
He said the government’s initiative was
to help further develop the industry in
Sabah and provide facilities to investors to
increase their investment.
He added that entrepreneurs could also
take the opportunity from moving the
Indonesian capital to Kalimantan in the
future, to improve the local economy and
the state.
Andi said the carnival aimed to help
SMEs explore new market opportunities,
increase sales, conduct business matches
with supermarkets and introduce their
products to residents in the East Coast area.
Thirty exhibition stalls under State and
Federal Government agencies and 80 sales
stalls of SME entrepreneurs and traders took
part.
Andi urged SMEs to improve the prod-
ucts of entrepreneurs for the local and for-
eign markets which would increase job
opportunities for the people.
He said the effort increased the contribu-
tion of the manufacturing sector to Sabah’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 7.5 per
cent or RM5.9 billion in 2021 with 69 per
cent from the Food Processing Industry
comprising SMEs in the state.
All Chinese voters in p’sula must turn out: Huazong
KUDAT: The immi-
nent state elections
for the six states in
the peninsula will be
a major test for the
Unity Government
and will have a great
impact on political
landscape of the
country, especially in
the peninsula.
Federation of Chinese Associations
Malaysia (Huazong) President, Tan Sri T.C
Goh (pic) said the outcome of the six state
elections would also be considered as the
“wind vane” for the coming general elec-
tions nationwide.
He urged all registered voters in the six
states, Chinese especially, to come out to
AirAsia’s billion-$ P’pines plan
Nikko Fabian
KOTA KINABALU: AirAsia has pledged to
invest $1 billion to expand its operations in
the Philippines.
“We think we can bring a lot of value to
the Philippines on logistics,” Capital A
Berhad Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri
Anthony Francis Fernandez said at a round-
table meeting with President Ferdinand R
Marcos Jr during the latter’s three-day state
visit to Malaysia last week.
This was disclosed by Presidential Com-
munications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
Reacting to Fernandez’ commitment,
Marcos expressed his appreciation to AirA-
sia, the fourth-largest airline in Asia.
“Thank you. We’re all very happy that
you see such good prospects for the Philip-
pines,” Marcos said.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Fer-
nandez signed a letter of intent, indicating
expansion plans for his business in the
Philippines, specifically for aviation and
aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul
operations, Air Asia super app and logistics
operations.
Fernandez said Capital A Berhad had to
bounce back and restructure its businesses
to get back to the pre-pandemic levels.
“We’re excited about what we can do in
the Philippines and really stimulate small,
medium enterprises. We think we can bring
a lot of value to the Philippines on logis-
tics,” Fernandez told Marcos.
“So, over the next few years, we think
Sabahan among 50 shortlisted
we’ll invest about $1 billion in the Philip-
pines. We have about $300 million so far.
for Global Student Prize
KOTA KINABALU: Nurul
Nazieha Jasnie (pic) of
Kolej  Vokasional
Keningau (KVK) is the
only Malaysian among
50 top students short-
listed for the Global Stu-
dent Prize (GSP)
organised by Varkey
Foundation in the United Kingdom.  ments can be an inspiration to all students
KVK, in a statement to Bernama Sunday,
said they were informed by the foundation
that Nurul Nazieha, 19, is the only Malaysian
in the running for the award this year,
which carries a  US$100,000 prize for the
champion.
Nurul Nazieha, from  Kampung  Taun
Gusi in Kota Belud, is pursuing her Diploma
in Bakery and Pastry at KVK.
To vie for the award, Nurul Nazieha had
to send in an application with evidence of
her work and attend an interview via Zoom
with overseas panellists, it said.
“Nurul Nazieha has used the skills learnt
in bakery to implement a community proj-
ect targeted at mothers from the low-
income group.
“Nurul Nazieha has also started her own
PVATM looking at merging
biscuit business under the  ‘Tia Cookie’
brand name and used the profits she
over 120 similar associations
Jonathan Nicholas
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Army Vet-
erans Association (PVATM) are looking at
merging more than 120 similar associa-
tions in the country for easier funding
from the government.
PVATM Deputy President II Aminuddin
Karim said this at the 41st Sabah PVATM con-
ference here on Sunday.
Officiating the event was Deputy Chief
Minster III Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya who
welcomed the idea.
“The Sabah PVATM specifically wishes
for a headquarters, Wisma Pahlawan. I
understand that Sabah is the only state
without it.
“As a member of the State Cabinet I
support this motion. Therefore, I urge
that a task force be established for that
matter.
“Army vets are like one of the many
bridges connecting the government and
people. I will be doing my best to help,” he
said after donating RM10,000 from his
Public Works Ministry to the cause.
Shahelmey told about a hundred in
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
cast their votes.
Goh, who is also President of The Feder-
ation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS)
said this when officiating the torch run for
the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival
(NCCF) at Pei Tsin High School, here, Satur-
day.
Also present were Goh’s wife Puan Sri
Joanne Ho, Kudat Member of Parliament
Datuk Verdon Bahanda, Tg Kapor assembly-
man Ben Chong, main organising chairman
of 38th NCCF cum FCAS Deputy President
Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, her deputy
cum Vice President of FCAS, Kapitan Fung
Chun Fatt, FCAS Vice President Ng Young
Wah, Organising Chairman of Kudat torch
run cum Chairman of Pei Tsin School Board,
Soon Kah Khian and its Principal, Kong Kui
Kiong, among others.
Marcos (left) and Fernandez after their
business meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
We want to grow our aircraft from 23 to 50,
including wide-body aircraft. We are just
applying for the licence now,” he said.
Fernandez said doing business in the
Philippines had always been a pleasure as
he reiterated his commitment to the
administration.
Marcos secured some $285 million
worth of investment pledges from busi-
nesses in leaders in Malaysia in food pro-
cessing, multi-service digital platforms,
aviation and aviation maintenance support
services, logistics, manufacturing, infra-
structure, and water and wastewater treat-
ment, among others.
“I had the benefit of meeting a number
of Malaysian businesses in the key sectors
of agriculture, transportation, and technol-
ogy,” Marcos said during a roundtable
meeting with business leaders.
He said the meetings provided insights
that convinced him that the Philippines
obtained to participate in an innovation
competition in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022,” the
statement said.
Meanwhile,  KVK Director Christine
Stanislaus Kinsik is confident that Nurul
Nazieha’s achievements can help improve
the marketability of vocational college
graduates in the country.
“It is hoped that Nurul Nazieha’s achieve-
and youths in Sabah and other states to con-
tinue enhancing the country’s name on the
world stage,” she said.
Varkey Foundation, in a separate state-
ment, said Nurul Nazieha, with the help of
some teachers, has also mobilised her peers
to start a baking class for single mothers
and women from low-income backgrounds.
It said they have trained over 120 single
and low-income mothers from the 40 per
cent of the population that earns less than
the average income,  so that they can use
these new skills to make their living.
According to the statement, if  Nurul
Nazieha wins, she plans to use the funds to
expand and transform her business into a
social enterprise by combining it with com-
munity workshops and public outreach to
train more women to kickstart their own
businesses. – Bernama
Shahelmey (middle) with
Aminuddin (left) and Marshid (right)
during the launching gimmick.
attendance to be hopeful as he would be
talking with the Chief Minister.
Sabah PVATM Chief, Marshid Mohd
Salleh earlier disclosed that the associa-
tion here had not been doing so well due
to limited sponsors.
In Sabah, there are 10 army veteran
associations but only five are active.
Founded in 1922, PVATM has 7,780 mem-
bers in Sabah and 170,000 members
nationwide.
The nomination day for the six state elec-
tions in Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan,
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu was Satur-
day. A total of 572 candidates are vying for
the 245 state seats.
Of the 245 seats, he said Kedah, Kelantan
and Terengganu have 113 seats which are
predominantly occupied by Malay voters;
they are also the most intensely-contested
seats for the Malay-based political parties,
following the last general elections which
were held last November.
The other three states namely Penang,
Selangor and Negeri Sembilan have a total
of 132 state seats, with more than 50 per cent
of the voters in Penang and Selangor being
Chinese, while Negeri Sembilan has almost
equal numbers of Chinese and Malay voters.
This, he said, means these three states
and Malaysia are moving in the right direc-
tion, with structural changes that would
establish the Philippines as the ideal invest-
ment partner for Malaysian businesses.
The President said Malaysia is the fourth
top source of foreign direct investments of
the Philippines, which stands at $108 mil-
lion.
He said this stood at the same level for
“a fairly long time now” and it is time to
increase the level of trade.
“The investments that we have agreed
on so far will inject a total of about $285
million, serving as a robust and affirmative
indication of the ongoing trust and keen
interest of businesses and investors in the
Philippines,” he said, thanking the busi-
nessmen for their trust and confidence in
the Philippines.
He assured business leaders of his
administration’s commitment to continue
its support not only to prospective
Malaysian investors, but also to Malaysian
companies doing business in the Philip-
pines.
“We have made our system of corporate
taxation more business-friendly with a
lower tax rate and improved mechanism
for tax and incentives. We continue to seek
ways to facilitate and expedite investments.
“We recently established what we refer
to as green lanes for strategic investments
as a means to establish a whole-of-govern-
ment approach to facilitate at the highest
level of government the critical investments
necessary for the development and com-
Upko eyes
petitiveness of our economy,” Marcos said.
Bengkoka
seat in
next polls
Nikko Fabian
KOTA KINABALU: The United Progressive
Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) is hoping
to capture the Benkoka state seat in the
next electoral exercise.
Party’s Information Chief Dr Peter Jr
Naintin said Upko’s candidate for the
Bengkoka seat in the last state election
(2020) fared quite well.
“In the 2020 state election, Bengkoka
the highest number of candidates com-
prising 11 from various parties.
However, Upko candidate, Junsim
Ruminzing managed to obtain the sec-
ond-highest number of votes. He did not
win the seat only because the votes were
split among nine other candidates, Peter
said when officiating the Upko Informa-
tion Bureau’s Outreach Programme.
“The party also sees its position in the
area getting stronger with the addition of
new members,” he said.
Upko Deputy President Datuk Wong TF
spoke about the preparation of leaders in
the electoral process, while Peter spoke on
the party’s direction, strength and posi-
tion in the government, including oppor-
tunities in the coming general election.
The Upko Information Bureau’s Out-
reach Programme also featured two lec-
tures where Prof Madya Dr Romzi Ationg,
Senior Coordinator at the Centre for Train-
ing in Science and Language, UMS, pre-
sented a paper titled Fundamental
Knowledge of National Identity while
Mailin Masimbin, a retiree from Maybank,
gave a presentation titled Financial Plan-
‘Candidates should maintain good manners’
ning and Financial Security for the Future.
TAIPING: Candidates contesting in the
six state elections should maintain good
manners and not insult others when cam-
paigning, said Minister in the Prime Min-
ister’s Department (Religious Affairs)
Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said they also need to avoid slander-
ous acts when campaigning, not to men-
tion actions that can undermine the
people’s unity.
“Allah forbids any party to insult other
races and people. In this context, the can-
didates can have different opinions, poli-
tics and ideologies but they need to stay
away from insulting and dividing the peo-
ple of this country,” he said during a press
conference after the symbolic handing
would cater a number of mixed constituen-
cies that would be intensely contested by
political parties from both sides of the
divide.
He opined that the eventual outcomes of
the six state elections may ultimately have a
“subtle” impact on Sabah and Sarawak.
“It may not affect the current political sit-
uation in Sabah. But, the outcome will be a
“wind vane” which would influence the
“political direction” in Sabah.
He noted that Sabah which had its state
election in 2020 has another two years to go
before the present state government is dis-
solved.
The state’s anti-party hop law was passed
in the State Legislative Assembly in May.
He, thus, opined Sabah would continue
to enjoy a stable political situation.
M’sian trio
deny bid to
con Brunei
palace
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bul-
letin/ANN): A Malaysian trio have denied
45 charges of conspiring to cheat Hyatt
Borneo Management Services (HBMS), a
service provider based at Istana Nurul
Iman, in a further mention of the case in
the capital.
Senior Magistrate Hajah Ervy Sufitri-
ana Abdul Rahman adjourned the case to
August 9 on hearing the guilty pleas
entered by 51-year-old Sam Ying Kok, 56-
year-old Abdul Sani bin Abdul Mutalib
and 56-year-old Iskak bin Rahmat.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Rozaimah
Abdul Rahman, who took over the case,
will cite evidence from allegations that
Sam had conspired with Iskak and Abdul
Sani to cheat HBMS into believing that
the Dawn baking flour supplied and
delivered by Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhas-
san between February 1, 2021 and March
1, 2022 is still usable despite it having the
product expired. With the deception,
HBMS ordered and paid BND25,780.
The charges arose from Anti-Corrup-
tion Bureau (ACB) findings which alleged
Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan, a long-
time flour supplier to HBMS, supplied
expired Dawn baking flour to HBMS. The
Dawn flour was allegedly surplus from
orders made by Perusahaan Ala Haji Bol-
hassan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the Covid-19 restrictions lifted,
the company sold the expired flour to
HBMS, the ACB purported.
The investigation in June 2022 saw the
arrests of Perusahaan Ala Haji Bolhassan,
general manager Sam, HBMS pastry chef
Iskak and HBMS materials manager
Sustainable
Abdul Sani. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
cooperative
practices
From Page One
The APCYS 4.0 is a platform for young co-
operators to gather and learn about sustain-
able cooperative practices and efforts, dive
into cooperative practices directly, share
cooperative business ideas, and experience
first-hand the cultural differences brought
by participants from Asia Pacific countries.
The four-day event, themed “Coopera-
tion for Sustainable Lifestyle,” drew 186
youths from 19 countries in the Asia Pacific
area, including Malaysia, the program’s
fourth stop since its inception in 2016.
APCYS 4.0 is organized in collaboration
with the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Coop-
eration and hosted by Angkasa as the apex
body of the Malaysian cooperative move-
ment in support of the Ministry of Entrepre-
neurship and Cooperative Development,
the Malaysian Cooperative Commission, the
Sabah Tourism Board and the State Indus-
trial Development and Entrepreneurship
Ministry.
Present were Assistant Minister to the
Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, and
the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Coopera-
tives Development Secretary General Datuk
Sri Suriani Ahmad.
over of ‘Inpsirasiku MyHaus’ housing
aid under the Malaysian Islamic Economic
Development Foundation (YaPEIM) here
Sunday.
Mohd Na’im advised  candidates to
focus on the policies for voters and ensure
that they are fulfilled for the well-being of
the people.
Commenting on the law on voting for
women who are in ‘iddah’ (a period where
a woman is required to stay home and not
venture out except for necessities) due to
the death of their husbands, Mohd Na’im
said it is obligatory for them to vote.
He said women have a responsibility to
the country to choose a leader and leaving
the house to vote is allowed. – Bernama

Pledge on identity of informants
Winnie Kasmir
SANDAKAN: The identity of informants
who channel information to the police
and security forces will not be disclosed so
as to ensure their safety, said State Police
Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun.
He assured that the identity of inform-
ants would remain confidential and the
public should not be hesitant to pass
information related to crime activities to
the authorities.
“The community here is encouraged to
continue channelling information about
crime activities without hesitation to the
security forces including police.
“There are people who do not know
how to pass such information to relevant
authorities.
“One of the reasons people do not pass
on information is because they are wor-
ried that the identity of the informant will
be exposed. We assure that the identities
of whistleblowers would be kept confiden-
tial,” he said.
Jauteh said this at the Community
Policing Programme in Kampung Tinusa
2, here, recently.
Through the programme, he said they
are enhancing public awareness on the
importance of crime prevention and their
Housebreaking:
roles in preventing crime including assur-
M’sian Super
League footballer
pleads not guility
PONTIAN: A former Malaysian Super
League footballer pleaded not guilty at
the Magistrate’s Court here to several
charges involving housebreaking and
retaining stolen property.  Digital (KKD) last March.
For the first charge, Mohd Azinee
Taib, 33;  together with  Khairul Akmal
Zainol Abidin, 31, and Muhammad
Hairul Hafiz Muzaren, 24, pleaded not
guilty to  breaking and entering with
the intention to steal the possessions
of See Chai Lian at a house in Jalan Cen-
dana 2, Taman Cendana, Benut, here at
1.15 pm on July 3.  people of Labuan,” she said.
They were charged under section 457
of the Penal Code which carries a maxi-
mum jail term of 14 years and a fine,
upon conviction.
Mohd Azinee, who played for Johor
Darul Takzim II and Penang among oth-
ers, also pleaded not guilty to another
charge of breaking into the house of
Neo Kong Yiew at Lorong 8, Taman
Benut Utama at 12.05 pm on June 8, with
two others at large, with the intention
of committing theft.
Mohd Azinee also pleaded not guilty
to  a charge of retaining stolen goods,
namely a handphone with a sim card
belonging to See Chai Lian, at the Ayer
Baloi Fisherman’s jetty, near here, at
4.30 pm on July 3.  and children.
Muhammad Hairul, meanwhile,
pleaded not guilty to the same offence,
by retaining among others, a Fossil wal-
let, two Vietnam Airlines flight tickets
in the name of  Tree Ching Beng and
South Korean currency amounting to
22,000 won.  tors who flooded the area along the Kuching
He is accused of committing the
offence along Jalan Batu Pahat-
Sanglang near Ayer Baloi here at  1.30
pm on July 3.  bly building.
The charge is punishable by a maxi-
mum of five years jail or a fine, or both,
upon conviction.
All three accused were unrepre-
sented, and Magistrate Nur Azzuin
Abdul Moati fixed bail at RM5,000 for
each offence with one surety after con-
sidering their plea for a lower bail
amount on the grounds that they had
families to support.  this (yesterday) afternoon so we were really
She then fixed case mention for
Aug 30. – Bernama
Agri Park block destroyed
The building that was destroyed by fire.
Johan Aziz
TENOM: A building storing office supplies at the Agricultural Park Lagud Seberang
was destroyed in a fire here, Sunday.
The district Fire and Rescue Station received a call at 4.59am and a team of 13 fire-
men led by Operation Commander, Mohd Zainal Sinsian, rushed to the scene with
machinery. According to the Operation Commander, the team extinguished the fire
used water from the machinery tank.
He said no casualty was reported and the operation ended at 8.27am.
ing them that the identity of the inform-
ants will be protected.
The programme were also attended by
the Sabah Crime Prevention and Commu-
nity Safety Department (KJPJKK) SAC
Mohd Azhar Hamin, Sandakan District
Police Chief ACP Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek
and other department heads.
It also featured various exhibitions
from government agencies such as the
Broadband package to benefit rural students
police, Sandakan Prison Department, San-
dakan Fire and Rescue Department, Royal
Winnie Kasmir
SANDAKAN: The Fixed Broadband Unity
Package under the Rahmah Package is
expected to be enjoyed by the community,
especially students in rural areas.
Supporting the initiative of the Unity
Government, Sabah Umno Head of Infor-
mation, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, wants the
rural community, especially in the state, not
to miss out on the package introduced
under the Ministry of Communications and
Decade on, boat
He said the government’s initiative to
parade back
on S’wak River
KUCHING: After a decade of the parade of
decorated boats not being held in the State,
the Sarawak River was once again enlivened
with colourful neon lights Saturday night, in
conjunction with the 60th anniversary of
Sarawak’s independence.
Held along the Sarawak River including
the Kuching Waterfont, Pengkalan Sapi,
Kampung Boyan jetty and waterfront, a total
of 20 decorated boats competed in the
parade, from various ministries, agencies
and private companies.
For the first time witnessing the beauty of
the row of boats from the Kuching Water-
front, visitor Junaidah Mohd Nor, 54, who
hails from Selangor, took the opportunity to
celebrate the night’s event with her husband
“I’ve been living and working in Sarawak
for six years, so I didn’t want to miss the
opportunity for this event that hasn’t been
held in 10 years,” she said.
The celebration themed ‘Sarawak Maju
Makmur 2030’ attracted about 10,000 visi-
Waterfront to capture the beautiful
moments of the parade against the back-
drop of the Sarawak State Legislative Assem-
Meantime, a visitor from Pontianak,
Indonesia, Benozi Tamrin, 25, did not expect
his four-day vacation with 13 family mem-
bers to this city would be more meaningful
as they had the chance to watch the glorious
parade.
“We as a family were informed by immi-
gration that there was a big event in Kuching
at night when we were about to come here
excited because the atmosphere is different
from that in Pontianak,” he said. – Bernama
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
Malaysian Navy, Fisheries Department,
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), National
Registration Department (NRD) and
blood donation activities.
Jauteh also hoped that the programme
would attract more youths because statis-
tics in Sabah showed that 70 per cent of
crime cases involved people aged between
15 and 45.
He hoped these activities can benefit
youths who are the biggest contributors to
crime in terms of violence, property and
improve broadband services for the needy
is timely in line with the latest develop-
ments in information technology. The
effort was to ensure the target group enjoys
good and high-speed internet access.
“People in rural areas, especially stu-
dents, need high-speed internet access for
their studies and to keep up with current
information technology developments,” he
said, recently.
Fixed Broadband Integration Package
was launched by KKD Minister Fahmi Fadzil
last March 30 with speed of up to 30 Mbps
Representing Sabah, PropNex winners (from left) Kenneth
PropNex Sabah bags five
Chai, Stephon Chong, Philomena Chai and Bonnie Hong.
national real estate awards
David Thien
KUALA LUMPUR: PropNex Sabah won the
coveted “State Real Estate Firm of the Year”
in the 2023 National Real Estate Awards
(NREA), which was organised by the
Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents
(MIEA) held at a leading hotel here,
recently.
The leading Sabah-based real estate
agency also won four other NREA awards,
namely, “State Residential Real Estate Firm
of the Year” and “State Industrial Real
Estate Firm of the Year” (Kenneth Chai);
“State Residential REN of the Year” and
“State REN of the Year” (Bonnie Hong).
Strategic focus excellence and quality
service contributed to the wins for Prop-
Nex Sabah.
The NREA recognises the luminaries
among Malaysia’s real estate agents, real
estate negotiators (REN) and practition-
ers. These awards set new standards for
professionalism. PropNex Sabah is known
to perform to their utmost professional-
ism in carrying out their duties and serv-
ices strategically.
The much sought after Sabah REN
(Real Estate Negotiator) of the Year Award
is a most motivating achievement for Bon-
nie Hong. She attributed her win to Prop-
Nex’s team effort prowess.
“No Team, No Award! My winning was
possible due to the effort of my team and
the entire Team PropNex; from my team
leaders to our backroom support staff,”
Hong said.
As for REN Kenneth Chai, who was pre-
viously engaged in a property develop-
ment company, his niche industrial
property knowledge based on years of
experience has helped him to close deals
including a major warehouse transaction.
He said that there is still demand for ware-
Agong receives outgoing UAE envoy
house space here in Kota Kinabalu and
developers can seize on this opportunity.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Yang di-Per-
tuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatud-
din Al-Mustafa Billah Shah granted
audience to outgoing UAE Ambassador to
Malaysia Khalid Ghanim Alghaith at the
Istana Negara, on the occasion of the latter
ending his tenure as ambassador to the
Jauteh
with the
department
heads and
community
of Kg Tinusa
2 who
attended the
programme.
narcotics.
In another development, Jauteh wel-
comed the allocation of RM150 million
that was announced by the Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for maintaining
and upgrading infrastructures belonging
to the police and prison departments
across the country, recently.
He said Sabah also received benefits
from the allocation and will be used to
repair and maintain police quarters
throughout Sabah.
and unlimited data at a price of RM69 per
month.
The package is offered with a 24-month
subscription contract aimed at reducing
the burden on the target group, namely
B40, through service providers such as
Telekom Malaysia, Celcom, Digi, Maxis and
YTL Communication Berhad.
Suhaimi, who is also for Libaran MP, said
continuous initiatives need to be carried
out to ensure the internet coverage the
State is more extensive, especially in rural
areas.
PropNex Sabah Agency Leader Philom-
ena Chai said, “Modest as our strategy may
seem, we were still on track and impor-
tantly, at the same time, our strategy to
seek out new revenue streams also met
with success.
“We were able to expand into provid-
ing advisory services and this elevated
PropNex Sabah to new levels. It is a mile-
stone that we hope is the beginning of a
new and sustainable stream of income for
the firm in years to come.
“The team at PropNex Sabah includes
veterans in real estate agencies, property
developers and ex-bankers and invest-
ment bankers.”
According to property marketing
strategist Alex Loh, PropNex’s paced
growth strategy enhancing current
strengths of existing network, a profes-
sional team and seeking new earning
streams has paid off.
“Despite challenging exogenous cir-
cumstances including geopolitical ten-
sions involving Russia, USA, China,
Ukraine and Taiwan, PropNex Sabah
acknowledged that the real estate indus-
try has local focus and strategically
worked around this stance.”
He stressed that PropNex Sabah man-
aged to capitalise on domestic growth
driven by strong domestic demand and
underpinned by improvements in the
labour market. The recovery of inbound
tourism lent further support to economic
growth activities.
PropNex Co-Agency Leader Stephon
Chong, commenting on the five awards
said, “Winning the NREA Awards will
encourage us to stay the path of being
professional, honest and continuing to
emphasise on training.
“We plan to celebrate these awards by
holding a special CSR event by our Team
PropNex.”
country.
Alghaith conveyed to His Majesty the
greetings of President of the UAE, Sheikh
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Presi-
dent, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak-
toum and Vice President, Deputy Prime
Local 3
Labuan can
still become
‘second S’pore’,
claims DG
Nikko Fabian
LABUAN: Labuan, which is an interna-
tional business and financial centre, still
has the potential to become a “second Sin-
gapore”, according to Federal Territories
Department Director-General Datuk Seri
Rosida Jaafar.
He said the noble vision could be a real-
ity through the development of the coun-
try’s oil and gas and maritime industries.
At the same time, she pointed out the
Labuan Structure Plan 2040 and the
Labuan Local Plan 2040, which are in the
final stages of preparation, can also ensure
that this tax-free island develops into a
more sustainable, competitive and live-
able federal territory.
“Labuan must be a vibrant island and
able to compete with other tax-free
islands… Labuan Corporation’s Manage-
ment Strategic Plan and the Digitalisation
Strategic Plan, which are improved every
five years, can be a benchmark for improv-
ing the efficiency and effectiveness of
administration, organisational manage-
ment, and the development of a sustain-
able digital ecosystem in Labuan,” she
stressed.
“This will enable Labuan Corporation
to lead the Federal Territory of Labuan to
return to its golden era in terms of gover-
nance and development in the run-up to
its 50th golden jubilee in 2034,” she said at
the opening of the Labuan Corporation
and Government Agencies’ Customer Day
Programme at the Labuan Financial Park
Complex late lsst week.
She said Labuan’s strategic location
linking Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and other
Asean countries, gives the island State a
competitive advantage as a viable eco-
nomic destination in the region.
Rosida said Labuan Corporation would
continue the momentum of Labuan’s
development through other programmes
that focus more on sustainable and inclu-
sive development trends.
“I also call on all parties to join hands
in socio-economic development and
ensure continuous improvement of infra-
structure and services for the benefit of the
Rosida said this is also in line with
Madani’s concept of readiness for change
through the consideration of suggestions
from all walks of life for shared prosperity
and well-being.
UMP rebranded
as UMPSA,
says VC
KUANTAN: After 21 years of its inception,
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) is now
rebranded as Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), said its Vice-
Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Yuserrie
Zainuddin.
He said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-
Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa
Billah Shah had consented to the use of
the UMPSA logo and name according to
the Federal Government gazette which
came into effect on April 14.
He said the rebranding of the university
to UMPSA when it was at the peak of its
success coincided with the university’s
vision of a leading technological university.
Although the name has changed, he
said the university’s main focus
areas, study programmes and enrollment
have remained according to the goals of
its establishment.
“This branding will continue to realise
the aspirations of excellence through aca-
demic empowerment, internationalisa-
tion and impactful research results as well
as produce  a quality human capital in
driving national development,” he said in
a statement Sunday.
Before this, the university was known as
Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan dan
Teknologi Malaysia (Kuktem) which was
gazetted on Feb 16, 2002, before the gov-
ernment announced the name change to
UMP effective Feb 1, 2007.
According to Yuserrie, the marketabil-
ity of UMP graduates is impressive which
is around 98.67 per cent and is among the
highest in Malaysia and this rebranding
exercise will build the university’s visibil-
ity, reputation and capabilities in line with
its world-recognised development and
achievements.
In addition, the university offers a vari-
ety of technical programmes  based on
Engineering and Technology that are
capable of enriching the high-level Tech-
nical and Vocational Education and Train-
ing (TVET) ecosystem in the country, he
said. – Bernama
Minister and Minister of the Presidential
Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al
Nahyan.
He also conveyed their wishes for further
development and prosperity for the gov-
ernment and people of Malaysia, according
to Emirates news agency (WAM).
 4 Local MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

Ewon
(centre) wit- Call to work
with Miti
nessing the
exchange of
documents
between
Dr Gerald Nikko Fabian
(left) and a
representa-
KOTA KINABALU: With the economy

tive of Kg
recording strong performance in the first
six players in all sectors are urged to work
Melangkap.

KB can be more than

closely with the Ministry of Investment
Trade and Industry (Miti) for obvious rea-
son.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary

tourist spot: Ewon

General Datuk Chin Shu Ying in making the
call said working in unison by all parties
concerned would mean better chances to
expand its scope and draw more invest-

Of agropreneurs and
ments into Malaysia.
“Statistics showed that the Malaysian Modern agricultural technologies that help automate the crop. – NST photo
economy had performed strongly in the

Mabulmaddin Shaiddin
KOTA BELUD: Kota Belud can be developed
not only as a tourist destination, but also
Also present were Land Revenue Secre-
tary Sernam Singh, Kota Belud District
Officer Hj Bakrie Nanun, Sabah Native
changing mindset
first half of 2023 and achieved many posi-
tive indexes. In fact the economy had
exceeded expectation with an expansion of
5.6 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) this

for biodiversity research, its rich flora and
fauna as well as traditional knowledge
related to and Mount Kinabalu.
Entrepreneur Development and Coop-
erative Minister Datuk Ewon Benidick, said
development could only begin if an area
has certain unique and interesting
resources, becoming an attraction for
tourists, among others.
“Relying on the wealth of natural
resources in terms of biodiversity, biocul-
ture as well as a clear direction and imple-
mentation strategy with the help of the
latest technology, I believe that Kota Belud
could be developed not only as a tourism
centre, but also as an SME centre.
“With the presence of foreign and
domestic tourists, the purchasing power
of locally produced goods will increase,
and this will drive socio-economic growth
in this district. The success and sustain-
ability of a programme requires commit-
ment and self-reliance,” he said.
Ewon, who is also Kadamaian Assem-
blyman, was officiating the 2023 World
Biodiversity Day Celebration and the Sign-
ing Ceremony of the Mutually Agreed
Terms between the Sabah Biodiversity
Centre and the Kg Melangkap Community,
at Kadamaian Square, Friday.
Affairs Council President Dr Benedict
Topin and Sabah Biodiversity Centre Sec-
retary Gerald Jetony.
Ewon added the deterioration of biodi-
versity resources over the past few decades
affected the lives of residents when floods,
long droughts and sea level rise occurred
frequently.
Therefore, the act of dealing with the
global phenomenon cannot be dealt with
by just one country.
According to him, a new approach is
necessary to ensure that the original objec-
tive of the Convention of Biodiversity or
CBD to deal with the decline of biodiver-
sity held in 1992 could be achieved.
He said his Ministry brought the
requirements of the CBD to its implemen-
tation at the State and district levels.
“I understand that Kota Belud has been
selected by the Sabah Biodiversity Centre
as one of the earliest areas for a project to
document the traditional knowledge of
biodiversity resources in Sabah.
“I believe from the results of this
documentation, we can explore new
opportunities especially in the develop-
ment of IKS from the use of biological
resources based on this traditional knowl-
edge,” he said.
year, putting our country ahead of many
regional counterparts,” Chin said.
He added, the country had seen a surge
in foreign investments with a total of
RM71.4 billion approved in Q1, which was a
60 per cent increase compared to the cor-
responding period last year.
Malaysia’s inflation rate was recorded at
2.8 per cent in May, the lowest in a year.
Chin said MITI garnered more than
RM230 billion in committed investments,
and more than RM10 billion in terms of
trade in the first half of 2023.
For the second half of the year, he said
Miti would expand its efforts in Europe and
the Middle East, with a strong focus on real-
ising the leads garnered in the first half of
2023.
Despite current challenges this year, he
said the government remained optimistic
that Malaysia would meet its gross domes-
tic product (GDP) growth projection of
between four and five per cent.
According to IMD World Competitive-
ness Ranking
(WCR), Chin said Malaysia’s ranking has
ascended by five spots to 27 in 2023, placing
our country the second most competitive
Asean economy after Singapore.
The report also noted that Malaysia has
done well in managing prices, basic infra-
towards agribusiness
Nur Fazilah Jainal
WHO is an agropreneur? An agropreneur
is an entrepreneur who uses agriculture to
build a business. Agropreneurs combine
their entrepreneurial skills with
agriculture and view farming as a business
rather than a traditional way of life.  In
recent years, there has been an increasing
emphasis on the role of agropreneurs in
transforming the agricultural sector. This
mindset shifts to “Pertanian Adalah
increase their productivity, efficiency, and
Perniagaan” (agriculture is a business) is
overall performance. They collaborate
crucial for the development and
with researchers, academics, and industry
sustainability of agribusiness.
experts to develop and implement
Agribusiness entrepreneurs recognise
breakthrough solutions like crop
agriculture as a viable business
opportunity, bringing innovation, improvement, animal husbandry, post-
technology, and efficiency to the sector, harvest handling, and value-added
boosting economic growth, bringing processing. This spirit of innovation and
entrepreneurial approaches to farming, collaboration helps drive the agricultural
and ensuring food security.  This article sector forward and position it as a
explores the concept of agropreneurship dynamic and evolving industry.
and highlights the importance of To foster the growth of agropreneurs
changing the mindset of “Pertanian and change the mindset towards
adalah perniagaan” (agriculture is a “Pertanian Adalah Perniagaan,” it is
essential to provide adequate capacity

‘Leaders must
structure, and tax policies, but could
improve in talent development for an
industry-ready workforce, regulatory
reforms for ease of doing business, a digi-
tal-first mindset for critical sectors and pur-
business) to promote agricultural
innovation and economic growth.
Agriculture has been perceived as a
low-yielding, labor-intensive industry, and
many have overlooked its potential for
economic success. Traditionally,
building and support. These include
training programs, access to finance,
market information, and mentorship
opportunities. The government, agencies,
educational institutions, and private

earn trust
suing sustainable development.
As a key partner for the investment and
business community, he said MITI had
decided to go big on serious execution of
reforms in our manufacturing sector to
keep building trust and restore confidence
agriculture is recognised as subsistence
farming or the livelihood of rural
communities. This mindset interferes with
the growth of the agricultural sector and
prevents young people from pursuing
careers in agriculture. However, with the
organisations can collaborate to develop
comprehensive training modules that
equip agropreneurs with the necessary
knowledge and skills to run successful
agricultural businesses. Moreover,
financial institutions can offer access to

and respect’ in the Malaysian economic re-bound story. changing dynamics of the global economy finance loan products and investment
In addition, he said the NIMP2030’s mis- and the increasing demand for opportunities for agribusiness ventures
sion to push for net zero would also be sustainable and locally produced food, we such as Agrobank.
strongly supported by targeted invest- need to see and do agriculture differently. It is substantial to promote agricultural
ments in green economy such as carbon- Agropreneurship emphasises the entrepreneurship as an attractive career
capture utilisation and storage, renewable relevance of entrepreneurial principles in option. These are achieved through
Sherell Jeffrey farming activities and treats farming as a targeted education programs, vocational
KOTA KINABALU: It is a leader’s task and responsibility to unite its energy, electric mobility, hydrogen energy
for-profit enterprise rather than a training, and capacity-building initiatives.
members and ensure that everyone is compelled to be fully and low-carbon transition technologies.
traditional practice. They introduce the Promoting agriculture as a feasible
engaged in completing the organisation’s common vision, mission, Furthermore, he said the National Envi- enterprise to the youth will also draw
ronmental, Social and Governance Industry latest technology, employ advanced
and goals, according to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jef- technology, and seek innovative farming skilled individuals to the industry
frey Kitingan (pic). Framework (i-ESG) for the manufacturing moreover introduce innovative
methods to maximise productivity and
“Leaders of an organisation are obligated and responsible in sector that Miti was presently finalising approaches and thoughts to farming
profitability.
making all their members feel appreciated and important for what would also support small and medium techniques.
To change the mindset towards
they bring, with all honesty and integrity,” he said in his keynote enterprises’ (SMEs) embracing of ESG to “Pertanian Adalah Perniagaan,” it is Creating awareness and promoting the
address at the 17th Global Congress and Conferment Ceremony held ensure they were not shut out of ESG-sensi- crucial to promote an entrepreneurial concept of agripreneurship is crucial in
at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Saturday. tive markets, effectively reducing the bene- mindset among farmers and aspiring changing mindsets towards agriculture as
He said an organisation whose members are divided into haves and have-nots, or who fits of numerous Free Trade Agreements. agropreneurs. This mindset involves a business. These can be successful
are driven to take refuge in silos cannot embracing risk-taking, innovation, and through various activities, including
possibly perform and deliver excellence or business-oriented thinking. campaigns, seminars, workshops, and
experience the kind of fulfilment that the Agropreneurs recognise that media engagement. Additionally,
members deserve. agriculture is not just about planting networking events and platforms can
“If there is one lesson I have learned crops or raising livestock but also about facilitate knowledge sharing and
during the past 50 years in various organi- identifying market demands, creating collaboration among agropreneurs,
sational leadership roles, it is that break- value-added products, and establishing fostering a supportive ecosystem that
ing down the silos and unifying an strong supply chains. They analyse market encourages innovation and growth.
organisation behind a cause that inspires trends, invest in research and Highlighting success stories of
them should be the highest priority, no development, and continuously seek agropreneurs and displaying their
matter what specific programmes or tech- opportunities for growth and expansion. achievements can inspire aspiring farmers
nical challenges the organisation may be Furthermore, agriculture can be a and young entrepreneurs to consider
facing. medium to overcome poverty and reduce agriculture a stable career.
“Unifying leaders must recognise that the number of unemployment problems, By treating agriculture like a business,
nobody owes them their trust simply including food security and economic agropreneurs can capitalise on the vast
because of their titles or positions and if disparities between rural and urban market opportunities in the agricultural
they want to be trusted by everyone, they regions. sector. They identify profitable corners,
must earn that trust and respect,” he said. One of the key drivers behind the develop innovative products and services,
He said leaders are under constant success of agropreneurs is their utilisation and use modern techniques to maximise
Ruslan (fifth from right) in a group photo with
productivity and efficiency. Along with

Mohamad Alif and Fateeha

scrutiny and the credibility built over years of technology and innovation. They
Debaran Bintang Kecil Sabah 2023 finalists.
can go out the window just because a word leverage advancements in precision
or a gesture or a small act demonstrating agriculture, automation, data analytics,
that he is not truly committed to all the and biotechnology to enhance
leads to higher farming yields, but also
creates income and employment
opportunities, especially in rural areas

emerge as best participants

people in his charge. productivity, reduce costs, and optimise where agriculture is the main economic
“A leader who fails to do this sends the resource utilization. By embracing smart activity.
farming practices, such as remote sensing, The Agriculture Fisheries and Food
message that hypocrisy is acceptable which
drones, and IoT devices, agropreneurs can Industry Ministry (MAFFI) aims to increase
erodes trust and effectiveness throughout
monitor crop health, manage irrigation the income level of agropreneurs in Sabah.
the entire organisation,” he said.
efficiently, and detect diseases early, They encourage interested communities
He said unifying leaders must always be to attract young agribusiness
guided with the three godly images of lead- KOTA KINABALU: SK Randagong Ranau Complex of the Ministry of Digital leading to higher yields and better-quality
produce. entrepreneurs and investors. The
ership, namely servant leadership, steward student, Mohamad Alif Ikmal Danial Communications, on Saturday. Department of Agriculture Malaysia
Agropreneurship also plays a crucial
leadership and shepherd leadership. Azawan and Fateeha Nasleen Suhailin While the other four finalists, namely (DOA) supports participants to actively
role in promoting sustainable and
“Servant leadership prioritises the from SK Luagan, Keningau emerged as Sham Badrin Embakri (Lahad Datu), participate in small-scale or large-scale
environmentally friendly agricultural
growth, wellbeing and empowerment of best participants in the 2023 Sabah Zone Cherryn Jenson (Kota Marudu), Valley practices. Due to modern technologies farming by providing services for
people in the organisation. Level Little Star Finals. Dyana Yakob (Telupid) and Nur Aisyah and best practices, agropreneurs optimize agroproneurs to start up an agriculture
“Steward leadership focuses on others, Danial, 12, wowed the judges by Adleene Anuar (WP Labuan) each brought practice resources such as water, land, and business.
the community and society at large, rather performing the song “Terus Hidup” sung home consolation prizes amounting to fertilizers. They employ precision farming In summary, the emergence of
than themselves. Steward leaders value by Aina Abdul and the second song RM500, certificates of participation, techniques, use precision agriculture agropreneurship represents a paradigm
trust, empathy, and respect and they build entitled “Kau dan Aku” by the Kool band. trophies and accompanying gifts. technologies, and implement shift in the approach we perceive and
effective relationship. Meanwhile, Fateeha, 12, who is more The competition, organised by RTM environmentally friendly approaches to approach agriculture. By embracing the
“Shepherd leadership portrays a picture affectionately called Kiki, belted out a Entertainment and Music Section, received minimize the negative impact of mindset of “Pertanian Adalah
of caring, courage and guidance. Keeper of song titled “Cerita Sang Suria” from Exist a favourable response with the agriculture on the environment. This shift Perniagaan”, we can achieve the full
people in the organisation,” he said con- and the popular song Fantasia “Bulan participation of 158 young talents from all towards sustainable agriculture and to potential of the agriculture sector, boost
cluding his speech. Madu”. over the State, including 25 people who guarantee the sustainability of the economic growth, and address pressing
Meanwhile, the three-day congress Danial and Fateeha will advance to submitted audition videos online. farming industry, also addresses pressing challenges such as food security and
which began on July 28 is held for the first Berambeh, the Debaran National Final Also present were RTM Director issues such as climate change and food environmental sustainability.
time in Kota Kinabalu. Competition, which will be held in Salmah Hashim, General Manager of security. Agropreneur role in driving innovation,
It is hosted by the Royal Institution Sin- Kuching, Sarawak on Sept 3, 2023. Sabah Telekom Berhad Datuk Sainal Mohd In addition, agropreneur promotes adopting modern technologies, and
gapore in collaboration with Royal Institu- innovation and drives agricultural reshaping agriculture as a profitable and
Both received cash amounting to Amin, Deputy Director of Sabah
tion of the Philippines, Royal Talent RM3,000, certificates, trophies and Information Department Supian Musa research and development. There look dynamic business. Actors at all levels to
Capital Singapore, Royal Institute of accompanying gifts presented by Assistant and consistently to improve and remain support and promote the
Deputy Director of Pupil
Research Singapore and Singapore Profes- Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Development Sector of Sabah State competitive by utilizing advanced agropreneurship movement and create an
sional Centre. technologies and scientific innovations to enabling environment.
Ruslan Muharam at the Integrated Education Department Muddin Beting.

‘Comply with provision on native language’ call
KOTA KINABALU: A former District
Chief reminded Minister of Entrepre-
neur Development and Cooperatives
Datuk Ewon Benedict to adhere and
comply strictly with the provision of the
Education Act 1996 with regard to the
teaching of native language.
OKK Benedict JS Malanjum said
Kadazandusun language does not exist,
however, there is Bangsa Kadazan and
Govt urged to listen to the cries of doctors
Bahasa Kadazan is their mother tongue.
Similarly, he added there is Bangsa
Dusun with their Bahasa Dusun as their
PETALING JAYA: The Government has
been urged to reconsider its decision to
deny contract doctors who are trans-
ferred to Sabah and Sarawak, after
being given permanent appointments,
their right to make the relevant claims
due to the transfer.
The Malaysian Medical Association
(MMA)’s Section for House Officers,
Medical Officers and Specialists
(Schomos) said Putrajaya should listen
to the cries of the affected doctors or
risk losing them to the private sector.
It said this in a Facebook posting
addressed to Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim and health minister Dr Zaliha
Mustafa.
According to Schomos, most govern-
ment doctors are willing to go where
Mobile Court programme at SK Meligan on Aug 12
they are posted in order to serve the
rakyat and support the healthcare sys-
tem.
Ahmad Apong
SIPITANG: Various
activities will be
held in conjunction
with the Mobile
Court programme
which will be held
at SK Kg Meligan on
Aug 12 this year
starting at 8 am.
Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr
Yusof Yacob (pic) said they include
endorsement for late birth certificates,
the signature of the Commissioner of
mother tongue.
According to the Education Act 1996
“bahasa asli” refers to the native lan-
guages in East Malaysia such as Iban
and Kadazan languages.
In Sabah the “bahasa asli” also
includes Dusun, Rungus, Murut, Bajau,
Kedayan, Bisaya and other native eth-
nics.
Malanjum was referring to Ewon’s
statement, published in a local daily on
July 15, that he would discuss the issue
of Kadazandusun language (BKD)
“The cargo and travel (costs)
involved in the transfer of officers are
supposed to be covered by the govern-
ment which is clearly stated in the
guidelines. However, because of
bureaucracy and the changing contract
doctors’ issue, they are not allowed to
make claims.
“This is a ridiculous excuse and can
be rectified if only the above parties
decide to do so. Listen to the cries of the
government doctors. How many more
do you want to lose?” it said.
In a social media post which was
attached to the Schomos post, a junior
doctor appealed for help saying he had
to spend about RM7,000 in moving his
family, their belongings and his car to
East Malaysia.
“This includes expenses for hotel
stay and food. We need financial and
emotional help (under the circum-
Oaths as well as Legal Advice services.
“It will give an opportunity to those
who are late to register their children’s
birth certificates because the distance
between Meligan and Sipitang is very
far,” he said.
“The Mobile Court will also provide
the Service of the Commissioner of Oaths
as well as legal advice because the resi-
dents may not understand it.
“The programme held is free and vil-
lagers can come to the programme to get
the necessary services.
“Not only mobile court is held but
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
teaching at teachers’ institutes with
Higher Education Minister Datuk
Muhamed Khaled Nordin.
He said Ewon further stated: “The
discussion is to find solutions to the
problems and challenges facing
Kadazandusun language teachers and
strengthen the teaching of the lan-
guage”.
“I attended the Forum on Hala Tuju
Bahasa Kadazan dan Bahasa Dusun at
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) organ-
ised by Institut Kajian Orang Asal Bor-
stances). We are going there to help the
rakyat,” said the doctor whose identity
was blanked out for fear of repercus-
sions.
The doctors are supposed to report
to their new hospitals or health clinics
from Aug 1. Several hundred contract
doctors have been posted to Sabah and
Sarawak under the latest exercise where
about 4,200 were absorbed into perma-
nent service.
The Finance Ministry had issued a
circular a couple of months ago saying
that contract officers who are posted to
a new destination after getting perma-
nent appointments are not entitled for
any of these claims except for airfare to
Sabah and Sarawak.
Affected doctors who spoke to FMT
on condition of anonymity said civil
servants who are transferred are
allowed to claim even for expenses
they involve government agencies such
as the District Office, the Native Court
and the National Registration Depart-
ment.
“It also involves the District Council,
the Royal Police, the Health Department,
the Education Office and the Sindumin
Assemblyman’s Development Unit office
as well as the Sipitang Member of Parlia-
ment Office,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Yusof said Qhazanah
would also be involved in this pro-
gramme which provides a medical team
providing Dentists, Dermatologists,
neo (BorIIS) on Sept 12, 2019.
“I had pointed out that there is no
“Kadazandusun” language but there are
Kadazan and Dusun languages,” said
Benedict.
The stakeholders on the issue of hala
tuju Bahasa Kadazan dan Bahasa Dusun
are the Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS)
and the United Sabah Dusun Associa-
tion (USDA).
Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, USDA President
said that, “Mengenai senario Bahasa
Kadazandusun dipisahkan bagi beliau
incurred by their maids under an exist-
ing circular in addition to all family
members.
They said the costs incurred
included sending their cargo and vehi-
cles to Sabah and Sarawak by ship, and
the daily cost of living until they get
their new salaries which may take a
month or two.
One doctor, who is not married, said
he was posted to Sabah from Kuala
Lumpur and had to send his car by
ship as his new place of work is a dis-
tance away from where he would be
residing.
“Taking all these into consideration,
we have to spend about RM4,000 to get
there. On top of that, since we are being
appointed as permanent officers for
the first time, it might take a month or
two before we get the new salaries,” he
said. – FMT
health checks to detect cancer and oth-
ers.
Another agency involved is the Legal
Aid Department (JBG) which helps vil-
lagers with legal aid services and any in
pending cases, he said.
Dr Yusof will officiate at the pro-
gramme likely to be attended by Sipitang
Member of Parliament Datuk Matbali
Musah.
“People from nearby villages are wel-
come to come because this is an oppor-
tunity to get services from the relevant
departments,” he said.
Local 5
ia tidak menjadi masalah.”
Both communities respect each other
and never had any quarrel on this mat-
ter as they can communicate comfort-
ably and with ease.
“The Kadazan and Dusun communi-
ties have co-existed since time imme-
morial. In my district, Putatan for
instance, there is a large number of
intermarriages between the two com-
munities. In this respect, I fully support
our Prime Minister’s policy of unity in
Federal govt
diversity,” said Benedict.
recognition
proves S’wak
is on right track
KUCHING: The recognition from the fed-
eral government for Sarawak to imple-
ment the carbon capture, utilisation and
storage (CCUS) initiative has proven that
the state is on the right track.
Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s
Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement
1963 (MA63) and State-Federal Relations)
Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman
Ghazali said Sarawak’s commitment to
implementing CCUS was reflected in the
state government’s introduction of legis-
lation and infrastructure to support the
initiative.
“This CCUS is a new thing and I think
Sarawak and the federal government must
work together on this matter for the good
of Malaysia,” she told reporters.
During the launch of the Madani Econ-
omy: Empowering the People initiative,
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
said Sarawak’s efforts in developing vehi-
cles that use hydrogen and CCUS should
be emulated.
Anwar said the federal government was
also planning to provide specific incen-
tives to encourage the growth of new
green economy activities.
On May 18 last year, the Sarawak State
Legislative Assembly passed the Land Code
(Amendment) Bill 2022, which changed
the definition of “land” under the Code to
empower the state government to control
the airspace and properties above the sur-
face of the land. – Bernama
 6 Local MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

ACTIVITIES OF LEADERS AND MINISTRIES IN THE PAST WEEK

O AT H - TA K I N G
CEREMONY: Chief
Minister Datuk Seri
Hajiji Noor (middle)
witnessing the oath-
taking ceremony of
the 14 new Commu-
nity Development
Leaders (PPMs) at
Menara Kinabalu,
Kota Kinabalu, on
July 26.

PLAQUE
SIGNING:
Deputy Chief
Minister I cum
Agriculture,
Fisheries and
Food Industry
Minister,
Datuk Seri Dr
Jeffrey
Kitingan, who
is also
Keningau MP,
signing on the
plaque to
mark the
opening of
the RM17.67
million hostel
building of the
Sabah
Handicraft COURTESY CALL: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is
Centre in also Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and Housing Minister, (fifth left) leading PBS top leaders
Keningau on in paying a courtesy call to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah
July 24. (GRS) Chairman, at Seri Gaya in Kota Kinabalu on July 25.

GROUNDBREAK-
ING CEREMONY:
Deputy Chief Minister
III cum Works Minis-
ter Datuk Ir Sha-
helmey Yahya, who is
also Putatan MP,
doing the ground-
breaking gimmick for
the upgrading of the
Putatan District
Council Mini Stadium
on July 26. The proj-
ect, costing RM7.89
million, is expected to
be fully completed by
January 2025.

WATER BRIEFING: Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya (middle) listening
to a briefing on the Johor water management run by Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd during his visit to the company’s
command centre on July 23.

TOKEN OF
APPRECIATION:
Tourism, Culture and Envi-
ronment Minister Datuk
Christina Liew receiving a
token of appreciation from
Persatuan Rumpun Bajau
Sama Sabah (PRBSS)
Vice President Datuk
Japlin Akim after
launching the inaugural
Arts and Culture
Performances Programme
initiated by PRBSS Kota
Kinabalu City Branch at
Lintasan Deasoka in Kota
Kinabalu on July 23.
Mayor Datuk Noorliza
Awang Alip (left) and
PRBSS Kota Kinabalu
City Branch Chief Haji STRATEGIC PLAN: Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif receiving
Shamsuddin Awang Aman the Human Resource Development Department (JPSM) Strategic Plan 2022-2025 from JPSM Director Norsiah
were also present. Duraman during the Department’s 35th anniversary celebration in Kota Kinabalu on July 21.

STEM CARNIVAL:
Science, Technol-
ogy and Innovation
Minister Datuk Dr
Mohd Arifin Mohd
Arif looking at an
Arduino-powered
earthquake detec-
tor exhibit after
closing the 2023
Secondary School
JELAJAH JIWA SME 2023: Federal Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Stem Carnival at
Benedick (middle) together with State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe Sabah College in
and guests visiting the exhibition booths after launching a two-day Jelajah Jiwa SME 2023 event at a shopping Kota Kinabalu on
mall in Kota Kinabalu, recently. July 25.

Sabah Paddy Board
for 60pc sufficiency
THE State Government is reviving
the Sabah Paddy Board to
increase Sabah’s rice self-
sufficiency level (SSL) to
60 per cent by 2030.
Chief Minister Datuk
Seri Hajiji Noor said the
move also aims to
reduce the State’s
dependency on imported
rice.
“Currently, Sabah’s rice SSL is at
22 per cent while 78 per cent of the State’s
rice needs are met through imported rice
from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thai-
land and Pakistan.
“We hope that with the re-establishment
of the Sabah Paddy Board, we will be able to
increase the SSL level of Sabah’s rice and thus
reduce rice imports,” he said when officiating
the 2023 State-level Farmers, Breeders and
Fishermen’s Day celebration at Wisma Per-
tanian in Kota Kinabalu on July 27. His speech
was read by Deputy Chief Minister I cum Agri-
culture, Fisheries and Food Industry (Maffi)
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Hajiji said the State Government has
established a special State Cabinet commit-
tee, led by Maffi, to address the State SSL
issue.
He said the problem identified by the spe-
cial committee was fewer paddy fields due to
the development of housing and commercial
areas.
“To address the issue, the State Govern-
ment has explored a new paddy planting area
in Trusan Sapi, Beluran covering an area of
approximately 809.37 hectares,” he said.
He said the new paddy cultivation area
will be developed in an integrated manner by
Maffi and its agencies – the Rural Develop-
ment Corporation (KPD) and the Agriculture
Department – together with the Irrigation
PBS role as key GRS partner
CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor appre-
ciates Parti Bersatu Sabah’s (PBS) key role in
solidifying the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah
(GRS).
As a key partner in GRS, Hajiji said PBS
needs to continue working hard in tandem
with the other component members to fur-
ther strengthen the local coalition as a pre-
ferred choice of the people of Sabah.
He said this during a meeting with the top
PBS leadership at Seri Gaya in Kota Kinabalu
on July 25.
Leading the PBS entourage to meet Hajiji,
who is also the Chairman of GRS, was PBS
Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gun-
Reducing hardcore poverty via co-ops
CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is confident
the cooperative movement in Sabah – which has
1,707 registered cooperatives and more than
350,000 members under the Malaysian Cooper-
ative Commission (SKM) – can help eradicate
extreme poverty in the State.
“I am proud that Sabah has the second high-
est number of registered cooperatives in the
country after Selangor with a total income of
RM570 million.
“This proves that the cooperative movement
in Sabah has successfully played its role and con-
tributed significantly as one of the agents of
socioeconomic growth that has the potential to
end extreme poverty,” he said at the National
Cooperative Day held at the Sabah International
Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu on
July 22.
He is even more proud that four – Koperasi
Pembangunan Usahasama Masyarakat Maju
Sabah Berhad, Koperasi Kakitangan Sawit Kina-
balu Sabah Berhad, Koperasi Borneo Malaysia
Berhad and Koperasi Usahawan Tawau Berhad
– were listed in Malaysia’s Top 100 Cooperative
Index last year.
“Well done and congratulations to all the
cooperatives in Sabah. I would like to see more
cooperatives from Sabah listed in Malaysia’s Top
100 Cooperatives Index in the coming year,” he
said, adding he believes this number can be
improved when awareness and interest in join-
ing cooperatives become a way of life that con-
tributes to the nation’s socio-economic
prosperity.
“This is because the cooperative vehicle is an
effective approach not only in stimulating the
development of the entrepreneurial sector but
also plays a major role in helping the B40 group
deal with the challenge of the increasing cost of
living,” he said.
“The Government’s determination and com-
mitment is to facilitate and not to frustrate, to
help provide policies that are friendly to coop-
eratives so that the cooperative movement in
particular in Sabah is viable and competitive.”
In line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya
(SMJ) Development Plan which focuses on three
main thrusts namely Agriculture, Industry and
Tourism, the State Government hopes the coop-
erative movement in the State would be able to
take advantage of the initiatives and financial
incentives provided to advance the cooperative
business sector it is engaged in, he said.
“Similarly in terms of funding assistance and
cooperative capital development funds, I was
recently informed that the Entrepreneur Devel-
opment and Cooperative Ministry through the
SKM has approved financing assistance from the
SKM Year 2023 Revolving Capital Fund to two
Hajiji called on farmers, breeders and fishermen to be more alert and ready to
accept and make changes in agriculture, including modern farm management.
and Drainage Department and the involve-
ment of the private sector and residents as
participants.
He also called on farmers, breeders and
fishermen to be more alert and ready to
accept and make changes in agriculture,
including modern farm management.
For the crop sub-sector, Hajiji said, a total
of RM115.39 million was allocated to the
Agriculture Department to increase the pro-
duction of various crops, to generate income
for farmers, from RM2,000 to RM4,000 per
month.
“The Government’s efforts to help the tar-
get B40 group and the hardcore poor will
continue through KPD with an allocation of
RM20.28 million.
“A total of 2015 participants will receive
benefits from the implementation of various
livestock breeding and crop cultivation pro-
grammes,” he said.
He said a total of RM46.09 million was
salam who is also Deputy Chief Minister II
cum Local Government and Housing Minister.
PBS Information Chief Datuk Joniston
Bangkuai said during the meeting, PBS, as
one of the key components of GRS, pledged
to work closely with other component par-
ties to solidify the coalition.
Also present were Deputy Presidents
Datuk Jahid Jahim and Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh
Chai, Vice Presidents Datuk Ruslan Muharam
and Hendrus Anding, Secretary General
Datuk Julita Majungki, Treasurer General
Datuk Lu Kim Yen, Assistant Secretary Gen-
eral Jonnybone Kurum and Assistant Treas-
urer General Lo Su Fui.
Hajiji together with Federal
Entrepreneur Development and
Cooperative Minister Datuk Ewon
Benedick visiting one of the
cooperative exhibition booths.
cooperatives in the Sabah with a total fund of
RM25.9 million in the form of the purchase of
1,500 acres of oil palm land assets and also retail
business premises.
“In addition, SKM has also approved assis-
tance to two cooperatives through a financing
programme known as the e-Fast Programme in
the form of business development grants to pro-
ductive cooperatives to strengthen their busi-
nesses,” he said.
Hajiji said the role of cooperatives is to com-
plement and work hand in hand with the Gov-
ernment and the private sector in filling the
untapped business opportunities that exist in
developing the State specifically.
“Thus, I want all cooperative movements in
Sabah to continue to empower themselves,
increase competitiveness and seize the eco-
nomic opportunities available.
“In Sabah, we have many types of coopera-
tives that develop the community’s socio-eco-
nomics, whether related to retail or tourism
activities and environmental sustainability. This
State is rich in natural and socio-cultural resources
that can attract many tourists to visit either from
within or outside the country,” he said.
According to him, the re-opening of the
country’s border gates has had a positive impact
and encouraged the recovery of the tourism sec-
tor where Sabah recorded 1.73 million tourist
arrivals last year and this year it is expected to
be 2.2 million people with the ability to generate
income of RM4.1 billion. He urged cooperatives
in Sabah to take advantage of the boom in the
tourism industry, which is creating various
downstream business opportunities such as
accommodation, homestay, transportation,
restaurants, parks and souvenir shops.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the partic-
ipation of 186 youth from 19 Asia Pacific coun-
tries at the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth
Summit in Sabah which was held for the first
time in Malaysia from July 27 to 30 this year.
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
allocated to the Fisheries Department this
year to continue various programmes to
guarantee the production of sustainable fish-
ery products for the domestic and interna-
tional markets.
Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey said the move of
certain top producers in Asia, such as India,
to ban rice exports, would unlikely cause the
price of rice in Sabah to increase.
“This will not necessarily happen as the
number of our imports has remained the
same and our stockpile is still high. We are
also working with Padiberas Nasional Berhad
(Bernas).
“India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand are
among our sources (for rice imports), but
since India has banned its rice exports we will
find other sources, as importing rice is still
cheaper than producing our own.
“We only want to reduce our reliance on
imports, that is why the State Government is
finding ways to increase Sabah’s rice SSL
RM19.4m
upgrade for
KKIA and
Tawau airports
STATE Tourism, Culture and Environment Minis-
ter Datuk Christina Liew was informed by the
Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MASB) management
that MASB had allocated a sum of RM8.4 million
for upgrading the Kota Kinabalu International Air-
port (KKIA).
A four-member delegation from MASB, led by
its Senior General Manager Kamaruzzaman
Razali, paid a courtesy call on Liew at her office
on July 25, to brief her on the KKIA Optimisation
Plan.
She said of the figure, RM1.4 million will be
spent on improving the public toilets at the air-
port, while the remaining sum will be used for
other upgrading projects.
These include resurfacing the runway and
upgrading the commercial lots as well as the
public address (PA) system.
Similarly, Liew said MASB allocated a sum of
RM11 million for the optimisation plan for the
Tawau Airport.
According to her, the plan entails providing
additional toilets, upgrading the check-in area
with proper segregation between the interna-
tional and domestic segments, enlarging the
departure lounge, adding more shop lots and
covering up the open space for the installation
of air-conditioning units.
“I am very happy to hear the good news from
Malaysia Airports. The optimisation plan is most
timely, given the steady increase of tourists to
Sabah after we have reopened our international
borders. The plan for both KKIA and Tawau Air-
port is for the convenience of travellers.
“Work is expected to start this year but imple-
mentation takes time. For instance, building
more toilets may take six to eight months to
complete,” she said in a statement.
Briefing the Minister on the KKIA Optimisa-
tion Plan, Kamaruzzaman said the KKIA is the
second busiest airport in Malaysia in terms of
passenger handling.
“It was designed for a capacity of nine million
passengers per annum (mppa). As of June this
year (preliminary Year to date (YTD), the airport
had handled 3,299,076 passengers with 28,642
aircraft movements,” he said.
Also present were the Ministry’s Deputy Per-
manent Secretary I Mary Malangkig, Senior Man-
ager (Engineering, MASB Headquarters, KL)
Mohd Sabri Abd Aziz, Senior Manager (Opera-
tions, MASB Headquarters, KL) Haji Sunif Naiman
and KKIA Operations Manager Hassim Duman.
n Scan the barcode to
follow all the reports
RM10m to help micro businesses
THE State Government has channelled an allo-
cation of RM10 million to Yayasan Usaha Maju
(YUM) this year for micro-loan facilities for
women, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor.
He said the Government is very concerned
and will ensure that entrepreneurs, especially
women, get equal opportunities and loan facil-
ities.
He said other State Government agencies
that offer financial assistance also provide
courses and business training, in addition to
helping with the promotion and marketing of
products to domestic and foreign markets.
“The State Government also pays attention
and focuses on the development of small
traders and entrepreneurs of Small and
Medium Industries (SMEs), as supporting
industries and catalysts for the manufacturing
sector.
“The State Government has allocated a
total of RM6.17 million to the Industrial Devel-
Community heads must do their best
CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor wants
all Community Development Leaders
(PPMs) to deliver the best service possible
to constituents in their respective areas.
“You have a vital role and immense
responsibility. This appointment is not a
privilege.
“I want you to always work closely with
your elected representative in servicing the
constituents. We do not want to see any of
you doing things at your whims and fancy,
but you must discharge your responsibility
diligently,” he said after witnessing the
oath-taking ceremony of 14 new PPMs at
Menara Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu on July
26.
The Chief Minister said the function of
the PPM is to provide a clear picture of the
Government’s policies, particularly develop-
ments carried out in the past two and a half
years, to the grassroots.
“PPMs must explain to the people the
government development plans, especially
the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya,” said Hajiji.
He said it was also imperative for every-
one to work together as the State Govern-
ment strives to eliminate poverty in Sabah.
Two more industrial parks plan
THE State Cabinet will determine the ideal
location in Kimanis and also between Kota
Belud and Kota Marudu for establishing two
new industrial parks.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said
Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sep-
anggar is nearing capacity while the Sipi-
tang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) by
Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation
Sdn Bhd (Sogip) is “full house”.
“The Government envisions Kimanis as
an oil and gas industrial park while the Kota
Belud-Kota Marudu land will be similar to
KKIP.
“We will be bringing the matter to Cabi-
net.
“With Sogip being full, we need to make
room to further create and develop indus-
tries in Sabah for investors,” he told a press
conference held after he launched the
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women’s
Roadshow dubbed “Jelajah Wanita GRS” at
Sabah International Convention Centre
(SICC) in Kota Kinabalu on July 23.
Hajiji said Sabah is a cheaper investment
option for foreign investors compared to
other Asean destinations given its strategic
location to the Philippines and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Hajiji who is also Chairman
of GRS, said GRS would be sending “troops”
to help friends in the Unity Government in
the imminent six peninsula state election
campaigns, nomination for which fall on
July 29.
Hajij also said the three unused Federal
lands of over five years would be returned
to the State.
“The MA63 Implementation Action
Council Technical Committee meeting held
last week concluded that any land given for
Federal development but abandoned can be
rightfully returned to the State for its own
development.
“In due process, reacquisition will follow
the original price paid by Federal,” he said,
adding that the specific locations will be
soon publicised.
Meanwhile, Hajiji wants the GRS Women
to continue improving the existing unity for
a stronger State and further serve the peo-
ple according to the party’s struggles.
He said even though the State Govern-
ment has more than two years to go, the
party machinery, especially the GRS
Women, cannot be complacent.
“We must continue to work to be united
in the GRS and avoid misunderstandings
Hajiji (middle) with the GRS leaders and women chiefs and
representatives showing their solidarity at the roadshow launch.
Local 7
opment and Research Department this year,
to intensify the promotion of Sabah products
to the domestic and international markets,” he
said when officiating the closing of the Open
Family Day of the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia
(AIM) Tuaran branch 2023 at Seri Sulaman hall
in Tuaran on July 22. His speech was read by
State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environ-
ment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
“In order to further strengthen and
strengthen the SME Assistance Programme,
the Mesti and Halal Certification Programme
has started this year to qualify Sabah SME
products to compete internationally.
“For that, the Government has allocated a
total of RM15 million to support this pro-
gramme,” he said.
Hajiji said AIM, as a microfinance provider
in this country, helps small entrepreneurs and
boosts economic growth in this country,
including women and B40, to get out of the
cocoon of poverty in the State.
With about two more years to go before
the current State Government’s term
expires, the PPM is in the position to serve
the people and, in the process, help their
respective elected representatives to regain
the seats in the coming State elections, he
said.
The 14 PPMs taking their oath before the
Chief Minister were Abd Rashid Saidin
(UPPM HQ), Muhammad Tasan (Bengkoka),
Sharif Kadah Sharif Osman (Bandau),
Saikom Watis (Kadamaian), Rosita Gang-
gang (Inanam), Alex Tan Liang Boon (Likas),
Lee Li Mei (Api-Api), Chin Thau Kwong
(Luyang), Shamsur Zulkifli (Petagas), Cyril
Gerald Liew (Kapayan), Ana Maria Bernadus
(Limbahau), Max Million Lee Yun Vui (Tan-
jung Papat), Juslee Arpaih (Sukau) and
Mohamad Latip Katik (Kunak).
Present were Tourism, Culture and Envi-
ronment Minister Datuk Christina Liew,
State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong,
Assistant Ministers to the Chief Minister
Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan and Datuk
Abidin Madingkir, and Community Develop-
ment Leader Unit (UPPM) Director Datuk
Awang Kadin Tang.
and divisions. For that reason, the role and
responsibility of the GRS Women are vital.
“The GRS party machinery desperately
needs women to deliver the message and
GRS’ struggle for the people at the grass-
roots level in the State.
“I am very confident that under the lead-
ership of Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, the
GRS Women will be a strong team.
“I am also confident that we can
strengthen the existing unity resulting in
victory in the coming state elections,” he
said.
Hajiji also expressed happiness that the
seven local parties in GRS are steadfast in
ensuring that the struggles of the people
and the State continue.
He said the State Government faced var-
ious challenges and tests since taking over
administration more than two years ago.
“This includes the Langkah Kinabalu (the
Kinabalu Move), where there were certain
quarters who tried to overthrow us. How-
ever, I am grateful for the union and sup-
port from Pakatan Harapan was enough to
defend the State Government.
“We have to continue defending this
mandate and this is also where the role of
the GRS Women is very important for us to
create success in the next elections,” he
said.
“Therefore, this roadshow programme is
very important… I was informed by Azizah
that they will be visiting all zones in Sabah
to explain the GRS policies and struggles.
“What is important is to continue the
struggle and meet the aspirations of the
people of Sabah.”
Hajiji, who is also President of the Parti
Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat),
said the GRS Government has brought many
successes during their two-year rule, prom-
ising more development.
“We have done a lot, many countries
have confidence in our leadership. Some 30
ambassadors and high commissioners have
come to see me stating the potential Sabah
has. They want to invest.
“However, the opposition is telling all
kinds of stories, especially Parti Warisan,
which is still blur and cannot see what we
have done in that span,” he said.
“Let’s not make the same dividing mis-
takes again. Sabah is our home and we
should take care of it. The interests of the
people always come first and this is the pri-
mary struggle of GRS,” he said.
 Plan B for STPM dropouts
8 Education
UN warns against ‘excessive’
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

tech use in classrooms

S
TUDENTS interested in doing STPM
always had the fear that they may not
easily be able to enter local public
universities (IPTA). If they are not offered
any place, it would be a waste of about two
years. Re-sitting for STPM is not a
favourable option. Going to a private col-
need to face. There is always a way out. You
need to find a way out.
Entry to local public universities is
through UPU. That is the normal admis-
sion procedure. There are also other entry
routes:
1. Many universities have a second
much lower. Check them out.
What about the tuition fees?
USM is considered as one of the leaders
in ODL courses. The tuition fee between
normal university fees and ODL courses
are as follows:
PARIS: Heavy reliance on technology in
education may be unproductive, or even
detrimental, if it interferes with the acqui-
sition of basic skills such as reading, the
UN warned.
devices,” he said.
Unesco had observed a rising trend of
banning smartphones in classrooms, with
“one in four countries” passing laws and
regulations to that effect.

ODL Fees Normal Tuition Fee

lege using their SPM results is also not a The body’s education, culture and sci- “The presence of a phone in a class-
very good alternative. These STPM ence agency Unesco said in a report that room can be very distracting,” Antoninis

Per year Per Semester

dropouts will be going through a lot of while students should learn about tech- said. He said smartphone bans in schools,
stress and misery. Is there any help for nology in the world, teachers should including by liberal countries like The
Sains Courses RM 2230 RM 1210
them? This week let us look at their situa- beware of overusing “fancy technological” Netherlands, were “an interesting and sur-

Art Courses RM1880 RM 1250

tion. means in the classroom. prising finding” for the Unesco

Social Science RM 1880 RM 1060

“There is little robust evidence on digi- researchers.

Management RM 2280 RM 1060

If you had done very well in STPM
If your grade point average (PNGK ) is
above 2.5 you still stand a chance to enter
IPTA. You may not be offered a competitive
course such as Medicine, Dentistry, Phar-
macy, etc. For competitive courses you
need better than 3.5 on the average. How-
ever, you may be offered non-competitive
courses such as Economics, Social Studies,
Nutrition, Project Management, Media
Technology, etc.
That is why some students apply for
accountancy and are offered Economics,
they apply for Medicine and they are
offered Applied Science, they apply for
Law and are offered TESL. Whether you
want to accept the offer or not is com-
pletely your option.
Before you reject the offer, do some
research on your own. Go to this website
O*NET and learn about the course/career.
It is a US website under the US Department
of Labour. It gives you information such as
description of the career, what task people
do in this career, what skills are required,
what values are needed, the demand for
this career/ course and also all the related
careers. It also tells you whether it is under
the fastest growing careers or not.
tal technology’s added value in educa- “People are thinking a little bit more
tion,” the report said. through what the consequences and the
Technology in the classroom “can have distractions in schools are,” he said.
(Note: The fees above is approximate only. Check the university website for the exact fees.) detrimental impact if inappropriate or The report warned strongly against
excessive”, it said. “It should focus on substituting technology for the acquisi-
Almost all the 20 universities would learning outcomes, not on digital inputs.” tion of traditional key skills which could
sooner or later offer ODL programs. This is Manos Antoninis, who directed the actually help children avoid some of the
good for the STPM dropouts. You can pick Unesco report, said 20 years after laptops pitfalls of the digital world.
and choose the program of your choice, began to be rolled out in schools, it was Students with strong reading skills, for
Above all you can get a job, earn money clear that such policies only worked if they example, were much less likely to be
and at the same time complete your were combined with a solid pedagogical deceived by phishing mail, Antoninis said.
degree. Remember, Life long learning will framework. “If you are taught to read well, read for
be the call for the day in future! But only a “few countries have had the meaning, that makes you also better pre-
Career Tips: patience and energy to move into that pared to navigate the digital world and
If you have a question on careers please direction”, he said. that’s a reality that we often forget,”
intake. During the first intake not many write to: krishnankanapathy@yahoo.com. “It’s not enough to just distribute Antoninis said. – AFP
students enrolled for the course or they
have decided for other options. The uni-
versity places are vacant. So, universities
have a second intake. Students can apply
for the second intake.
The requirements are slightly lower
and you have an opportunity to enter into
the university. Go to the website of these
universities and look out for admission
dates and apply.
2. Some public universities have priva-
tised wings. They conduct some courses as
ODL (Open Distance Learning) programs

Children at Kota Kinabalu Fire Station.

After exploring, you can decide privately. Application to enter these pro-

Field trip to Fire Dept, Cocoa Embassy and Petrosains

whether to accept the offer or to reject it.
Base your decision on facts and figures and
NOT on “hearsays.”
If your STPM results are weak
You may have got a grade point average
(PNGK) of below 2.00. You may not have
been offered any course. What do you do?
Don’t panic! It is not the end of the world.
When you meet an obstacle in your life,
always find a way to go around the obsta-
cle. In life there are many obstacles you
grams is not through UPU. You can apply
directly online:
(a) UTM apply to SPACE
(b) UPM apply to PutraODL
(c) Universiti Malaya apply to UMCEED
(d) USM apply to Off campus KOTA KINABALU: Kindergarten Shan Tao The aim of this outdoors-educational enhanced their comprehensive abilities,
Programme/Uni Enrol organised a field trip on July 5–7, 2023. activity was to provide the children with which had a positive impact on their
(e) UKM apply to ODL UKM The children were divided into three an opportunity to combine classroom learning and development.
Visit these websites and find out their groups according to their ages and visited learning with practical experiences and This successful experience will inspire
requirements. If you are more than 21 you the Kota Kinabalu Fire Department, the apply the knowledge they have gained. the school to further promote educational
can enter as a matured student. Admission Cocoa Embassy and the Science Discovery Through the field trip, the children reforms and provide more practical
requirements for matured students is very Center (Petrosains). gained valuable practical experience and opportunities for the children.

The Foundation programmes at First City University College draw inspiration from the best of British education.

Foundation programmes at
FCUC: Drawing inspiration from
the best of British education
A FOUNDATION programme is designed to help stu-
dents develop the academic skills and knowledge
needed for success at the degree level. It bridges the College provide students with a solid academic foun-
gap between high school and university and provides
students with a solid grounding in the fundamentals
of their chosen field of study.
For the three Foundation programmes offered at
First City University College, namely Foundation in
Art & Design, Foundation in Business Administration
and Foundation in Engineering, Science & Technol-
ogy, students can be assured that they are provided
with the opportunity to explore their interests,
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embarking on their degree programme.
They can make informed decisions about their
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a degree that may not be suitable for them.
Each of the three Foundation programmes offered
at First City University College is unique and they
were designed and developed based on the best of
British education. For the record, First City Universityassured of a smooth transition before enrolling in
College has more than two decades of excellence in
offering the best of British education through its pre-
vious UK franchised degree partnerships.
While the programmes draw inspiration from the
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ized to address the specific local requirements and
ensure graduates are well-prepared for their future
careers.
By incorporating the best of British education,
these Foundation programmes at First City University
dation and equip them with essential skills and
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The emphasis is placed on critical thinking, prob-
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The Foundation programmes offered at First City
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lege not only provides financial sup-
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The Study Awards also demon-
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First City University College’s Sept
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/ 016- 302 8166 / 011 – 3614 8166 to

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driven programmes and our Study
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Rice prices may rise
amid typhoon damage
MANILA: President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
(pic) met with local
officials in Tugue-
garao Saturday fol-
lowing the
devastation of super
typhoon Egay in
Cagayan and other
parts of the country.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said
that as of July 28, the province has recorded
20 injuries from the typhoon. The typhoon
destroyed at least 83 homes and damaged
over 1,500 houses in the province.
He said the agricultural damage in the
province has reached over P539 million.
These include rice, corn, high value crops
and fishery. Damage to livestock also
reached over P1 million as of July 28. Mean-
while, infrastructure damage in the entire
province reached over P862 million.
Marcos said power and agriculture are
main concerns in areas devastated by the
typhoon.
“It looks like the main issue here is agri.
Number one yung agri…Ang kuryente as
People look at the aftermath of destroyed homes after
Death toll rises to 10 in
the explosion ripped through the firework warehouse.
Thai warehouse explosion
BANGKOK: The death toll from a power-
ful explosion that levelled an unlicensed
fireworks warehouse in southern Thai-
land rose to at least 10 on Sunday, the
local governor said as police sought the
owner on charges of negligence.
The blast Saturday afternoon in the
town of Sungai Kolok was believed to
have been caused by welding during con-
struction work on a building storing fire-
works illegally.
More than 100 people were injured in
the blast that left only twisted metal
beams still standing as rescue workers
picked over the debris, with local media
reporting hundreds of homes were also
seriously damaged.
“We have identified 10 people and
found parts of two bodies which we can-
not identify yet,” Narathiwat provincial
governor Sanan Pongaksorn told a press
conference Sunday.
“We are sending to forensics to do
DNA tests but primary reports said they
were different,” he added.
Police said they were investigating the
cause of the explosion in the building,
adding they believed it was not licensed
to store fireworks.
Narathiwat police commander, Police
Major General Chalermporn Khamkhiew,
said shortly before the explosion fire-
crackers had been delivered.
“We are investigating if those fire-
crackers were transported legally or ille-
gally,” he said.
“As of now, we do not see any licence
for possession of firecrackers or fire-
cracker sales,” he said.
“We assume the factory has no
licence.”
The blast detonated from roughly
1,000 kilograms (a ton) of gunpowder, he
said, causing two holes roughly two
metres deep and six metres (20 feet) wide.
“We have issued a summons to the
owner of the factory with the charge of
negligence, which caused the accident,”
Travellator incident leads to removal of airport director
said Colonel Suthawet Thareethai, police
BANGKOK: The director of Bangkok’s Don
Mueang airport is being transferred follow-
ing a probe into a travellator incident that
saw a passenger lose her left leg, an informed
source said.
Karun Thanakuljeerapat is being replaced
by Wijit Kaesaithiam, who is currently the
director of Chiang Mai International Airport.
The transfers will come into effect from
August.
Karun’s transfer comes after Airports of
Thailand (AOT) conducted an investigation
you all know, pinapatay talaga yan at hindi
binabalik hanggang mainspeksyon ang
mga linya. Kasi pag hindi nila nain-
speksyon at nagkamali sila, pag-on nila
niyan at may short, sira ang buong sis-
tema,” he said.
“Yung high-value crops mas madaling
makarecover dahil ang cycle is 45 days. We
will also provide for high value crops.”
He ordered local governments to send
reports on agricultural damage.
“Ang hirap nito because yung palay, ini-
isip ko na ang supply natin pag nag El
Niño talaga. I’m thinking about the
national supply for rice because iniimport
lahat ng Indonesia, nagsara ang Vietnam,
India nagsara. We have to start importing
already.”
Marcos said he is worried that even if
the country imports rice, prices may still
increase.
“Everybody is preparing for El Nino,
lahat ng Southeast Asia. Sabay-sabay nag-
bibilihan. Kaya ninenerbyos ako dahil
tataas nanaman ang presyo kahit nag-iim-
port tayo. That’s the problem that I see in
the world. Pwede tayo magbigay ng binhi
chief in Muno district.
“We are waiting for him to come,” he
said.
Officials said a command centre had
been established not far from the inci-
dent, and authorities had already
received 365 complaints from those who
had been injured, or had their homes and
property damaged.
“Some government office and private
schools were also damanged,” officials
added.
Police said of the original 115 injured
in the blast, some 106 people had been
discharged. The condition of those
remaining in hospital was not known.
The fire was brought under control
late Saturday.
The army would assist in the recovery
and clean-up operation, said southern
army commander Lieutenant General
Santi Sakhutanark.
“We will provide manpower and
equipment,” he said.
Eye witnesses reported a huge boom
and the earth shaking Saturday.
“I was playing with my phone inside
the house then suddenly I heard a loud,
thunderous noise and my whole house
shook,” said eyewitness Seksan Taesen,
who lives 100 metres (yards) away from
the warehouse.
“Then I saw my roof was wide open. I
looked outside and I saw houses collaps-
ing and people lying on the ground every-
where. It was chaos.”
Explosions at workshops producing
firecrackers and other pyrotechnics are
not uncommon in Thailand.
Saturday’s deadly blast comes just five
days after 11 people reportedly were
injured when a fireworks factory
exploded in northern Chiang Mai city.
The Southeast Asian kingdom also has
a poor safety record in the construction
sector and deadly accidents are common.
Last month two people were killed
when a bridge under construction in
Bangkok collapsed onto traffic. – AFP
into the travellator incident in June.
On June 29, a female passenger got her leg
stuck in the moving walkway at the airport’s
domestic terminal. Her left leg was eventu-
ally amputated.
The source said the investigation found
that the incident was caused by one of the
travellator’s plates slipping off its frame due
to missing screws. Investigators reportedly
found three loose screws in the pit beneath
the travellator.
The travellator was originally installed in
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
sa palay, mais and high value crops.”
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos said
she is worried that “the loss of the Cagayan
Valley rice stock will impact the nation.”
While saving some of the damaged
crops is possible, she suggested other
measures including the replanting 45-day
species of rice, as well as other vegetables
that take a shorter time to grow.
“We should however be wary of plant-
ing corn before November as we are fully
aware of floods and too much rain occurs
before then,” she said.
Meanwhile, local Civil Defence official
Leon Rafael said that while 11 people went
missing due to the typhoon, teams
deployed in Calayan-Camiguin areas have
made breakthroughs.
“The seven crew members of the tug-
boat were found safe in Camiguin Island.
So we are now monitoring them,” he said.
On Wednesday, a tugboat drifted off
the coast of Aparri, which triggered search
and rescue operations by the Philippine
Coast Guard. The 4 members of the search
and rescue team remain missing. – ABS-
EU announces
CBN
P30m aid for
Egay-hit P’pines
MANILA: The European Union (EU) is allo-
cating EUR500,000 or around PHP30 mil-
lion in humanitarian assistance to support
families affected by Typhoon Egay.
In an announcement on Saturday, EU
Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron
said the donation will be coursed through
the European Commission Humanitarian
Aid Office and European non-government
organisations.
Veron said the humanitarian aid will
focus on families and communities heavily
affected in Northern Luzon.
At least 16 dead, 13 injured, and 20 miss-
ing persons have been reported by the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) since
Typhoon Egay made. landfall early a week
ago.
In its latest bulletin dated July 29, the
NDRRMC said 172,293 families or 608,979
persons were affected by the combined
effects of Egay and the southwest mon-
Islamic boarding schools considered Indonesian assets: VP
soon enhanced by the typhoon. – PNA
JAKARTA: Indone-
sian Vice President
Ma’ruf Amin (pic)
emphasised that
Islamic boarding
schools (pesantren)
are the nation’s
assets, as they are the
only places that can
produce ulema, or
Muslim scholars, who can guide the peo-
ple.
“Islamic boarding schools are the
nation’s assets,” VP Amin remarked at the
opening of the Islamic Boarding School
Six killed after
Roadshow at Pesantren An-Nawawi
train hits van
JAKARTA: Six people were killed and two
others were injured when a train struck a
van in Jombang, East Java, Saturday night.
Jombang police in a statement said the
six victims who were passengers of the van
died at the scene.
The other two, who were also inside the
van, were rushed to the local hospital and
they are both in critical condition.
The accident happened around 11.15pm
local time when the van drove through a
railway crossing without barriers in Jabon
village at Kilometre 85 between Jombang-
Sembung Station.
Initial investigation showed that the van
driver ignored other road users’ warnings,
who repeatedly asked the driver to stop.
The train, operated by PT Kereta Com-
muter Indonesia, then hit and dragged the
car for about 100 metres from the accident
scene.
No train passengers were injured in the
accident, and the train resumed service at
11.25pm. – Bernama
1987 and underwent a complete part
upgrade in 2015 by the original manufac-
turer. It has five safety sensors but lacks one
at the floor plates because it is an old model,
said the source.
AOT director Kirati Kitmanawat report-
edly said the authorities have proposed the
hiring of a third-party investigator to check
the condition and safety of all walkways and
related equipment at Don Mueang airport to
restore passengers’ confidence. – The
Nation/ANN
Residents transport a motorcycle on a boat to avoid floodwaters left
by torrential rains of Typhoon Doksuri in Calumpit, Bulacan province.
16 dead, over 1 million affected
due to ‘Egay’ and ‘habagat’
MANILA: Typhoon Egay (international
name: Doksuri) and the southwest mon-
soon left at least 16 people dead and over
one million affected after pummelling the
country with strong winds and heavy rain,
the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council reported Sunday.
Around 1,029,794 people from Luzon,
Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao,
Davao Region Soccsksargen, and
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mus-
lim Mindanao were affected by the power-
ful cyclone and the enhanced southwest
monsoon. Of those, over 30,000 people
fled their homes.
The NDRRMC also reported the two
weather disturbances left 20 people miss-
ing and 52 individuals injured.
The combined effects of Egay and the
southwest monsoon also wreaked havoc in
the agricultural sector.
According to the NDRRMC, more than
105,000 farmers and fisherfolk were
affected. Damage to crops and agriculture
Mayon’s earthquakes spike: Phivolcs
infrastructure reached at least P1.5 billion.
MANILA: The Philippine Institute of Vol-
canology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on
Sunday recorded an increase in Mayon
Volcano’s earthquakes but continued
decrease in its rockfall events and sulfur
dioxide emission.
Based on its 5a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs
said it monitored zero pyroclastic density
currents (PDCs), higher volcanic earth-
quakes at 68, and lower rockfall events at
18 in Mayon over the last 24 hours.
Earlier, the agency likewise monitored
no PDCs, lower quakes at 40, and higher
rockfall events at 45.
Aside from rockfall events, Phivolcs
Tanara, Banten, Saturday.
Amin said that pesantrens can produce
scholars, who can guide people on all
earthly matters in life.
“We must not lose scholars by continu-
ing to produce them through Islamic
boarding schools,” he affirmed.
He said one of the functions of
pesantren is to prepare people, who have
an understanding of religion. Currently,
the vice president said, several people
speak of religious issues but do not neces-
sarily understand them.
Amin stressed that if no scholar were to
be left in the world, then the people would
Ng: S’pore can have ‘best of
elect incompetent leaders that can mis-
three worlds’ if I am President
SINGAPORE: If Sin-
gaporeans choose
him to be the next
President, the
country can have
“the best of three
worlds”, said presi-
dential hopeful Ng
Kok Song (pic) on
Saturday as he
gave some personal reflections on the
elected presidency.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines
of the Asia Cat Expo 2023, Ng said that if
he is elected President, former senior
minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
can return to the government to serve
Singapore as he has done for the last 22
years.
Meanwhile, George Goh – the third
potential presidential candidate and
founder of retailer Harvey Norman Ossia
– can go back to “building his business to
support the government’s efforts to
grow our economy”, Ng said.
“I think that would be a very good
thing because as you know, our govern-
ment is going through a difficult time.
So we need very good and capable peo-
ple to come back or to go back to serve
our country,” he added.
“I will be so honoured to be able to
serve the people of Singapore one more
time.”
Ng also laid out two other scenarios
where either Tharman, 66, or Goh, 63,
become Singapore’s President.
Asean 9
Meanwhile, the initial damage to infra-
structure was estimated at around P4.3 bil-
lion.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Mar-
cos Jr. said Saturday that people who were
left homeless by Egay in Northern Luzon
will receive housing repair assistance and
emergency support.
The government has so far provided
P64 million in assistance to affected resi-
dents.
Egay is the fifth cyclone to hit the
Philippines this year. Scientists have
warned extreme weather events such as
strong storms are being exacerbated by
climate change.
A new cyclone, Severe Tropical Storm
Falcon (international name: Khanun) is
threatening more floods and landslides as
provinces pounded by Egay were still reel-
ing from its impacts.
Although Falcon will remain far from
the Philippine landmass, it continues to
enhance the southwest monsoon and
bring rain. – Philstar
said that sulfur dioxide emission of
Mayon, which remains under Alert Level 3,
also dipped from 4,113 tons on July 28 to
2,356 tons on July 29.
The agency reported that Mayon’s slow
effusion of lava flow stayed at 2.8 kilome-
tres (km) along Mi-isi Gully and reached
3.4 km along Bonga Gully, while lava dome
collapse on both gullies extended to 600
metres along Basud Gully.
Phivolcs warned residents that rock-
falls, landslides, avalanches, ballistic frag-
ments, lava flows, and moderate-sized
explosions might occur in areas near
Mayon. – Inquirer
guide and mislead them.
Hence, the vice president emphasised
that the Indonesian nation must not lose
ulema, as they carry out prophetic duties.
“Ulemas are the heir of the prophets. If
there are no pesantrens, ulemas will no
longer exist. This must not happen,” he
emphasised.
In addition, the VP stated that Islamic
boarding schools are the places to grow
ulemas that understand both worldly and
spiritual matters.
According to Amin, several worldly
issues are not written specifically in the
holy scripture, such as matters on the
sharia economy and finance. – Antara
He noted that all three potential can-
didates have explained what they would
do if they are elected president, but have
not shared what they would do when the
election is over.
If he does not get elected as President,
Ng, 75, said he will go back to his asset
management company Avanda Invest-
ment Management, which he co-
founded in mid-2015.
He started out as an investment ana-
lyst at the Ministry of Finance’s overseas
investment department before moving
on to the Monetary Authority of Singa-
pore, before finally ending his 45 years in
public service as the chief investment
officer of Singapore’s sovereign wealth
fund GIC.
“I will go back and grow my company
… so that Avanda can become a home-
grown Singaporean investment manage-
ment company that Singaporeans can be
proud of and which will contribute to
the further development of Singapore as
a financial centre,” he told the media.
Ng was at the Asia Cat Expo 2023
event with his fiancee Sybil Lau, where
they interacted with stall owners and
members of the public as well as some
pet cats.
The couple own an 18-month-old
British shorthair cat named Max and a
Japanese Spitz dog named Cotton.
Ng also gave some thoughts on the
role of the President, in light of recent
political scandals that have rocked Sin-
gapore. – CNA
 WORLD
11 Sunak backs new O&G plans
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

12 Israeli’s protest after govt pushes through key reform

10

Putin targets dissent African heads, Putin attend naval parade

in times of ‘conflict’
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin at the
weekend defended an unprecedented
crackdown on dissenting voices in Russia
at a time of “armed conflict” with Ukraine,
urging everyone to follow “certain rules.”
“It’s the year 2023, and Russia is
engaged in an armed conflict with a
neighbour. And I think that there should
be a certain attitude towards people who
harm us inside the country,” Putin told
reporters in Saint Petersburg.
“We must keep in mind that in order
for us to achieve success, including in a
conflict zone, everyone needs to follow
certain rules,” Putin added.
The Russian president was responding
to a question from a reporter who asked
him to comment on the recent jailing of a
theatre director and a sociologist.
“The people were arrested for the words
they said or wrote. Is this normal?” Andrei
Kolesnikov, a veteran reporter for Komm-
ersant daily, asked Putin.
Last week, Russian authorities detained
prominent sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky,
64, and accused him of calling for terror-
ism online.
In May, a Moscow court ordered the
arrest of theatre director Yevgeniya
Berkovich, 38, on charges of “justifying ter-
rorism” over an award-winning play about
Russian women recruited online to marry
radical Islamists in Syria.
Putin said he did not know who Kagar-
litsky and Berkovich were.
“I’m just telling you about my overall atti-
tude towards the problem.”
Criticism of Moscow’s offensive in
Ukraine has been outlawed and most
prominent members of the liberal opposi-
tion are either in jail or in exile.
Last week authorities detained former
separatist commander and nationalist
blogger Igor Girkin on accusations of
“extremism” after he criticised Putin.
Meanwhile, a night-time Ukrainian
drone attack on Moscow damaged two
office blocks, the mayor of the Russian
capital said early Sunday, adding that no
one was injured.
“Ukrainian drones attacked tonight.
Facades of two city office towers were
slightly damaged. There are no victims or
injured,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin
posted on Telegram.
Moscow and its environs, lying about
500 kilometres (310 miles) from the
Ukrainian border, had been rarely tar-
geted during the conflict in Ukraine until
several drone attacks this year.
The attack reported Sunday is the latest
in a series of recent drone assaults—
including on the Kremlin and Russian
towns near the border with Ukraine—that
Moscow has blamed on Kyiv.
Earlier this month, Russia said it had
downed five Ukrainian drones that dis-
rupted the functioning of Moscow’s
Vnukovo international airport.
The drone attacks on Moscow come sev-
erupted in February 2022.
Moscow’s foreign ministry has said
such attacks “would not be possible with-
out the help provided to the Kyiv regime
by the US and its NATO allies”.
Moscow said on Sunday its forces had
thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to attack
Russia-annexed Crimea with 25 drones
overnight.
“Sixteen Ukrainian UAVs were
destroyed by air defence fire,” the Russian
defence ministry said, referring to VLADIMIR PUTIN on Sunday praised Russia’s navy in an address at an annual war-
unmanned aerial vehicles. ship parade in Saint Petersburg, which he attended accompanied by several African
“Another nine Ukrainian drones were leaders.
suppressed by means of electronic warfare The military display took part as Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine stretches into
and, without reaching the target, crashed its second year and three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow early on
into the Black Sea,” the ministry said, Sunday. The Russian Navy has played a key role in Moscow’s assault on Ukraine
adding that there were no victims. by pummelling the Western-backed country with ship- and submarine-launched
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has cruise missiles, among other operations.
been targeted by Kyiv throughout Without mentioning Ukraine in his speech, Putin hailed “the brave crews of
Moscow’s Ukraine offensive but has come ships and submarines”.
under more intense, increased attacks in “In the name of Russia, our sailors give all their strength, show true heroism
recent weeks. and fight valiantly, like our great ancestors,” Putin said.
Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take “Today, Russia is confidently implementing major elements of its national mar-
Crimea back. itime policy and is consistently building up the power of its navy,” he added.
At least one civilian was killed Saturday Forty five ships, boats and submarines took part in the parade along with around
evening in a Russian missile attack on the 3,000 servicemen, the Kremlin said.
northeast Ukrainian city of Sumy, said The former imperial capital hosted a Russia-Africa summit earlier this week.
national police, adding that there were Several leaders and representatives of African countries including Mali and
five injured in the strike on an education Burkina Faso attended the parade on Sunday. – AFP
centre.
“On the evening of July 29, an enemy
missile hit an educational institution. Law
enforcement officers are working at the Pope calls upon Russia to
scene, recording the effects,” the force

return to Ukraine grain deal

China malware ticking time bomb: US
“I hear these names for the first time
and do not really understand what they
did or what was done to them,” Putin said.
WASHINGTON: The Biden administration
believes China has implanted malware in
key US power and communications net-
works in a “ticking time bomb” that could
disrupt the military in event of a conflict,
The New York Times reported at the week-
end.
The Times, quoting US military, intelli-
gence and security officials, said the mal-
ware potentially gave China’s People’s
Liberation Army the ability to disrupt US
military operations if Beijing were to move
eral weeks into a Ukrainian counter-offen-
sive to claw back territory captured by
Moscow since large-scale hostilities
Microsoft singled out Guam, a US Pacific
territory with a vital military outpost, as
one target but said malicious activity had
also been detected elsewhere in the United
States.
It said the stealthy attack, carried out
since mid-2021, was likely aimed at ham-
pering the United States in the event of a
regional conflict.
Authorities in Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and Britain warned at the same
time that Chinese hacking was likely tak-
posted on Telegram, putting the initial toll
at “at least one civilian dead and five
injured”. – AFP
ation amounted to “a ticking time bomb.”
The White House issued a statement Fri-
day that made no mention of China or mil-
itary bases.
“The Biden administration is working
relentlessly to defend the United States
from any disruptions to our critical infra-
structure, including by coordinating inter-
agency efforts to protect water systems,
pipelines, rail and aviation systems, among
others,” said Adam Hodge, acting
spokesman for the National Security Coun-
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Sunday
called on Russia to return to the agreement
that had allowed the safe passage of
Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea to
world markets.
The Ukraine grain deal was agreed last
year and allowed around 33 million tonnes
of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping
to stabilise global food prices and avert
shortages.
“I am calling on my brothers, the
authorities in the Russian Federation, to re-
establish the Black Sea initiative so that the
wheat could be safely transported”, Francis
said during his weekly Angelus prayer.
“We are constantly praying for martyred
thing, including the wheat, which is a
major offence to God because wheat is his
gift to feed humanity and the cries of mil-
lions of our brothers and sisters suffering
from hunger are lifting to the sky,” he said.
Russia two weeks ago refused to extend a
deal brokered by the United Nations and
Turkey, under which Ukrainian grain
exports passed through the Black Sea to
reach global markets, including Africa, eas-
ing pressure on food prices.
Moscow withdrew from the agreement
after protesting for months that the parts
of the deal that allowed for the export of
Russian fertiliser were not honoured.
Following Russia’s pullout, wheat prices

350,000 kids in developing world

against Taiwan at some point. ing place globally, affecting an extensive cil. Ukraine, where the war is destroying every- have risen. –AFP
The systems affected, the Times said, range of infrastructure. He added that President Joe Biden “has
could allow China not only to cut off water, Discovery of the malware, the Times also mandated rigorous cybersecurity

missing out on cancer treatment

power and communications to US military
bases, but also to homes and businesses
across the United States.
The report comes two months after
Microsoft warned that state-sponsored
said, sparked a series of meetings in the
White House Situation Room involving top
military, intelligence and national security
officials in an effort to track down and
eradicate the code.
practices for the first time.”
Reports of the malware operation come
at a particularly strained point in US-China
relations, with China aggressively asserting
its claim that Taiwan is Chinese territory

Aussie army grounds Taipan heli

Chinese hackers had infiltrated critical US The newspaper quoted one congres- and the US seeking to ban sales of sophis-

Decoupling from
GENEVA: Treatment remains out of reach launched the Global Initiative for Child-
infrastructure networks. sional official as saying the malware oper- ticated semiconductors to Beijing. –AFP for hundreds of thousands of children hood Cancer in 2018.
diagnosed with cancer in low and middle- The initiative aims for at least a 60 per-

China an illusion:
income countries, severely limiting their cent survival rate in low and middle-
chances of survival, the UN health agency income countries by 2030, focusing on six
said. cancers that are highly curable which rep-

French Minister
SYDNEY: Australia’s Only a quarter of low-income coun- resent more than half of all those found
military will ground tries cover childhood cancer medicines in on children.
its fleet of MRH-90 through public benefits, Tedros Adhanom He added that in December 2021, the
Taipan helicopters Ghebreyesus, Emirates news agency UN agency and St. Jude initiated a global
after a crash during (WAM) reported Director-General of the programme to improve access to child-
multinational mili- BEIJING: France’s finance minister said UN World Health Organisation (WHO) hood cancer medicines.
tary exercises that left during a visit to Beijing on Sunday that said at his weekly press briefing in Geneva The WHO also announced that cancer
four crew members cutting all economic ties with China was on Wednesday. medicines are among those that have
missing, the army “an illusion”, as some Western countries “This subjects children and families to been added to the latest version of the
chief said on Sunday. question their reliance on the Asian giant. significant suffering and financial hard- WHO Essential Medicines List and the
The helicopter “We are totally opposed to the idea of ship, or puts them at risk of receiving sub- Essential Medicines List for Children, it
crashed into waters decoupling. Decoupling is an illusion,” standard and falsified medicines. As a added.
near the Whitsunday Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told result, survival of children in these coun- “The new lists also include important
Islands off Australia’s reporters at the French embassy. tries is less than 30 percent, compared new medicines for the treatment of mul-
subtropical northeast “There is no possibility of having any with more than 90 percent for children in tiple sclerosis, infectious diseases and car-
late on Friday, spark- kind of decoupling between the Ameri- high income countries.” diovascular conditions, among others.
ing a search by the
An Australian helicopter crewman stands by an MRH-90 heli-
can, European and Chinese economies.” To help address the problem, WHO, These treatments could have a very large
militaries of three
copter in Townsville, Australia. (Getty Images)
Le Maire nonetheless defended supported by the US-based St. Jude Chil- public health impact globally, without
nations, but hopes of France’s ambition to become more eco- dren’s Research Hospital, a non-profit jeopardizing the health budgets of low
finding the missing nomically independent in certain sectors. pediatric treatment and research facility and middle-income countries,” Tedros
crew were fading. Specialist divers have joined the hun- But, he added, the concept of de-risking, focusing on leukemia and other cancers, said. – Bernama
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, the dreds-strong search for the missing pilot which has become a byword in the West
chief of the Australian Army, said on Sunday and three other crew, officials said. in recent months, “does not mean that
that Australia would ground its fleet of
about 45 Taipan helicopters.
Debris from the crash was recovered on
Saturday, with Channel 9 television footage
China is a risk”.
“De-risking means that we want to be
Iraq, Kuwait seek solution
“We are not flying the MRH-90 today and showing a section of the fuselage being more independent... We don’t want to
won’t until we think it is safe to do so,” Stu- lifted from the water.
art told reporters in Sydney. Stuart identified the four missing crew
realise, as we realised during the Covid to contested border issue
crisis, that we have too much dependence
Even before the incident, Canberra had and said they were all from the 6th Aviation BAGHDAD: Iraq and Kuwait will work Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said
on some very specific components,” he towards reaching a definitive agreement that during their talks “the emphasis was
announced it would replace its ageing Regiment, based in Sydney. added, citing microchips as one example.
Taipan helicopters with US-made Black “You have to feel for their families and on demarcating their borders, including a placed on resolving the border issues”.
Le Maire’s remarks come as some West- contested maritime area of the Gulf, their He told reporters the border talks
Hawks. their mates,” he said. ern countries seek to reduce their eco- foreign ministers said on Sunday. would “continue through various techni-
Australian officials have complained New South Wales Premier Christopher
nomic dependence on China, particularly The de facto land and maritime borders cal committees”.
about having to repeatedly ground the Minns told Sky News one of the missing
Germany, which counts the Asian country between the neighbouring states were Baghdad will host a meeting of a legal
European-made Taipans, citing difficulties crew was the son of a distinguished senior
as its top trading partner and an impor- established by the United Nations in 1993, committee relating to the talks on August
with maintenance and getting spare parts. police officer.
Stuart said the current aim was to keep tant market for its automotive industry. three years after Iraq under Saddam Hus- 14.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony
the Taipans in service until 2024 but “what Albanese described the crash as a stark The United States has also advocated sein invaded Kuwait. Sabah said there was “complete consen-
happens between now and then, from what reminder “that there are no safe or easy days de-risking from China, though US Treas- While Iraqi officials have previously sus” between Kuwait and Iraq to “resolve
we learn from this incident, is yet to be for those who serve in our country’s name”. ury Secretary Janet Yellen said during a expressed a readiness to recognize outstanding problems between the two
determined”. He also thanked military personnel from visit to Beijing earlier this month that a Kuwait’s land border, the maritime border countries, particularly the demarcation of
Australia’s Taipan fleet was grounded for other countries for taking part in the search. decoupling of the US and Chinese remains a point of contention. maritime boundaries”.
a month after one of the helicopters suf- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, economies would be “virtually impossi- Baghdad insists that the delineation Iraq’s government under Prime Minis-
fered engine failure during a nighttime speaking in the northern city of Townsville, ble”. should provide it unhindered access to ter Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, who was
training exercise in March, forcing the crew said the United States would provide any China, meanwhile, has lashed out at Gulf waters, a lifeline for its economy and appointed by pro-Iran parties, is seeking
to ditch into the ocean. No one was seriously assistance it could. Western efforts to de-risk, with Premier Li oil exports. closer ties with Arab Gulf monarchies,
hurt. “Our hearts go out to their loved ones Qiang last month calling the concept a Because of the long-standing dispute, aiming to strengthen regional economic
The aircraft that crashed on Friday night during this terribly difficult time,” Austin “false proposition”. Kuwaiti coastguards regularly detain Iraqi cooperation and counter the flow of nar-
was taking part in the Talisman Sabre exer- said of the missing crew. Le Maire is in China for high-level eco- fishermen and seize their vessels for enter- cotics.
cise, which brings together 30,000 military The Talisman Sabre exercise was paused nomic talks, and will travel on Monday to ing Kuwaiti territorial waters “illegally”. In 2021, Baghdad made the final pay-
personnel from Australia, the United States briefly on Saturday but some operations the southern tech hub of Shenzhen to After meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart ment of war reparations totalling more
and several other nations. then resumed away from the crash site. –AFP meet with business leaders. – AFP Salem Al-Sabah in Baghdad on Sunday, than $52 billion to its neighbour. – AFP

ATHENS: Two weeks of sweltering heat and
wildfires have confirmed fears that
Greece’s ecosystem is under increasing
risk, experts say.
Some 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) of
forest and vegetation have been left
scorched, according to estimates by the
National Observatory of Athens.
This makes the month of July the worst
in 13 years in terms of burned land, said
Charalampos Kontoes, a research director
at the observatory.
“It was a dry winter, and spring rains
were not enough to maintain” moisture in
the soil, Kontoes told AFP.
Civil protection minister Vassilis Kikil-
ias this week said crews had battled more
than 660 blazes this month, an average of
50 to 70 fires a day.
Businesses and farms on the tourist
islands of Corfu and Rhodes, Greece’s sec-
ond-largest island of Evia and the country-
side near Volos, central Greece, bore the
brunt of the damage this year.
The Greek state association insuring
farmers, ELGA, estimates that 50,000 olive
trees and 2,500 animals and beehives have
been destroyed on Rhodes.
Sunak backs new O&G plans
LONDON: UK Prime
Minister Rishi Sunak
has backed plans for
new fossil fuel drilling
off Britain’s coast, say-
ing in a Sunday news-
paper interview he
would be “pragmatic
and proportionate”
about reaching net zero.
His government is expected to approve
the development of Rosebank, near Scot-
land’s Shetland Isles—believed to be the
UK’s largest undeveloped oil and gas
field—as well as other sites in the nearby
North Sea imminently.
The prospect has infuriated environ-
mental campaigners, who argue that
stopping all new fossil fuel exploitation
is essential if Britain is to decarbonise by
mid-century.
They accuse the British leader of lack-
ing conviction on climate policies and
playing politics with the issue, as he eyes
8 die in Russia
‘hurricane’
MOSCOW: Eight people died and another
10 were hospitalised in Russia when trees
crashed into a campsite during a severe
storm described as a “hurricane”, authori-
ties said on Sunday.
“According to the latest information,
eight people died in Mari El due to the
hurricane that took place the day before,”
said Yevgeny Maslov, mayor of the city of
Yoshkar-Ola.
Mari El is a Russian region located
along the northern bank of the Volga
River, and Yoshkar-Ola is its largest city.
The emergencies ministry said that
nearly 100 rescuers were clearing debris at
a campsite near Lake Yalchik, adding that
overall 27 people had received injuries.
“Vacationers did not take into account
the weather forecast,” the ministry said on
messaging app Telegram.
Several hundred people camped on the
shores of Lake Yalchik when the storm
struck, the emergencies ministry added. –
AFP
Fire sparks
nationwide
blackout in Iraq
BAGHDAD: A fire at an electricity substa-
tion in southern Iraq triggered a nation-
wide power outage at the weekend,
authorities said, just as demand peaks
amid the searing summer heat.
Electricity is a sensitive political issue in
Iraq as despite the country’s huge oil
reserves, its dilapidated power grid is inca-
pable of meeting peak demand and Iraqis
endure hours-long outages every summer.
“The power grid experienced a total
shutdown at 12:40 pm (09:40 GMT) due to
a fire that affected a transmission substa-
tion in Basra province,” the electricity min-
istry said in a statement.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Moussa
told AFP that the outage affected the
mains supply to “all of Iraq”.
The fire forced “the suspension of trans-
mission lines” between the south and cen-
tre, and a halt to generation at power
plants, the ministry said.
“Speedy repairs are under way... to
gradually restart the power plants and
transmission lines,” it said, adding that it
was hoped the grid would be “back to nor-
mal within the next few hours”.
Rolling power cuts, which hit Iraq each
summer and can last up to 10 hours a day,
mean many households subscribe to
neighbourhood generators to provide
back-up power.
But not all families can afford it and not
all generators provide sufficient power for
larger devices such as air conditioners to
cope with summer temperatures that can
hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in
Baghdad and the south. – AFP
Greek ecosystems face increasing fire risk, experts say
In the Volos area, the organisation said
it had found “significant losses” in har-
vested grain and grapes, in addition to
farm machinery and buildings.
Major losses in livestock have also hit, it
added.
Greece suffers forest fires every year. In
2007, they left 84 dead in the Peloponnese
peninsula and Evia. In 2018, 103 people
died in Mati, a seaside resort near Athens.
Three people died in Evia two years ago,
and five so far this year.
“Repetitive fires endanger the ecosys-
tem. The forests are transformed into agri-
cultural-forest land, the brushwood into
scrubland,” said Nikos Bokaris, head of the
Greek union of foresters.
“The landscape tends to change and
resemble African landscapes,” he added.
In Rhodes, where the fires broke out on
July 18, a large part of the local fauna
including the island’s emblematic fallow
deer was seriously affected, said Grigoris
Dimitriadis, head of the local environmen-
tal protection association.
a general election due next year amid a
cost-of-living crisis.
The main opposition Labour party,
well ahead in the polls, said earlier this
year it will not issue any new North Sea
drilling licences if it regains power after
more than a decade in opposition.
“I think it makes absolutely no sense,
as the Labour Party is suggesting, to ban
North Sea oil and gas,” Sunak told the
Sunday Telegraph.
“That is just going to weaken our
energy security and strengthen the hands
of dictators like (Russian) President
(Vladimir) Putin,” he said, arguing it
jeopardised 200,000 jobs and threatened
£80 billion ($103 billion) worth of tax rev-
enue.
Sunak, who became leader last Octo-
ber, said his approach was “to support the
UK’s energy industry” and appeared to
suggest that not exploiting new UK oil
and gas reserves risked “the lights going
out” in Britain.
Scores evacuate as typhoon lashes China
BEIJING: Tens of thousands of people were
evacuated from flood-prone areas of Bei-
jing as Typhoon Doksuri lashed China’s
capital with heavy rain on Sunday and res-
idents were urged to stay indoors.
The deadly storm has been sweeping
northeast over China since Friday, when it
careened into the southern Fujian
province after battering the Philippines.
The Chinese capital and surrounding
region were drenched over the weekend,
with officials warning of potentially haz-
ardous conditions including floods,
swelling rivers, mudslides and landslides.
More than 27,000 people in high-risk
areas of Beijing have been evacuated, and
another 20,000 were relocated from parts
of Hebei’s capital Shijiazhuang, state
media said.
Hundreds of millions of people in
northern China, including in Beijing,
remain under a red alert—the highest
level—for heavy precipitation through at
least Monday afternoon.
It is the first time since 2011 that such a
heavy rainfall warning has been issued,
according to local media.
Beijing residents were urged not to go
outside unless necessary, advice that
appeared widely heeded with the usually
buzzing streets empty of many cars or
Strong winds delay salvage of
burning ship off Dutch coast
WEST-TERSCHELLING
(Netherlands): Strong
winds at the weekend
delayed the salvage of a
cargo ship packed with
electric vehicles that
caught fire off the Dutch
coast, officials said, as
fears of an ecological
disaster persist.
The smouldering Fre-
mantle Highway, where
an electric car is sus-
pected to have sparked
the deadly blaze late
Tuesday, may not be
moved to a new location
A Multrasalvor 4 rescue vessel sailing next to a fire aboard the
for several more days,
Panamanian-registered car carrier ship Fremantle Highway.
the national water man-
agement agency Rijkswaterstaat said.
The fire has diminished, but a change “really terrible” odour being emitted.
in winds has now engulfed the rescue tug
designated to tow the vessel in smoke, the plastics and materials burning in the
posing health and safety risks for the cars remain a concern, he said, particu-
crew.
The agency has said that “no direct species on the low end of the food chain
consequences” were expected for the sur- which birds and fish rely on.
rounding environment from the blaze.
The ship remains close to Terschelling company, reported there were 3,783 cars
and Ameland, which are part of an archi- on board the vessel, including 498 “elec-
pelago of ecologically sensitive islands in trical vehicle units”.
the Wadden Sea.
“We can be a bit more optimistic but were rescued from the burning ship that
the risk is still there,” said Manfred Santen had forced some crew members to jump
with Greenpeace Germany, who visited overboard. –AFP
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
In addition, the European Union’s cli-
mate observatory Copernicus on Wednes-
day said smoke emissions from wildfires in
Greece had been the highest for this
period of time in the last 21 years.
Kontoes noted that the mountains
around in Athens go up in flames on aver-
“Everybody sensible recognises that
we will need those fossil fuels as part of
the transition to net zero,” he argued.
The comments follow the Conserva-
tives defying dismal national polling to
retain former prime minister Boris John-
son’s vacated northwest London seat in a
July 20 parliamentary by-election.
The narrow victory came amid voter
unease at Labour mayor Sadiq Khan
expanding a scheme taxing the use of the
most polluting vehicles, and appears to
have emboldened Tory net zero oppo-
nents.
In the Telegraph interview, Sunak
insisted he was on the side of motorists
and said he had ordered a review of so-
called low traffic neighbourhoods, con-
tentious local authority-led tools to limit
vehicle use in designated areas by block-
ing roads.
His government has riled climate cam-
paigners since the surprise by-election
win by suggesting some UK environmen-
Rescuers evacuate residents in a flooded area after Typhoon
Doksuri landfall in Quanzhou, in China’s eastern Fujian province.
pedestrians.
Many popular sites in the capital were
temporarily closed, including the Forbid-
den City, libraries and museums.
The sprawling National Centre for the
Performing Arts, located near Tiananmen
Square, cancelled opera and musical per-
formances scheduled for Sunday.
China has posted record temperatures
this summer, with scientists saying the
extreme weather was being exacerbated
by climate change.
the site at the weekend and noted the
The impact of chemicals released from
larly on micro-organisms and other
Japan-based K Line, the ship’s charter
One sailor died after he and 22 others
The shell
of a
tortoise
lies on the
charred
ground
near the
village
of
Loutses
on the
Greek
island of
Corfu.
age every six years.
This affects the ecosystem of one of the
most densely populated cities in Europe,
which houses more than a third of the
Greek population of 10.5 million, he said.
Bokaris added that the situation is par-
ticularly problematic in the Greek capital
tal targets could be eased, while offering
lukewarm support for the country’s
ambitious net zero agenda.
Swedish climate campaigner Greta
Thunberg on Friday called the UK govern-
ment “out of touch from reality” after
energy minister Grant Shapps said it
would look to “max out” North Sea
reserves.
Meanwhile several mainstream pres-
sure groups claiming to represent tens of
millions of Britons wrote to Sunak prom-
ising to mobilise if net zero policies are
watered down.
Sunak, who has been criticised for his
frequent use of helicopters and planes to
travel around Britain, insisted he wants to
“leave the environment and our climate
in a better state”.
“But I’m going to do that in a way that
is pragmatic and proportionate, and not
unnecessarily add costs or hassle to peo-
ple’s lives,” he added, noting the current
grim economic reality many face. –AFP
Doksuri was initially categorised as a
super typhoon as it tore across the Pacific
Ocean earlier this week, but it lost some
intensity as it neared the Philippines,
where it killed more than a dozen people.
It still brought colossal waves and
howling winds of up to 175 kilometres per
hour (110 miles per hour) to China’s south-
east on Friday, causing significant damage.
More than 880,000 people in Fujian
province were affected by the storm, state
media said Sunday. –AFP
Dutch summer
festivals marred
by shooting
THE HAGUE: Two separate shootings have
taken place at the annual summer carnival
in the centre of the Dutch port city of Rot-
terdam, with one of the incidents leaving
two people and the gunman injured,
reported Sputnik quoting Dutch media.
At the weekend, unknown man fired
several shots into the crowd at the festival,
but no one was injured then, the Dutch
Broadcasting Foundation reported, citing
the police. However, later in the day,
another man went on a shooting spree on
the same street. Police officers who heard
the shooting opened fire on the attacker.
Apart from the shooter and his victim, a
woman who was passing by was injured,
the report said.
No information has been provided on
the condition of those injured so far.
As a result of the incidents, the Rotter-
dam police detained three people, the
broadcaster added. – Bernama
Bar fire kills 6 in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT: A karaoke bar fire in Uzbekistan’s Fergana city killed six people and injured
seven on Saturday morning, the Uzbek Ministry of Emergency Situations said at the
weekend.
The karaoke bar is located in the basement of a four-storey building in Fergana city,
which is the administrative centre of eastern Fergana region, the statement said, adding
the fire was distinguished within an hour.
According to the ministry, a special government commission has been sent to inves-
tigate the incident and provide assistance to the victims. – Bernama
World 11
as “there are few green spaces and con-
crete buildings create a closed thermal
environment”.
The Greek government, which blames
the fires primarily on the climate crisis, is
often accused of not doing enough to pro-
tect biodiversity and prevent the fires.
“This year, prevention started a little
late—but firebreaks or other preventive
measures are not always a panacea when
the fire takes on enormous dimensions,”
Bokaris said.
The forecaster said Greece in 2022
received 55 million euros ($60 million) in
European funds for fire prevention, fol-
lowed by another 86 million this year.
His proposal is to let the burned land
regenerate and prohibit the conversion of
“burned forests into areas for cultivation
or construction”, as often happens.
“The climate crisis did not appear sud-
denly and cooperation between govern-
ment, local authorities and volunteers is
necessary to combat it,” said Alexandra
Messare of Greenpeace Greece. –AFP
Third firefighter
dies battling
blazes in Canada
MONTREAL: A firefighter has died battling
one of the massive blazes devastating
Canada’s forests this year, British Colum-
bia’s premier announced at the weekend.
It marked the third death of a fire-
fighter during this devastating wildfire
season.
“I am devastated to learn that we have
lost another wildfire fighter. My heart goes
out to the family, friends and colleagues of
this frontline hero,” Premier David Eby
said in a statement.
Eby did not identify the contract fire-
fighter, but authorities said the victim was
at the Donnie Creek wildfire, near Fort St
John, in the northeast of the province.
Two other firefighters have perished in
separate operations this month, and a
fourth person, a helicopter pilot, died July
19 when his aircraft crashed in Alberta, in
western Canada, while taking part in relief
operations.
Canadian wildfires have burned some
30 million acres (12 million hectares) this
year, scorching an area larger than the size
of Cuba or South Korea.
“This wildfire season has been pro-
foundly awful,” Eby said, who hailed fire-
fighters as heroes making “extraordinary
sacrifices... to keep us safe.”
British Columbia currently has 368
active fires. In total, more than 990 fires
are ravaging Canada, 613 of which are con-
sidered out of control. –AFP
6 killed in
Canadian
plane crash
OTTAWA: A small plane crashed in the
Rocky Mountains west of Calgary, Canada,
killing six people, media reported at the
weekend, according to Xinhua.
Police said five passengers and one
pilot were onboard the aircraft, which left
the Springbank Airport around 8:45 pm
(0145 GMT Saturday) for Salmon Arm,
British Columbia, and was lost around 30
minutes into the flight.
According to reports, the wreckage was
located Saturday around 7:30 am (1230
GMT) in a mountainous area roughly 100
km west of Calgary and all six bodies have
been successfully recovered.
The identities of the victims are not
released and the cause of the crash is not
yet known, reports said. –Bernama
Pilot lands
plane in sea
off France
MARSEILLE (France): A pilot landed his
tourist plane in choppy waters off south-
ern France on Sunday after the aircraft’s
engine broke down, with all occupants
surviving unharmed, firefighters said.
The Cessna 177 touched down 600
metres (1,968 feet) off the coast near the
Mediterranean resort of Frejus shortly
before 10:00 am (0800 GMT).
The local fire service said the pilot
chose the location to “avoid the beach,
where there were already a lot of holiday-
makers”.
“To pull that off, you need a lot of tech-
nical ability and a bit of luck,” a
spokesman said.
Firefighters rescued two women and
one man, who escaped unharmed but
were shaken up.
The plane sank, although no pollution
has been detected in the sea so far. –AFP
 12 World
Protesters wave national flags and deploy banners as they march
against the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul plan in Tel Aviv.
Israeli’s protest
after govt
pushes through
key reform
TEL AVIV: Thousands of Israelis took to the
streets at the weekend to protest the gov-
ernment’s decision to forge ahead with its
judicial reform package despite wide-
spread opposition.
Demonstrators waving Israeli flags ral-
lied in the country’s commercial hub Tel
Aviv, keeping up the momentum of
months of protests against Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposals.
“We still love this country and we’re try-
ing to fix all the problems,” said film com-
poser Itay Amram.
“We’re not accepting any of it,” the 27-
year-old told AFP, railing against what he
saw as the government’s “constitutional
revolution”.
From the northern city of Haifa to Eilat
on the Red Sea, protest organisers pro-
moted rallies nationwide in the biggest
test of public opinion since the govern-
ment put a key plank of its reforms to a
final vote in parliament on Monday.
The vote to scrap the “reasonableness”
law, through which the Supreme Court can
overturn government decisions such as
ministerial appointments, was met with
concern from Israel’s top allies including
the United States.
Israeli medics responded with a brief
walkout, while scores of military veterans
have vowed to end their volunteer duties
and trade unions are mulling further
industrial action.
Netanyahu argues the reform package
is necessary to rebalance the relationship
between elected officials and the judiciary,
but the premier’s opponents accuse him of
a power grab.
“We refuse to serve a dictatorship,”
West Africa leaders meet on Niger coup
warned a placard held by a demonstrator
in Tel Aviv.
ABUJA (Nigeria): West African leaders met
on Sunday for a crisis summit on the coup
in Niger, where protesters tried to storm
the French embassy after the junta warned
of an “imminent military intervention”.
In the third coup to fell a leader in
Africa’s restive Sahel region in as many
years, Niger’s elected president, Mohamed
Bazoum, has been held by the military
since Wednesday.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the
head of the powerful presidential guard,
has declared himself leader.
Former colonial ruler France and the
European Union have suspended security
cooperation and financial aid to Niger fol-
lowing the coup.
The 15-nation Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) prepared to
gather for an “extraordinary summit” in
Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Sunday to dis-
cuss the crisis.
ECOWAS has the power to impose sanc-
tions on Niger, which is one of its mem-
bers and is one of the world’s poorest
nations, often ranking last on the UN’s
Human Development Index.
In a statement read out on national tel-
evision on Saturday evening, Niger junta
member Amadou Abdramane said the
summit’s aim was to “approve a plan of
aggression against Niger, in the form of an
imminent military intervention in
Niamey”.
The intervention would be “in cooper-
ation with African countries who are not
members of the regional body and certain
Western nations”, he added.
Thousands of people waving Russian
and Niger flags rallied outside the
national parliament in Niamey on Sunday
in a show of support for the junta.
While an official turnout figure was not
available, Israel’s Channel 13 estimated
more than 170,000 people turned out in
the city.
Wrapped in an Israeli flag in Jerusalem,
near the prime minister’s home, Lotem Pin-
chover said she felt “heartbroken, helpless”
after Monday’s vote.
“I’m very scared of what’s happening in
Israel now and I’m very worried about the
future of my daughter,” the 40-year-old
academic said.
Months of protests since the judicial
package was unveiled in January—includ-
ing some in support of the government—
have led to fears about widening fissures
within Israeli society.
Stationed at a “psychological first aid”
stand for protesters in Jerusalem, therapist
Pnina Manes said the situation “tears fam-
ilies apart”.
“It’s started to feel like—and it’s very sad
for me to say so—like two different groups”
in Israeli society, the 59-year-old said.
There have been multiple petitions filed
at the Supreme Court this week against
Monday’s vote, with hearings set to be held
in September.
The broader reform package includes
ambitions to hand the government a
greater say in the appointment of judges,
as well as downgrading the status of legal
advisers attached to ministers.
The legislative process is currently on
hold due to parliament’s summer recess,
with Netanyahu pledging openness in
negotiations over future steps.
Opposition chiefs remain sceptical of
talks with the government, a coalition
which also includes far-right and ultra-
Orthodox Jewish parties, after earlier dia-
logue broke down. – AFP
They then moved on to the French
embassy, shouting “long live Putin” and
“down with France”, before being dis-
persed by soldiers with tear gas, an AFP
journalist saw.
Some tried to storm the embassy, but
were dispersed.
Despite a junta ban on protests, a sol-
dier standing in a pick-up truck waved to
the crowd, shouting “Russia, Russia, Rus-
sia!”, “long live Niger’s army” and “Tiani,
Tiani, Tiani”.
A number of demonstrators headed for
the embassy of the United States, which
has voiced support for efforts by ECOWAS
chairman Bola Tinubu, the president of
Nigeria, “to restore constitutional order”
in Niger.
France condemned the assault on its
embassy, warning it would retaliate if its
citizens or interests were attacked, and
said it would support all regional initia-
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
Trump slams Biden’s ‘monumental corruption’
MOSCOW: Former US President Donald
Trump (pic) has once again critiqued the
administration of US President Joe Biden,
accusing Biden of corruption, reported
Sputnik.
“When we win the election a little more
than a year from now, I will appoint a real
special prosecutor to expose the monu-
mental corruption of the Biden crime fam-
ily once and for all,” Trump said at a rally
in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Trump said that the Biden family had
profited from Ukraine and now the Biden
administration is spending billions of
American taxpayer dollars on Ukraine.
The former US president once again
took personal credit for the lack of con-
frontation in Ukraine, as well as Taiwan,
under his administration. Trump empha-
sised that now, under Biden, China is
“building military installations in Cuba.”
Morocco King appeals
‘normality’ with Algeria
RABAT (Morocco): Morocco’s King
Mohammed VI (pic) has expressed hope for
a return to normality and reopening of bor-
ders with North African neighbour Algeria,
which cut diplomatic ties nearly two years
ago.
“We pray to the Almighty for a return to
normality and a reopening of the borders
between our two neighbouring countries
and our brotherly peoples,” Mohammed VI,
59, said at the weekend in a speech to mark
the anniversary of his accension to the
throne in 1999.
The borders have been closed since 1994,
leaving families divided after Morocco
accused its neighbour of involvement in a
jihadist attack on a Marrakesh hotel that
killed two tourists. Algeria then sealed the
frontiers.
Since then, tensions have persisted
between the regional rivals, exacerbated by
their dispute over Western Sahara, where
Police hit a BNP activist blocking a highway entering Bangladesh’s
capital with other activist during a protest demanding the \
Dozens hurt in Bangla protests
resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. (AFP)
DHAKA: The main opposition Bangladesh
Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed at the
weekend that police arrested more than
100 supporters and injured about the same
number of others, including with bullets in
sit-ins in Dhaka, reported Anadolu.
Protesters
cheer Nigerien
troops as they
gather in front
of the French
Embassy
in Niamey
during a
demonstration
that followed
a rally in
support of
Niger’s junta
in Niamey.
tives to restore order in Niger.
“Should anyone attack French nation-
als, the army, diplomats and French inter-
ests, they will see France respond in an
immediate and intractable manner,” the
French presidency said.
Last year, ECOWAS leaders agreed to
create a regional security force to inter-
vene against jihadists and prevent military
coups, but details on the force and its
funding are still unclear.
Nigeria’s Tinubu said on Friday the
West African bloc and the international
community “would do everything to
defend democracy and ensure democratic
governance continues to take firm root in
the region”.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss
Deby Itno, a military ruler whose country
is not an ECOWAS member but borders
Niger, has been invited to the summit. –
AFP
“And less than three years ago, we had
Iran, China, Russia and North Korea in
check,” Trump said, adding that now, “Rus-
sia and China are holding summits
together to carve up the world.”
If elected, Trump said he would put
America first, end inflation, “get total
independence from China,” and stop the
conflict in Ukraine by getting Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr
Zelenskyy to start negotiations.
Trump said that Biden wants him
arrested because he is successful in his
election campaign and stressed that there
is “one chance to save” America, and that
is the 2024 presidential elections.
“We need fair elections and we need
borders,” Trump said. He emphasised that
globalists must be driven out of the US
political system in order to get America to
be powerful, wealthy, strong, proud and
the Algiers-backed
Polisario Front is
seeking independ-
ence from Rabat’s
rule and has declared the territory a “war
zone”.
Algeria severed ties in August 2021,
accusing Rabat of “hostile acts”, a move
which Morocco said was “completely unjus-
tified”.
Israel’s recognition earlier this month of
“Morocco’s sovereignty” over Western
Sahara added to tensions between Morocco
and Algeria, which called Israel’s move a
“flagrant violation of international law”.
In his nationally broadcast speech,
Mohammed VI expressed reassurance to
“our brothers in Algeria, their leadership
and their people that they will never have
to fear malice from Morocco.”
The king calls annually for a rapproche-
ment with Algeria. –AFP
A police vehicle and three public buses
were set on fire, and several private cars
were vandalised during the protests. The
opposition and ruling parties traded
blame for the incidents.
The opposition BNP is running a move-
ment to push for a neutral election-time
government while the ruling Awami
League (AL) party is rigid on holding
national parliament elections in December
or early January under incumbent Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, a video that went viral on
local media and television showed police
charging batons and detaining BNP stand-
ing committee member Gayeshwar Chan-
dra Roy from the protest ground in Dhaka.
Police, however, released him later.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
said it arrested 90 people for damaging
public property and initiating an attack on
police.
Faruk Hossain, deputy commissioner of
DMP’s media wing, said 20 police were
injured in attacks by BNP supporters in dif-
ferent areas of the capital.
Police arrested more than 1,200 opposi-
tion BNP party leaders and supporters in
the last three days during a BNP-held
grand rally in Dhaka.
And the largest Islamist party,
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, condemned
the attacks by police. It said 200 of their
leaders and supporters were arrested
across the country.
The BNP announced that nationwide
rallies would be held Monday against
police and the ruling party’s attack at the
weekend on peaceful demonstrators.
Meanwhile, AL took to the street, like
every other day during BNP’s demonstra-
tions, in protest against the opposition
protest that AL claimed “disrupted people’s
life” in Dhaka. The AL announced a nation-
wide protest Sunday against BNP’s “vio-
lence.”
The US and its Western allies are also
increasing pressure on the Bangladesh
government to hold free and participatory
elections as the last two national elections
were allegedly marred by vote rigging and
non-participatory. – Bernama
safe again.
On Friday, Trump
said that his possi-
ble sentencing
would not stop his
presidential cam-
paign.
Earlier this
month, US media reported that Trump’s
attorneys were told to expect an indict-
ment against the former president for his
alleged role in efforts to overturn the 2020
US presidential election.
The indictment would come amid a
number of other probes into potential
misconduct by Trump, including on his
handling of classified documents, as well
as in the middle of the 2024 presidential
race, in which he has established himself
as the Republican Party’s leading candi-
Colombia leader’s
date. –Bernama
son arrested for
money laundering
BOGOTA (Colombia): Nicolas Fernando
Petro Burgos, son of Colombian President
Gustavo Petro, has been arrested for
alleged money laundering and illicit
enrichment, Colombia’s Attorney Gen-
eral’s Office said in a statement. His ex-
partner was also arrested.
“The arrest warrants issued against
Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos were made
effective for the crimes of asset laundering
and illicit enrichment,” said the statement,
reported Anadolu.
His ex-wife, Daysuris Vasquez was
arrested “for the crimes of money launder-
ing and violation of personal data for
events occurring from 2022 to date,” said
the statement.
Nicolas Petro allegedly received money
from Colombia’s drug traffickers to fund
his father’s campaign that led to the pres-
ident’s victory in the election. According
to Vasquez, the president’s son took the
money to acquire a luxurious home in Bar-
ranquilla instead.
Upon learning the news, President
Petro, the country’s first left-wing leader,
spoke on Twitter.
“As a person and a father, so much self-
destruction and the fact that one of my
children goes to jail hurts me a lot; as Pres-
ident, I assure you that the prosecution has
all the guarantees on my part to proceed
in accordance with the law,” he wrote.
“I wish my son luck and strength. May
these events forge his character and may
he reflect on his own mistakes,” Petro
added.– Bernama
Bombing at
NW Pakistan
political rally
ISLAMABAD: A bomb blast hit a political
rally on Sunday afternoon in Pakistan’s
northwest Bajaur district, leaving at least
10 people dead and over 50 others injured,
a rescue official told Xinhua.
The blast hit a political workers’ con-
vention of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
(JUI-F) near the Shanday Mor area at the
Munda Khar road of Bajaur, a district in
the country’s northwest Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province bordering
Afghanistan, Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson of
the state-run rescue organisation Rescue
1122 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said.
The rescue official feared that the death
toll might further rise as at least 15
wounded are in critical condition.
Following the blast, police, security
forces, and rescue teams rushed to the site
and were shifting the bodies and injured
to nearby hospitals.
Eight ambulances are taking part in the
rescue mission, said the official, adding
that rescue aid has also been sought from
the neighbouring areas.
According to local media reports,
around 500 people were present at the
site, and local leaders were delivering
speeches when the blast took place.
Police and security forces have cor-
doned off the area and launched a search
operation.
The nature of the explosion is not
known yet. No group has claimed respon-
sibility for the blast yet. –Bernama
Blast kills
9 in India
NEW DELHI: Nine people were killed in an
explosion at a firecracker factory in the
southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu at the
weekend.
The incident at the firecracker godown
in the Krishnagiri district was caused by a
gas cylinder blast at an eatery housed in
the same building, local media reported.
The owner of the factory, his wife and
their two children were among those
killed and a number of people were
injured.
Some houses and shops near the explo-
sion site were damaged.
State chief minister M.K. Stalin
announced a financial compensation of
300,000 rupees (about RM16,600) each to
the kin of the deceased and 50,000 rupees
each to those injured. –Bernama
 PEOPLE & PLACES
World Youth
14 Country song jangles US nerves on race, violence
Day, the biggest
event in the
Catholic Church
V
ATICAN CITY (Holy See): World
Youth Day, which takes place next
week in Lisbon in the presence of
Pope Francis and an expected one million
pilgrims, is the largest Catholic event in
the world.
Initiated in 1986 by Pope John Paul II,
the global gathering is normally held
every two or three years, although the cal-
endar was disrupted by the coronavirus
pandemic and the most recent World
Youth Day was in Panama City in 2019.
The 16th international edition this year
runs from August 1 to August 6, presided
over by 86-year-old Pope Francis, making
his first trip abroad since undergoing her-
nia surgery in June.
The week revolves around a series of
cultural, spiritual and festive events, from
concerts to debates and prayer sessions.
Events are targeted at Catholics
between the age of 16 and 35, although
organisers insist that everyone is welcome
to attend, with no registration necessary.
More than 700 bishops and 20 cardi-
nals will attend, alongside 20,000 volun-
teers and pilgrims from more than 200
countries, according to the Vatican.
The young people will initially spend
time in different dioceses across Portugal,
before gathering in the capital, which is
preparing with about 16,000 members of
law enforcement and emergency services
New millipede species is crawling under LA
LOS ANGELES: The City of Angels, a
metropolis of freeways and traffic, has a
newly discovered species named in its
honor: The Los Angeles Thread Millipede.
The tiny arthropod was found just
underground by naturalists at a Southern
California hiking area – near a freeway, a
Starbucks and an Oakley sunglasses store.
About the length of a paperclip but
skinny as pencil lead, it’s translucent and
sinuous like a jellyfish tentacle. The crea-
ture burrows four inches below ground,
secretes unusual chemicals and is blind,
relying on hornlike antennas protruding
from its head to find its way.
Under a microscope, the millipede with
its 486 legs and helmet-like head resem-
bles a creature in a Hollywood monster
film.
“It’s amazing to think these millipedes
are crawling in the inner cracks and
crevices between little pieces of rock below
our feet in Los Angeles,” said entomologist
Paul Marek of the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute. He was part of the research team
that included scientists from West Virginia
University, and the University of Califor-
nia, Berkeley.
Their findings on the species, whose sci-
entific name is Illacme socal, were pub-
lished June 21 in the journal ZooKeys. The
species’ vernacular name is Los Angeles
Thread Millipede.
“It goes to show that there’s this undis-
covered planet underground,” Marek
added.
It joins other millipedes found in the
state, including one that until recently
held the crown for the most legs of any
creature ever recorded – a whopping 750
limbs. It is aptly named Illacme plenipes,
Latin for “in highest fulfillment of feet.”
Discovered in 1926 in a small area in
Northern California, it was believed to be
the leggiest creature on earth until 2021
when a millipede with 1,306 legs was
found in Australia.
Millipedes feed on dead organic mate-
rial and without them people would be
“up to our necks” in it, Marek said.
“By knowing something about the
species that fulfill these really important
ecological roles, we can protect them and
then the environment that protects us as
well,” Marek said.
to be deployed.
World Youth Day is spread across sev-
eral venues in Lisbon, a city of 550,000
inhabitants already busy with summer
tourists. Key moments with the pope
include Thursday’s welcome ceremony,
the Stations of the Cross on Friday, a vigil
on Saturday night and large mass on Sun-
day morning.
The Argentine pontiff is expected to
address themes such as climate change,
social media and the scandal of clerical sex
abuse of children that has caused enor-
mous damage to the reputation of the
worldwide Catholic Church.
The first international World Youth Day
was held in Rome in 1986, following two
successful gatherings of young people in
the Italian capital in 1984 and 1985.
Then came Buenos Aires in Argentina
(1987), Santiago de Compostela in Spain
(1989), Czestochowa in Poland (1991),
Denver in the United States (1993) and
Manila in the Philippines (1995).
They were followed by Paris, France
(1997); Rome again in 2000; Toronto,
Canada (2002); Cologne, Germany (2005);
Sydney, Australia (2008); Madrid, Spain in
2011; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013.
The biggest event was Manila, which
drew five million pilgrims, followed by Rio
de Janeiro with 3.7 million, and Krakow,
Poland in 2016 with three million. – AFP
Los Angeles
Thread Mil-
lipede await-
ing study at
the Marek
Lab of Vir-
ginia Tech’s
Department
of Entomol-
ogy in
Blacksburg,
Va. (Pic:
Paul Marek
via AP)
iNaturalist, a citizen naturalist app, led
Marek to the discovery. Naturalists Cedric
Lee and James Bailey posted the critter
they found when when they were out col-
lecting slugs at Whiting Ranch Wilderness
Park in nearby Orange County four years
ago. The team used DNA sequencing and
analysis to prove it was indeed a new
species.
Lee, a doctoral student at UC Berkeley,
has discovered and documented thirty
centipedes species in California. He said
microorganisms have been often neg-
lected in the search for new species, but
thanks to modern tools available to any-
one, citizen science can be a bridge
between between the natural world and
the lab.
“We don’t know what’s completely out
there,” Lee said. “There’s literally unde-
scribed species right under our feet.”
Scientists estimate 10 million animal
species live on Earth, but only one million
have been discovered.
“What we don’t know is far more than
what we know in terms of insect species
and small creatures around the world,”
said Brian Brown, curator of entomology
at the Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County.
After having led a four-year research
project called BioSCAN, which planted
insect traps throughout backyards in the
city, Brown estimates 20,000 species of
insects inhabit Los Angeles alone, both
discovered and undiscovered.
But he worries about threats to native
species such as climate change and inva-
sive species.
“It really is going to take a lot more
work and effort to try and save, try and
document the species before they all go
extinct,” he said.
Daniel Gluesenkamp, president of the
California Institute for Biodiversity, who
was not involved in the research, points to
the Los Angeles Thread Millipede as the
perfect example of an unexplored frontier.
“We need to be investing in local parks,
we need to be saving any little patch of wild
land, even if it’s surrounded by housing and
parking lots,” Gluesenkamp said. “We need
to know what’s there so that we can protect
it and use it as a solution in the tremen-
dously challenging times ahead.” – AP
15 Vibrating vests translate music for deaf concertgoers
The main stage at the venue for World Youth Day (WYD), where
Pope Francis will celebrate the closing mass, in Lisbon.
This aerial picture taken on July 27, 2023 shows the secondary stage
for the World Youth Day (WYD), in Eduardo VII park in Lisbon.
Drake reveals he bought Tupac’s crown ring
NEW YORK (United States): Canadian rap-
per Drake revealed that he is the buyer of
a crown-shaped ring that belonged to
slain hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, which
sold at auction this week for a record $1
million.
Drake shared an Instagram story that
showed him wearing the bauble, which
sold Tuesday at Sotheby’s for a total of
$1.016 million, including commission and
fees.
That was well above the pre-sale esti-
mate of between $200,000 and $300,000,
making it the most valuable hip-hop arti-
fact ever sold, the auction house said.
Drake – the best-selling artist behind
hits such as “Hotline Bling” and “Nice For
What” – has spent lavishly in the past,
including buying a Boeing 767 for per-
sonal use and paying $104 million for a Los
Angeles home once owned by singer Rob-
bie Williams.The New York-born Shakur
X reinstates
wore the ring during his final public
Kanye’s account
WASHINGTON (United States): X, the
social media platform previously known
as Twitter, has reinstated rapper and
designer Kanye West around eight months
after his account was suspended, the Wall
Street Journal reported.
Last fall, West posted an image that
appeared to show a swastika interlaced
with a Star of David, and tycoon Elon Musk
suspended the artist from the platform,
which he had bought weeks earlier.
Musk at the time labeled West’s post as
an “incitement to violence.” X’s press office
did not immediately respond to a query
about West’s account. By late evening,
West had yet to post anything new.
West, who now goes professionally as
Ye, assured the platform he would not use
his account to share antisemitic content or
use harmful language, the Journal said.
Anti-Semitic remarks by West last year
cost him heavily in lost business deals. Adi-
das cut ties with him after a nearly decade-
long partnership, abandoning his
Yeezy-branded sneakers.
In May, the German company said the
end of its highly successful collaboration
with West hit sales by about 400 million
euros (US$441 million) in the first quarter
of the year.
Gap and Balenciaga also cut ties with
the rapper and designer.
Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 bil-
lion last October, he has fired thousands
of employees and cut moderation of con-
tent. In December, he reinstated former
president Donald Trump’s Twitter account
although Trump has yet to return to the
platform.
A week ago, Musk and his newly hired
chief executive, Linda Yaccarino,
announced the rebranding of Twitter as X
and said it would become an “everything
app” that would allow users to handle all
their finances as well as socializing. – AFP
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
appearance at the MTV Video Music
Awards on September 4, 1996.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest
rappers of all time with 75 million records
sold, he was shot dead by an unidentified
assailant in Las Vegas just days later. He
was 25.
Shakur, whose hits included “California
Love,” designed the ring over the course of
a few months, Sotheby’s said.
He did so through his godmother Yaas-
myn Fula, who put the ring up for sale.
A gold circlet studded with a central
cabochon ruby flanked by two pave-cut
diamonds sits atop a diamond-encrusted
gold band.
Shakur was influenced by 16th century
Italian philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli’s
political manifesto “The Prince,” which he
read while in prison on sex abuse charges.
He modeled the design on the crowns
of the medieval kings of Europe, Sotheby’s
added. – AFP
Test your logic skills with the Su Do Ku puzzle. The rules are simple: each of the smaller grids
should contain the number 1 to 9, and in the large grid each row and column should contain the
number 1 to 9. These puzzle vary in difficulty and this is an easy one.
(Solution below)
Solution
13
Getting older
has set Zo free
to pick coveted
projects, roles
SEOUL: In director Ryoo Seung-wan’s new
crime action flick, “Smugglers,” Zo In-sung
stars as a veteran smuggler known nation-
wide, Kwon Pil-sam.
Contrary to newbie Jangdori (Park
Jung-min) who is timid and anxious all the
time, Kwon is a calm and coldhearted
character who wants to get things done
with his own hands.
It is undeniable that the energy and
vibe that a character exudes at least partly
come from the actor who plays the role. In
that context, many have said that Kwon
Pil-sam could be Zo In-sung’s career-defin-
ing role, depicting the 41-year-old actor’s
skillfulness and mature charms in the film.
Because the shooting for “Smugglers”
was conducted while he was busy promot-
ing his 2021 film, “Escape from
Mogadishu,” which was also directed by
Ryoo, his appearance in the film is very
limited compared to that of other charac-
ters. Nevertheless, his impact was huge.
When asked why he thinks the audi-
ence got that feeling, Zo said it was
because he was “getting older.”
“I think there is an advantage to getting
older, especially for actors. Aging is noth-
ing that I, as an actor, abhor. From an
actor’s perspective, getting older means
that you get mature, also that you increase
your bonds and chemistry with industry
insiders like directors,” Zo told The Korea
Herald in an interview in Seoul on July 21.
“Getting older has also given me a
wider scope in acting and choosing proj-
ects and roles, based on the trust that was
built between myself and the audience.
Now I’m free to approach coveted roles or
projects with certain directors. I love how
my age has given me that courage,” he
said, adding that he wished to play Kwon
Pil-sam after hearing the role the character
plays in the movie as a bridge connecting
other characters like Choon-ja (Kim Hye-
soo), Jin-sook (Yum Jung-ah) and Jang-
dori.
Over the past 25 years of his acting
career, Zo has shown versatile acting on
both TV and the silver screen, but he has
also recently ventured into different con-
tent formats such as variety shows or origi-
nal series on streaming services because he
wanted to have chances to meet the audi-
ence.
“At least once or twice a year, I’d like to
meet with an audience. During the pan-
demic, everything stopped and there was
no way to communicate with the audi-
ence. So I thought about approaching fans
first, which was through a variety show.
Films and dramas have relatively longer
periods of production compared to such
short-length variety shows. I really loved
it,” said Zo.
Starting with the film “Smugglers,” he
will have many opportunities to connect
with fans. His Disney+ series “Moving” will
be released in August and he will be
departing to the US later this month to
shoot the third season of TvN show “Unex-
UOTABLE QUOTES
‘Procrastination
is the art
of keeping up
with yesterday’
– Don Marquis
 Country song
14 People & Places MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

jangles US nerves
aRIES Mar 20 - april 19

on race, violence
In mid-July, your ruling planet, the fiercely
independent Mars, moved into Virgo, a sign
known for being thorough and cautious.
Since then, you’ve faced a series of events
that have required exactly that. While, ini-
tially, these were exasperating, to your sur-
prise, you’ve begun to focus more on those
all-important details.

TaURUS apr 20 - May 20

The period when the ideas planet Mercury is

W
ASHINGTON: When Jason
Aldean released the video for
his song “Try That in a Small
Town” in mid-July, which critics say glo-
rified violence and fueled racism, the
singer catapulted country music into the
The on-scene footage is interspersed
with scenes of violent street protests and
other culture-war hot-button imagery,
so much so that the video was pulled
from rotation on Country Music Televi-
sion – evidence of the tensions simmer-
retrograde, or moving backwards in the
heavens, is probably familiar. However, with
your own ruler Venus in reverse motion since
23 July, unexpected events are inevitable.
While unsettling, what you learn, experience
and let go of won’t just be important, it could
be life-changing.

gEMINI May 21 - Jun 20

latest debate illustrating America’s
socio-political divides.
The song’s lyrics open with descrip-
tions of various violent acts – “Sucker
punch somebody on a sidewalk,” “Cuss
out a cop, spit in his face,” and “Stomp
on the flag and light it up,” Aldean sings.
The country star then warns: “Think
you’re tough? Well try that in a small
town,” and proceeds to remind listeners
ing within the country music world
itself.
For Aldean, his song refers to “the
feeling of community,” where “we take
care of our own.”
Shannon Watts, an activist against US
gun violence, replied that the lyrics
harked back to darker days.
“Translation: Jason Aldean simply
wants to return to a time in America
For ages, you’ve been aware that certain ele-
ments of your life would benefit from
change, if not a top to bottom rethink. How-
ever, you’ve feared the resulting chaos. It
seems destiny has another plan. Not only
are those changes taking place, the pace
will be as swift as it is thrilling.

CaNCER June 21 - Jul 21

that he’s “got a gun that my granddad
gave me.”
When it was released in late May, the
song made few waves. But as the video
emerged two months later, a tsunami of
discord ensued.
The video shows Aldean, guitar in
hand, standing before a courthouse in a
Tennessee town, site of the lynching of a
when ‘good old boys’ could shoot or beat
the s**t out of people who they didn’t
think belonged in their town,” she wrote
on Twitter.
In an editorial for CNN, historian
Nicole Hemmer argued that the lyrics
represent a “celebration of vigilantism,”
and an “assertion of who is allowed to
make and enforce the rules.”
True, every sign’s experiencing the intensi-
fied feelings triggered by the current Full
Moon. However, the fact it’s your ruler and,
equally, is accenting what and who you
most value, is bound to raise questions.
While some answers will be clear, others will
be far more puzzling and take considerable

Aldean performs during the Academy of Country Music (ACM)

Black teen by a mob in 1927, and a Aldean defends himself against any time to answer.

Awards at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas. lEO Jul 22 - aug 22
municipality in which race riots racist reference or apology for violence,

POPEYE
occurred in 1946. and was on stage at a music festival in
Las Vegas in 2017 when a lone gunmen in
a high-rise fired down on fans, killing 60
people and wounding more than 400
others, one of the worst acts of gun vio-
lence in modern US history.
He considers that the interpretation
of his song’s lyrics “goes too far.”
While there’s a New Moon every month,
there’s only once New Moon in your sign
each year, and in 2023, it takes place in
mid-August, on the 16th. For now, reflect on
potential changes. As to what’s next, expect
those insights at the actual Leo New Moon,
in nearly three weeks’ time.

VIRgO aug 23 - Sep 22

The controversy over Aldean and his
song is part of the “culture wars” in the
United States, in which social issues –
from the rights of LGBTQ people to the
content of school textbooks – have
become heated topics.
And country music, which the public
generally views as leaning conservative,
is far from immune to the debates.
As early as the 1920s, certain themes
Just a few days ago, your ruler Mercury
moved into Virgo, and for an unusually long
stay, until early October. During this period
it will be retrograde. While you’ll face the
usual confusion, what you learn while
untangling those issues will more than jus-
tify the confusion and delays you’ll be con-
tending with.

lIBRa Sep 23 - Oct 22

were making their way into country song

BLONDIE
lyrics, notably “an evangelical Christian
perspective on life,” Jocelyn Neal, a pro-
fessor of music at the University of North
Carolina, told AFP.
The industry in the 1950s brought
country music “in line with kind of mid-
dle class, white, moderate to conserva-
tive value systems” and in favor of
military service for “marketing pur-
Nobody is better at turning what could
become a serious clash into a civilised and,
ultimately, worthwhile discussion. However,
in certain situations a confrontation isn’t just
unavoidable, it’s necessary. This forces
those who’d otherwise remain silent to reveal
their views, and to be frank about the facts
and, equally, their feelings.

SCORpIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

poses,” Neal said.
But country music “is not a mono-
lithic thing,” Neal said, pointing to an
“increased diversity” of artists in recent
years, such as African American singer
Rissi Palmer.
Aldean, who says he has “never... hid-
den” his conservative positions, enjoyed
the support of several right-wing figures
in the early days of the controversy,
While every Full Moon brings both events
and the resulting emotions to a head,
because the current one accents unspoken
concerns, discussions aren’t just vital, they’ll
reveal essential insights. Still, as a Scorpio,
you’re cautious about what you say. Be
frank. The more direct you are, the better oth-

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
including Donald Trump.
The former Republican president and
candidate for the Republican presiden-
tial nomination in 2024 described the
singer on his Truth Social network as a
“fantastic guy,” with “a great new song,”
and called on people to “support Jason
all the way.”
The call seems to have been heard:
“Try That in a Small Town” spent several
days at the top of the iTunes song chart
ers will understand your circumstances.
SagITaRIUS Nov 22 - dec 20
Although the Sagittarius Full Moon took
place nearly two months ago, you’re still
juggling the resulting insights and dis-
cussing future plans. While some have
already fallen into place, you’re still in the
process of exploring what others offer. Out
of character as this slow pace is, it isn’t just
wise, it’s essential.

CapRICORN dec 21 - Jan 19

in the United States, and climbed to
number two on Billboard’s Hot 100
chart.
This success echoes that of Morgan
Wallen, a country singer from Tennessee
who was caught on video in 2021 utter-
ing the racist “N-word” that is taboo in
the United States – only to see his record
sales soar afterward. – AFP
For ages, you’ve sensed that certain long-
standing arrangements would need to
change, if not become part of the past.
Understandably, you’ve struggled to keep
things as they are. However, you’re finally
beginning to realise how much time you’ve
wasting keeping these going when the fact
is, you’ve thrilling options on the horizon.

CROSSwORd
aqUaRIUS Jan 20 - Feb 17

THREE CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES

True, everybody will be influenced by the
45. "____ more time!" intensified feelings triggered by the current
46. They're the pits
ACROSS 26. Ram's partner Full Moon. However, the fact it’s in Aquarius
48. Winglike
1. Beaver-built barricade 29. Campaign pro 49. Nasal passages
suggests that both pivotal circumstances
4. Definite Mensa reject 30. Weighted lassos 51. Work one's fingers to the bone and your own feelings about certain matters
9. Medieval clubs 31. Short news clip 52. Times when the sun is southern- are likely to reach a peak. For now, simply
14. Stretch of history 32. Surface-____ missile most note those feelings. Decisions can, and
15. Swahili or Zulu 33. Regional populations 57. Some cookies should, wait.

pISCES Feb 18 - Mar 19

16. Cather's "____ Lady"
17. Weather vanes?
20. Trumpeter Armstrong
21. Short and sweet
22. Immediately, on memos
23. Ness adversary
DOWN
35. Certain look-alike
38. Reactions to bad jokes
39. "Fear of Flying" author Jong
40. Ponies up
41. Not-so-pretty snow
42. Doctor's letters?
SOlUTION TO TOday’S
31. Hawkeye State
58. ____ now and again
59. John Lennon's quartet?
60. Insects with stingers
61. Dogpatch first name As an intuitive Piscean, long ago you learnt
62. Hog's haven to spot the difference between arrangements
that seem solid, and those that actually are
reliable. The problem? At the moment, cer-

1. Fold of skin under the throat
2. Melodic composition
3. Instruction book
4. Large wading bird
5. Castellaneta who voices
CROSSwORd
32. Brewed beverages tain individuals are obsessed with plans that
33. Cloud-nine feeling your instincts currently say are unwise, if not
34. Scratcher's target risky. Forget about discussion. For now,
35. Republic on the Caspian simply steer clear of commitments.
36. Woman who are senior mem-

Homer Simpson
6. Officeholders
7. Legendary Giants slugger Mel
8. Supercharged engines
9. '50s first lady
10. Windward's opposite
11. New Year's Eve shower
12. Slow or fast ender
13. Elm and Downing (abbr.)
18. Ice-cream serving
19. Museum decoration
23. Articles on a rack
24. Et ___ ("and others".
25. Mailed boxes
27. Cut off gradually
28. Swimming center?
30. City on the Rhine
Birthday Today
bers of a group
37. Sagolike starch
38. Fed. documents producer
41. Teases with backtalk
42. "___ to go, people to see"
43. "I ___ a clue!" Judging by your birthday chart, certain indi-
44. Formal viduals could be described as ‘a gift’. This is
46. Salad greens
mostly because they’ll persuade you to
47. Feminine pronoun
48. 1996 Olympic torch lighter explore or try out new ideas and activities
50. Up above and, equally, it’s about spending time in new
51. Ocular annoyance settings and with the kind of people who,
52. Utterance of amazement
mostly, you’ve avoided. However, times have
53. CPA's recommendation
54. Reproductive gametes changed and so have you. This birthday is
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 Vibrating vests translate
music for deaf concertgoers
N
EW YORK (United States): The vio-
lins reverberate in the ribcage,
while cello and bass are felt a little
further down, with horns in the shoulders
and, more often than not, soloists in the
wrists.
That’s one way audio expert Patrick
Hanlon programmes haptic suits,
designed to enable concertgoers who are
deaf or hard of hearing to experience
orchestral music, as initiatives to improve
inclusivity at live music performances
break new ground.
At a recent classical concert at Manhat-
tan’s Lincoln Center, audience members
had the chance to try on the wireless vests,
featuring 24 points of vibration translat-
ing the music onstage.
“It engages the body,” Hanlon told AFP
prior to the show, giving attendees a “3D-
surround experience through vibrations.”
Hanlon is a co-founder of Music: Not
Impossible, an arm of Not Impossible
Labs, which employs tech to try to alleviate
social barriers, including those around
disability.
Previous methods that deaf and hard of
hearing individuals would use to enjoy
live music included literally putting their
hands on speakers, or holding a balloon to
feel vibrations in their fingertips.
The aim of the vests – along with bands
at the wrists or ankles – is to allow for a
full-body experience, creating sensations
that render the feelings music can evoke.
“Nobody expects it to be so engaging,”
Hanlon said of the vests. “And when you
see it in people’s eyes, it’s magical.”
Jay Zimmerman, a composer whose
ability to hear was damaged due to the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, says
the vests are an example of new technol-
ogy offering more flexibility and
dynamism than had been available previ-
ously.
“My hope is down the road, is that we
will be able to let deaf kids have experi-
ences with real vibrations and real materi-
als up close, so they start building this
library of auditory memory – even if it’s
not auditory through their ears, it’s just
different sensations,” he told AFP.
“I think if we can put it all together,
Extinct birds on the ballot for New
Zealand’s avian beauty contest
WELLINGTON (New Zealand): Five extinct
species have been included on the ballot
to find New Zealand’s most popular feath-
ered friend as competition organisers
hope to draw attention to endangered
birds.
New Zealand’s annual avian beauty
contest has proven highly contentious
over the years.
The kakapo, a chubby parrot resem-
bling a green-feathered bowling ball
which can’t fly, couldn’t run in last year’s
Bird of the Year competition.
The twice former winner was dropped
from the 2022 vote by organisers to help
less popular species have a shot at the title.
Feathers were also ruffled when a native
bat was allowed to enter, then flew off with
the 2021 title.
This year, competition organisers For-
est & Bird will celebrate their centenary by
crowning New Zealand’s most popular
feathered friend in the last 100 years – even
if the potential winner no longer exists.
“We’re searching for the bird that has
captured New Zealanders’ hearts over the
Bear spotted in S California backyard Jacuzzi
last century,” said Forest & Bird chief exec-
A bear sits
in a jacuzzi
in the city
of Burbank,
Calif.
(Pic: Bur-
bank Police
Department
via AP)
A concertgoer wears a vibrating ankle bracelet, part of a haptic suit, created for
the deaf by Music: Not Impossible, during an outdoor concert at Lincoln Centre.
there’s real opportunities for us.”
Lincoln Center, the prestigious arts
complex on New York’s Upper West Side,
began working with Music: Not Impossi-
ble in 2021, both for orchestra shows and
for their popular outdoor silent disco
series.
Its most recent collaboration had 75
vests on offer during its outdoor concert
as part of Korean Arts Week, which fea-
tured renditions of Korean folk music as
well as Mozart’s Concerto No. 2.
Liza Fiol-Matta was among the atten-
dees, and though she is not hard of hear-
ing, she was excited to test the tech.
“Music is my major love, and the idea
that there can be an experiential sense of
the music for anybody” is exciting, she
said. “But also for the deaf and hearing
impaired – that’s perfect.”
“I love the idea of immersion, the whole
immersive experience... music happens at
so many different levels.”
Flavia Naslausky, the business head for
Music: Not Impossible, described how dur-
ing early testing, Mandy Harvey – a singer
The kakapo,
a chubby
parrot
resembling a
green-feath-
ered bowling
ball has twice
won the com-
petition.
utive Nicola Toki at Saturday’s launch.
The environmental group has put 75
species on the ticket for this year’s Bird of
the Century contest, of which a quintet are
thought to be extinct in New Zealand.
They include the huia – a songster,
whose last confirmed sighting was in 1907.
Voters can also plump for the laughing
owl – also known as the ‘whekau’ – whose
shrieks were last officially heard in 1914.
Toki says she hopes adding extinct
species will trigger conversations about
endangered birds.
“New Zealand’s extinction record is
devastating,” said Toki.
She said the now-absent species are “a
heartbreaking reminder of the incredible
biodiversity we’ve lost”.
“Eighty-two per cent of our living native
bird species are threatened or at risk of
extinction,” Toki added.
“We cannot let any more end up with
the tragic fate of the laughing owl or the
huia.”
Voting opens at the end of October,
closing on November 12 with the winner
announced the next day. – AFP
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
who lost her hearing after an illness – was
able to match the sound of the music after
feeling the vibration that translated it.
“That’s when we knew that we were
right on, because if somebody that wasn’t
hearing, from that vibration could match
that note – we were on the right direction,”
Naslausky said.
Music: Not Impossible’s vests are not
genre-limited. Hanlon explained audio
leads like him can adjust the vibration
points to fit a show’s vibe, from rock to
disco.
The vests have been used at Greta Van
Fleet and Lady Gaga concerts.
Zimmerman is excited about the tech-
nology’s potential – but there’s still a far
way to go.
“Ultimately, the big goal for me is that I
will be able to feel a soft violin and it will
be so gorgeous to my body and my mind
that I would cry,” he said. “And I could feel
that exact same note come through a
trombone blast and it will be so hilarious
2CV classic car meet gets show on the road
I’m going to laugh.”
“That is the big dream.” – AFP
DELÉMONT (Switzerland): Around 5,000
Citroen 2CVs from across the globe are
tootling into the Swiss countryside this
week for a mass gathering celebrating the
instantly recognisable French classic car.
The 24th World Meeting of 2CV Friends,
in Delemont in the Jura region, has
brought 2CVs of all shapes, sizes and
colours to northwest Switzerland.
The 2CV – which stands for “deux
chevaux”, meaning “two horsepower” –
was launched in 1948 as French carmaker
Citroen’s answer to Germany’s Volkswagen
Beetle.
Considered an economical choice for
consumers, more than five million 2CVs
rolled off the production lines until 1990,
when Citroen had to stop producing them
due to emissions standards.
The six-day event in Delemont began
on Tuesday and ends on Sunday.
2CVs from 30 countries are taking part,
from neighbouring countries including
France, Germany and Austria, elsewhere in
Europe such as Greece and the Nether-
lands, and some from as far as Australia.
“I think the magic of the 2CV, it’s iconi-
A man pushes a car out of the mud.
BURBANK (Calif.): With the summer heat
wave in full swing in Southern California,
a backyard pool is a tempting place to take
a dip.
Even for a bear.
Police in the city of Burbank responded
to a report of a bear sighting in a residential
neighbourhood and found the animal sit-
ting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes.
After a short dip, the bear climbed over
a wall and headed to a tree behind the
home, police said in a statement Friday.
Police released a video of the animal in
the neighbourhood, which is about 10
miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles
and near the Verdugo Mountains.
The Burbank police have issued warn-
ings for residents to avoid bears and to
keep all garbage and food locked up to
discourage bears from coming to their res-
idences. – AP
People & Places 15
Belgian brothers look to put
singer Brel’s boat back to sea
ZEEBRUGGE (Belgium): Belgian singer
Jacques Brel famously crooned about
clinging to love in iconic hits like “Ne me
quitte pas” and now two brothers in his
homeland are engaged in their own
enduring passion project to restore his
cherished sailboat.
In the North Sea port of Zeebrugge,
Gustaaf and Piet Wittevrongel are close
to returning the yacht to the sea, 15 years
after it was salvaged as a wreck from a
New Zealand beach.
The red and blue hull of the 20 metre
(66 foot) Askoy II looks almost as good
new as the final work is done ahead of a
planned launch in September.
That will be almost 45 years after the
death of the Belgian songster, whose
French-language ballads such as “Quand
on n’a que l’amour” made him a global
star in the 1950s and 60s.
“We’re waiting for the green light
from the maritime inspection,” said older
brother Gustaaf, 84.
Brel embarked on two epic ocean
crossings in the Askoy II – then consid-
ered one of the most beautiful vessels of
its kind – in 1974 to the Marquesas Islands
in the South Pacific.
But he sold it in Polynesia after becom-
ing more interested in flying and the boat
eventually ended up shipwrecked in New
Zealand after reportedly passing through
the hands of drug smugglers.
While Brel’s fame lives on internation-
ally, for the Wittevrongel brothers the
connection to the singer and his boat is
much more personal.
It was in their father’s shop on the Bel-
Belgian singer Jacques Brel's former sailing boat "Askoy II" in Zeebruges.
cally French. It’s the perfect design. But it’s
so simple, it’s so easy to maintain, it’s so
easy to understand,” said Matt Damper,
who came from Britain with his son.
“It’s almost adopted as a member of the
family. “It’s a way of life; it’s not just a car.”
The event is taking place on a site cov-
ering 53 hectares, which includes 43
hectares of camping space.
Food trucks and concerts – spanning
alphorns to classic rock, ska to bell-ringing
– are laid on to keep the participants
going, while spare parts stalls attract keen
interest.
“Here come a lot of people because my
parts are rare. It’s not many people in the
world repairing complete parts. This is
original Citroen parts but refurbished,”
said Miran, 42, a mechanic from Slovenia.
“People like handmade, and personal
contact.” The 2CVs need to follow a one-
way route through the neighbouring vil-
lages, with itineraries designed to help
visitors discover the Jura region.
Drivers honk horns at one other in a
nod of recognition towards fellow enthu-
siasts.
Cars are parked, lined up in a field during the 24th
World meeting of Citroen 2CV friends near Delemont.
gian coast some five decades ago that Brel
bought the boat’s sails and rigging before
setting off on his adventures.
“I didn’t know who was talking to me.
I told him that his purchase was going to
cost hundreds of thousands of Belgian
francs,” recalls Gustaaf, who was just a
trainee at the time.
“When he told me his name, I realised
that he could afford a set of sails.”
Doing up the rust-covered wreck has
been a mammoth task.
A Belgian yachting enthusiast toyed
with the idea for a while but gave up for
lack of money.
The Wittevrongel brothers, however,
were undeterred and decided to take up
the challenge with the help of New
Zealand contractors who used cranes and
bulldozers to rescue the vessel.
“Before the high tide flooded back in,
we only had four hours to see the boat
and dig, pull and pump”, Gustaaf says.
“We did that for three days and got it
out.” A shipping company agreed to
transport the hull of the yacht, wedged
between two containers, free of charge
across the globe back to Antwerp in Bel-
gium.
In April 2008, the Askoy II arrived back
in Belgium.
Now the two brothers have added
extra berths to the interior and are
dreaming of sailing her across the ocean
again just as their hero once did.
“Brel did it with two people but you
need at least six crew if you want to go
back to the Marquesas in the future,” says
Piet Wittevrongel. – AFP
Laurent Habran, 47, a cultural centre
director from Belgium, said the vibe was
“pretty cool, pretty zen”.
“We come to have fun. Coming in a 2CV,
you can’t be in a rush because it doesn’t go
very fast anyhow,” he said.
The first World Meeting of 2CV Friends
– a biennial event – was held in Finland in
1975. It is being staged in Switzerland for
the third time.
The event’s budget is 1.7 million Swiss
francs ($2 million).
“There are enthusiasts who have origi-
nal vintage 2CVs, and there are 2CVs that
have been totally transformed, so people
also come to look for parts, but above all
to meet up, for the atmosphere,” said pen-
sioner Christian Corte.
The car, with its Bauhaus-inspired
curves, designed by Italian Flaminio
Bertoni, won generations of fans.
Initially designed to get rural France
motoring, it was also seen at points as a
student car or a motor for hippies.
The original specifications envisaged
four wheels under an umbrella.
The spec also included instructions
suggesting that a farmer’s wife should
have no trouble driving it on “the worst
roads” and that the suspension should
ensure that a basketful of eggs riding on
the backseat would survive intact.
Gabriel Lindstrom, 30, a real estate
worker from Sweden, said: “You don’t see
so many 2CVs on the road but when you
see all of them in one place, it’s nice. It
makes you happy.
“And it’s quite good to be a part of it, to
support that movement.”
A 2CV made of wood, thought to be the
only one of its kind, sold for 210,000 euros
($225,000) at auction in France last
month, setting a new price record for the
iconic vehicle. – AFP
16 Sport
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MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
JAWATAN KOSONG
Vollering seizes lead
Driver Mempunyai Lesen GDL
(Boleh Bawa Lori 3 Tan). Tem-
pat Kerja di Bundusan,
Penampang.
Tel: 016-837-7575
----------------------- FRANCE: Demi Vollering powered through the moun-
ACCOUNT & ADMINISTRA- tain-top fog on Saturday to win the most demanding
TION CLERK
stage in the women’s Tour de France and grab the
1. SPM /Form 5 or equivalent
leader’s yellow jersey.
2. Computer literate
Vollering, seventh overnight, pulled away in the
3. Book Keepimg/LCCI quali-
fication will be an added final 6km of the 17km final climb in the Pyrenees to
advantage take the yellow jersey from team-mate Lotte Kopecky.
The Dutch rider leads the overall standings by 1min
4. Able to work independently
with minimum supervision 50sec from Kasia Niewiadoma, who was second in the
DELIVERY BOY stage. Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten is
1. Motor & Driving License third, but 2min 28sec back with only Sunday’s 22.6km
088-421866 eighth-stage time trial to come.
019-8324386
Vollering started the short but brutal Pyrenean
IMMEDIATE
stage more than a minute behind race leader and
VACANCY
Worx team-mate Kopecky and 12sec behind Dutch
1. Personal Driver
rider Van Vleuten.
- At least 2 years working on the first of two tough climbs, the Col d’Aspin.
The trio were part of an elite group that pulled clear
experience
2. Cashier Car Park,
Niewiadoma attacked first.
Female
“I could see that Demi didn’t want to work with
At KK Area
Annemiek, so I knew that they would look at each
Please Call:
other and I decided to take my chance on the down-
088-217128 (O) Vollering celebrates as she crosses
hill,” the Polish rider said.
the finish line to win the 7th stage.
Vollering said she had been happy to let
General
s Niewiadoma go.
“Annemiek said to me, ‘If we don’t both ride, we’ll Niewiadoma finished second 1min 58sec behind.
both lose’. I said, ‘That’s fine with me’. It wasn’t up to Van Vleuten wobbled across the line at 2:34 in third
Formation Of place.
me to ride. I still had team-mates with me.”
New Sdn. Bhd.
“I came up against an opponent who was better
With less than 6km to go on the final foggy 17km
One-Stop Services
final ascent of the Tourmalet, Vollering set off in pur- than me and I didn’t have a great day. But even if I’d
Popular Management
Tel: 234598/260020 suit, quickly passing the Pole. had an exceptional day, I wouldn’t have beaten Demi.
11-2, Blk B, Damai IV, KK “Demi showed how strong she is when she passed She was on another level,” said Van Vleuten.
me,” said Niewiadoma. Vollering who had plopped on the tarmac panting,
-----------------------
Vollering powered away. rose to her feet beaming to embrace team-mate
TUITION
Cara istimewa mengajar murid “I went full gas to the finish. I felt good,” she said. “I Kopecky, who had finished sixth.
yang kurang semangat belajar. kept on pushing.” “This is why we came here, to win the Tour with
Darjah 1 - Tingkatan 5. 23 She battled slowly across the finish line standing Demi,” said Kopecky. “I think the way she did it, she
tahun mengajar. Inanam. on her pedals, a shadow in the mist silhouetted by the showed she is the best. I wanted to enjoy my last day
019-8327019 headlights of a cortege of officials vehicles. in yellow...But it was pretty painful.” – AFP
-----------------------
ASIA
PLUMBING SERVICE
0168877738,
Dutch veteran
0178287898 Ahmad
Pakar mengubahsuai rumah,
buat pagar, gate grill, manhole Rus wins
sumbat, pasang mozek, plaster
siling, pasang water pump,
water heater, paip air, membaiki maiden title
atap bocor, tandas leaking,
paip leaking dan lain-lain HAMBURG (Germany): Dutch veteran
Arantxa Rus ended the fairytale run of Ger-
man teenager Noma Noha Akugue on Sat-
urday to capture her maiden WTA title at
Ledecky reacts after winning in the final
the age of 32 in Hamburg.
of the women’s 800m freestyle event.
Rus won through 6-0, 7-6 (7/3) in 1hr
45min to deny wild card Akugue a dream
victory in her first WTA main draw event.
In the men’s tournament, Germany’s
Alexander Zverev crushed Frenchman Australia tie best gold haul
Arthur Fils to qualify for his first final in
at world swimming c’ships
over a year, where he takes on Serbian Laslo
Djere on Sunday.
“I’m very proud of myself that after so FUKUOKA (Japan): Australia tied their record gold haul at swim-
many years, I made my first title,” said Rus,
ming’s world championships with one day remaining Saturday,
who turned pro back in 2008. while greats Katie Ledecky and Sarah Sjostrom carved their names
She was playing in her 126th tour-level deeper into the sport’s history.
main-draw this week, making her the old- Australia claimed three more gold medals to take their count
est first-time title-winner in 40 years.
to 13 in Fukuoka, tying their best-ever tally from 2001 and 2005.
“The day was very long because I was It secured their place on top of the medal table, meaning they
very nervous, but I’m happy that I could will finish ahead of the United States for the first time since 2001.
play good tennis and it was a great final Their night’s work included a fifth world record this week for
from both of us.”
Australian swimmers and Kaylee McKeown completing an
In a match between two left-handed unprecedented backstroke world title sweep.
players, seventh seed Rus won the opening Cameron McEvoy, who claimed gold in the men’s 50m freestyle,
set without the loss of a game. said his teammates’ performances had spurred him on.
Akugue, born in Hamburg to Nigerian “It’s hard not to tap into that and just go along with the flow,”
parents, fought back in the second with an he said.
immediate break, but Rus responded
American Ledecky won the women’s 800m freestyle to become
straight away with both holding serve to the first swimmer ever to win the same event six times at a world
force a tie-break. championships.
Akugue saved two championship points Sweden’s Sjostrom won her fifth in the 50m butterfly, then
to hold serve in the 10th game of the sec- promptly dived back into the pool 20 minutes later and broke her
ond set, and two more in the tiebreak, own world record in the 50m freestyle.
before Rus won through. There was also gold for France’s Maxime Grousset in the men’s
Former world junior one Rus had failed 100m butterfly.
to live up to her early promise after win- Australia’s mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team claimed the final
ning the girls’ singles title at the Australian title of the day in a world record time of 3min, 18.83sec, giving Mol-
Open in 2008. lie O’Callaghan her fifth gold medal of the week.
She came into Hamburg at a career-high “I’ve had a lot going on this week and I think I’ve just got to
60th ranking, and will break into the Top maintain and be as professional as possible,” said O’Callaghan,
50 for the first time on Monday. who has been part of four team or individual world records this
Zverev eased past Fils 6-2, 6-4, the 19th- week.
ranked German storming to a 4-0 lead to “Just sticking around with the team and keeping it quite closed
NOTICE
wrap up the first set has really helped me.”
in 37 minutes.
APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO SELL LIQUOR
Ledecky claimed her 16th individual world championships
In the second gold medal, surpassing fellow American great Michael Phelps.
It is hereby notified that (applicants’ name) CHONG JUNE
set, after a brief rain She cruised home in a time of 8min, 08.87sec to win ahead of
SIEN Identification card No.: [840116-08-5571] trading
delay, Zverev again China’s Li Bingjie on 8:13.31 and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus on
under the trade name of (name of business) YOON
used his serve and 8:13.59.
CHONG MEDICAL HALL SDN. BHD. has applied to the
numerous unforced It was Ledecky’s second gold of the week, after she retained her
Chairman, West Coast Excise Licensing Board, Kota errors from his 71st- 1,500m freestyle title.
Kinabalu City Hall, No. 1, Jalan Bandaran, 88675 Kota ranked rival to seal
Kinabalu for the sale of liquor (type and class) RETAIL
Her latest triumph gives her a career haul of 21 world champi-
SHOP LICENCES at (Business address) H-G-11, UNIT
victory in 1hr onship golds, extending her record as the most decorated woman
IC/H/163A-G, GROUND FLOOR, LORONG INANAM
31min. in the history of the competition.
KAPITAL 6, INANAM CAPITAL, JALAN NOUNTUN,
It will be the Ger- “I’m really happy with how I’ve been able to be consistent over
INANAM, 88450 KOTA KINABALU.
man’s first final all these years,” said the 26-year-old, who has said she would like
Any objection in writing from the public should be forwarded
since Madrid in to compete at the 2026 Los Angeles Olympics.
to the Chairman, West Coast Excise Licensing Board at May 2022 having “Just always trying to get a little bit better.”
the above address within 14 days after the date of notice suffered a serious
issued. Objection will not be entertained after the objection
Sjostrom picked up her 20th individual world championships
period has expired.
ankle injury at the medal by winning the 50m butterfly, tying Phelps for the most
Date of Advertisement:
French Open last ever.
31.07.2023
year. She touched the wall in 24.77sec to win ahead of China’s Zhang
In Sunday’s final, Yufei on 25.05 and American Gretchen Walsh on 25.46.
VaCaNCy
he will face 57th- The 30-year-old Sjostrom then broke her own world record in
qUaNTITy SURVEyOR (qS)
ranked Djere who the 50m freestyle semi-finals, setting a new mark of 23.61sec.
eased past China’s “I actually enjoy doing back-to-back races,” she said.
- Diploma or Degree in Quantity Surveyor Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, “I feel better in the water, I feel like I’m not rushing through the
- Relevant working experience in QSFirm 6-2. water too much.”
or Construction Firm
The 26-year-old McKeown completed a women’s backstroke clean sweep with
- Fluency in Chinese, English & Malay
Zverev is chasing victory in the 200m, having claimed the 50m and 100m titles ear-
- Salary RM3000
his first title since lier in the week.
- Age 20-35
his triumph at the She finished in a time of 2min, 03.85sec, ahead of American
- Venue: Kota Kinabalu
2021 ATP Finals, Regan Smith on 2:04.94 and China’s Peng Xuwei on 2:06.74.
(Development & Construction
and 20th of his It came one day after China’s Qin Haiyang became the first
Company)
career. swimmer ever to sweep a stroke at a world championships, win-
Interested applicants are invited to email
Djere, 28, is bid- ning all three breaststroke events.
or whatsapp resume
ding for his third “I think that is the thing about sports – it is you and only you in
(i.e.: Photo, Certificates & etc) to:
ATP title after Rio the race, and that’s exactly what I did tonight,” said McKeown.
au.hrdepartment@gmail.com
de Janeiro in 2019 Grousset came home in 50.14sec to win the men’s 100m butter-
or 016-8198909 (whatsapp)
and Sardinia in fly ahead of Canada’s Josh Liendo on 50.34 and American Dare
2020. – AFP Rose on 50.46. – AFP
 MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 Sport 17

Crawford is undisputed welterweight champ

LOS ANGELES: Terence Crawford punished
Errol Spence on the way to a ninth-round
technical knockout to claim the undisputed
welterweight world title in Las Vegas on Sat-
urday.
Unbeaten Crawford had knocked down
Spence three times and had his previously
unbeaten foe staggering under a hail of
blows when referee Harvey Dock called a
halt at 2:32 in the ninth.
Crawford added Spence’s World Boxing
Association, World Boxing Council and
International Boxing Federation titles to his
own World Boxing Organisation crown.
Crawford became the first undisputed
welterweight world champion of boxing’s
four-belt era, which began in 2004.
A former lightweight and undisputed
light welterweight world champion, he
became the first man to win all the belts in
two weight divisions.
“It means everything because of who I
took the belts from,” Crawford said.
“They tried to blackball me, they kept me
out, they kept me out. They talked bad about
of knockouts to 11 fights.
That includes all eight of his fights at wel-
terweight.
It was a stunningly dominant perform-
ance in what was expected to be a close fight,
one that had drawn comparisons to classic
welterweight match-ups such as Roberto
Duran v Sugar Ray Leonard and to more
recent mega-fights like Floyd Mayweather’s
2015 victory over Manny Pacquiao.
Music superstar Eminem provided in-
person accompaniment for Crawford’s walk
to the ring. The sellout crowd at T-Mobile
Arena included a who’s-who of boxing roy-
alty headlined by heavyweight greats Mike
Tyson and Evander Holyfield and also featur-
ing Mayweather and Pacquiao.
Spence made the running in the opening
round, but Crawford, fighting southpaw,
began to let his hands go in the second, pun-
ishing Spence with a piston-like jab that
dropped him at the end of the round.
“That was more of a flash knockdown,”
Crawford said. “I caught him with a left and
he didn’t think I was coming back with the
in the seventh Crawford had Spence down
again with a right uppercut followed by a
hook to the ear.
He dropped him again with a blow to the
chin in the waning seconds of the round.
Spence, who had never before been
knocked down, fell to 28-1 with 22 knock-
outs.
He came out for the ninth still looking for
the big punch that might turn things
around. But Crawford was landing at will
with Spence struggling to stay on his feet
when the referee brought it to a close, spark-
ing a celebration for Crawford who then had
an embrace and words of encouragement
for his beaten rival.
Spence was fighting for the first time
since a 10th-round stoppage of Yordenis
Ugas in April of last year.
He didn’t fight in 2021, when a planned
bout with Pacquiao was scuppered by a torn
retina that required surgery.
But the 33-year-old said ring rust wasn’t
the problem.
“He was just better tonight,” said Spence,

Crawford punches Spence during round 6 of

Verstappen wins wet and wild sprint race

me, they said I wasn’t good enough, that I right.” who was already agitating for a rematch that

their World Welterweight Championship bout.

couldn’t beat these top welterweights, and I
just kept my head to the sky and I kept pray-
ing to God that I would get the opportunity
to show the world who Terence Crawford is.”
“And tonight, I believe I showed how
Spence was still moving forward in round he said he hoped would be at the higher
three, but the power and accuracy of Craw- weight limit of 154 pounds. – AFP
ford’s counter punches were devastating.
Crawford landed a series of hard punches
in the fourth, including a left that rattled

Double medal joy for Errigo

great I am,” added Crawford, who improved
to 40-0 with 31 knockouts, taking his string
MILAN (Italy): Italian fencer Arianna Errigo
won team gold at the Fencing World Cham-
pionships on Saturday to add to her individ-
ual silver midweek, five months after the
caesarean birth of twins.
Errigo, 35, achieved exactly the same
results as at last year’s worlds in Cairo, as if
nothing had changed, except the arrival of
her son and daughter five months ago.
“It was almost mission impossible,” the
35-year-old told journalists.
“All the doctors I spoke to told me that it
wouldn’t be possible. I didn’t have a natural
birth but a C-section.
“Obviously that completely changes the
recovery process. Plus I had twins. So I’m
really proud of that journey.”
Italy coach Stefano Cerioni hailed triple
Olympic medallist Errigo’s “crazy” achieve-
ment.
“She worked a lot because she didn’t
want to miss this event 20km from her
home,” he said. “It’s Arianna, a champion,
talent embodied.”
Errigo, who has won ten individual world
Spence.
It was more of the same in the sixth, and
medals over the past 14 years, had not com-
peted since the last world championships,
and despite her past medal haul had to go
through qualifiers.
The fatigue was obvious at the end of the
gruelling week in the team final.
But despite her exhaustion, barely able to
stand, Errigo won her bout 30-28, before giv-
ing way to replacement Francesca Palumbo
to conclude the match.
“I was dead, drained, without the slight-
est energy,” she said.
“I had nothing left. But it’s a team event, I
wanted to leave the relay to the girls in front.
“I feel like I’ve spent four and a half
months in a washing machine,” she contin-
ued.
“I often wondered who made me do this.
It was really difficult to recover from child-
birth, the caesarean, get back to training,
lose weight, go to the gym in the morning
with three hours of sleep.”
But Errigo is a woman not easily discour-
aged, as she eyes a fourth Olympics in Paris
next year. – AFP
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium): Max
Verstappen increased his lead by a further
eight points in the world championship
with a calculated and convincing victory
ahead of Australian rookie Oscar Piastri in
Saturday’s rain-delayed sprint race at the
Belgian Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s double defending world
champion rode his luck when McLaren’s
Piastri snatched the lead by making an early
pit-stop to switch from wet to intermediate
tyres, to storm back and win by 6.6 seconds.
Verstappen’s win extended Red Bull’s
record this year to 14 wins from 14 races – 11
grands prix and three sprints.
He said he agreed with Red Bull’s strat-
egy decision, which cost him the early lead,
but ensured he was able to go on and win.
“I think it was just a safer call,” he said. “I
could come in first, but then I might be
blocked by other cars. There might be a
Safety Car and then you lose out massively,
so I didn’t mind to stay out.
“I mean we lost one position, but we
know we are quick and you could see that
when we put the ‘inter’ tyres on we were fly-
ing so it was ok.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix,
when he will start sixth after taking a five-
place penalty, Verstappen said his chief con-
cern was not only the possible change of
conditions, but also the risk of a collision at
La Source, the hairpin first corner.
“I need to pass a few cars so I think the
biggest risk is just lap one, especially Turn
One. It’s always very tricky there so, as long
as we stay out of trouble, I think we will
have a quick car.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start Sun-
day’s main event from pole.
Piastri came home a strong second
ahead of Pierre Gasly, who gave the belea-
guered Alpine team something to cele-
brate, with Carlos Sainz and his Ferrari
team-mate Charles Leclerc finishing fourth
and fifth.
Seven-time world champion Lewis
Hamilton came home fourth on track for
Mercedes, but was demoted to seventh
behind Lando Norris, in the second
McLaren, after taking a five-second penalty
for a clash with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
George Russell was eighth in the second
Mercedes ahead of Esteban Ocon in the sec-
ond Alpine and Daniel Ricciardo, enjoying
his second weekend with Alpha Tauri.
“I am very happy,” said Piastri. “We tried
out best and led for a few laps, but we were
no match for Max. But it’s nice to be up
there in P2. All credit to the team.”
The race began 35 minutes late, after
delays caused by heavy rain, with all 20 cars
on full-wet tyres for the start behind the
safety car.
The race distance was reduced to 12 laps,
but it was obvious that in the improving
conditions all 20 cars would dive into the
pits for intermediates as the race was
reduced to 11 laps.
Finally, the safety car came in and Ver-
stappen accelerated into Pouhon while Pias-
tri, Sainz, Perez, Gasly and Hamilton all
dived in immediately for intermediates leav-
ing Verstappen leading Leclerc at the front.
“We need to box this lap,” said Verstap-
pen, who then pitted, emerging second
behind Piastri with Gasly, Perez and Hamil-
ton behind him, all three gaining from their
instant pit-stop decisions.
By lap three, the Australian was eight-
tenths ahead, his wet-set-up car resisting
the Red Bull, which had superior straight-
line speed, before Fernando Alonso spun
out at the exit of Pouhon.
He was unhurt, but he had his first non-
finish of the season to mark his 42nd birth-
day. – AFP

Sabah Clubs and
Non-Governmental Organisations
Regular Events
Sabah Tai-Chi Association new classes. Monday, Wednesday and
Friday: 7pm to 8pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 6.30pm to
7.30pm. Details: Lee at 0168044512.
Sabah AZ (Sabah Alzheimer’s Disease Support Association:
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain
disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and,
eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Sabah AZ
conducts Talks & Seminars, support, comfort families / caregivers /
AD sufferers. Bi-Monthly Memory Café sharing-session by
caregivers/carers. Details: enquiry@sabahaz.org, www.sabahaz.org,
FB:@Sabahalzheimer. Kent 019-8811030 (10am-6pm).
Sabah State Administrative Centre Galleria Artisan PPNS is open
to public from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Our gallery
boasts an array of local handicrafts from all over Sabah as well as
locally made Sabah Batik. All local entrepreneurs are welcome to
promote their products through this avenue. Come visit us: PPNS ,
Menara Tun Mustapha and Sabah Handicraft Centre, Keningau.
Details: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/galleria.artisan/ or
Afnansyah Agimin at 088-332186 ext: 1501.
Parkinson Association of West Coast Sabah (PAWS) Conducts
monthly outdoor activities, hold regular fellowship and meetings for
people with Parkinson’s disease (PWP). Carers and volunteers are
welcomed to participate. The fellowship provides opportunity for PWP
to network, share experiences / info and also enjoys the various
complementary therapies such as body balancing, dancing, voice
and music therapy, physiotherapy. Details: 016-8303888 Pat, 014-
6706118 JC or 019-8126196 James.
Sabah Law Society a weekly Free legal consultation and advice
session for the public on Saturdays from 9am to 12.30pm (except
the first Saturday of the month). Members of the public who are
interested are advised to contact the SLS Secretariat at 088-251008
for an appointment or by email ybgk@sabahlawsociety.org.
Blood Bank Unit of Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital, Likas
(HWKKS) Blood Donation Drive “Bah, Mari Menderma” 1 pint of
blood can save 3 lives. Urging army, RELA, police, fire brigades,
uniform bodies, government agencies, healthy public people,
churches, mosques, corporate private companies with huge human
resources to donate generously to our SWACH. Details: 522600 Ext:
2314.
Heritage Toastmasters Club Learn to speak better and improve
leadership skills in a fun and supporting environment. Meetings are
held every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Time: 7.30pm. Venue:
6th Floor, Wisma Bandaraya. All are welcome. Details: President
Sabrina 016-8287675 or VPPR Ooi 012-4150046.
Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society invites affiliates to join as
volunteers for its community development projects for the benefits of
the local communities. Youths and college graduates are encouraged
to apply for Free Entrepreneurship and financial planning programs
in order to be offered career prospects as marketing executives or,
financial advisors with a well-established financial institution through
Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society. Details: Prof. Dr. Benjamin 010-
8887850.
Sabah Society For The Blind has moved to the 1st floor, Lot 3, Sri
Damai building, Jalan Kolam, Lorong Nibung, KK on Sept 1.
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Saturday 9am to 12.30pm. Details:
250388, 218130 or Fax: 316588. Email:
sabahblindsociety@yahoo.com. Website:
http://www.sabah.org.my/shsb.
Sheltered Workshop. Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. Tel/ Fax:
788543. Address: Jalan Stesen Pertanian, ARC, 89207, Tuaran,
Sabah.
Sabah Family Planning Association provides services & treatments
relating to sexual reproductive health, family planning and general
health screening. Details: KK Branch 016-8899865 (Clinic
Helpline), 088-222703; Tawau Branch 089-771172, Lahad Datu
Branch 016-8309868; Kudat Branch 088-611088. Harrington
Family Clinic 8am-5pm (Mon-Sat) Facebook: Sabah Family
Planning Association. Instagram: sabahfpa. Email:
hqsfpa@gmail.com
Gerak Kasih Recycling Collection waste paper – newspapers,
cardboard, boxes, magazines, books, paper bags, soft toys,
clothing, plastic bottles, aluminium tins. Every Friday, Saturday and
Tel: 088-430 727 Fax: 088-424 600
Please note that due to space constraints,
Sabah Week will only feature the immediate
events due to take place for the next three days.
The usual brief on the NGOs, voluntary
organisations and their activities
will appear on Sunday.
Sunday. Time: 10am to 3pm. Venue: Rumah Titian Kasih, Lot 168,
Lot 17, Lorong Kerapu, Rumah Murah Kg Likas Phase 3, 89400
Likas. Details: Nooraisah 014-8586350 or Salina 012-8449139.
Sabah Natives Land Owners Association (SANLODA) is dedicated
to promoting optimum utilisation and preservation of native lands in
Sabah. Membership Drive: Information for membership from various
districts can be obtained from Datuk Stephen 0138658333, Datuk
George 013-851500, Petrus 0198529299 or Datuk Yusof 012-
8331950.
Malaysia Blood Donors Society Daily Blood Donation Drive. Inviting
all NGO to collaborate and also calling members of the public to join
its membership. Details: 012-8222779, 016-3551987 or 014-
7342886.
Sabah Cheshire Home & Asian Tourism International College
Basic Pastry Skill Lesson for the physically disabled individuals aged
between 17 – 28. Details: 438202. Fax: 434570.
Taska Mesra Cheshire Early Education for children with physical
disabilities aged below four-years-old. Open Mon to Fri. Details:
Sabah Cheshire Home 438202.
School of Psychology and Social Work, UMS is offering Counselling
Service, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy
and Applied Behaviour Analysis Session. The services are on
appointment basis. Time: 9am to 5pm. Details: Nurul Fatiha 019-
8114573, 320000 Ext: 8833 or nurulfatihafirdaus@ums.edu.my
EXTOL is a non-profit youth club focusing on developing youths in
stewardship and leadership. Calling on all non-Muslim parents to
encourage their children between the ages of 13 to pre-university /
college to attend our meetings held every Friday. Time: 7.45pm to
9.30pm. Venue: Agape Methodist Church, Agape Hill, Jalan
Shantung Baru, Penampang. Details: Patrick 0109317118.
Pusat Jagaan Seri Murni provides counselling and support services
for women / girl in situation of crisis such as unplanned pregnancies
and sexual gender based violence. Details: Counselling or interview
019-5349044.
The Committee of Communication For Behavioural Impact
(COMBI) Lok Kawi Town, Papar invites the residents of Taman
Pantai Lok Kawi to be a promoter / volunteer of COMBI committee.
All are welcome. Details: Zainal 016-8450717, Hj Mataris 010-
9488846.
HANDPRINTS – Toy Library & Resource Centre is to educate, enable
and empower parents, so that they are able to help and guide their
children with special needs. Thematic monthly play day on 2nd
Saturday of each month. Operating hours: Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday 2pm to 5pm. Wednesday: 7pm to 9pm. Saturday: 9.30am
to 2pm. Venue: Lorong Pokok Saka, Dah Yeh Villa, Off Mile 2 3/4,
Jalan Damai, Luyang. Tel: 016-4172298. Facebook:
www.facebook.com/handprintstoylibrary/. Email:
handprintslib@gmail.com.
Kota Kinabalu Lions Ambulance Service Society (LASS) Provides
24 Hour FREE Ambulance Service. Also providing First-Aid Training
to the public and Mobile Health Service to the rural areas. Call: 088-
319699.
Malaysian Red Crescent Kota Kinabalu City Chapter is providing
Ambulance Services from 8pm to 6am (weekdays only), providing
Patient Transfer Services (daily), providing Basic First Aid and CPR
Courses (Certificate Courses) – every 2nd week of the month and also
providing Emergency First Aid Standby Services (any events). Details:
232718 (O), 232718 (Fax) or email: mrckkcc@gmail.com or
bsmkkcc@gmail.com
Kinabalu Breast Cancer Support Association (Kinabalu Pink
Ribbon) Offering emotional, social & material support to women with
breast cancer (before/during/after treatment) and their families.
Careline: 016-8038553. Office: 216237 or Fax: 253679. FB:
www.facebook.com/kinabalupinkribbon.
Email: kinabalupinkribbon@gmail.com.
Sabah Mental Health Association PKJS Day Care Centre is open to
suitable candidate and it carries out several activities on weekdays.
Details: 248197.
Alamesra Youth-PREP Centre Provides a place for youths to seek
assistance and support on issues such as education, relationships,
work, family and financial stability. Legal aid and counselling
services are free and are on appointment basis. Venue: Ground Floor,
Lot 25, Block E, Phase 2, Alamesra, Jalan Sulaman. Opening Hours:
Weekdays 9am to 5pm. Tel: 395632 or fax: 485372.
Email: youthprepcentre@gmail.com
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/youthPREPCentreAlamesra.
The Sabah Australian Alumni Association (SAAA) invites graduates
from any Australian Institutions of higher learning to join as members
of SAAA (2022). Detail: EDD 01116137889 or
sabahausalumni2022@gmail.com
The Kota Kinabalu AIDS Support Services Association (KASIH)
help line & free voluntary HIV screening tests, except sun & public
holidays. Office hours. Time: 9am to 5pm. Fri: 6pm to 9pm. Sat:
4pm to 7pm. provide confidential / free voluntary HIV screening test
(rapid test) during office hours, Mon to Fri. result available 10 to 15
minutes. Details: 712914 or email: kasihsabah@yahoo.com
National Stroke Association of Malaysia Sabah Club Wisma Pandu
Puteri, Kompleks Badan-Badan Sukarela, km 4, Jalan Tuaran, KK.
Centre’s opening Hours: 9am to 5pm. Mon to Fri, closed on Sat, Sun
& Public holidays. Details: 261568.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association of
Malaysia (FPMPAM) the public can obtain medical opinions,
referrals or treatment for crisis intervention, detoxification, prevention
& counselling for drug abuse via www.no2drugs.org.
Special Olympics Sabah Weekly jogging exercise (so west coast).
Details: 016-8807703 or 223221.
Kota Kinabalu Falun Gong Exercise sessions every Saturday &
Sunday. Free of charge. All are welcome, Details: Kota Kinabalu 013-
870-6558, Sandakan 089-229626, 089-229023 and Tawau
019-8536333.
SWEPA Toastmasters Club Regular Training Meeting to enhance
your public speaking, communication and leadership skills. Time:
7.30pm (1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month). Venue: Swepa
Secretariat, 2nd Floor, Wisma Wanita, Jalan Tuaran, KK. Details:
President Dora 016-8300755 or VPPR 013-8603871.
The Cancer Society Of Sabah Provide services on hospice, cancer
awareness / education, rural health project. Hotline / counselling
pertaining to cancer & clinic by a lady consultant gynaecologist.
Details: 210377 or 222315.
The Befrienders Kota Kinabalu offers confidential emotional support
to those feeling depressed and in despair which may lead to loss of
life. Call us if you need to talk. We are here if you feel confused or
upset and need someone to talk to. We care, we listen. Call: 088-
255788, 088-335793 or 0168036945 every night, 7pm to 10pm.
www:facebook.com/befrienderskk.
Sabah Society For The Deaf Registration for pre-school deaf children
ages 2 – 6 & hearing sibling ages 2 – 4. Language Development &
Vocational Programme for deaf children & adults ages 8 and above.
Venue: SSD premise, Jalan Khidmat, Bukit Padang, KK. Details: KK
– Wong 230894, Sandakan – Wong 089-219160, Keningau –
Mahinah 087- 339716, Kudat – Chin 622697, Lahad Datu –
Asmah 089-887895.
Sabah Society for the Deaf Registration for Sign Language Class.
Details: KK – Wong 230894, Sandakan – Wong 089-219160,
Keningau – Mahinah 087- 339716, Kudat – Chin 622697, Lahad
Datu – Asmah 089-887895.
Sabah Women Action-Resource Group (SAWO) provides Helpline
services to support women and girls who face domestic violence,
rape, sexual harassment and other gender-based violence. Call:
088-280200. Mon-Fri, time: 9am-5pm
D-Dash Compact Car Club Welcomes all Perodua and compact car
owners to join in the club membership. For more info on club weekly
gathering and events contact martin 019-8036019 or d-
dashclub.fotopages.com.
Sabah Government Pensioners’ Association Membership
recruitment exercise & pensioners’ problem 9.30am to 1pm (Mon –
Fri, except public holidays) at Maksak Complex, Likas. Details:
211282 Lucy.
Agriculture Institute of Sabah Alumni Association Membership
drive. Information to obtain membership forms from various district
near you, contact Maidah 019-8414088 or Leong 019-8515893
or email exipstm@yahoo.com.my.
Kent Teachers College Alumni Association Membership drive.
Membership forms are available at all district education offices in
Sabah. Details: Tajuddin 787581, 019-537-1178 or Eddy 016-
8223757.
Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary Resources Library is free for
public to use. Details: 246955 or fax: 247955.
Sandakan Toastmasters Club Platform to improve effective
communication and leadership skills on every 2nd & 4th Thursdays
of every month. Venue: Incorporated Society of Planters office, Taman
Utama, Zone 3, Jalan Utara. Details: Alex 013-8803622 or Jerry
012-8616743.
Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club – Communication and
leadership training meeting. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
at 7.30pm. Venue: Meeting Room 1, 1st Floor, Wisma Wanita, Jalan
Tuaran. Those interested are welcome to attend. Details: Irene 019-
8211985 or Jess 0168302717.
Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation KK Centre Open to all, accept
children with Downs Syndrome below the age of 7. Details: Raneh
219809, Fax: 219808.
Consultancy Services & Training Centre For Consumerism,
Environmental & Human Rights Seminar / talks consumer issues-
your rights as consumer, how to complain and get effective results,
know about consumer laws, tribunal for consumer claims,
environmental, human rights & civil society. Except Saturday, Sunday
and Public Holiday. Tel/fax: 234616 Datuk Patrick Sindu (JP) 019-
811-7369, 016-8007369 or datukpatricksindu@yahoo.com.
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation
(UPKO) Offer opportunities to the public to voice their complaints on
various issues and offer advice to the complainants on how to go
about their grouses. Monday to Friday. Call: 721722 & 721723 or
homepage:www.upko.org.my
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Help available for those with
alcohol related problems. Anonymity assured. Meetings in English
every Tuesday at 8pm. Bahasa Malaysia every Thursday at 7pm.
Details: 012-8039883 (ENG) or 016-8386386 (BM).
Malaysian Ex-Police Association (Penampang Branch)
Membership recruitment exercise and other related matters. Time:
2pm to
5pm (Wednesday, Thursdays & Friday), except public holidays.
Venue: PME, 1st floor, Lot 3, Block 15, Penampang Baru (Protem
office). Details: Joseph 016-8213013, 710557 (o) or 714557
(fax).
Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) Day Care
Centre Every Thursday from 9am to 1pm at PWD 7396 & 7397,
Taman Rose, Off Jalan Penampang for mobile patients who are
registered under our Home Care Programme. We help you to care
for your loved ones. Free Home Care Support service for your family
members, relatives or friends who are diagnosed with advanced
cancers. Referrals may be from private / government hospital or self-
referred. Details: Grace 231505 or 257507.
KK Mandarin Toastmasters Club Regular Training Meeting. Time:
7.30pm. (2nd & 4th Thursday of each month). Venue: 3rd Floor, Lot
14, Block B, Lintas Square, KK. Details: Yan 012-8023264, Chua
016-8100282 or Lim 016-8302552.
Fama Pasar Tani Asia City variety of vegetables, fishes, sugar cane
juice, soya bean milk, pastries and many other food items will be
on sale. Every Wednesday & Saturday. Time: 6am to 5pm. all are
welcome. Details: Wasri 013-5555451.
Happy Family Homes Malaysia KK we welcome volunteers to join
us in our house builds on Saturdays. Those with masonry &
carpentry skills are most welcome. Details: 088-395989.
Bukit Harapan 424567.
Sabata 255916.
Tun Haji Mohd Fuad Stephens Borneo Research Library Opening
Hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday / Sunday &
Public Holiday : Closed. Venue: Menara Tun Mustapha, Likas Bay.
Details: 326300 Ext: 1152 or 1154. Fax: 326490.
Email: ppbtfs@gmail.com or website: www.ysnet.org.my Open to
public.
 18 Sport
Rapinoe adapting to being WC super sub
AUCKLAND (New
Zealand): Megan
Rapinoe (pic)
admitted Sunday to
some frustration
over her limited
playing time for the
United States at the
Women’s World Cup
but believes she can
still change games off the bench for the
holders.
The veteran was a regular starter in the
US teams that won the 2015 and 2019
World Cups, but at the age of 38 she is no
longer a first pick in a side now coached
by Vlatko Andonovski.
After getting half an hour as a substi-
tute in the opening 3-0 win over Vietnam,
Rapinoe did not get on as the defending
champions battled back to draw 1-1 with
the Netherlands in their last game.
Speaking in Auckland, she opened up
on some frustration at not playing more
of a role on the field, but also hopes her
experience off the pitch can help the
Americans’ 14 World Cup newcomers.
“You still have a lot to offer both on and
off the field. Maybe you are not going to
be a starter, playing the 90 minutes, but
Liverpool captaincy would
sometimes as a bench player that is not
what you need,” said Rapinoe, who will
be ‘an honour’, says Van Dijk
SINGAPORE: Virgil
van Dijk (pic) said
Saturday he was con-
fident that Liver-
pool’s players will
step up to fill the
void left by Jordan
Henderson and said
it would be “an hon-
our” to succeed him
as captain.
England midfielder Henderson moved
to the Saudi Pro League this week and
Dutch defender Van Dijk, who has worn
the arm band before, is widely tipped to
take over as skipper
“Obviously he’s going to be a big miss
for us as a player and definitely as a leader
and a captain, someone who’s so impor-
tant for us and successful at the club over
the last years,” Van Dijk said in Singapore,
where Liverpool face Leicester City on Sun-
day.
Henderson, James Milner and Roberto
Firmino have all departed this summer,
but Van Dijk says others in the squad will
make up for it when it comes to leader-
ship.
“Definitely we have a lot of players who
United in reported deal for Hojlund
can take that responsibility and have to
take that responsibility, so I am confident
LAS VEGAS: Manchester United have
reportedly agreed a deal worth an initial
£64 million to sign Atalanta striker Ras-
mus Hojlund.
The Denmark international is the third
major arrival at Old Trafford during the
summer transfer window after the sign-
ings of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount
and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
United are understood to have agreed a
fee of £64 million ($82 million) for Hojlund,
with a further £8 million in add-ons.
The 20-year-old is reported to have
agreed terms on a five-year deal with the
Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez (right) scores past
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Barcelona beat Real in Texas ‘Clasico’
ARLINGTON (United States): Barcelona
beat Real Madrid 3-0 in a fiercely contested
friendly match on Saturday with an early
strike from Ousmane Dembele and late
goals from Fermin Lopez and Ferran Tor-
res.
The result was harsh on Carlo
Ancelotti’s team, who struck the wood-
work five times and created plenty of
opportunities. But Spanish champions
Barcelona’s more clinical finishing proved
to be the difference.
A packed AT&T Stadium, home of the
NFL’S Dallas Cowboys, witnessed a game
which had all the passion and commit-
ment of a real derby despite being a pre-
season warm-up.
The crowd were soon on their feet when
Oriel Romeu rattled the Real cross-bar
with a thundering drive in the fourth
retire at the end of the season.
“You need the 20 minutes in two games
that wins the team the tournament.
“Every day in training I am like, ‘I am
going to bust your ass’, and that makes
them and me better.”
Andonovski has so far preferred a front
three of Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman
either side of Alex Morgan, with Rapinoe
and Lynn Williams both having to watch
the whole game against the Netherlands
from the sidelines
“We try to give that energy from the
bench, bring that experience, knowing
that the day after the game the subs
always train,” Rapinoe added.
“It is hard. You cry in the shower, or
that will happen,” Van Dijk, 32, added.
While he didn’t want to say too much
about Henderson’s replacement as cap-
tain, Van Dijk was clear about what it
would mean to him if he was asked to take
the arm band permanently.
“Obviously I have captained the side
multiple times over the last couple of years
and it’s always a proud moment to do that.
We’ll see what the future brings but it
would be a huge honour to captain the
side.”
Van Dijk is expected to lead Jurgen
Klopp’s team against Leicester, but Klopp
was giving little away beyond that.
“I know my decision already but I have
to tell it first to the players... before I speak
in public about it,” said the German.
“It’s an important decision but more
important is the general leadership group
we create. It’s a big change for us.”
Klopp remained optimistic despite the
changes.
“Things have to change at some point,
that’s clear as you can’t expect things to go
on without any changes or developments,”
he said.
“I can see a lot of positive signs in train-
ing and the games as well. The boys under-
stand the situation and I’m really happy
about that.” – AFP
option of a further season.
Hojlund joined Atalanta in August
2022 from Austrian club Sturm Graz for a
reported 17 million euros. He scored nine
goals in 32 appearances in Serie A last sea-
son.
United manager Erik ten Hag was tight-
lipped about the reports when asked by
reporters on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s
friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Las
Vegas.
“I can’t talk about the player who is still
under contract (with) another club,” said
the Dutchman. – AFP
minute but Barca soon had their fans cele-
brating.
A cleverly worked free-kick saw Pedri
slide a diagonal pass into the path of Dem-
bele, who expertly drilled the ball into the
far corner.
Real had a great chance to get level just
five minutes later when Barcelona
defender Ronald Araujo handled in the
box but Vinicius Junior blasted the penalty
against the bar.
The action was non-stop as Rodrygo
then forced Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre
ter Stegen into a fine, full-length save with
a free-kick that was flying towards the top
corner.
The woodwork denied Real again when
Vinicius struck the bar and although Jude
Bellingham outjumped ter Stegen, the
midfielder’s header hit the post. – AFP
MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3
with your friends in the sauna, and then
you come out to training and you bust ass
and you have fun and you make the best
of it.”
It remains to be seen if the coach
decides to change things up for the USA’s
final Group E match on Tuesday against
Portugal at Eden Park in Auckland.
The holders need to avoid defeat in
that game to be sure of qualifying for the
last 16 and it may be that they need to win
by a big scoreline to finish in first place.
“The conversations I have had with
Vlatko in general, when the time is right
and the situation in the game is ready, I
will be ready,” said Rapinoe.
“For us it is on Portugal and we have a
chance to top the group and get into the
best part of the tournament.”
Rapinoe believes her teammates can
thrive under the pressure of having to
deliver, whether she is on the pitch or
not.
“Of course there is a little bit of anx-
iousness any time there is a result that
needs to be had. That is exciting, every-
body knows that too.
“We go into these moments like ‘Hell
yeah’.
“We are excited, we are unsatisfied
with the way we have played, but we know
Morocco beat
the areas where we can be better.” – AFP
S Korea for
first WC win
ADELAIDE: Morocco won a Women’s
World Cup match for the first time after
Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to give them a
stunning 1-0 victory over South Korea on
Sunday.
Having been thrashed 6-0 by Germany
on their World Cup debut, this hard-
earned win kept alive Morocco’s unlikely
chances of reaching the last 16 in Australia
and New Zealand.
As well as a first victory ever at the tour-
nament, there was another piece of history
for Morocco when defender Nouhaila Ben-
zina became the first player to wear a hijab
at the Women’s World Cup.
French coach Reynald Pedros saw his
Morocco team take the lead after only six
minutes in front of just over 13,000 fans in
Adelaide.
Hanane Ait El Haj crossed and forward
Jraidi nipped in ahead of her marker to
expertly glance her header into the far cor-
ner.
Morocco, one of the lowest-ranked
teams at the tournament at 72 in the
world, were supposed underdogs against
the 17th-ranked Koreans.
But they made by far the better start
against shell-shocked opponents.
Colin Bell’s Korean side belatedly grew
into the game towards the end of the first
half, but like in their 2-0 opening defeat to
Colombia, they lacked punch up front.
Many of the crowd were shouting for the
Koreans and their team piled on the pres-
sure in the second half as they attempted to
keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Going into the nervy final 10 minutes,
South Korea had had 10 attempts at goal —
Canada urged to be brave in do-or-die Australia clash
none of which were on target. – AFP
MELBOURNE: Canada coach Bev Priest-
man called on her team to be brave Sun-
day and put any noise around Australia
skipper Sam Kerr aside for their seismic
Women’s World Cup showdown against
the co-hosts.
The Tokyo Olympic champions will
power into the last 16 with a win or draw
in their high-stakes Group B clash in Mel-
bourne on Monday.
But to do so they must tame a fired-up
country hell-bent on victory to guarantee
their own progression after being shocked
3-2 by Nigeria last week.
Making matters more complicated,
Chelsea striker Kerr, who missed Aus-
tralia’s opening two games with a calf
injury, has declared herself available to
play.
With both teams’ fate hanging in the
balance, Priestman said she
expected Canada to rise to the occasion.
“There’s a lot around about what might
come up in front of us, but ultimately I
know this team and if we turn up, we can
go and get three points,” said the English
coach.
“The focus is to be brave and bring what
we bring and bring it well.”
After Canada played out a sluggish
goalless draw with surprise-package Nige-
ria in their opening match, they rallied
from behind to beat the Republic of Ire-
land 2-1 in a gutsy performance that
instilled confidence.
Veteran captain Christine Sinclair
appeared to be limping late in that contest
but is fit to play, the coach said.
The Matildas, who battled past the Irish
1-0 before their stunning upset at the
hands of Nigeria, must win to guarantee
they stay in the tournament.
They will have Kerr back, but it is not
clear exactly what part she will play for
Tony Gustavsson’s team.
France reboot W Cup hopes
Brazil’s Luana Paixao (second left) and France’s Grace Geyoro fight for the ball.
as Jamaica make history
BRISBANE: France breathed fresh life
into their Women’s World Cup cam-
paign with a 2-1 victory over Brazil on
Saturday as Sweden barrelled into the
last 16 and Jamaica claimed a historic
first win.
France captain Wendie Renard
headed in the winner seven minutes
from time in front of nearly 50,000 in
Brisbane to earn a vital three points and
leave Brazil’s World Cup in peril.
The result blew Group F wide open.
France are top on four points from two
games and in pole position to qualify
along with Jamaica, who have the same
number of points following a 1-0 tri-
umph over Panama.
Herve Renard’s France defied most of
the Brisbane crowd and a Brazilian team
who thumped Panama 4-0 in their previ-
ous match, to reinvigorate French hopes
of a first World Cup title.
The French controlled much of the
first half and took an early lead through
veteran striker Eugenie Le Sommer with
her 90th goal in 181 appearances.
Brazil came back into the game in the
second half and were rewarded when
Debinha latched onto a deflected shot
and fired past goalkeeper Pauline
Peyraud-Magnin to level.
With time running out, France struck
again.
Selma Bacha swung in a corner in the
83rd minute and defender Renard – who
had been a pre-match injury doubt –
appeared unmarked at the far post to
head home.
Sweden thumped Italy 5-0 to join title
contenders Spain and former champions
Japan in reaching the knockout rounds
with a match to spare.
Three goals in seven minutes in the
first half did the damage in Wellington
as Italy struggled to deal with Sweden’s
set pieces and aerial threat.
Arsenal defender Amanda Ilestedt
scored twice and has three goals at this
World Cup, all with her head.
Her fate has dominated headlines in
Australia, but Priestman said it had not
affected Canada’s preparations.
“Have I spoken about, ‘Is she or isn’t
she?’
“No I haven’t,” she said. “We’ve spoken
about what it takes to beat Australia
because Australia is not just Sam Kerr.
Japan clash will be biggest
“I want to get three points, that’s all I’m
focused on, to move on and into the next
W Cup test yet: Spain coach
WELLINGTON (New Zealand): Coach Jorge
Vilda warned his Spain team they will be
fully tested for the first time at this
Women’s World Cup in their group-decid-
ing clash with Japan on Monday.
Both sides go into their final Group C
game in Wellington having already
reached the last 16 and neither conceded
in comfortable wins over Zambia and
Costa Rica.
But Vilda said that former world cham-
pions Japan will be a different proposition
as they battle for top spot in the group –
and with it a theoretically easier path in
the knockouts.
“I’m expecting a game not like the pre-
vious two games,” Vilda said on Sunday.
“Japan’s a very good team, interprets
the game well and has quality players. Tac-
tically they are very well trained and it’s a
team that can exert pressure on us.
“I think that the difference could be the
team that is better in the last third of the
field.”
Both beat Zambia 5-0 but Spain’s 3-0
defeat of Costa Rica, compared to Japan’s
2-0 win over the same opponents, means
Spain top the group with a superior goal
“Maybe I didn’t expect three goals but
I know that’s one of my strengths and it’s
something we’re working on a lot at
training,” she said.
Jamaica won at the Women’s World
Cup for the first time with a deserved vic-
tory over debutants Panama.
Skipper Allyson Swaby headed in
from a corner early in the second half to
give Jamaica their first victory at the fifth
attempt.
Jamaica face Brazil on Wednesday
knowing they only need a point to claim
a landmark spot in the last 16.
The success comes against the back-
drop of rows with the Jamaican football
federation over a lack of support for the
team and unpaid expenses.
“It is huge. It keeps our dream of get-
ting out of this group alive,” match-win-
ner Swaby said.
Australia’s hopes of staying in their
home tournament received a boost on
Saturday when skipper Sam Kerr
declared herself available.
The prolific Chelsea striker, the face of
the World Cup in Australia and New
Zealand, suffered a calf injury on the eve
of the tournament and missed the Matil-
das’ first two games.
The Australians squeezed past Ireland
1-0 thanks to a penalty to open their
campaign but were then stunned 3-2 by
Nigeria.
With a critical encounter against
Olympic champions Canada looming on
Monday, the 29-year-old fronted the
media in Brisbane to say: “I am going to
be there. I am going to be ready.”
There was also good news for Euro-
pean champions England who
announced that key midfielder Keira
Walsh did not suffer an anterior cruciate
ligament injury in their win over Den-
mark.
Walsh will miss their last group game
against China, when the Lionesses will
hope to seal their place in the knockouts,
but will remain with the squad. – AFP
game. If that means we knock out the co-
hosts, then we knock out the co-hosts.”
Even if Canada lose, it will not necessar-
ily be the end of the road. But they will
need Ireland to beat Nigeria with goal-dif-
ference then coming into play.
Similarly for Australia, a loss and they
are out of the tournament. But a draw cou-
pled with Nigeria losing and it would also
be decided by goal difference. – AFP
difference of one.
Vilda’s side will therefore finish top if
the match with Japan ends in a draw.
Their last-16 opponents will both come
from Group A, which will be decided on
Sunday when co-hosts New Zealand,
Switzerland, Norway and the Philippines
play their final first-stage matches.
Defending champions the United
States or Sweden could then await in the
quarter-finals.
But Vilda said he won’t take any notice
of his team’s potential pathway through
the knockout phase.
“We have not wasted a second thinking
about who we’re going to play in the last
16,” he said.
“We have no control over that and we’re
not going to worry about it.
“We want it to be a match that will
make us grow as a team and I’m convinced
that tomorrow’s game is like that, but it’s
not a decisive match.”
There is a fitness doubt over captain
Ivana Andres, with Vilda saying the Real
Madrid skipper and central defender has
“a few problems”, without detailing the
nature of any injury. – AFP
 Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 Sport 19

France’s Boutier closes in on home major
EVIAN (France): France’s Celine Boutier
tightened her grip on the Evian Champi-
onship on Saturday with a third round 67
to move three shots clear in her bid to
become a major winner on home soil.
With heavy rain forecast for the after-
noon, tee times were moved to early morn-
ing and Boutier, one ahead at halfway,
made the most of the ideal conditions to
bag five birdies and just one bogey.
The highlight - and vital nerve settler -
was chipping in for a birdie two after a
pulled tee shot at the short second.
On 11 under par, the 29-year-old French
player was three better than Japan’s Nasa
“I’m very satisfied with my round, but it
was a hard grind,” said Boutier, a three
time LPGA Tour winner.
“I got a great break with the chip in at
the second.
“I feel good this week because I’m stay-
ing with my family in a house about 20
minutes away so it helps keep me relaxed
and my mind off the golf.
“The first three rounds have given me a
lot of confidence. It’s been very different
conditions every day and I have coped so
I’ll just go out and focus hard tomorrow.”
Hataoka shot 68 and the Japanese 24-
year-old has an impressive major record.
Earlier this month, she played in the
final group on the final day in the US
Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, eventually
finishing fourth behind Allisen Corpuz.
“I was dialled in on the front nine but,
unfortunately, couldn’t make so many
birdies on the back nine,” said the six-time
LPGA winner.
“I’m three behind, but just going to go
out tomorrow and make as many birdies
as possible.”
Canada’s Henderson, the defending
champion, looked set to be even better
placed when she reached the turn in five
under par 30.
Korda won a European Tour event in
London last week, and it has been the per-
fect boost on confidence in the injury-
blighted season.
“The win was really big,” she continued.
“I’ve been practising a lot on my swing,
but golf is really crazy. One day you’re
counting top tens, then the next you don’t
know how to make a cut.
“You can have it, then lose it really fast.
But that’s why I appreciate the game.” –
AFP

Hodges eyes first win after late birdie spree

Boutier leads her home
Hataoka and four ahead of the past two She finished second in the 2018 LPGA But she hit her tee shot out of bounds

major by three shots.

winners, Brooke Henderson (67) and Min- Championship and was runner-up again at the 12th for a double-bogey and lost a
jee Lee (66). in the 2021 US Women’s Open. little momentum.
“Yes, the front nine was real fun,” said
the two-time major champion.
“But I was a bit unfortunate on the back
nine and dropped some shots. But that’s
LOS ANGELES: Lee Hodges produced a “It’s going to be hard tomorrow,” he major golf. Tomorrow I’ll just go out and
back-nine birdie blitz to take a strangle- said. “Not like I can go shoot even par try and make a bunch of birdies.”
hold on the PGA Tour’s 3M Open in Min- tomorrow. Nelly Korda, the world No.2, moved
nesota on Saturday and stay on course for “I’m going to have to keep making into contention on six under with a best of
the first tour victory of his career. birdies. I’m just going to stay aggressive day 64. The flawless seven birdie round
The 28-year-old world number 110 like I have been.” was the lowest round of the season for the
fired a five-under-par third round 66 to J.T. Poston leads the pursuit heading American who has been troubled by back
open up a five-shot lead heading into into the final round, five adrift after card- problems.
Sunday’s final round. ing a five-under-par 66 on Saturday to “It was super nice to see all the hard
Hodges, who is yet to win on the PGA stand on 15 under. work pay off,” said Korda who celebrated
Tour, stands on 20 under through 54 Poston believes that it will take some- her 25th birthday yesterday.
holes at the TPC Twin Cities course in thing special to overhaul Hodges on Sun- “Still 18 holes to go, but I made a push
Blaine – the first time he has taken a solo day. on moving day which I am really happy
lead into the final round. “Lee’s playing some great golf, and I about.”
“I have nothing to lose,” Hodges said would expect him to do the same tomor-
after Saturday’s round. row,” Poston said.
“I’m out here playing with house “I know he’s chasing his first win and
30-07-2023 5618/23 Perak
money. I have a job next year on the PGA it’s probably only a matter of time till he
Tour, this is all great. This is just icing on gets it done out here.
the cake.” “For me to get it done I’m going to 462
Starting the day four shots clear of probably have to shoot something lower 762
the field, Hodges struggled to generate than I have this week.” 530
momentum early on with two bogeys Tony Finau is a further shot back on 14
and two birdies to reach the turn at level under after shooting a four-under-par 67, 2462
par. while Australia’s Aaron Baddeley is 5762
But he caught fire after the turn, with fourth on 13 under after a third round 65. 2530
back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th Finau was bullish about his chances of 096/23 30-07-23
holes before reeling off three more reeling in Hodges in Sunday’s final round 7814 4745 9230 4610 8848
birdies to take a grip on the leaderboard. despite the six-shot deficit. 3500 9740 7275 9892 6459
2791 5953 0800
The pick of Hodges’ flurry of birdies “It’s definitely something I can come
came on the par-five 18th when he back from,” Finau said. But Lee’s playing 1221 4105 3699 7989 4092
blasted a superb third shot out of a some great golf, there’s no question 0738 6936 8623 4935 9956
greenside bunker to seven feet before about it.”
8295 9191 9086
Hodges prepares to putt on
coolly rolling in the birdie putt. Four players – Sam Ryder, Keith
7355 0914
the fourth green during the
Hodges said he plans to continue his Mitchell, Billy Horschel and Kevin Streel-
907/23 30-07-2023 5492 3244 8040 5008 7603

Video shows James’ son playing

third round of the 3M Open.

Griner to focus
aggressive approach when he tees up it man – are tied for fifth spot on 12 under,
Sunday’s final round. eight off the lead. – AFP

on mental the piano after hospital release

6191 2193 6913
5790 3635 9546 9982 0765

health: Team
9451 9915 8564 1533 0729
2354 2242 9850 5700
LOS ANGELES: LeBron James shared a video charged from hospital and was now resting 7524 8727 9539 2363
of eldest son Bronny James playing the at home. 3156 4047
LOS ANGELES: Phoenix Mercury All-Star piano on Saturday, five days after the “Although his workup will be ongo-
Brittney Griner, who missed all of last sea- teenager suffered a cardiac arrest during ing, we are hopeful for his continued 5671/23 30-07-2023
6135 5301 1790 4826
practice with his college team. progress and are encouraged by his
son while imprisoned in Russia, will miss a
The video posted on Instagram by NBA response, resilience, and his family and
two-game road trip “to focus on her mental
superstar James showed 18-year-old Bronny community support,” the hospital said in a 6621 5131 3036 3844
health,” the WNBA team said Saturday.
playing on the piano with younger brother statement. 1082 1285 0398
Griner won’t travel with the Mercury to
Chicago and Indiana for games against the
Bryce and sister Zhuri watching nearby. According to the American Heart Asso- 7471
7749
“A man of many talents,” LeBron James ciation, only about 1 in 10 people survive an
Sky and Fever on Sunday and Tuesday. can be heard to say after the brief perform- out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, which occurs
The Mercury return to Phoenix to host ance. when the heart stops abruptly with little or
the Atlanta Dream on Thursday. 3737/23 30-07-2023 4008 7809 2318 8054
2364 9411 1225 7838
In a caption accompanying the video, no warning.
“The Mercury fully support Brittney and
9723 2157 1835 5949
James wrote: “(Bronny) you are amazing!!! James’ cardiac arrest came just over a
we will continue to work together on a time- Simple as that! Keep going...We’re here year after another USC basketball player, 7086 5865 6339 0150
5014 5109 0462 1577
line for her return,” the team said in a state- right with you every step of the way.” Vince Iwuchukwu, suffered heart failure
ment. Meanwhile separate photographs pub- and collapsed during an informal practice. 4840 6796 3397
Griner is averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 lished by the TMZ.com celebrity news web- Iwuchukwu subsequently made a full
rebounds and 2.0 assists in her first season 7993 9142 7286 5255
6,090,635.24
site on Saturday showed LeBron James, recovery.
back with the Mercury. 5264 3483 4833 8481
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Bronny James and the rest of the family Bronny James committed to playing for
She was arrested last year in Russia for 1987 3357 0398 7471 7471 0398
5883 0671 6155 6053
heading out for dinner in Santa Monica, the USC Trojans in May after becoming one
0398 7749 7749 0398
having cannabis oil in her luggage and sen-
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California on Friday. of the top prospects in US high school bas-
7471 7749 7749 7471
tenced to prison but freed last December in Bronny James was rushed to hospital on ketball.
a prisoner exchange. Monday after collapsing during a pre-sea- He capped a stellar senior year cam-
While Griner earned a ninth WNBA All- son training session with the University of paign at the exclusive Sierra Canyon school 295,923.64
Star nod in June, her solid season has come Southern California basketball team. in Los Angeles with 15 points in an all-star 1,934,475.19
for a struggling Mercury team that she leads Cedars Sinai Medical Center staff said on game of top college candidates, sinking five 4840 6796 6796 4840

‘All Blacks
in scoring, rebounding and blocks. – AFP Thursday the teenager had been dis- 3-pointers. – AFP 4840 3397 3397 4840
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RaCINg RESUlTS 66,312.89 7471

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Sunday 30TH July 2023 Race 3, Class 5, 1100M, Sand Track 7749

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5 5 5 0 1 128.725.20
banking two trophies on a 10-game
Four-Forecast Div: C/F RM6,054.00 Time: 1:20:81
unbeaten streak in an ominous sign ahead 12
860196
Time: 1:28:29 Tri-Fc Div: RM666.00
3 8 6 7 9 14 24,451.73
Tri-Fc Div: RM183.00 of the World Cup in France.
8 6 0 1 9 6 0 1 9 6
Race 4, Class 5, 1100M, Sand Track New Zealand crushed a disjointed Wal-
Race 2, Initiation 1000M, Sand Track 1. Ho Say Liao (1) labies 38-7 in Melbourne on Saturday in 4 4 7 3 3 18 6,659.76 8 6 0 1 0 1 9 6
another statement performance, which fol-
8 6 0 1 9 6
1. Honey Prize (1) 2. Laxmana (8)
lowed impressive victories over world 3 2 5 5 8 23 8,113.05
8 6 9 6
2. Midnight Lady (2) 3. Golden Express (3)
3. Black Lady (11) 4. Amoy (5) champions South Africa and an improving
4. Amoi Amoi (4) 5. Savabee (7) Argentina. 2 8 3 5 4 24 7,113.05
5 10 14 19 40 43
5. Lawa Dondo (9) 6. Bolvian Gorgeous (10) Once again, they were patient in
6. Bulan (5) LAST. HongKong Spider (6) defence, retained the ball well, were domi-
LAST. Desa Gold (6) Forecast Div: RMC/F RM148.00 nant in the scrum and devastating on the 1 4 5 8 26 27,166.28 21,002,441.01
Forecast Div: RM3.00 Four-Forecast Div: RM5,759.00 break, crossing for six tries in front of
Four-Forecast Div: RM158.00 Time: 1:20:04 nearly 84,0000 fans. 5 8 7 1 06 13,511.21 1 14 17 31 38 43
Time: 1:22:27 Tri-Fc Div: RM140.00 They built their lead with three tries
Tri-Fc Div: RM16.00 before the half and added another three in 5 5 3 0 22 3,490.09 8,265,030.26
a stunning eight-minute second-half spell
7 8 10 13 35 44 26
STEwaRdS’ REpORT
to retain the Rugby Championship and 6 3 4 8 06 4,332.83
trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup. 4,553,675.46
“The manner of it is pretty pleasing. We 1 4 9 8 21 3,156.47
Sunday, 30TH July, 2023 got told we hadn’t been put under pressure 297,207.37
RACE 1 FORTITUDE TROPHY CHALLENGE (1000M) in the first two games and I don’t think that 4 7 6 3 26 2,209.22
Jockey Hendry on Jackie Chan was certified unfit to ride and replaced by jockey Hafiz. was correct,” said All Blacks coach Foster.
“We were put under a lot of pressure (by 6 0 0 7 15 2,024.72

2,876.26
Australia), but our responses and how
12
RACE 2 PRIDE TROPHY CHALLENGE (1000M)
Jockey Hendry on Gembala Padang was certified unfit to ride and replaced by jockey Fauzie. we’re adapting to that was pleasing.” – AFP 5 5 5 9
 Crawford is Hodges eyes
undisputed first win
welterweight after late 20
champ birdie spree

Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I MO ND AY, JULY 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

Nevern takes
WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

second spot
Tammy wins GL Oh
in Thailand
KOTA KINABALU:

historic gold
Sabahan kegler
Tammy Nevern Netha-
poses neel (pic) came
with her second in the
gold Open Masters of
medal. – the 47th MWA-
KUALA LUMPUR: Wushu exponent Tammy Tan Hui Ling created sporting history by win- Ministry
Singha Thailand
ning the country’s first ever gold medal in the World University Games (Universiade), of Higher
International
in Chengdu, China Sunday, ending a 38-year gold medal drought in the Games. Education
Open which was
photo
Tammy Tan, who had celebrated her 22nd birthday on Thursday, produced an out- held from July 16-29 at Blu-O Rhythm &
standing performance in the women’s Qiangshu event to collect 9.613 points for the gold Bowl Ratchayothin, Bangkok, Thai-
at the Chengbei Gymnasium. land.
According to the Games’ official website, Macau’s Weng Ian Wong (9.593 points) took The fourth seed who had a great run
the silver medal while Lydia Sham Hui Yu (9.583 points) from Hong Kong settled for the in the competition lost 181-225 to top
bronze. seeded Muhd Jaris Goh from Singapore
“Tammy Tan ended Malaysia’s almost 38-year wait for a gold medal since first partic- in the final.
ipating in the Universiade held in Kobe, Japan back in 1985,” according to a Facebook He had earlier overcome at South
posting on the Institute of Higher Learning’s (IPT) sports segment. Korean fifth-seed Oh Byung Jun and
The Malaysian wushu contingent had already secured two bronze medals in the sixth-seed Chanathip Prempree of
Games through Mandy Cebelle Chen and Calvin Lee Wai Leong from the women’s Taji- Thailand 278-209-195 in the first Men’s
quan and men’s Nangun. Stepladder match before ousting sec-

Rampant Norway, solid Swiss advance as co-hosts NZ exit

The country’s previous best performance in the Universiade was winning three silver ond seed and top qualifier South
and four bronze medals during the 2017 edition in Taiwan. – Bernama Korean Hong Hae Sol and compatriot
Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin 200-
184-193 to reach the final.
It was Nevern’s first podium on the
international scene and he expressed
his gratitude to those who have sup-
AUCKLAND (New The second goal arrived in similar ported him.
Zealand): Norway fashion in the 17th minute. “This is my first ever podium, before
ran riot to qualify This time Vilde Boe Risa delivered a this I only got fourth place in any of the
for the last 16 of the high ball into the box for Roman Haug to open tournaments I competed in.
Women’s World send a header looping over the goal- “I would like to thank MTBC
Cup on Sunday, a 6- keeper. (Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress),
0 demolition of the Graham Hansen made it 3-0 in the 31st National Sports Council, Sabah Sports
Philippines taking minute with a great long-range strike Council, and the Sabah Tenpin Bowling
them through and after she pounced on Hali Long’s clear- Association for sponsoring me the trip.
eliminating co- ance. “Not forgetting also to my family
hosts New Zealand, who drew 0-0 with The Philippines, with eight US-born who always gave me words of encour-
Switzerland. players in their starting line-up, had most agement when I had thoughts of quit-
The Swiss needed just a point against of the 34,697 crowd on their side, but they ting,” he said.
New Zealand in Dunedin to ensure were totally outclassed. Meanwhile, his next outing is at the
progress to the knockout phase and a sec- The fourth goal arrived three minutes Sarawak International Open Bowling
ond successive goalless draw allowed after half-time when Barker turned Frida Championship in Kuching which will

Jken Yung
them to finish top of Group A. Maanum’s low cross into her own net. be held in September.
Meanwhile, Norway had to beat debu- Moments later the Canadian referee
tants the Philippines just to stand a awarded a penalty after reviewing a chal-

wins 9-ball
chance of qualifying and they cruised to lenge on Reiten by Jaclyn Sawicki. Reiten
victory at Eden Park in Auckland with comfortably stroked home the spot-kick.

Sophie Roman Haug scoring a hat-trick.
Roman Haug netted twice early on and
Caroline Graham Hansen got the third
before half-time.
Alicia Barker scored an own goal and
Guro Reiten added a penalty before
Roman Haug completed her hat-trick as
a Norway team that had not scored in
their first two outings at this World Cup
came to life.
The scoreline allowed the 1995 World
Cup winners to pass in front of New
Zealand into second place on goal differ-
ence.
The Football Ferns, who beat Norway
in their opening game to record a historic
first ever World Cup win, will not go any
further in their home tournament.
The Philippines, who themselves
marked their World Cup debut with a
famous win against New Zealand, are out
too after a heavy defeat in a game they
Norway’s Sophie Roman Haug (right) heads the
ball during the match against the Philippines.
16 tie in Wellington next Saturday against
whoever tops Group C between Japan and
Spain.
Switzerland will head to Auckland to
face the Group C runners-up the same
day.
Norway were again without star striker
Ada Hegerberg, with the former Ballon
d’Or winner still recovering from a groin
Graham Hansen after controversially
dropping the Barcelona winger in the last
match.
Roman Haug, the 24-year-old Roma
forward, again filled in for Hegerberg and
it took her just six minutes to open the
scoring.
Thea Bjelde delivered a high, hanging
cross from the right to the back post for
Salt was rubbed into Filipino wounds
as substitute Sofia Harrison, another of
their US-born contingent, was shown a
red card following a VAR review for a late
challenge on Bjelde.
Roman Haug then got her third and
Norway’s sixth when she headed home a
Reiten cross in injury time.
In Dunedin, New Zealand had the bet-
ter of the first half with a string of
chances, the pick of which saw forward
Jacqui Hand rattle the post on 24 minutes.
As Norway chalked up the goals in
Auckland, the New Zealanders upped the
intensity knowing only a win would be
good enough to advance.
The atmosphere among the sell-out
crowd grew more heated as both teams
pushed for a goal and New Zealand goal-
keeper Victoria Esson might have won it
with a header from a corner in added
time that went wide.
tournament
KOTA KINABALU: Kok Jken Yung was
crowned champion in the Myth Bar 9-Ball
Open Handicap Pool Tournament on Fri-
day.
He whitewashed Awang Ali 8-0 in a
one-sided final to take home the RM7,000
cash prize while the losing finalist received
RM3,500.
Third place went to Casper Chin who
edged Lawrence Wong 8-6 in the playoff to
win the RM1,700 prize money with RM850
going to Lawrence.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Kok defeated
Lawrence 8-2 while Awang drew 7-7 with
Casper to reach the final.
Cash prize of RM200 was also given out
by the organisers to each of the losing

Morocco’s Benzina makes history

finished with 10 players. injury. Roman Haug to hook the ball back over Many of the New Zealand players were quarter-finalists and RM100 to the last 16

Colombia stun Germany with late winner

Norway, in contrast, advance to a last- However, coach Hege Riise recalled goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and in. in tears as their run ended. – AFP losers. – GL Oh

with hijab at Women’s World Cup SYDNEY: Colombia scored a 97th-minute

ADELAIDE: Nouhaila Benzina became the
first player to wear a hijab during a
Women’s World Cup game when she
sported the Muslim headscarf in
Morocco’s match against South Korea on
Sunday.
World governing body Fifafted its ban
on footballers wearing the hijab nearly a
decade ago, after previous concerns over
player safety.
The 25-year-old defender Benzina, who
plays her club football in Morocco, ran out
against South Korea in Adelaide to write
her name in the history books.
winner through a Manuela Vanegas
Their victory left Colombia top of
Group H with a perfect six points. Ger-
the lead-up to the World Cup about wear- header to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory many and Morocco have three each and all
ing a hijab, but has not spoken to the over Germany and stand on the cusp of the to play for.
media in Australia and New Zealand about Women’s World Cup last 16 on Sunday. South Korea are still just about alive on
it. Skipper Alexandra Popp thought she zero points.
She told broadcaster Al Jazeera recently had rescued a point for Germany as she Germany face the Koreans in the last
it would be a proud moment. held her nerve to score from the spot on 89 round of matches while Colombia are up
“Lots of work was done over many minutes. against Morocco.
years, and thank God it had a positive But in an incredible finish to a pulsat- Singing and dancing Colombian fans
result,” she said. ing clash, Vanegas popped up deep into vastly outnumbered German supporters in
“We hope to play at a high level and stoppage time for all three points with a a raucous crowd at Sydney Football Sta-
honour Moroccans.” close-range header. dium.
Several other sports have lifted hijab It came after Linda Caicedo scored one Loud boos and whistles went up each
bans in recent years including basketball, of the goals of the tournament in front of time Germany had the ball, and they had
but it is still not allowed during official 40,000 fans in Sydney near the start of the plenty of it in the first half.
Benzina (right) during the

Keningau and Kota Marudu emerge Under-18 hockey champions

Benzina shared social media posts in
KOTA KINABALU: Keningau and Kota
Marudu emerged champions in the Sabah
School Sports Council Hockey Under-18
championship which concluded at the
Likas Hockey Stadium on Friday.
Keningau captured the boys title with
a 3-0 win over Kota Belud in the final with
Kota Marudu and Tenom in joint third
place. Kota Marudu girls on the other
hand, took the title with a 4-2 shoot-out
victory against Keningau after both teams
tied 0-0 at full time. The tournament saw
the participation of 30 teams with 15 in
each category and they were divided into
five groups. – GL Oh
football matches in France. – AFP
The Keningau boys and Kota Marudu girls with officials after the closing ceremony.
match against South Korea.
second half, but that was just the begin-
ning of the drama.
Lina Magull swung and missed the ball
as it sat up invitingly for her in the Colom-
bian penalty area.
Magull was a menace and after making
life difficult once more for the Colombian
defence, the ball fell to striker Popp with
the goal gaping just before the break.
But the usually deadly striker skied her
volley high and wide to give the South
Americans a huge let-off.
The second half started with Germany,
champions in 2003 and 2007, again look-
ing the more likely to score.
Teenager Caicedo started the game for
Colombia following a training-ground
scare on Thursday when she went down
holding her chest.
On 52 minutes she added to her goal
from the opening 2-0 win over South
Korea with a strike of the highest quality.
– AFP

Printed and published by Sabah publishing House Sdn Bhd (Company No: 35782-p) o Head Office / press: 3B Jalan Mangga, Sedco Likas Industrial Estate, Jalan Kolombong, 88450 Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah or P.O.Box 10139, 88801 Kota Kinabalu.
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 ISNIN, 31 JUlaI, 2023 / 13 MUHaRaM, 1445H

WAKTU SOLAT
Subuh Zohor Asar Maghrib Isyak
KK/Pantai Barat 5.01 12.26 3.47 6.35 7.49
Sandakan Timur 4.53 12.18 3.39 6.28 7.41
Sandakan Barat 4.57 12.22 3.43 6.31 7.44
Tawau Timur 4.51 12.15 3.36 6.24 7.37
Tawau Barat 4.55 12.19 3.40 6.27 7.40
Kudat 4.55 12.22 3.42 6.33 7.47
Pedalaman Atas 4.59 12.24 3.45 6.33 7.46
Perlu lebih banyak inisiatif latih KSTI yakin penglibatan pelajar Mohamad Alif, Fateeha Puluhan cedera, ditahan dalam protes Pedalaman Bawah 5.02 12.27 3.48 6.36 7.49
wanita Sabah dalam kepimpinan > 2 dalam STEM capai 40 peratus > 3 peserta terbaik > 6 antikerajaan di Bangladesh > 7

Rampasan syabu terbesar bernilai RM3.36j

Jeremy S Zabala
KOTA KINABALU: Jabatan Kastam Diraja
Malaysia (JKDM) Sabah sekali lagi meng-
gagalkan aktiviti penyeludupan dadah,
apabila merampas syabu bernilai RM3.36
juta – rampasan terbesar tahun ini – dalam
satu operasi di Pelabuhan Sepanggar,
Rabu.
Ketua Pengarah JKDM Datuk Zazuli
Johan berkata, serbuan dilakukan kira-
kira jam 5 petang oleh Unit Operasi Pen-
guatkuasaan Cawangan Narkotik,
Pasukan Tempur Operasi Medan Kastam
(Cobra) susulan maklumat.
Dalam operasi itu, beliau berkata
pasukan itu menjalankan pemeriksaan ke
atas kontena yang tiba dari Pelabuhan
Klang, Selangor, dan menemui dadah
yang disimpan dalam sembilan kotak.
siasatan sedang dijalankan untuk menge-
nal pasti pengirim serta penerima yang
dialamatkan di sebuah kondominium di
Likas.
Beliau berkongsi, modus operandi kes
ini adalah dengan mengedar dadah
menggunakan kontena dan meletakkan-
nya dalam bungkusan detergen dan
mengisytiharkannya sebagai produk itu.
“Barang itu akan dicampur dengan
ZAZULI
barangan lain dalam bekas ‘Less than Con-
(dua kanan)
tainer-Load’ (LCL).
bersama Nasir
“Kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 39B
(dua kiri)
Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 dan jika sabit
menunjukkan
kesalahan boleh dihukum mati manda-
dadah jenis
tori atau penjara seumur hidup,” katanya
syabu yang
lagi.
dirampas
Sementara itu, beliau juga berkata
dalam
JKDM Sabah merampas dadah dengan
operasi itu.

Menteri baharu KPDN diumum selepas PRN – PM

“Pemeriksaan lanjut dijalankan ke atas
sembilan kotak itu membawa kepada pen-
emuan dadah jenis methamphetamine
seberat 101.951kg bernilai RM3,364,383.
Dadah itu dibungkus di dalam bungkusan
lutsinar yang disimpan di dalam pem-
bungkusan detergen berjenama Anchor.
“Selain dadah, kotak itu juga mengan-
dungi bahan pencuci sebenar jenama
sama. Dipercayai ini adalah taktik untuk
mengelirukan pihak berkuasa,” katanya
pada sidang media di Wisma Pen-
guatkuasa Kastam, di sini, Ahad.
Turut hadir Penolong Ketua Pengarah
(Zon Sabah) Mohd Nasir Deraman, antara
lain.
Di sebalik rampasan terbesar itu, Zazuli
jumlah keseluruhan 122.9kg bernilai
RM7.66 susulan operasi yang dijalankan
sejak Jan hingga 25 Julai tahun ini – tidak
termasuk kes dadah terbaharu.
“Ini membabitkan 103.17 kilogram
dadah berbahaya jenis methamphetamine
dianggarkan bernilai RM3,857,920.84,
10.09 kilogram ganja dianggarkan bernilai
RM54,226.90, 9.65 kilogram Ketamin dan
Ecstasy dianggarkan bernilai RM382,443.
“Selain itu, JKDM Sabah turut merekod-
kan rampasan 631.77 kilogram ketum
dianggarkan bernilai RM6,289.31. Ram-
pasan ketum itu melibatkan 581.48 kilo-
gram serbuk ketum dianggarkan bernilai
RM5,786.46 dan 50.29 kilogram daun
ketum dianggarkan bernilai RM502.85,”
KUALA LUMPUR: Perdana Menteri Datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata Menteri
Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara
Hidup yang baharu akan diumum selepas
urusan Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) yang
sedang berlangsung di enam negeri sele-
sai.
Anwar berkata beliau memerlukan
masa untuk meletakkan pengganti Datuk
Seri Salahuddin Ayub yang meninggal
dunia pada 23 Julai lepas.
masa… saya fikir tidak terlalu lama,”
katanya kepada pemberita selepas beru-
cap pada Majlis Perasmian Penutup Hari
Pengguna Kebangsaan 2023 di Pizzeria
Pavilion Bukit Jalil di sini, Ahad.
Buat masa ini, Anwar berkata beliau
memberi tanggungjawab kepada Menteri
di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal
Sabah, Sarawak dan Tugas-Tugas Khas)
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali untuk meman-
tau urusan Kementerian Perdagangan
Beliau turut meminta Timbalan
Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan
Kos Sara Hidup Fuziah Salleh untuk mem-
bantu Armizan menjalankan tugas di
kementerian itu.
“Sementara ini, Armizan diberi tang-
gungjawab memantau dan menjalankan
tugas. Fuziah pun dah faham betul (uru-
san KPDN).
“Jadi saya nampak tiada gangguan dan
saya minta Armizan tumpu lebih sikit di

Tambahan RM50 juta

katanya.

Sistem suria guna bateri baharu akan diperkenal untuk BELB

berkata tiada tangkapan dibuat, namun, “Belum lagi, lepas PRN… bagi saya Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup. kementerian ini,” katanya. – Bernama

Isu
untuk perluas konsep
penggantungan Rahmah seluruh DUN
KOTA KINABALU: Satu sistem baharu pem-

Shahelmey
bekalan elektrik luar bandar akan diwu-
judkan dengan menggunakan tenaga

diselesai
suria yang menggunakan bateri baharu
jenis “lithium-ion” seperti digunakan KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan meluluskan
dalam kenderaan elektik (EV) kerana peruntukan tambahan sebanyak RM50

secara dalaman:
mampu bertahan lama berbanding bateri juta bagi memperluas konsep Rahmah
yang digunakan sebelum ini. yang diusahakan Kementerian Perdagan-

Ahmad Zahid
KOTA KINABALU: Segala isu yang
timbul akibat penggantungan Tim-
balan Ketua Menteri III Sabah Datuk
Shahelmey Yahya daripada Umno
selama enam tahun, akan disele-
saikan secara dalaman, kata Presi-
den Umno Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri itu
berkata Umno pada masa
ini berpendirian bahawa,
Shahelmey merupakan Ahli Parli-
men Putatan dan Ahli Dewan
Undangan Negeri (DUN) Tanjung
Keramat yang mewakili Kerajaan
Perpaduan.
“Kita mempunyai semangat
dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan, maka
tindakan itu kita lakukan secara
dalaman,” katanya pada sidang
media selepas merasmikan
Majlis Penutup Sidang Kemuncak
Koperasi Belia Asia Pasifik 4.0 di sini,
Ahad.
Ditanya tentang kenyataan Sha-
helmey bahawa beliau masih belum
menerima surat penggantungan
itu, Ahmad Zahid berkata “kita buat
secara dalaman.”
Pada 18 Mac lepas, Pengerusi
Badan Perhubungan Umno Sabah
Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin,
mengesahkan Shahelmey digan-
tung keahlian parti selama enam
tahun, namun pada 26 Julai lalu
Shahelmey memberitahu beliau
masih belum menerima surat peng-
gantungan tersebut.
Pada 7 Jan lalu, Bung Moktar
mengumumkan Umno dan Barisan
Nasional Sabah menarik sokongan
terhadap Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
sebagai Ketua Menteri, namun Sha-
helmey bersama empat Ahli Dewan
Undangan Negeri (Adun) parti itu,
kekal menyokong Pengerusi Gabun-
gan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) berkenaan.
– Bernama
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri
Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata
walaupun program Bekalan Elektrik Luar
Bandar (BELB) di Sabah dan Sarawak,
sebelum ini telah pun mengguna pakai
tenaga suria, namun ia berdepan kekan-
gan termasuk masalah penggantian
bateri.
“Semasa pelaksanaan program berke-
naan, pembekalan bateri hanya diberikan
kepada satu pihak sahaja, sedangkan
kawasan Sabah dan Sarawak terlalu luas.
Maka ia tidak praktikal dan mengambil
masa sehingga akhirnya kawasan yang
menggunakan tenaga suria akan men-
galami kegelapan yang lebih lama.
Jadi dengan adanya teknologi baharu,
jangka hayat bateri itu lebih lama dan sis-
tem penyelenggaraan juga akan ditukar
dengan meletakkan beberapa pembekal
di beberapa kawasan tertentu, bukan
hanya satu pembekal untuk satu negeri
sebesar Sabah dan Sarawak,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang
media selepas merasmikan Majlis Penutup
Sidang Kemuncak Koperasi Belia Asia Pasi-
fik 4.0 di sini, pada Ahad, yang turut
dihadiri Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan
dan Koperasi Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata
demikian sebagai mengulas tentang lapo-
ran berkenaan kesediaan Sabah menjadi
tapak projek rintis kedua selepas Selangor
dalam pemasangan panel suria besar-
besaran melalui Pelan Hala Tuju Peralihan
Tenaga Negara (NETR) Fasa 1.
Sementara itu, ditanya mengenai
sasaran kerajaan untuk menghapuskan
kemiskinan di negara ini terutama di
kawasan luar bandar, beliau berkata
kementerian mempunyai pelbagai pro-
gram tersendiri untuk membantu men-
jayakan usaha berkenaan.
“Kita tahu garis kemiskinan iaitu pen-
dapatan di bawah RM2,250 untuk B40 dan
dilaporkan terdapat kira-kira 130,000 isi
rumah yang berada di dalam paras
kemiskinan tegar di negara ini. Adalah
menjadi hasrat Kerajaan Perpaduan untuk
menyifarkan kemiskinan tegar itu
sebelum akhir tahun ini,” katanya.
Terdahulu, Zahid berkata belia di
Malaysia wajar menjadikan gerakan kop-
erasi dan bidang keusahawanan sebagai
satu budaya untuk mereka meningkatkan
tahap ekonomi masing-masing.
Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata belia
Ahmad Zahid, diiringi Ewon (kanan), mengadakan sidang media
pada majlis penutupan APCYS 4.0, pada Ahad. – fotoBERNAMA
tidak seharusnya melihat koperasi sebagai
sebuah badan sukarela semata-mata seba-
liknya wadah bagi mewujudkan jati diri
perniagaan dan seterusnya menanam
budaya keusahawanan dalam diri mereka.
“Jadikan ia (koperasi dan keusa-
hawanan) sebagai kerjaya dan jangan ter-
lalu melihat (perniagaan berbentuk)
produk sahaja tetapi juga perkhidmatan...
selain itu, lihat juga aspek bagaimana ia
dapat memberi keutamaan kepada belia
di luar bandar supaya ia terimbang per-
tumbuhan ekonominya.
“Saya juga melihat koperasi perlu main
peranan dalam usaha mewujudkan
semangat keusahawanan dalam kalangan
belia melalui latihan dan sebagainya,”
katanya pada sidang media selepas meras-
mikan Majlis Penutup Sidang Kemuncak
Koperasi Belia Asia Pasifik (APCYS) 4.0 di
sini, Ahad.
Turut hadir Menteri Pembangunan
Usahawan dan Koperasi Datuk Ewon
Benedick, Timbalan Menteri Luar Datuk
Mohamad Alamin serta Pembantu
Menteri Kepada Ketua Menteri Sabah
Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
Ahmad Zahid berkata sektor koperasi
dan keusahawanan juga mampu
memainkan peranan ke arah mengu-
rangkan kadar pengangguran dalam
kalangan belia di negara ini.
“Bidang ini bukan hanya kerja makan
gaji tetapi juga keusahawanan, justeru
kita bekerjasama bukan (bergerak secara)
solo ke arah hasrat ini dan kita harap
usaha ini (mengurangkan pengangguran
belia) dapat kita realisasikan menerusi
pelbagai kementerian, juga kerajaan
negeri,” kata Menteri Kemajuan Desa dan
Wilayah itu.
Beliau berkata kerajaan melalui agensi
berkaitan terutama Kementerian Pemban-
gunan Usahawan dan Koperasi mempun-
yai pelbagai mekanisme untuk
menggalakkan lebih ramai golongan belia
terlibat dalam bidang itu antaranya
melalui pembiayaan serta bimbingan per-
niagaan.
Ahmad Zahid juga berkata Perdana
Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ketika
membentangkan Belanjawan 2023,
memaklumkan bahawa kadar pengang-
guran bagi rakyat Malaysia berumur 24
tahun ke bawah kekal di atas 10 peratus
dan ia antara perkara yang menjadi keuta-
maan kerajaan untuk dikurangkan.
“Menerusi Belanjawan 2023, beberapa
langkah telah diketengah bagi membantu
belia dalam menghadapi kos sara hidup
dan meringankan beban ekonomi mereka
tanpa mengira latar belakang
sosioekonomi termasuk akses kepada
pembiayaan serta program peningkatan
kemahiran,” katanya ketika berucap pada
majlis penutupan APCYS 4.0.
Justeru, beliau yakin sektor koperasi
adalah antara peluang terbaik untuk belia
mengembangkan kemampuan keusa-
hawanan mereka sekali gus meningkatkan
kebolehpasaran golongan itu.
“Membangunkan golongan belia seba-
gai penyumbang konstruktif kepada pem-
bangunan negara memerlukan usaha
bersepadu yang melangkaui entiti dan
kementerian merangkumi setiap aspek
masyarakat tanpa mengira peranan for-
mal,” katanya. – Bernama
gan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup.
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim berkata peruntukan tambahan itu
membolehkan kementerian memastikan
rakyat di setiap Dewan Udangan Negeri
(DUN) seluruh negara mendapat manfaat
daripada konsep berkenaan.
“Saya mahu perjuangan Rahmah ini
diperluaskan...kementerian ada men-
gusulkan kalau boleh kita perluas di
kawasan DUN, saya akan pastikan untuk
menyegerakan pelaksanaan ini berper-
ingkat dan kita luluskan tambah RM50 juta.
Kita lakukan ini kerana ia menyentuh
secara langsung golongan berpendapatan
rendah kerana tidak ada makna bicara soal
rahmah, tiada makna bicara soal perjuan-
gan, tiada erti bicara soal ihsan, belas kasi-
han dan prihatin kalau soal makanan
mereka (rakyat) pun tidak terjamin,”
katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapan
pada majlis penutupan Hari Pengguna
Kebangsaan 2023 di Pavilion Bukit Jalil, di
sini, Ahad.
Anwar turut menzahirkan penghar-
gaan kepada semua pihak yang men-
jayakan inisiatif itu kerana berjaya
memaknai erti ihsan dan rahmah yang
diketengahkan menerusi konsep Malaysia
Madani dan mahu mereka memperta-
hankan rekod yang dipamerkan agar
rakyat terus mendapat manfaatnya.
Beliau percaya Menteri di Jabatan Per-
dana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Sabah, Sarawak
dan Tugas-Tugas Khas) Datuk Armizan
Mohd Ali, Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan
Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Fuziah
Salleh dan pegawai di kementerian yang
terlibat dalam membawa agenda itu ke
hadapan.
“Pertahankan rekod dan tekad lagi. Ada
kejayaan awal yang dilakukan dan perbe-
lanjaan juga tinggi serta kerjasama ramai
syarikat yang saya tak dapat nak sebut ker-
ana ramai sekali.
“Saya beritahu Salahuddin (Allah-
yarham Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub)
sebelum ini bila kerajaan ambil inisiatif
Rahmah dan disambut oleh restoran,
kedai dan toko-toko, saya sangat rasa ter-
haru dan kita patut adakan satu majlis
penghargaan kepada mereka,” kata Anwar.
Salahuddin, yang merupakan Menteri
Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara
Hidup meninggal dunia pada 23 Julai
lepas. – Bernama
 2 Tempatan
Koperasi
bantu kukuh
keterjaminan
bekalan makanan
negara – Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Sebanyak 172 koperasi
terlibat dalam sektor agromakanan
mampu memainkan peranan untuk mem-
bantu mengukuhkan keterjaminan
bekalan makanan negara, kata Menteri
Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi
Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Beliau berkata koperasi yang terlibat
dalam agromakanan itu meliputi aktiviti
pertanian, penternakan, perikanan dan
pembekalan input pertanian dan ter-
nakan.
“Gerakan koperasi telah diberi tang-
gungjawab untuk membantu mem-
perkukuhkan keterjaminan bekalan
makanan negara melalui penglibatan
koperasi dalam sektor agromakanan,”
katanya ketika berucap pada Majlis Penu-
tupan Bulan Koperasi Kebangsaan 2023 di
sini, Ahad.
Majlis penutupan itu disempurnakan
oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Ser
Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Katanya Kementerian Pembangunan
Usahawan dan Koperasi (Kuskop) melalui
Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM)
telah menyediakan pembiayaan modal
pusingan agromakanan dengan perun-
tukan RM100 juta dan geran bantuan
pembangunan sehingga RM300,000
kepada koperasi yang berkelayakan.
“Kuskop melalui SKM juga telah melak-
sanakan program Jualan Madani Koperasi
(JMK) yang menawarkan penjimatan
harga barangan sehingga 20 peratus dari-
pada harga pasaran,” katanya.
40 pelajar Sabah bakal terima ABCNS esok
KOTA KINABALU: Seramai
40 pelajar berpencapaian
tinggi dalam bidang pen-
didikan akan menerima
Anugerah Biasiswa Cemer-
lang Negeri Sabah (ABCNS),
pengiktirafan tertinggi dalam pendidikan
di negeri ini.
Anugerah ABCNS siri ke-34 tersebut
akan disampaikan oleh Ketua Menteri
merangkap Pengerusi Lembaga Pemegang
Amanah Yayasan Sabah, Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor pada Selasa di Auditorium Tun
Ahmad Raffae, Menara Tun Mustapha.
Menurut Pengarah Yayasan Sabah, Dato’
Sri Haji Gulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan
Bahadar (gambar), ABCNS merupakan
anugerah berprestij yang diberikan oleh
Kerajaan Negeri melalui Kumpulan
Yayasan Sabah kepada pelajar cemerlang
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
Tegasnya, ABCNS adalah penggerak
kepada pelajar untuk mencapai kejayaan
akademik yang lebih tinggi.
Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah, katanya,
menggesa pelajar untuk mengambil pelu-
ang agar belajar dengan tekun dan cemer-
lang dalam pendidikan bagi mendapatkan
penempatan pekerjaan di pasaran.
“Kepada semua penerima, gunakanlah
peluang yang diberikan dengan sebaik-
baiknya. Pelajar ini merupakan insan ter-
pilih dalam kalangan ribuan pelajar di
negeri ini.
“Saya berharap mereka akan terus bek-
erja keras untuk berkembang menjadi
individu yang serba lengkap dan mampu
memenuhi keperluan pasaran semasa.
“Justeru, saya percaya anugerah tersebut
‘Perlu lebih banyak inisiatif latih wanita Sabah dalam kepimpinan’
Anthea Peter
KOTA KINABALU: Terdapat keperluan
untuk lebih banyak inisiatif untuk
meningkatkan kemahiran dan melatih
wanita di Sabah untuk menyandang
jawatan kepimpinan bagi memenuhi
sasaran 30 peratus kuota penglibatan
wanita sebagai pembuat keputusan.
Justeru iru, Menteri Pembangunan
Masyarakat dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat
Datuk James Ratib memuji Akademi
Kepimpinan Wanita Sabah (AKWan) ker-
ana menyediakan platform yang boleh
memberi impak positif kepada kema-
juan kepimpinan wanita.
“Saya percaya melalui usaha ini, kita
dapat melahirkan lebih ramai wanita
yang berkebolehan dan berdaya saing,
selaras dengan perkembangan dunia
digital global. Apa yang lebih penting
ialah penglibatan wanita perlu mencapai
30 peratus dalam pelbagai aspek terma-
suk ekonomi, politik mahupun sosial. Ini
wajar kerana negara yang berjaya mem-
punyai wanita hebat di dalamnya.
“Ini akhirnya akan membawa kepada
kesejahteraan masyarakat, khususnya di
Sabah. Dengan penglibatan wanita
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
Ewon berkata bagi membantu kerajaan
menangani kos sara hidup rakyat yang
semakin meningkat, Kuskop melalui SKM
telah menjenamakan semula kedai-kedai
koperasi di seluruh negara secara berper-
ingkat di bawah satu nama iaitu Coop-
Mart.
“Langkah itu bagi menyeragamkan
model perniagaan mereka dan sehingga
kini sebanyak 2,581 kedai runcit koperasi
berjenama CoopMart telah beroperasi di
seluruh negara,” katanya.
Sementara itu ketika berucap di Sidang
Kemuncak Koperasi Belia Asia Pasifik di
sini hari ini, Ewon berkata penglibatan
belia dalam sektor koperasi adalah pent-
ing untuk memperkasakan gerakan itu.
Beliau berkata Dasar Keusahawanan
2023 dan Pelan Transformasi Koperasi
Malaysia 2021-2025, yang merupakan
dasar baharu Kuskop telah
merangkumkan matlamat-matlamat bagi
menggalakkan golongan muda untuk
melibatkan diri dalam sektor koperasi.
Kuskop dan semua agensinya telah
melaksanakan pelbagai program terma-
suk ekskursi lapangan, pameran, bengkel
dan seminar untuk memperkuatkan dan
memperkasakan pembangunan koperasi
di dalam negara.
Ewon berkata sidang kemuncak ini
satu daripada platform terbaik untuk
menarik belia berkongsi pengalaman
mereka dalam menubuhkan koperasi dan
memupuk satu budaya kerjasama
menerusi koperasi. – Bernama
akan menjadi pendorong untuk
melahirkan bukan sahaja pelajar cemer-
lang dalam bidang akademik tetapi juga
individu bertanggungjawab yang
menyumbang secara positif kepada
masyarakat,” kata beliau.
Pada masa ini, seramai 484 penerima
ABCNS telah menamatkan pengajian
mereka, manakala 213 lagi masih belajar.
“Pada tahun ini, seramai 40 pelajar lagi
akan menerima anugerah ini. Penerima
akan mengikuti pelbagai kursus dan
bidang pengajian selaras dengan prospek
kerjaya peribadi dan ekonomi berasaskan
pengetahuan,” tambahnya.
Sejak penubuhannya hampir 60 tahun
lalu, Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah merealisas-
ikan misinya dalam meningkatkan kualiti
kehidupam rakyat Malaysia di negeri ini.
Sejak itu, ia ergerak ke hadapan dan
kekal teguh, menokok tambah usaha-
usaha Kerajaan Negeri dan Persekutuan
dalam membangunkan negeri ini, khusus-
nya dalam aspek pendidikan.
20 PRPA Titik Panas ditempatkan seluruh negara – Dr Zaliha
KOTA BHARU: Sebanyak 20 lokasi Pusat
Operasi Perkhidmatan Rawatan Pra Hos-
pital dan Ambulans (PRPA) Titik Panas
(Hotspot), yang dikendalikan oleh St.
John Ambulans Malaysia (SJAM) telah
ditempatkan di seluruh negara.
Menteri Kesihatan Dr Zaliha Mustafa
berkata perkhidmatan itu, diperkenalkan
bagi membantu mengurangkan masa
tindak balas perkhidmatan ambulans,
ketika kecemasan.
FLOVIA (duduk tengah), Tarsiah (duduk ketiga kiri) dan peserta kursus pada majlis perasmian program kepimpinan itu.
dalam organisasi pentadbiran di pelba-
gai peringkat, ia akan membawa peruba-
han besar kepada dasar dan
undang-undang serta menyumbang
kepada pembangunan keluarga,
masyarakat dan negara.
“Jika dilihat secara keseluruhannya,
terdapat ramai wanita di Sabah yang
mempunyai perwatakan yang baik,
berpendidikan, berkemahiran dan
‘Koperasi negara mampu bergerak secara
bersepadu menerusi pembentukan Federasi’
KOTA KINABALU: Timbalan Perdana Menteri
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata
sektor koperasi negara mampu bergerak
secara bersepadu menerusi pembentukan
federasi yang membabitkan model pernia-
gaan penggabungan badan itu.
Menteri Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah itu
berkata menerusi pembentukan federasi,
koperasi mempunyai potensi besar untuk
meningkatkan sosioekonomi serta kese-
jahteraan rakyat dan ia kini menjadi
penyumbang ketiga kepada ekonomi
negara selepas sektor kerajaan dan swasta,
yang menyaksikan jumlah keanggotaan 7.3
juta dengan modal syer serta yuran
terkumpul sebanyak RM16.5 bilion.
“Kerajaan yakin jika koperasi di negara ini
dapat bergabung melalui federasi, jaminan
keselamatan makanan negara akan
diperkukuh seterusnya dapat mengimbangi
kos makanan yang semakin meningkat.
“Ini kerana model perniagaan melalui
penggabungan koperasi bukan hanya dapat
meningkatkan keupayaan pengeluaran pro-
duk dan perkhidmatan gerakan koperasi
melalui ekonomi skala malahan boleh
memendekkan rantaian bekalan dengan
mengurangkan peranan dan penglibatan
orang tengah,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap
di Majlis Penutupan Bulan Koperasi
Kebangsaan 2023 di sini, Ahad, yang turut
dihadiri Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan
dan Koperasi Datuk Ewon Benedick serta
Pembantu Menteri kepada Ketua Menteri
Jabatan k’jaan digesa contohi cara NGO laksana projek
Jeremy S Zabala
KOTA KINABALU: Jabatan kerajaan perlu
mencontohi amalan dan kaedah pelak-
sanaan projek oleh pertubuhan bukan
kerajaan (NGO) yang menunjukkan
kejayaan serta keberkesanan kos.
Menteri Kewangan Sabah Datuk Seri
Masidi Manjun berkata terdapat NGO
yang mempunyai rekod prestasi cemer-
lang apabila melaksanakan program atau
projek kemasyarakatan yang berjaya dis-
ampaikan kepada rakyat walaupun mem-
punyai dana terhad.
Dengan kebolehan dan komitmen
yang dipamerkan, beliau berkata jabatan
kerajaan bukan sahaja perlu menim-
bangkan sebaliknya melaksanakan
amalan sama yang ternyata mampu mem-
berikan hasil positif dalam pelaksanaan
projek.
“Ada dua perkara yang mereka lak-
sanakan dengan cemerlang. Satu ialah
komitmen dalam memastikan projek itu
siap dan kedua ialah kos (pelaksanaan
projek) yang jauh lebih rendah. Kurang
(kos) tetapi lebih ramai orang telah men-
dapat manfaat daripada projek itu dan
kosnya sangat minimum.
“Dan atas sebab ini sahaja (saya fikir)
jabatan kerajaan harus mencontohi malah
belajar sesuatu daripada NGO. Dengan
jumlah dana yang terhad, mereka boleh
menyiapkan projek besar,” katanya pada
Majlis Pelantikan Kelab Rotari Kota Kina-
balu (RCKK) Pearl ke-9, di sini, Sabtu.
Turut hadir Presiden RCKK Rosie
Chong, Presiden Dipilih Chendramata Sin-
teh, presiden terdahulu RCKK Pearl Datuk
Aminah Ambrose dan bekas presiden
Eliza Goh, antara lain.
Di sebalik mampu “membiayai sendiri”,
Masidi berkata sudah tiba masanya untuk
Kerajaan Negeri bukan sahaja mengiktiraf
sumbangan NGO kepada orang ramai
tetapi juga memberikan sokongan penuh
“Bagi memastikan kualiti perkhid-
matan dan masa tindak balas dicapai,
pihak SJAM sedang berusaha untuk mem-
peroleh kenderaan ambulans, peranti
dan peralatan perubatan baharu.
“Purata masa respons dengan pelak-
sanaan PRPA titik panas ini ialah selama
15 minit, sekitar radius 10 hingga 15 kilo-
meter. Oleh itu, kita harap usaha ini akan
diteruskan secara berperingkat di lokasi-
lokasi yang lain pula,” katanya.
berkebolehan memimpin sesebuah
organisasi.
“Jadi inisiatif (pembinaan kepimp-
inan) (untuk wanita) seperti ini sangat
bagus dan perlu diteruskan,” katanya.
Beliau berkata dalam ucapannya yang
dibacakan Pembantu Menterinya Datuk
Flovia Ng, ketika merasmikan Program
Kursus Pertengahan Kepimpinan Wanita
untuk Pemimpin Syarikat Berkaitan Ker-
Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
Ahmad Zahid, yang merujuk gabungan
koperasi pertanian di Korea Selatan iaitu
Federasi Koperasi Pertanian Kebangsaan
(NAFC) sebagai contoh, berkata ia menjadi
organisasi puncak bagi 1,118 koperasi den-
gan jumlah keahlian 2.1 juta petani
merangkumi pemilik, pengguna dan pen-
gawal koperasi.
“Federasi itu menyokong koperasi
anggota dengan menyediakan sistem untuk
petani Korea yang majoritinya mengalami
masalah kapasiti pengeluaran yang lemah
dan sumber kewangan tidak mencukupi,”
katanya.
Beliau berkata NAFC memainkan per-
anan penting dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi
Korea dan berkembang menjadi antara kop-
erasi paling berjaya di dunia. Justeru, Ahmad
Zahid menyeru gerakan koperasi di Malaysia
agar bergerak secara bersepadu untuk mem-
bantu kerajaan dalam agenda menoktahkan
kemiskinan tegar sekali gus meningkatkan
kesejahteraan rakyat dan berharap ia dapat
terlibat secara serius ke arah membantu
ikhtiar kerajaan menurunkan harga barang
keperluan asas seperti gula, tepung serta
minyak masak.
“Gerakan koperasi juga boleh menjadi
wahana efektif bukan hanya dalam pem-
bangunan usahawan tetapi juga
memainkan peranan besar bagi membantu
B40 dan golongan rentan menangani
cabaran peningkatan kos sara hidup,”
katanya. – Bernama
terhadap usaha mereka.
Sehubungan itu, beliau merakamkan
ucapan terima kasih kepada RCKK atas
inisiatif, kebolehan dan komitmen
mereka bukan sahaja dalam meng-
hasilkan dana sendiri untuk pelaksanaan
projek tetapi juga mencapai objektif
mereka dalam membantu masyarakat luar
bandar.
Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata Kera-
jaan Negeri sentiasa bersedia untuk mem-
bantu mana-mana NGO dan projek
mereka terutamanya dari segi dana, jika
ini adalah projek terutamanya untuk
memberi manfaat kepada rakyat Sabah.
Katanya, Kerajaan Negeri sedia menim-
bangkan sebarang permohonan dan
menyediakan peruntukan yang diper-
lukan untuk mereka (NGO) yang mem-
punyai program yang sangat khusus.
“Menangani masalah (di kawasan luar
bandar) bukan sahaja memerlukan wang
tetapi juga memastikan ringgit ini berta-
han lama. Satu-satunya yang boleh
berbuat demikian ialah NGO dan
(mereka) nampaknya cemerlang dalam
hal ini kerana ia bukan wang mereka.
“Mereka bekerja untuk mengumpul
wang. (Walaupun) jika kita memperun-
tukkan RM100,000 (yang mungkin nam-
pak banyak) tetapi kita jangan lupa
bahawa mereka telah mengumpulkan
lebih daripada itu sendiri.
“Jadi, apa yang kami berikan hanyalah
jumlah token yang kecil berbanding den-
gan apa yang mereka kumpul sendiri,”
tambahnya.
Masidi mengulas pengumuman perun-
tukan RM100,000 yang akan diberikan
kepada RCKK untuk projek masa depan
yang dijangka dijalankan di beberapa
kampung di Kota Marudu dan Pitas.
Selain NGO, beliau juga berkata kesem-
purnaan pelaksanaan projek hanya akan
menjadi kenyataan jika kedua-dua pihak
Beliau berkata demikian kepada pem-
berita selepas melawat PRPA Titik Panas
(Hotspot) Kota Bharu, Sempena Hari Ter-
buka dan Program Komuniti Masyarakat
di Masjid Al-Fattah dekat Kampung
Nilam, di sini, Ahad.
Dr Zaliha berkata pihak SJAM turut
menyasarkan untuk menempatkan 111
unit Peranti Defibrilator Luaran
Automatik (AED), di seluruh negara.
“Setakat ini, sebanyak 73 AED telah
ajaan (GLC) di Hotel Ming Garden, di
sini, Ahad.
Adun Sugut itu menegaskan
pemerkasaan wanita adalah tanggung-
jawab bersama semua pihak.
“Untuk menjayakan pemerkasaan
wanita memerlukan komitmen tinggi
daripada semua pihak berkepentingan.
Keperluan untuk membangunkan
kemahiran kepimpinan (wanita) adalah
harianekspres
ANTARA bahagian rumah yang
musnah dalam kebakaran itu.
Rumah terbakar
50 peratus di S’kan
Mardinah Jikur
SANDAKAN: Sebuah rumah dua tingkat
musnah kira-kira 50 peratus dalam
kebakaran di Taman Sejati, di sini, Sabtu.
Pusat Gerakan Operasi Jabatan Bomba
dan Penyelamat Sabah dalam kenyataan
berkata, kebakaran itu memusnahkan dua
bilik dan tandas di tingkat atas rumah
berkeluasan 18X40 kaki itu.
Katannya, jabatan itu menerima pang-
gilan kecemasan melalui talian MERS 999
kira-kira jam 6.03 petang dan segera
menghantar 17 anggota dari Balai Bomba
dan Penyelamat Sandakan bersama dua
jentera dan EMRS ke lokasi sejauh 9km
dari balai.
Operasi terkawal jam 6.23 petang,
sebelum tamat sepenuhnya jam 6.40
petang. Bagaimanapun, tiada kecederaan
dilaporkan dan punca kejadian masih
dalam siasatan.
– penderma dan penerima – menunjukkan
kualiti pemilikan yang sama terhadap
projek tertentu.
Beliau berkata ini akan segera
meningkatkan kemajuan sesuatu projek
dengan ia akan dijalankan dengan
berhati-hati dan berjimat cermat.
“Pada saya, ini pendekatan (betul). Ker-
ana apabila projek itu dilaksanakan oleh
NGO, kedua-dua penderma dan penerima
menuntut pemilikan terhadapnya. Mem-
punyai rasa pemilikan terhadap projek
atau program merupakan faktor terbesar
yang dilaksanakan dan diterima dengan
baik oleh penduduk tempatan di kawasan
luar bandar.
“Memandangkan wang itu dikumpul
oleh NGO dan kerja itu dilakukan oleh
orang kampung, mereka akan mempun-
yai pemilikan yang kuat terhadapnya dan
menyumbang kepada projek yang sedang
dijalankan serta menjaganya,” tambah-
nya.
Sementara itu, Rosie berkata beliau
bukan sahaja akan bekerja keras dalam
mengekalkan dan memelihara imej
berimpak yang diwariskan presiden ter-
dahulu RCKK tetapi juga untuk memas-
tikan projek-projek akan dilaksanakan
akan memberi manfaat lebih ramai rakyat
Sabah di daerah luar bandar.
Pada masa sama, beliau berkata projek
tambahan juga akan diperkenalkan oleh
kelab di bawah kepimpinan baharunya
untuk memastikan RCKK akan terus mem-
bantu komuniti dari pelbagai kawasan.
“Semasa saya mengambil alih tampuk
sebagai Presiden Kelab Rotary Kota Kina-
balu Pearl ke-9, tanggungjawab ini meru-
pakan satu penghormatan dan peringatan
mengenai komitmen saya untuk berkhid-
mat kepada komuniti kita, melibatkan
ahli, membina persahabatan dan men-
cipta perubahan yang berkekalan dalam
komuniti kita dan seterusnya,” katanya.
ditempatkan di lokasi seperti pusat beli-
belah, stesen pengangkutan awam, seko-
lah, tempat beribadat, pejabat kerajaan
dan sebagainya di Lembah Klang.
“Hari ini buat pertama kalinya kita
berikan tiga unit AED ditempatkan di
luar daripada kawasan Lembah Klang,
iaitu di negeri Kelantan, di Masjid Al-Fat-
tah, Pasar Siti Khadijah dan Kompleks
Belia dan Sukan Panji,” katanya. –
Bernama
penting terutamanya kemahiran teknik
dan komunikasi.
“Justeru itu, saya menyeru agar per-
spektif wanita sentiasa diambil kira
dalam penggubalan dasar dan perancan-
gan program bagi memastikan wanita
mendapat peluang yang adil dalam pem-
bangunan negara,” kata James.
Kursus kepimpinan anjuran AKWan di
bawah Majlis Penasihat Wanita Sabah
(MPWS) melalui Jabatan Hal Ehwal
Wanita Sabah itu bertujuan mem-
perkasakan wanita di semua peringkat
dari peringkat akar umbi hingga ke per-
ingkat atasan dan disertai 39 wanita.
“Besar harapan saya agar hadirin dari-
pada pelbagai sektor dan jawatan dapat
bertemu dan berkongsi ideologi dan
pandangan yang berbeza.
“Perkongsian yang berguna boleh
memberi impak besar dan berkesan.
Ilmu yang diperoleh dan dimanfaatkan
sebaiknya akan membolehkan seseorang
itu menjadi pemimpin yang berilmu dan
mampu membimbing organisasi ke arah
kecemerlangan dan integriti,” katanya.
Pengerusi MPWS Datuk Dr Tarsiah TZ
Taman turut hadir.
harianekspres S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3 Tempatan 3

KSTI yakin penglibatan pelajar

dalam STEM capai 40 peratus
Marutin Ansiung
TENOM: Kementerian Sains, Teknologi
dan Inovasi (KSTI) Sabah yakin
penglibatan pelajar dalam program Sains,

DLP berdepan kepupusan

Teknologi, Kejuruteraan dan Matematik
(STEM) akan meningkat kepada 40 pera-
tus pada penghujung 2025.
Setiausaha Tetap KSTI Datuk Zainudin
Aman berkata, tahun ini penglibatan pela-
jar yang membabitkan sekolah menengah
dan rendah di seluruh Sabah dalam pro- MENTERI Pendidikan perlu diingatkan Anehnya, ibu bapa diberitahu bahawa
gram STEM telah mencapai 27 peratus. tentang kepentingan Program Dwi Bahasa jika penguasaan BM anak mereka lemah,
“Insyallah pada penghujung tahun ini (DLP) pilihan dan bagaimana dan kenapa dia akan ditempatkan dalam kelas bukan
kita akan mencapai melebihi 30 peratus ia diwujudkan. Menteri dan Ketua Pen- DLP. Tetapi jika penguasaan BM kanak-
meskipun sebelum ini penglibatan pelajar garah datang dan pergi, tetapi ibu bapa kanak melebihi purata, dia akan dima-
agak rendah kerana mungkin disebabkan sentiasa ada. sukkan ke dalam kelas DLP. Risiko yang
PKP Covid-19,” katanya kepada pemberita Pada awal 2015, Majlis Ekonomi, yang dirasakan ialah jika penguasaan BM
selepas merasmikan Program STEM Fiesta dipengerusikan oleh perdana menteri kanak-kanak itu lemah pada usia enam
dan Karnival Inovasi Pendidikan PPD ketika itu, menuntut pendekatan radikal tahun, kemungkinan untuk gagal BM
Tenom Peringkat Negeri 2023 di Dewan ke arah meningkatkan penguasaan bahasa dalam SPM adalah tinggi. Ini benar-benar

ZAINUDIN (tiga dari kanan) bersama Dr. Mohd. Asran (dua

SJKC Chung Hwa di sini, Sabtu. Inggeris selepas melihat kesan membingungkan.

dari kanan) dan Zainal (empat dari kanan) menyaksikan

Zainudin berkata, program STEM yang
dilaksanakan di PPD Tenom ini meru-
pakan yang ke-11 dalam keseluruhan STEM
Fiesta yang diadakan tahun ini daripada
24 PPD yang diberikan peruntukan oleh
KSTI.
Katanya, pada tahun ini KSTI mem-
berikan peruntukan sebanyak RM250,000
untuk semua 24 PPD di seluruh negeri
mengajurkan program STEM Fiesta.
Beliau berkata, program ini merupakan
kolaborasi antara KSTI dan Jabatan Pen-
didikan Sabah Negeri Sabah (JPNS) untuk
menyemarakkan pembudayaan Sains,
Teknologi dan Inovasi dalam kalangan
masyarakat, guru dan pelajar dengan
harapan program ini seperti ini dapat
pameran hasil kerja pelajar yang mengikuti program STEM.
untuk menceburi bidang berkaitan sains.
“Hari ini dan pada masa akan datang
kita sangat bergantung kepada pelajar
untuk memperkasakan pembangunan
negeri, mahu tidak mahu kita perlu
menyediakan bakat-bakat muda yang
boleh menceburi bidang berkaitan STEM.
“Ini kerana 60 peratus faktor pemban-
gunan ekonomi dunia termasuk negara
kita bergantung kepada Sains, Teknologi
dan Inovasi,” katanya.
Sementara itu Ketua Penolong Pen-
garah Kanan Sektor Pembelajaran JPNS Dr.
itu menerima kerjasama baik daripada
KSTI dalam bidang STEM.
Katanya, ini merupakan satu permu-
laan yang sangat baik untuk mencapai
peningkatan penglibatan pelajar dalam
program STEM di sekolah.
Sehubungan ini, katanya, JPNS mene-
tapkan sasaran peningkatan sebanyak 5
peratus pada setiap tahun dalam tempoh
tiga tahun.
“Kita optimis dapat mencapai 40 pera-
tus dalam STEM di Sabah dengan adanya
kerjasama yang baik daripada KSTI dan
merosakkan ekoran penguasaan bahasa
Inggeris yang lemah terhadap peluang
belia untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan.
Makmal Inggeris ditubuhkan dan ham-
pir 100 pihak berkepentingan dipelawa
untuk mengambil bahagian dalam usaha
itu. Pegawai berpangkat tinggi daripada
Kementerian Pendidikan (KPM), jabatan
pendidikan negeri, pejabat pendidikan
daerah, dan pemain industri termasuk
Persekutuan Pekilang Malaysia, Perseku-
tuan Majikan Malaysia, British Council,
ketua kolej, profesor universiti, per-
tubuhan bukan kerajaan dan kumpulan
advokasi seperti PAGE terlibat secara ketat
selama empat minggu untuk meng-
hasilkan rancangan yang ringkas dan
Ibu bapa yang mahukan DLP untuk
anak mereka kini tidak dapat berbuat apa-
apa walaupun sudah berusaha keras ker-
ana pengetua dan pemimpin sekolah
menghalang mereka daripada mendap-
atkan bantuan luar. Menteri Pendidikan
dan kementeriannya gagal menjawab
kebimbangan dan rayuan mereka,
mungkin berharap mereka (ibu bapa)
akan letih dan berputus asa.
Kita juga difahamkan bahawa sekolah-
sekolah berasrama penuh di bawah KPM,
selain 11 sekolah perdana seperti Kolej
Melayu Kuala Kangsar dan Kolej Tunku
Kurshiah, mungkin mengalami nasib
sama.
Nampaknya terdapat percubaan jahat

PEDI bantu usahawan mikro berdaya saing dalam era digital

meningkatkan lagi semangat anak-anak
Clarence Dol
RANAU: Pusat Program Pemerkasaan Usa-
hawan Ekonomi Digital (PEDI) meru-
pakan inisiatif memperkasa usahawan
mikro merentasi platform digital yang
begitu penting khususnya pada zaman ini,
kata Ahli Parlimen Ranau, Datuk Jonathan
Yasin.
Katanya, melalui program usahawan
dibimbing melalui kuliah berkaitan pem-
bangunan keusahawanan digital bagi
memastikan usahawan lebih berdaya
maju dan berdaya saing dalam era digi-
tal.
“Ini termasuk bidang pengurusan
kewangan, pelesenan, strategi pemasaran
dan peluang mendapatkan geran. Ini
Mohd. Asran Haji Amisah berkata, jabatan
oleh usahawan selama ini, tetapi kali ini ia
dalam bentuk platform digital,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika meras-
mikan program PEDI yang dihadiri lebih
100 usahawan dari seluruh daerah di
Dewan Persatuan Hakka Daerah.
Jonathan mengucapkan terima kasih
kepada Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Mul-
timedia Malaysia (SKMM) Sabah kerana
memilih Ranau sebagai lokasi penganju-
ran program PEDI kali ini.
“Saya sangat berharap agar program
pada hari ini akan terus diadakan pada
masa hadapan, dan dapat melahirkan
lebih ramai usahawan yang berjaya dan
berinovasi dalam ekonomi digital khusus-
nya di Ranau.
agensi-agensi yang lain,” katanya.
impak positif dalam meningkatkan
pengetahuan perniagaan digital usa-
hawan serta mewujudkan ekosistem per-
niagaan yang kukuh dan berdaya saing,”
katanya.
Terdahulu, Pengarah SKMM Sabah
Izani Othman berkata program itu turut
dijayakan oleh agensi kerajaan dan swasta
seperti Pejabat Daerah Ranau, Fama, Tik-
tok Malaysia (Kedai Tiktok), Amanah
Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) dan Koperasi Per-
satuan PKS Digital Sabah (Perdiks).
“Bagi tahun ini, Ranau dipilih sebagai
lokasi pelaksanaan yang akan berlang-
sung selama tiga bulan bermula Ogos
hingga Oktober tahun ini dengan menge-
nal pasti usahawan yang akan dibimbing,”
boleh dilaksanakan.
Pada 11 Jun 2015, Ketua Pengarah Pen-
didikan ketika itu mengumumkan DLP
kepada orang ramai, dengan tepat menye-
butnya sebagai “saat penting” dalam
sejarah KPM. Jelas dinyatakan sekolah yang
melaksanakan DLP mendapat kebenaran
bertulis daripada ibu bapa, mempunyai
sumber yang mencukupi dan guru telah
bersedia. Tiada sebarang keperluan untuk
Bahasa Melayu (BM).
Kita mengetahui bahawa pengetua
diminta untuk menukar kelas DLP semala-
man sedia ada kepada bukan DLP hanya
beberapa minggu selepas penggal baharu,
mengganggu kesihatan mental pelajar
dan ketenangan fikiran ibu bapa.
Ibu bapa kanak-kanak di sekolah terje-
jas terpaksa menerima kelas bukan DLP
manakala murid tertakluk kepada penila-
ian BM, jika ada, untuk menentukan sama
ada mereka sesuai untuk DLP atau seba-
liknya.
oleh tangan ghaib untuk mengurangkan
bilangan kelas DLP.
Ini bukan warisan yang ingin diting-
galkan oleh sesiapa pun. Sebaliknya, KPM
harus membangunkan DLP dengan lebih
lanjut, selaras dengan aspirasi kerajaan
untuk memastikan tenaga kerja bersedia
untuk peluang pekerjaan yangbernilai
tinggi dan berkemahiran pada masa hada-
pan.
Kami menggesa perdana menteri untuk
campur tangan bagi memastikan DLP
diberi sokongan penuh yang sepatutnya.
Mansuhkan keperluan BM, yang ditambah
pada saat-saat akhir untuk menenangkan
nasionalis bahasa, secara automatik men-
gurangkan separuh bilangan sekolah yang
boleh memilih untuk melakukan program
DLP. Ini bukan permainan jumlah sifar.
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
Pengerusi PAGE (Kumpulan Tindakan
Ibu Bapa Untuk Pendidikan) Malaysia

1,500 wanita jadi mangsa kanser pangkal rahim setiap tahun

adalah aspek penting yang diperlukan “Saya juga berharap ini akan memberi katanya lagi.

Kunjungan hormat
Noor Zafira Zayn
KOTA KINABALU: Seramai 1,500 wanita di
Malaysia setiap tahun disahkan menjadi
mangsa penyakit kanser pangkal rahim.
Kanser pangkal rahim juga dinyatakan
sebagai kanser kedua yang paling kerap
menyerang kaum wanita, khasnya selepas
kanser payudara.
“Ini adalah satu kebimbangan dan
ketakutan  yang mana daripada jumlah
ini, sebanyak enam peratus daripadanya
tidak dapat diselamatkan, meninggal
dunia kerana kanser pangkal rahim,” kata
Setiausaha Politik kepada Ketua Menteri,
Datuk Redonah Bahanda.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam teks
ucapan yang disampaikan oleh wakil,
Ketua Wanita Gagasan Rakyat Sabah DUN
Likas, Halijah Din semasa Majlis Peras-
mian Projek Pendidikan Kesihatan Pap
Smear Selamatkan Wanita di sini, Sabtu.
Menurut beliau, kanser pangkal rahim
yang menyerang kaum wanita tidak men-
gira usia dan risiko lebih tinggi adalah
kepada mereka yang mengamalkan gaya
hidup bebas dan seks rambang.
HALIJAH (kanan) memotong riben sebagai simbolik perasmian.
KETUA Wanita Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) Noraiza Datuk Seri Mohammad Noor “Penting untuk kita semua mengambil
Mansoor (lima dari kiri) menyampaikan cenderahati kepada Yang Dipertua langkah pencegahan kanser pangkal
Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin (empat dari kanan) semasa kunjungan hor- rahim, dan caranya adalah dengan masalah kesihatan diri dan mengambil hatan dan membuat ujian khas untuk
mat di Istana Seri Kinabalu, baru-baru ini. melakukan pemeriksaan pangkal rahim, tindakan yang sesuai bagi mencegah dari- mengesannya.
Beliau mengetuai delegasi tujuh orang termasuk ahli Majlis Tertinggi atau lebih dikenali sebagai ujian pap pada masalah yang lebih serius. “Saya berharap semoga semua wanita
merangkap Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perhubungan Kawasan (CLC) Elopura smear. “Saya ingin semua kaum hawa, semua dapat mengambil langkah bijak untuk
Jimmy Yong Vui Min, Timbalan Ketua Wanita SAPP Zon Sandakan Putli Ariba “Ini adalah pendekatan terbaik untuk antara kita tidak kira warga emas atau kekal sihat dan cegah kanser dalam
Datu Haji Tahir @ Dayang Zubaida dan ahli jawatankuasanya, antara lain. kita mengetahui tahap kesihatan pangkal anak muda, ayuh kita sama-sama pan- komuniti kita.
Noraiza memberi taklimat kepada Tun Juhar mengenai komitmen parti itu rahim kita dan sebagai benteng pertama dang serius perkara berkaitan kanser “Kepada kaum Adam, sokong dan
bagi membantu golongan kurang berkemampuan termasuk golongan berkeper- kita dalam usaha mencegah kanser ini. yang sering menyerang kita kaum dukunglah kaum Hawa untuk membuat
luan khas (OKU) di Sabah yang mana SAPP Zon Sandakan telah menjalankan “Dengan kaedah ini, sel dalam pangkal wanita. pemeriksaan dan menjalani ujian pap
kerja-kerja amal di sembilan persatuan OKU dan warga emas yang dikendalikan rahim yang berbentuk atau berpotensi “Kanser pangkal rahim, kanser payu- smear kerana kemudahan yang disedi-
oleh Putli Ariba Datu Haji Tahir @ Dayang Zubaida yang juga Ketua Wanita menjadi kanser akan dikesan dan insyaAl- dara dan banyak lagi penyakit lain dan akan oleh kerajaan kita, khasnya
SAPP Elopura. lah, pastinya langkah seterusnya yang kerana itu, kita sebagai kaum wanita Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia sudah
Katanya, parti itu mempunyai pasukan amal sendiri yang berdedikasi dan wajar untuk dilakukan akan disarankan amat digalakkan untuk sentiasa peka dan ada.
fokus untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan dan mata pencarian rakyat teruta- oleh doktor atau jururawat yang men- mengambil serius keperluan untuk men- “Gunakan peluang dan kemudahan
manya dalam aspek pendidikan, kesihatan, sosial dan sosioekonomi. jalankan pemeriksaan kepada kita,” jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan secara yang tersedua untuk mendapatkan
Noraiza berkata pasukan itu lebih bersedia untuk bekerjasama dengan katanya lagi. berkala khasnya yang melibatkan kanser pemeriksaan di klinik-klinik berdekatan
Yayasan Nur Jauhar untuk sebarang program kebajikan dan amal yang akan Tambah beliau lagi, golongan wanita yang sering menyerang wanita. kawasan kita semua,” katanya lagi.

Stor ekshibit IPD Sepang dipecah masuk

memberi manfaat kepada rakyat Sabah.
PUTRAJAYA: Polis mengesahkan stor
ekshibit Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD)
Sepang dekat sini dipecah masuk pada
Jumaat lepas yang mengakibatkan sejum-
lah barang berkaitan kes narkotik dila-
porkan hilang.
Ketua Polis Selangor Datuk Hussein
Omar Khan yang mengesahkan perkara
itu ketika dihubungi Bernama hari ini
berkata setakat ini belum ada sebarang
penahanan terhadap individu berkaitan
kes itu.
“Masih dalam siasatan pihak polis dan
kita perlu mengesahkan banyak perkara
terlebih dahulu,” katanya.
Beliau berkata kes disiasat mengikut
Seksyen 457 Kanun Keseksaan kerana
pecah masuk.
Terdahulu, tular satu laporan polis
yang mendakwa stor ekshibit berkenaan
dari usia remaja hingga warga emas perlu
sentiasa mengetahui dan sedar akan
mempunyai kesan geledah dan mengaki-
batkan barang kes yang sedang dalam
tindakan pelupusan serta sebuah beg
berisi komputer peribadi yang berfungsi
untuk mengemas kini data barang kes
turut hilang.
Laporan itu antara lain menyebut
pemeriksaan turut mendapati kamera
litar tertutup (CCTV) di lokasi didapati di-
rosakkan dan tidak berfungsi. – Bernama
“Kita ambil langkah awal, jalani
pemeriksaan pap smear dan tingkatkan
kualiti hidup serta kesihatan kita kerana
kita adalah tunggak kepada kesejahter-
aan keluarga dan komuniti masyarakat,”
tambahnya.
Dalam pada itu, beliau juga memberi-
tahu bahawa ujian pap smear secara
berkala perlu dilakukan selama tiga
tahun berturut-turut, setahun sekali.
“Jika keputusan kita negatif, alham-
dulillah, kita ulang kembali ujian pap
smear pada tiga tahun akan datang.
“Kanser adalah pembunuh dalam
diam dan kita kadang kala tidak sedar
akan kewujudan sel kanser dalam badan
tanpa kita menjalani pemeriksaan kesi-
Program yang berlangsung selama
sehari itu merupakan anjuran bersama
pelatih jururawat kesihatan awam ambi-
lan Mac 2023, Klinik Kesihatan Likas,
Klinik Kesihatan Luyang, KKIA Pekan dan
Panel Penasihat Klinik Kesihatan Likas.
Antara pengisian aktiviti sepanjang
program berlangsung adalah acara jalan
kaki 10 ribu langkah, ujian saringan kesi-
hatan, pemeriksaan HPV DNA, pemerik-
saan payudara, pemeriksaan gigi,
program derma darah, cabutan tiket
bertuah, pertandingan mewarna bagi
kanak-kanak dan pameran kesihatan.
Turut berlangsung adalah ceramah
kesihatan berkenaan pap smear dan
kanser serviks.
 4 Tempatan
NETR tepati hasrat Beaufort
sebagai ‘daerah solar’: Ruslan
Iskandar Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU:
Pembantu Menteri
kepada Ketua Menteri,
Datuk Ruslan
Muharam (gambar)
menyambut baik
usaha kerajaan
persekutuan untuk
melaksanakan Pelan Hala Tuju Peralihan
Tenaga Negara (NTER).
Beliau berkata, inisiatif fasa pertama
yang dilancarkan baru-baru ini meli-
batkan penggunaan aktif tenaga solar itu
dilihat dapat mengurangkan kebergan-
tungan seluruh negara terhadap tenaga
elektrik sedia ada.
“Dalam konteks Sabah, NETR menepati
keperluan rakyat khususnya penduduk di
Tiada rakyat M’sia terlibat letupan
gudang mercun di Narathiwat
KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Luar
melalui Konsulat Jeneral Malaysia di
Songkhla mengesahkan tiada rakyat
Malaysia setakat ini dilaporkan terlibat
dalam insiden letupan gudang mercun
di Mukim Mundok, Daerah Sungai
Golok, Wilayah Narathiwat, Thailand,
Sabtu.
Kementerian Luar dalam kenyataan
pada Sabtu malam memaklumkan
berdasarkan laporan awal, letupan itu
berlaku di gudang penyimpanan bunga
api dan mercun yang telah menye-
babkan sembilan kematian dan 114
orang mengalami kecederaan.
“Konsulat Jeneral Malaysia di
Songkhla sedang berhubung rapat den-
gan pihak berkuasa tempatan untuk
mendapatkan perkembangan terkini
mengenai insiden tersebut. Rakyat
Malaysia yang memerlukan sebarang
bantuan konsular boleh menghubungi
Konsulat Jeneral Malaysia di Songkhla
di talian +6674311062 atau
+66936570707 (untuk kecemasan) atau
melalui e-mel mwsongkhla@
kln.gov.my dan sebarang perkemban-
gan terkini mengenai insiden ini akan
dimaklumkan dari semasa ke semasa,”
menurut kenyataan itu.
Terdahulu Gabenor Narathiwat
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
kawasan luar bandar kerana melaluinya
kita dapat mengatasi masalah bekalan
elektrik serta isu berkaitan.
“Dengan penggunaan meluas teruta-
manya sistem solar di kediaman-kedia-
man penduduk, ia sudah tentu dapat
membantu mereka, sekaligus
meningkatkan pembangunan serta sosio-
ekonomi masyarakat,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui
selepas merasmikan Debaran Bintang
Kecil Sabah 2023 di Lobi Kompleks
Bersepadu Kementerian Komunikasi dan
Digital (KKD) Kota Kinabalu, di sini, Sabtu.
NETR Fasa Pertama dilancarkan
Khamis, baru-baru ini oleh Menteri
Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli yang mana antara
fokus utama adalah penggunaan lebih
banyak tenaga hijau diperbaharui.
Sanan Pongaksorn dilaporkan berkata
letupan pada 3.30 petang (waktu tem-
patan) itu berlaku di Pasar Mundok,
destinasi beli-belah popular bagi rakyat
Malaysia. – Bernama
Sektor pertanian Sabah boleh diperkasa menerusi kerjasama dengan persatuan: James
Clarence Dol
TENOM: Sektor pertanian di negeri ini
boleh diperkasakan menerusi kerjasama
persatuan pertanian seperti Persatuan
Penanam Durian dan Buah-buahan
Tropika Sabah (MaSDa) untuk tanaman
lebih berkualiti di pasaran dalam dan luar
negara.
Menteri Pembangunan Masyarakat dan
Kesejahteraan Rakyat Sabah, Datuk James
Ratib berkata, persatuan itu dianggotai
individu-individu yang berjaya dalam
bidang pertanian dan mampu menyum-
bang idea ke arah memperkasakan lagi
bidang pertanian di negeri ini.
“Berdasarkan pengalaman saya sebagai
pembantu menteri Pertanian dan
Perikanan negeri sebelum ini, saya menyak-
sikan beberapa projek pertanian yang
dirangka jabatan itu menunjukkan hasil
kurang memuaskan.
“Justeru itu, saya yakin kepakaran ahli
MaSDa dapat menyumbang kepada pelba-
Lima projek berimpak tinggi akan
dibangunkan di bawah NETR Fasa Satu
termasuk Pembangunan SolarTerapung
Hidro Hibrid di empangan Hidro Tenaga
Nasional Berhad (TNB).
Salah satu program itu turut memas-
tikan pemasangan lebih banyak panel
solar di seluruh negara terutamanya di
kediaman penduduk.
Mengulas lanjut, Ruslan yang juga
wakil rakyat Lumadan berkata, NETR juga
selari dengan perancangan beliau untuk
menjadikan Beaufort sebagai ‘Daerah
Solar’ yang pertama di Malaysia.
Menurutnya, inisiatif di bawah pro-
gram ‘Lumadan Sejahtera’ itu kini sedang
diusahakan menerusi perundingan ter-
masuk kerjasama dengan beberapa pihak
supaya ia dapat direalisasikan.
“Saya akui, usaha ini satu perubahan
besar namun tidak mustahil dilaksanakan
dan buat permulaan ia akan dibuat di per-
ingkat kampung di kawasan Lumadan
sebelum beralih kepada agenda ‘Daerah
Solar’.
Saya ingin menjadikan Beaufort seba-
gai ‘Daerah Solar’ sebagaimana yang telah
dilaksanakan di Bandar Geermu, China
yang menggunakan sepenuhnya sistem
tenaga hijau solar,” tegasnya.
gai teknik pertanian yang lebih berkualiti,”
katanya.
James, yang juga ahli seumur hidup
MaSDa menjelaskan, ahli persatuan itu
menunjukkan kejayaan membanggakan
khususnya dalam penanaman buah-bua-
han tempatan seperti durian dan avocado.
James berkata beliau akan mencadan-
gkan kepada menteri yang menjaga sektor
pertanian agar MaSDa dijadikan sebagai
perantara untuk membantu petani dan
mengembangkan ilmu pertanian yang
mampu menghasilkan produk buah-bua-
han lebih berkualiti.
“Kepakaran ahli persatuan boleh digu-
nakan oleh Jabatan Pertanian untuk men-
jalankan kursus dan latihan amali
pertanian. Dalam masa sama, kerajaan
boleh membuat penjimatan kewangan
kerana setiap kursus yang berjaya tidak
memerlukan kos tinggi kerana ahli persat-
uan mempunyai kawasan ladang sendiri
untuk menjalani latihan amali,” katanya.
harianekspres
‘Rumah Mesra bantu golongan
miskin miliki kediaman sendiri’
Ibrahim Tabir
KUNAK: Pembinaan Rumah
Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ)
memberi manfaat kepada
penerima khususnya golon-
gan miskin dan miskin tegar
yang tidak mampu memiliki
rumah sendiri.
Pemimpin Pembangunan
Masyarakat (PPM) Kunak,
Hussin Mohd Rais berkata,
sebelum ini 20 buah rumah
SMJ dicadangkan untuk dib-
ina sejak awal tahun ini den-
gan, masing-masing, 12
dikemukakan oleh Unit
Pemimpin Pembangunan
Masyarakat (UPPM) dan lapan
lagi oleh Pejabat Daerah. HUSSIN bersama kakitangan Unit UPPM
meninjau Rumah Mesra SMJ di Kg Kadazan.
“Ketika ini, masih terdapat
beberapa Rumah Mesra SMJ dalam pembi- lawatan lapangan bagi mengenalpasti
naan sementara yang lain telahpun siap rakyat yang memerlukan bantuan rumah.
dibina dan diduduki oleh penerima,” “Pembinaan Rumah Mesra SMJ sejajar
katanya kepada Daily Express selepas dengan inisiatif halatuju Sabah Maju Jaya
meninjau sebuah rumah SMJ di Kg bagi membantu golongan miskin yang
Kadazan yang sudah didiami oleh pener- memerlukan rumah sempurna,” katanya.
ima. Sementara itu, seorang penerima
Hussin berkata, antara rumah SMJ yang rumah SMJ di Kg.Kadazan, Maduali Saini
sedang dan akan dibina termasuk di Kg berkata, beliau menghargai komitmen
Lormalong, Kg Getah, Kg Mostyn Lama, Kg dan sokongan daripada Unit UPPM Kunak
Pangi, Kg Kunak Jaya dan Kg Kadazan. yang meninjau keadaan rumahnya pada
“Sebahagian yang telah dibina meru- Oktober tahun lalu dan seterusnya melu-
pakan apa yang kami (UPPM) cadangkan luskan permohonannya untuk mendapat
sebelum ini hasil daripada kajian dan bantuan itu.
James yang juga Adun Sugut berkata Masyarakat dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat
demikian ketika merasmikan Mesyuarat melalui Jabatan Hal Ehwal Wanita Sabah
Agung ke-4 MaSDa di Naluyan Jungle (Jhewa) dan Majlis Perkhidmatan
Lodge, di sini, Sabtu. Masyarakat Sabah (MPMS) juga akan men-
Dalam pada itu, beliau turut berharap ganjurkan beberapa kursus berkaitan per-
Kementerian Pertanian mengambil beber- tanian dan ahli MaSDa akan dilantik
apa ahli persatuan itu untuk dilantik seba- sebagai fasilitator dalam program itu kelak.
gai Penasihat Pertanian Negeri Sabah “Kedua-dua agensi itu akan menam-
khususnya bagi melaksanakan projek per- pung kos penganjuran kursus itu supaya
tanian yang dirangka kerajaan. lebih ramai rakyat Sabah mendapat ilmu
Jelasnya, beberapa kegagalan projek pertanian yang boleh meningkatkan
pertanian sebelum ini boleh diatasi dengan ekonomi diri dan keluarga pada masa
mengambil individu yang benar-benar ter- hadapan,” tambahnya.
bukti berjaya dalam bidang pertanian MaSDa ketika ini mempunyai sebanyak
sebagai salah satu panel penasihat. 141 ahli yang terdiri daripada pengusaha
“Sudah tiba masanya ahli MaSDa meny- ladang buah-buahan yang berjaya meng-
ertai majlis penasihat pertanian dan pada hasilkan pelbagai produk termasuk durian
masa sama bertindak sebagai perantara dan avocado berkualiti tinggi dari beber-
untuk memajukan projek pertanian yang apa daerah di Sabah.
dirancang oleh kerajaan. Mereka telah Turut hadir, Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap
mencapai kejayaan dan dalam bidang per- Kementerian Pembangunan Masyarakat
tanian yang mereka jalankan,” katanya. dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat Walter Kenson
Katanya, Kementerian Pembangunan dan Pengerusi MaSDa Duan Evans.

Pegawai Imigresen di Bali bersuhabat dengan penjual organ

JAKARTA: Tiga pegawai Imigresen di Bali
ditahan kerana didakwa terbabit sindiket
pemerdagangan organ haram dengan
membawa puluhan mangsa ke Kemboja
untuk menjual buah pinggang mereka,
kata polis Indonesia pada Sabtu.
Penahanan dibuat selepas pihak
berkuasa menumpaskan sindiket itu apa-
bila menangkap 12 ahlinya, termasuk seo-
rang pegawai polis dan seorang pegawai
Imigresen dikenali AH minggu lalu, diper-
cayai menyeludup 122 mangsa.
Ketiga-tiga pegawai Imigresen itu
didakwa bekerjasama dengan AH, yang
dikatakan menerima rasuah untuk mem-
bolehkan mangsa sindiket melalui
pemeriksaan Imigresen dengan mudah,
sebelum ke Kemboja bagi pembedahan
buah pinggang.
Pengarah Polis Jakarta Jenayah Am,
Hengki Haryadi, berkata pegawai terbabit
dibawa ke Jakarta tengah hari Sabtu dan
akan berada di bawah tahanan polis
Jakarta.
“Sekurang-kurangnya 18 mangsa pen-
derma buah pinggang meninggalkan Bali
untuk ke Kemboja antara Mac dan Jun
lalu,” katanya.
Pihak berkuasa percaya ada ramai lagi
mangsa dan mengalukan-alukan supaya
mereka tampil untuk memberi maklumat.
Beberapa ahli sindiket ialah bekas pen-
derma yang menjadi perekrut mangsa
dengan menggunakan Facebook dan
WhatsApp untuk memikat serta mem-
perdagang mangsa. Sindiket pemerdagan-
gan organ itu beroperasi sejak 2019 dan
mendapat 24.4 bilion rupiah
(AS$1,588,614) secara keseluruhan, kata
Haryadi kepada wartawan minggu lalu.
Penjenayah terbabit menerima 200
juta rupiah untuk setiap buah pinggang
dan mengambil 65 juta rupiah sebagai
untung, manakala bakinya diberi kepada
mangsa. Pembedahan organ dibuat di
Hospital Preah Ket Mealea di ibu negara
Kemboja iaitu Phnom Penh, kata polis. –
AFP

KEADAAN di tempat kejadian di mana kereta api

merempuh sebuah van di Jombang, Jawa Timur.
KPK serah kes rasuah pegawai tinggi tentera kepada TNI
JAKARTA: Suruhanjaya Pembasmian “Semasa pendengaran kes yang Sejati Marilya, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
Rasuah (KPK), pada Sabtu mengesahkan dihadiri penyiasat KPK, pendakwa raya, Intertekno Grafika Sejati dan Roni Aidil,

6 maut tren ia menyerahkan kes rasuah terhadap dua

pegawai tinggi tentera yang ditugaskan di
Badan Mencari dan Menyelamat Nasional
(Basarnas) kepada Tentera Indonesia
(TNI).
ketua (KPK), dan penyiasat dari Polis Ten-
tera, tiada siapa yang membuat bantahan
apabila kami menamakan lima suspek,”
kata Alexander.
Sementara itu, tiga ahli perniagaan
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kindah Abadi
Utama.
Penahanan itu menimbulkan kontro-
versi selepas pegawai dari Polis Tentera
melawat KPK untuk mendapatkan penje-

langgar van
Naib Ketua Basarnas Marshal Udara
Henri Alfiandi dan orang bawahannya
Leu. Kol Afri Budi Cahyanto ditahan pada
Rabu kerana didakwa menerima rasuah
berbilion rupiah daripada ahli pernia-
yang ditahan kerana didakwa memberi
rasuah kepada Henri dan Afri akan
didakwa oleh KPK. Identiti mereka
didedahkan sebagai Mulsunadi Gunawan,
ketua pesuruhjaya Multi Grafika Cipta
lasan pada Jumaat, diikuti tidak lama
kemudian, seorang lagi timbalan
pengerusi KPK, Johanis Tanak, yang
menawarkan permohonan maaf kepada
Tentera Indonesia. –Agensi

di Jawa Barat
JAKARTA: Enam maut manakala dua lagi
cedera apabila sebuah kereta api merem-
puh sebuah van di Jombang, Jawa Timur
pada Sabtu.
Polis Jombang dalam satu kenyataan
berkata mangsa yang maut di tempat keja-
dian itu terdiri daripada penumpang van.
Dua lagi penumpang van parah dan
dikejarkan ke hospital tempatan.
Kemalangan berlaku kira-kira 11.15
malam waktu tempatan apabila van itu
memandu melalui lintasan kereta api
tanpa penghadang, di kampung Jabon di
Kilometer 85 antara Stesen Jombang-Sem-
bung. Siasatan awal menunjukkan
pemandu van itu tidak mengendahkan
amaran pengguna jalan raya lain, yang
berulang kali meminta pemandu itu
berhenti. Kereta api yang dikendalikan PT
Kereta Commuter Indonesia itu kemudian
melanggar dan mengheret kereta itu
sejauh kira-kira 100 meter
Tiada penumpang kereta api cedera
dalam kemalangan itu, dan perkhidmatan
kereta api beroperasi semula pada 11.25
malam. – Bernama
gaan yang memenangi projek mem-
bekalkan alat pengesan nyawa, peralatan
menyelam keselamatan, dan peralatan
mencari dan menyelamat (SAR) lain
untuk agensi itu.
Timbalan Pengerusi KPK Alexander
Marwata berkata suruhanjaya itu tidak
mengeluarkan dokumen siasatan jenayah
untuk kedua-dua pegawai itu, tetapi TNI
akan berbuat demikian berdasarkan lapo-
ran rasmi KPK mengenai dakwaan rasuah
itu.
Alexander berkata pegawai dari Polis
Tentera terlibat dalam siasatan awal, dan
tiada seorang pun daripada mereka mem-
bangkitkan bantahan terhadap pena-
maan Henri, Afri, dan tiga individu lain
sebagai suspek rasuah.
74 titik panas kebakaran hutan
dikesan di Kalimantan Timur
BALIKPAPAN: Badan Meteorologi, Klima-
tologi dan Geofizik (BMKG) Indonesia
mengesan sebanyak 74 titik panas
kebakaran hutan di beberapa kawasan
wilayah Kalimantan Timur, Khamis lalu,
ketika musim kering yang berpanjangan
melanda.
Penyelaras Data dan Maklumat di
Pejabat Sepinggan BMKG, Diyan Novrida
semalam memaklumkan lima titik panas
itu dikesan di daerah Paser, Penajam
Paser Utara (tiga), Kutai Barat (satu),
dan bakar’.
Katanya, agensi itu pada Rabu lalu
juga mengesan 50 titik panas di enam
daerah di Kalimantan Timur tetapi api
sudah dipadamkan, manakala 74 titik
panas dikesan Khamis lalu pada koordi-
nat berbeza.
Sebelum ini, agensi berita Antara
melaporkan BMKG mengunjurkan
musim kering tahun ini akan mengikut
corak sama seperti yang berlaku pada
2019.

Indonesia gesa tubuh hab penyelidikan Asean
JAKARTA: Kerajaan Indonesia melalui goptimumkan sepenuhnya potensi mobil-
Agensi Penyelidikan dan Inovasi Nasional iti rantau ini. Dengan memiliki hab
(BRIN), menggesa supaya ditubuhkan sendiri, katanya, Asean boleh muncul seba-
sebuah hab penyelidikan yang menem- gai pesaing negara Eropah, Amerika dan
patkan tenaga pakar itu dari negara Australia yang sudah dikenali secara
anggota Asean. meluas sebagai peneraju sains di dunia.
Ketua Pertubuhan Sains Kemanusiaan Beliau juga optimis bahawa hab
dan Sosial BRIN, Ahmad Najib Burhani, seumpama itu dapat membantu Asean
berkata penubuhan hab penyelidikan menjadi pusat industri dan sains, sekali
boleh mempertingkat hubungan baik gus meningkatkan keupayaannya
sesama negara di Asia Tenggara dan men- menyumbang kepada dunia sains.
“Kedekatan (antara negara Asean)
boleh menjadikan rantau Asia Tenggara
kuasa baharu dunia dalam bidang sains,
ekonomi dan lain-lain,” katanya dalam
satu kenyataan.
Asean yang sedang dipengerusikan
Indonesia, mempunyai potensi biodiversiti
kaya yang boleh dioptimumkan jika
negara anggota secara kolektif memban-
gun dan menjalankan penyelidikan ter-
hadap potensi berkenaan. – Agensi
Kutai Timur (21), Kutai Kartanegara (15),
Berau (tujuh) dan Mahakam Ulu (22).
Novrida berkata, perkara itu sudah
dikongsikan dengan pihak berkuasa
berkaitan, termasuk agensi mitigasi ben-
cana serantau, lapor antaranews.com.
Beliau berkata, BMKG turut merayu
penduduk supaya menyokong usaha
kerajaan untuk mencegah kebakaran
tanah dan hutan, dengan tidak mem-
buang puntung rokok sewenang-
wenangnya serta mengelakkan
penggunaan kaedah pertanian ‘tebang
Sebanyak 28 peratus wilayah di
Indonesia, termasuk 194 zon bermusim
(ZOM) yang ditentukan BMKG, dijangka
mengalami musim kering mulai Jun
tahun ini.
Pengarah BMKG, Dwikorita Kar-
nawati, berkata fenomena El Nino yang
semakin kuat berikutan fasa positif
Dipole Lautan Hindi (IOD) (perbezaan
suhu permukaan laut antara dua
kawasan), boleh mencetuskan kemarau
pada musim kering di Indonesia. –
Agensi
harianekspres S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3 Tempatan 5

SERAMAI 60 peserta menyertai khatam Al-Quran beramai-ramai sempena Program Jelajah Dakwah PERLAWANAN persahabatan bola sepak antara pasukan NABT Tawau dan SDKMIX Sandakan berlangsung
di Padang Sintetik Kompleks Sukan Sandakan pada Sabtu lalu.
Mahabbah Kasih anjuran bersama Pertubuhan Abata Sabah dan Pemuda Umno Bahagian Sandakan di Pulau
Perlawanan sempena kunjungan pasukan NABT Tawau ke Sandakan itu antara lain bertujuan untuk
Berhala, di Sandakan, baru-baru ini.
mengeratkan lagi hubungan silaturrahim dan menaikkan semangat dalam bidang sukan khususnya bola sepak.
Hadir sama Naib Ketua Umno Sandakan, Syed Khamarul Razak Habib Hamid (duduk, ketiga dari kanan), Keputusan perlawanan menyaksikan SDKMIX menang dengan keputusan 2-1. – Mardinah Jikur
Pengerusi dan Pengasas Pertubuhan Abata Sabah, Mohd Isah Atom (duduk, ketiga dari kiri) dan Ketua
Kampung Pulau Berhala Junior Jikirin (duduk, tengah). – Mardinah Jikur PARA peserta ketika
mengikuti Kursus
P e n g u r u s a n
Jenazah anjuran
Masjid Nurul Aman,
Taman Aman Jaya,
baru-baru ini.
Kursus tersebut,
yang dirasmikan
oleh Pemimpin
Pembangunan
M a s y a r a k a t
Segama, Mizma
Appehdullah,
dianjurkan dengan
objektif memberi
ilmu pengurusan
jenazah kepada
masyarakat. –
Azmie Lim

SEKOLAH Kebangsaan Buang Sayang Papar dinobatkan sebagai johan Anugerah Pusat Sumber Sekolah
Peringkat Kebangsaan Kategori Sekolah Rendah sempena Majlis DUTA (Digital Utilisation Technology Awards)
2022 yang berlangsung di Auditorium Bahagian Sumber dan Teknologi Pendidikan, Persiaran Bukit Kiara, WP
Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.
Hadiah kemenangan berupa piala dan wang tunai itu diterima oleh Guru Besar, Basnih Bin Maidin dan Guru
Pusat Sumber, Dayang Norlela Hj.Ali Omar.

SERAMAI 25 Ahli Jawatankuasa Masjid Nurhidayah Kg.Palu-Palu telah membuat lawatan ke Masjid Haji
Hashim Sipitang baru-baru ini.
Rombongan dari Masjid Nurhidayah Kg.Palu-Palu, yang diketuai oleh Pengerusinya Haji Mardan Dahlan
adalah Lawatan Penanda Aras dan untuk mengeratkan silaturahim antara kedua AJK Masjid tersebut.
Semasa lawatan itu, rombongan AJK Masjid Nurhidayah Kg.Palu-Palu telah disambut oleh Pengerusi Masjid
Haji Hashim Sipitang, Abdullah Hj.Ag.Adi serta AJK yang lain.
Kelihatan dalam gambar AJK Masjid Nurhidayah Kg.Palu-Palu dan AJK Masjid Haji Hashim Sipitang
merakamkan gambar kenangan semasa lawatan tersebut. – Khamis Ahmad
SERAMAI hampir 540 pelajar dari Sekolah Menengah Padang Berampah (SMPB), Sipitang mengikuti ceramah
keselamatan kebakaran anjuran Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat (JBPM) Sipitang, baru-baru ini.
Menurut Guru Penolong Kanan Kokurikulum Kertinci Selutan, selain pelajar, turut menyertai program
tersebut ialah warga pendidik serta staf sokongan sekolah berkenaan.
Manakala pihak JBPM Sipitang memberitahu, ceramah itu memberi pengetahuan dan pendedahan kepada
warga sekolah tentang bahaya kebakaran, cara menyelamatkan diri ketika kebakaran serta pendedahan
pencegahan kebakaran.
Seramai tiga anggota dari JBPM Sipitang dan lima guru Kadet Bomba dan Penyelamat SMPB membantu
mengendalikan ceramah itu. – Jinius Pandakin

SERAMAI 32 orang menyertai Program Usrah Wanita bertajuk “Hijrahkan Solatmu” yang dianjurkan oleh
Wanita Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) Sandakan yang diadakan di kediaman salah seorang pengusaha
bidang kecantikan di Sandakan, Sahrah Asor, baru-baru ini.
Program itu diadakan antara lain bertujuan memberi kefahaman yang jelas kepada muslimah tentang
tatacara menunaikan solat dengan lebih sempurna dan khusyuk oleh penceramah muslimah yang dijemput
ke majlis itu.

AHLI jawatankuasa (AJK) Karnival Jubli Perak SMK Kunak Jaya (SMKKJ) bergambar bersama pengetua
sekolah itu pada majlis penutupan program yang diadakan di Padang SMK Kunak Jaya pada Ahad lalu.
Program selama tiga hari bermula 21 Julai lepas diadakan bersempena ulangtahun ke-25 penubuhan sekolah
berkenaan. – Ibrahim Tabir

SERAMAI kira-kira 100

jemaah menghadiri kuliah
maghrib khas yang diadakan
di ruang Masjid Nurhidayah
Kg.Palu-Palu, Kuala Penyu,
baru-baru ini.
Kuliah maghrib khas
anjuran bersama AJK Masjid
Nurhidayah Kg.Palu-Palu,
J a w a t a n k u a s a
Pembangunan Keselamatan
Kampung (JPKK) dan
Komuniti Rukun Tetangga
(KRT) itu telah mengundang
Timbalan yang Dipertua PEMBANTU Menteri Kepada Ketua Menteri, Datuk Ruslan Muharam menyampaikan anugerah Tokoh Maal
Muis, Al Fadhil Ustaz Malai Hijrah kepada Komander Maritim, Ahmad Firdaus Shaari pada Sambutan Maal Hijrah anjuran Yayasan Dakwah
Ali Malai Ahmad. – Khamis Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) dengan kerjasama Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM), di Masjid
Ahmad Bandaraya, Kota Kinabalu pada Sabtu lalu. – Iskandar Dzulkifli
 6 Hiburan
Mohamad Alif, Fateeha peserta terbaik
Pertandingan Akhir Bintang Kecil Peringkat Zon Sabah 2023
P
ELAJAR Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK)
Randagong Ranau, Mohamad Alif
Ikmal Danial Azawan dan Fateeha
Nasleen Suhailin dari SK Luagan,
Keningau muncul sebagai peserta terbaik
Pertandingan Akhir Bintang Kecil
Peringkat Zon Sabah 2023.
Danial, 12, memukau juri menerusi
persembahan lagu Terus Hidup nyanyian
Aina Abdul dan lagu kedua berjudul Kau
dan Aku oleh kumpulan Kool.
Manakala Fateeha, 12, yang lebih
mesra dengan panggilan Kiki,
menyanyikan lagu berjudul Cerita Sang
Suria daripada Exist dan lagu popular
Fantasia Bulan Madu.
Danial dan Fateeha akan ke peringkat
Berambeh, Debaran Pertandingan Akhir
Kebangsaan, yang akan diadakan di
Kuching, Sarawak pada 3 September
2023.
Kedua-duanya menerima wang tunai
berjumlah RM3,000, sijil, trofi dan
hadiah iringan yang disampaikan oleh
Pembantu Menteri kepada Ketua
Menteri, Datuk Ruslan Muharam di
Hisyam
masih
bahagia
bersama
isteri
PELAKON Hisyam Hamid, 38, (gambar)
masih melalui fasa kehidupan rumah
tangga yang bahagia bersama isteri,
Rosmawati Hanafi atau mesra disapa
Melrose dan anak-anaknya walaupun
mereka ‘dipisahkan’ negara.
Hisham yang juga pelakon Singapura
ketika ditemui berkata, isterinya sangat
memahami dan sehingga kini kemesraan
dalam lakonan bersama pasangan
pelakonnya tidak pernah menjadi
masalah utama dalam hubungan rumah
tangga mereka.
“Alhamdulillah, tahun ini dah 10
tahun saya berlakon dan tinggal di
Malaysia. Mel pun sangat faham dengan
kerjaya saya dan dia juga tahu setiap
pelakon wanita yang bekerja dengan
saya.
“Ibu saya tak nak pindah ke sini, anak-
anak masih bersekolah di Singapura.
Setakat ini, memang tak pernah jadi
masalah utama dalam hubungan kami
yang mengaitkan saya dengan pelakon
wanita di lokasi. Saya bekerja secara
profesional.
“Cuma, saya tak nafikan sekarang
kurang berkongsi foto keluarga di media
sosial. Ini kerana saya sudah tidak aktif di
media sosial, mungkin faktor usia. Saya
sibuk dengan kerja, penat dan tiada masa
nak selalu update (kemas kini),” katanya.
Hisham berkata, memandangkan dua
anaknya semakin membesar
membuatkan dia memilih untuk lebih
berkongsi mengenai kerja saja di media
sosial berbanding keluarga dan peribadi.
“Anak sulung saya pun akan ambil
peperiksaan O Level tahun ini. Jadi,
apabila anak dah besar, dah lain. Kalau
dulu, masa kecil orang tengok pun
comel, tapi sekarang mereka dah
semakin membesar dan saya fikir ada
baiknya simpan sedikit untuk diri saya
saja.
“Saya pun sangat sibuk dengan kerja
hingga masa untuk diri sendiri tiada.
Jadi, kalau ada sedikit kelapangan masa
itu memang saya luangkan dengan anak-
anak yang ketika ini meningkat remaja
dan cabaran sangat berbeza,” katanya.
Ditanya bagaimana dia berhadapan
dakwaan cuba mengaitkan rumah
tangganya tidak bahagia, Hisham
berkata, dia teruskan kehidupan macam
biasa kerana hubungannya dan isteri
memang tidak bermasalah.
“Saya lalui kehidupan harian seperti
biasa. Hubungan kami tiada masalah
pun. Sesiapa yang memang betul-betul
ikuti saya di Instagram pasti tahu situasi
sebenar,” katanya.
Hisham berkahwin dengan
Rosmawati pada 2006. Hasil perkongsian
hidup itu, mereka dikurniakan dua anak,
Nurish Syameliah, 16, dan Haydeen, 14. –
HM Online
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
Kompleks Bersepadu Kementerian
Komunikasi Digital, di Kota Kinabalu
pada Sabtu lalu.
Manakala empat lagi finalis iaitu
Sham Badrin Embakri (Lahad Datu),
Cherryn Jenson (Kota Marudu), Valley
Dyana Yakob (Telupid) dan Nur Aisyah
Adleene Anuar (WP Labuan) masing-
masing membawa pulang hadiah
saguhati berjumlah RM500, sijil
penyertaan, trofi dan hadiah iringan.
Pertandingan anjuran Seksyen
Hiburan dan Muzik RTM itu mendapat
sambutan menggalakkan dengan
penyertaan 158 bakat muda dari seluruh
negeri termasuk 25 orang yang
menghantar video uji bakat secara dalam
talian.
Turut hadir Pengarah RTM Salmah
Hashim, Pengurus Besar Telekom Sabah,
Datuk Sainal Mohd Amin, Timbalan
Pengarah Jabatan Penerangan Sabah,
Supian Musa dan Timbalan Pengarah
Sektor Pembangunan Murid Jabatan
Legasi seni Michelle Yeoh jadi inspirasi bakat muda
Pendidikan Negeri Sabah, Muddin
Beting.
BINTANG kelahiran Malaysia, Tan Sri
Michelle Yeoh, 61, menjadi lambang
aktres Asia serba boleh yang bukan
sahaja mempertaruhkan kecantikan,
malah, membuktikan ketangkasan aksi
lagak ngeri sehingga berjaya menawan
pembikin filem antarabangsa dan
peminat seluruh dunia.
Menjadi kebanggaan negara, bintang
filem James Bond, Tomorrow Never Dies
bergandingan dengan Pierce Brosnan
pada 1997 itu membuktikan ‘orang Asia’
mampu mencuri tempat di kota syurga,
Hollywood. Kerjayanya menerusi layar
perak merentasi pelbagai benua, genre
dan berdekad lamanya. Satu demi satu
sehingga tidak terhitung kejayaan dalam
genggamannya sepanjang lebih empat
dekad bergelar anak seni yang miliki
aura luar biasa.
Paling membanggakan, Yeoh
menepati ramalan ramai apabila
diumumkan sebagai Pelakon Wanita
Terbaik, Anugerah Akademi (Oscar) Ke-
95 yang disiar secara langsung dari
Dolby Theatre, sekali gus mencipta rekod
sebagai bintang Asia pertama meraih
trofi unggul bagi kategori itu dalam
sejarah Oscar pada Mac lalu.
Sebelum itu, menerusi watak Evelyn
Quan Wang, Yeoh meraih kemenangan
berganda menerusi kategori sama, iaitu
Pelakon Wanita Terbaik pada beberapa
anugerah berprestij lain seperti
Anugerah Golden Globe Ke-80 dan
Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) Ke-29.
Watak isteri dan ibu yang mahu
menyelamatkan dunia menerusi filem
pecah panggung, Everything Everywhere
All At Once mencatatkan sejarah
kegemilangan dalam kerjaya bintang
yang pernah dimahkotakan sebagai Ratu
Cantik Malaysia ketika berusia 21 tahun
pada 1983 itu.
Pemilik nama Yeoh Choo Kheng itu
menyifatkannya perjalanan seninya
menakjubkan selama lebih empat dekad
dalam industri seni.
“Ini membuktikan impian boleh
Pengorbanan Yuna berkelana di AS berbaloi
menjadi kenyataan. Jangan biarkan
sesiapa persoalkan kebanggaan kita.
JAUH figura ini berkelana membawa
langkah ke bumi asing demi mengejar
impian dan cita-cita memperkenalkan
muziknya kepada persada dunia.
Meskipun terpaksa meninggalkan
keluarga dan tanah air tercinta, namun
bagi anak kelahiran Malaysia yang kini
berpangkalan di Amerika Syarikat (AS),
Yuna, 37, (gambar) tegar berpegang
kepada prinsip ‘genggam bara api biar
sampai jadi arang’.
Ternyata, segala keringat dan air mata
yang tumpah sepanjang perjalanan
sebagai perantau seni akhirnya terbalas
apabila dilamar syarikat rakaman dan
pengurusan Indie-Pop dan mengikat
perjanjian dengan Fader Label, syarikat
rakaman yang berpangkalan di New York.
Tawaran itu menjadi titik awal
pencapaian terbaik Yuna yang akhirnya
membuka pintu untuk pelbagai rezeki
dan kejayaan lain hingga mendapat
pengiktirafan antarabangsa.
Atas pencapaian cemerlang
yang turut membanggakan
negara, penganjur anugerah
berprestij, Anugerah Bintang
Popular BH (ABPBH) Ke-35
memilihnya sebagai
penerima Anugerah
Eksplorasi Seni ABPBH 35
yang berlangsung di
Panggung Sari, Istana
Budaya, minggu lalu.
Terharu
pengiktirafan diberi,
penyanyi yang
meledak menerusi
lagu Dan Sebenarnya
ini menyifatkan
anugerah itu sebagai
simbol pengorbanan
RUSLAN (kelima dari kanan) bersama finalis Debaran Bintang Kecil Sabah 2023.
MICHELLE Yeoh bersama trofi Oscar yang dimenanginya Mac lalu.
Saya dedikasikan kemenangan ini
kepada ibu dan semua ibu di seluruh
dunia kerana merekalah adalah adiwira
sebenar. Tanpa mereka, kita semua tidak
akan dapat berada di sini,” katanya.
Sebelum itu, Yeoh semakin bersinar
apabila membintangi filem aksi berlatar
sejarah silam China, Crouching Tiger
Hidden Dragon.
Bergandingan dengan Chow Yun Fat,
Zhang Ziyi dan Chang Chen, filem itu
menjadi kemuncak kerjayanya apabila
mendapat pengiktirafan dalam
anugerah berprestij, Golden Globe,
Anugerah Akademi dan Festival Filem
Cannes.
April lalu, Yeoh pulang ke Malaysia
dan diraikan sempena program
istimewa, Pride of Malaysia Michelle
Yeoh Homecoming Public Fan Meet di
sebuah hotel di Kuala Lumpur.
Yeoh percaya, pendedahan membesar
dalam masyarakat majmuk di Malaysia
membentuk keperibadian dan
menjadikan dirinya lebih terbuka dalam
yang dilakukannya.
“Masa mula menjejakkan kaki ke AS
lebih sedekad lalu, saya tidak pernah ada
perancangan apa-apa. Saya juga tidak
pernah menyangka akan menetap lama
di AS, hasilkan album dan berkolaborasi
dengan komposer ternama Hollywood.
Niat saya hanyalah untuk menghasilkan
muzik. Tetapi, inilah rezeki yang
dilorongkan Tuhan buat saya.
“Justeru, apabila dihadiahkan trofi ini,
saya sangat terharu dan berterima kasih
kepada penganjur, BH. Anugerah ini
mengingatkan saya cabaran yang
dihadapi di AS. Bagaimanapun, saya
terpaksa melawan rasa rindu kepada
keluarga kerana tidak pernah berpisah
lama dengan mereka.
“Trofi ini adalah terjemahan kepada
segala pengorbanan yang dilakukan
dalam mengejar impian saya,” katanya
kepada BH Online menerusi rakaman
awal bersama produksi ketika
pulang bercuti ke Malaysia pada
Mei lalu.
Bagaimanapun, Yuna tidak
dapat menghadiri malam
kemuncak ABPBH 35 disebabkan
komitmen seni di AS.
Julung kali diwujudkan,
Anugerah Eksplorasi Seni
adalah anugerah
diberikan kepada
penggiat seni Malaysia
yang berjaya mencipta
nama di peringkat
antarabangsa sebagai
satu pengiktirafan
besar.
Enggan berpuas
hati dengan
kejayaan dan mahu
mengejar impian hingga ke peringkat
antarabangsa.
Menghabiskan lebih separuh usia
dalam industri perfileman di Hong
Kong, malah merentasi Asia Tenggara
dan Hollywood, Yeoh mengakui,
Malaysia memiliki kelebihan sebagai
negara berbilang bangsa yang mengajar
rakyat hidup toleransi.
“Indahnya Malaysia adalah kita hidup
dalam masyarakat berbilang bangsa.
Biarpun berlainan agama dan bangsa,
kita masih boleh faham dan pelajari
sesuatu daripada setiap orang.
“Saya tidak nampak langsung adanya
perbezaan. Saya percaya asas itulah yang
berjaya membentuk diri untuk terus
berpijak di bumi nyata biarpun di mana
saya berada. Selain faktor itu, saya juga
diasuh ibu bapa yang tegas dengan anak-
anak,” katanya.
Mengulas kejayaan di pentas Oscar
menjadi inspirasi kepada bakat baharu,
Yeoh berpesan agar usah menjadi seperti
dirinya.
terus mencabar diri, pemilik nama
lengkap Yunalis Mat Zara’ai ini berhasrat
menulis lagu dalam bahasa asing, selain
bahasa Inggeris dan Malaysia.
“Bersesuaian dengan nama anugerah
ini, saya memang suka meneroka perkara
baharu dalam hidup. Cita-cita saya mahu
untuk mencari tapak di Mexico dan
mempelajari bahasa Sepanyol. Jika ada
rezeki saya teringin menghasilkan album
dalam bahasa Sepanyol,” ungkap
penyanyi kelahiran Alor Setar, Kedah ini.
Tak dapat dinafikan, sebagai duta kecil
Malaysia dalam bidang seni, pencapaian
dan kejayaan Yuna menjadi inspirasi
kepada bakat baharu untuk mengikut
jejak langkahnya.
Tidak lokek berkongsi ilmu, nasihat
Yuna kepada artis yang bercita-cita
melebarkan sayap ke peringkat
antarabangsa perlu bermuka tebal dan
tidak mudah putus asa.
“Perkara utama, kena buang perasaan
malu. Saya seorang yang pemalu dan
demi cita-cita, saya harus keluar dari
kepompong itu.
“Selain itu, saya kena timba seberapa
banyak pengalaman yang membolehkan
saya terus berkarya. Paling penting,
jangan sesekali putus asa,” pesan
pemegang Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-
Undang dari Universiti Teknologi MARA
(UiTM) ini.
Terdahulu, kemunculan Yuna dalam
aliran muzik ‘indie’ Malaysia bermula
dengan platform Myspace yang menjadi
ruang buatnya berkarya.
Wajah Yuna pernah terpampang di
lokasi ikonik, Times Square di New York
selepas dipilih syarikat terkenal NASDAQ
yang memaparkan ikon muzik pada
November 2016. – BH Online
harianekspres
“Jangan jadi Michelle Yeoh, jadi diri
sendiri,” katanya yang berpesan agar
anak muda usah lelah dalam
meningkatkan keupayaan diri dan
berdisiplin.
Yeoh juga sempat menitipkan nasihat
buat pelakon pelapis agar tidak cepat
berputus asa.
“Seperti saya, terus mencari watak
demi watak dan memiliki pasukan yang
boleh membuat hasil kerja mendapat
perhatian dan seterusnya, diiktiraf,”
katanya.
Selain itu, Yeoh menegaskan beliau
adalah anak Malaysia.
“Saya anak Malaysia sejati,” katanya
ketika berucap pada acara bertemu
peminat di ruang legar pusat beli-belah
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Selain itu, Yeoh juga antara 31 selebriti
dipilih menerima bintang di Hollywood
Walk of Fame bagi Kelas 2024.
Pengumuman dibuat Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce, di mana senarai
pendek dinilai daripada ratusan
pencalonan diterima pada 16 Jun lalu.
Sebagai pengiktirafan pencapaian
Yeoh yang dianggap bintang paling
berpengaruh di Asia sejak lebih empat
dekad, selain menghargai keberanian
dan ketangkasannya melakukan aksi
lagak ngeri, beliau dipilih sebagai
penerima Anugerah Khas Ekspresi Legasi
Seni pada Anugerah Bintang Popular BH
(ABPBH) Ke-35 di Panggung Sari, Istana
Budaya, minggu lalu.
Trofi Anugerah Ekspresi Seni ABPBH
35 diserahkan aktres jelita digelar
Primadona Filem Melayu, Erra Fazira
kepada anak saudara Yeoh, Thompson
Yeoh yang mewakili aktres kelahiran
Ipoh, Perak itu.
“Bagi pihak ibu saudara, saya ingin
mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih atas
anugerah ini. Saya yakin ibu saudara
juga pastinya sangat berbangga dengan
anugerah ini. Sayangnya, ibu saudara
tidak dapat hadir pada malam
kemuncak ABPBH 35 kerana berada di
luar negara,” katanya ketika berucap
mewakili aktres ternama itu. – BH Online
Faye Kusairi timang
cahaya mata ketiga
PELAKON Faye Kusairi (gambar) selamat
melahirkan cahaya mata ketiga di sebuah
pusat perubatan di ibu negara, Sabtu lalu.
Pemilik nama sebenar Dayangku
Faratiwan Adnil Awang Kusairi itu
memaklumkan bayi perempuannya
dilahirkan secara pembedahan berikutan
beberapa komplikasi.
“Alhamdulillah, semalam saya selamat
melahirkan seorang bayi perempuan
yang comel dan sihat. Saya terpaksa
menjalani pembedahan kecemasan
disebabkan penurunan degupan jantung
bayi dan komplikasi lain.
“Bagaimanapun semuanya berjalan
lancar pada akhirnya,” tulisnya pada
hantaran yang dikongsikan menerusi
Instagram.
Dalam perkongsian tersebut Faye
turut memuat naik paparan perincian
kelahiran puterinya yang dilahirkan
dengan berat 2.46 kilogram. – Kosmo!
Online
harianekspres
Percikan api kerja kimpalan dipercayai punca letupan gudang bunga api di Narathiwat
NARATHIWAT: Percikan api daripada kerja-
kerja kimpalan dipercayai punca kepada
letupan kuat di sebuah gudang mercun
dan piroteknik di wilayah Narathiwat,
selatan Thailand, yang mengorbankan
sembilan orang dan mencederakan 117
yang lain.
Letupan pada pukul 3.30 petang (waktu
tempatan) di Mundok, Sungai Kolok
memusnahkan lebih 200 rumah dan kedai,
serta 15 kenderaan. Jumlah kerugian
Lebih 350,000 kanak-kanak di negara
membangun tidak dapat rawatan kanser
GENEVA: Ratusan ribu kanak-kanak yang
didiagnosis dengan kanser di negara
berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana
tidak mendapat rawatan sewajarnya, kata
agensi kesihatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-
Bangsa Bersatu.
Hanya satu perempat daripada negara
berpendapatan rendah menyediakan ubat
kanser kanak-kanak melalui perbelanjaan
awam, lapor menurut Agensi Berita
Emirates (WAM) memetik taklimat akhbar
mingguan Ketua Pengarah Pertubuhan
Puluhan cedera, ditahan dalam protes antikerajaan di Bangladesh
Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) PBB Tedros
DHAKA: Parti Nasionalis Bangladesh
(BNP) pada Sabtu mendakwa polis
menahan dan mencederakan lebih 100
penyokong parti itu, lapor Anadolu.
Sebuah kenderaan polis dan tiga bas
awam dibakar dan beberapa kereta
persendirian telah dirosakkan semasa
protes. Parti pembangkang dan
pemerintah saling menuding jari atas
insiden itu
BNP sedang menjalankan gerakan
untuk mendesak kerajaan mengadakan
pilihan raya yang adil secepat mungkin,
manakala parti Liga Awami (AL) mahu
pilihan raya diadakan pada Disember atau
awal Januari.
Sementara itu, video yang tular di
media dan televisyen tempatan
menunjukkan polis mengunakan
belantan serta menahan ahli
jawatankuasa tetap BNP Gayeshwar
Chandra Roy di Dhaka.
Bagaimanapun, beliau kemudian
Sukan
(DARI kiri) Lawrence, Kok, Awang dan Casper.
Kok Jken Yung juara Kejohanan Pool
Handikap Terbuka 9 Bola Myth Bar
gl Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Kok Jken Yung
dinobatkan sebagai juara dalam
Kejohanan Pool Handikap Terbuka 9 Bola
Myth Bar pada Jumaat lalu.
Dia menewaskan Awang Ali 8-0 pada
perlawanan akhir untuk membawa pulang
hadiah wang tunai RM7,000, manakala
finalis yang kalah menerima RM3,500.
Tempat ketiga disandang oleh Casper
Esteban puas hati prestasi JDT
Chin yang menewaskan Lawrence Wong 8-
6 pada perlawanan ‘playoff ’ untuk
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Ketua jurulatih pasukan
bola sepak Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Esteban
Solari puas hati dengan prestasi semua
pemainnya susulan kejayaan menewaskan
pasukan Selangor FC 2-0 malam Sabtu lalu.
Jurulatih kelahiran Argentinia itu ia
merupakan perlawanan yang amat
mencabar, apabila menghadapi lawan yang
kuat.
“Perlawanan yang cukup mencabar
sebagaimana yang saya katakan sebelum
perlawanan. (Namun) Kita tampil dengan
persediaan untuk ke final, kadangkala amat
sukar untuk membaca perlawanan
sebegini, tapi saya gembira dengan
persembahan pasukan kami.
“Kami mengawal perlawanan sejak
permulaan sehingga akhir. Menang ada
beberapa peluang yang terlepas kerana
terlalu ramai pemain yang berada di
bahagian pertahanan,” katanya dalam
persidangan media di sini malam Sabtu
Dunia 7
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
dianggarkan 100 juta baht. Setakat ini tiada
rakyat Malaysia terlibat dalam letupan itu.
Gabenor Narathiwat Sanan Pongaksorn
berkata sembilan terbunuh dalam kejadian
itu termasuk seorang bayi berusia lapan
bulan, kakaknya 4 tahun dan ibu mereka
berusia 28 tahun.
Selain itu, beliau berkata seorang wanita
warga Indonesia berusia 36 tahun adalah
antara 117 yang cedera dalam kejadian itu.
“Siasatan awal menunjukkan bahawa
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, di Geneva pada
Rabu.
“Ini meletakkan kanak-kanak dan
keluarga mereka dalam risiko menerima
ubat-ubatan yang tidak berkualiti dan
palsu yang menyebabkan kelangsungan
hidup kanak-kanak di negara-negara
berkenaan kurang daripada 30 peratus
berbanding lebih 90 peratus di negara
berpendapatan tinggi,” katanya.
Untuk membantu menangani masalah
itu, WHO yang disokong oleh Hospital
Penyelidikan Kanak-kanak St. Jude,
dibebaskan.
Polis Metropolitan Dhaka (DMP)
berkata pihaknya menahan 90 orang
kerana merosakkan harta benda awam
dan memulakan serangan ke atas polis.
Timbalan pesuruhjaya sayap media
DMP, Faruk Hossain, berkata 20 anggota
polis cedera diserang penyokong BNP.
Polis menahan lebih 1,200 pemimpin
dan penyokong parti pembangkang BNP
sejak tiga hari lalu semasa perhimpunan
besar-besaran di Dhaka.
Parti Islam terbesar Bangladesh
Jamaat-e-Islami turut mengutuk serangan
polis itu dan mengatakan 200 pemimpin
serta penyokong mereka telah ditahan.
Dilaporkan bahawa Amerika Syarikat
(AS) dan sekutu Barat dikatakan telah
memberikan tekanan ke atas kerajaan
Bangladesh untuk mengadakan pilihan
raya yang bebas kerana dua pilihan raya
sebelum ini didakwa dicemari penipuan
undi. – Bernama-Anadolu
memenangi hadiah wang tunai RM1,700,
dengan hadiah RM850 menjadi milik
Lawrence.
Terdahulu pada separuh akhir, Kok
menewaskan Lawrence 8-2 manakala
Awang Ali seri 7-7 dengan Casper untuk
mara ke final.
Hadiah wang tunai RM200 turut
diberikan oleh penganjur kepada setiap
pemain yang kalah di suku akhir dan
RM100 kepada pemain yang kalah di
pusingan 16 terakhir.
lalu.
Beliau turut memuji penyerang JDT
baharu Heberty Fernandes, yang berjaya
menjaringkan gol dalam kemunculan
pertamanya semasa permainan memasuki
separuh masa kedua.
“Heberty masih baru, kita perlukan lebih
ramai pemain seperti dia, dia juga perlukan
masa memandangkan baru sampai ke sini,
dan dia adalah pemain yang perlu kita
bentuk. Saya gembira dia dapat jaringkan
gol,” katanya.
Sementara itu pengendali Selangor FC
Tan Cheng Hoe tetap berpuas hati dengan
persembahan dan semangat yang
ditunjukkan pasukannya meskipun tewas
di tangan pasukan teratas liga.
Beliau berkata persembahan yang
ditampilkan anak buahnya yang cuba
untuk menyekat kemaraan JDT harus dipuji
meskipun mengakui kehebatan dan
kelincahan pasukan lawan itu. – Bernama
percikan api daripada kerja-kerja kimpalan
bagi memasang kabinet baharu di situ,
dipercayai menyebabkan letupan.
“Lebih 365 keluarga terjejas akibat
letupan itu. Kerajaan akan memberi
pampasan kepada keluarga yang anggota
keluarga mereka terkorban dalam kejadian
itu dan mereka yang cedera,” katanya pada
sidang media di sini pada Ahad.
Beliau berkata tujuh daripada mangsa
dikebumikan dalam satu liang lahad pada
Amerika Syarikat yang memberi tumpuan
kepada penyelidikan dalam penyakit
leukemia dan kanser lain, melancarkan
Inisiatif Global untuk Kanser Kanak-Kanak
pada 2018.
Inisiatif itu menyasarkan sekurang-
kurangnya 60 peratus kadar kelangsungan
hidup di negara berpendapatan rendah
dan sederhana menjelang 2030, dengan
memberi tumpuan kepada enam kanser
yang boleh sembuh yang dihidapi lebih
separuh kanak-kanak.
Beliau berkata pada Disember 2021,
SEKITAR insiden kekacauan di Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sabtu lalu. – Gambar AFP
BOla SEpaK – liga Super 2023
JDT kekalkan rekod
100 peratus kemenangan
KUALA LUMPUR: Penyerang import
terbaharu, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT),
Heberty Fernandes berjaya membuat debut
impian di Liga Super 2023 apabila
menjaringkan gol pembukaan dalam
membantu menwaskan Selangor FC 2-0 di
Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, Iskandar Puteri,
Johor malam Sabtu lalu.
Selangor, yang turun tanpa Mohamad
Faisal Halim, yang digantung selama
sebulan, hampir menjadi pasukan pertama
untuk mencuri mata daripada skuad
Harimau Selatan selepas berjaya
mematahkan serangan bertali-arus juara
bertahan itu sejak wisel permulaan.
Namun, pemain berusia 34 tahun dari
Brazil, yang hadir dari Bangkok United FC,
memastikan JDT mengekalkan rekod 100
peratus kemenangan apabila cubaan
Muhammad Safuwan Baharudin
mengeluarkan hantaran Oscar Arribas,
terkena kaki Heberty dan masuk ke dalam
gawang pada minit ke-79.
JDT, juara Liga Super buat sembilan kali
berturut-turut itu, kemudian
menggandakan jaringan menerusi sepakan
penalti Bergson Da Silva, yang tenang
menyudahkan sepakan penalti, pada masa
kecederaan (90+3) selepas dikasari oleh
Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar dalam kotak
penalti.
Kali terakhir Selangor menewaskan JDT
adalah pada Ogos 2017 dengan
kemenangan tipis 2-1, namun tewas
sebanyak 12 kali dan seri tiga kali dalam
kesemua pertandingan Liga-Malaysia
(termasuk Piala FA, Piala Malaysia) sejak
itu.
Kemenangan itu membantu skuad
Pendekatan latihan Misbun dipandang tinggi
kendalian Esteban Solari melebarkan
jurang di persada Liga Super kepada 14
KUALA LUMPUR: Sesetengah pihak
mungkin meragui kehebatan Datuk Misbun
Sidek dalam melatih pemain tetapi tidak
buat pemain badminton negara Justin Hoh
yang memandang tinggi kepada beliau.
Pemain perseorangan lelaki berusia 19
tahun itu yang berlatih di bawah Pengarah
Kejurulatihan Perseorangan Remaja
Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM)
selama tiga tahun, merasakan Misbun
malam Jumaat, manakala identiti dua lagi
masih menunggu keputusan ujian DNA.
Sanan berkata 10 lagi mangsa yang
mengalami kecederaan masih menerima
rawatan di Hospital Sungai Kolok.
“Lebih 1,000 sukarelawan dan pegawai
berada di lapangan membantu penduduk
tempatan membersihkan serpihan akibat
letupan itu,” katanya.
Gudang itu dilaporkan menyimpan
sejumlah besar bahan letupan. Foto dan
agensi PBB dan St. Jude memulakan
program global untuk meningkatkan
akses kepada ubat kanser kanak-kanak.
WHO juga mengumumkan bahawa
ubat kanser adalah antara yang telah
ditambah kepada versi terkini Senarai
Ubat Perlu WHO dan Senarai Ubat Penting
untuk Kanak-kanak, katanya.
“Senarai baharu itu juga termasuk ubat
baharu yang penting untuk rawatan
sklerosis berbilang, penyakit berjangkit
dan keadaan kardiovaskular,” kata Tedros.
– Bernama-WAM
PENJAGA gol Selangor FC, Samuel Jacob Somerville mendakap bola
sambil diasak pemain JDT Bergson Gustavo Silveira Da Silva pada
perlawanan Liga Super di Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, Sabtu lalu. – fotoBERNAMA
mata, apabila berjaya mengumpul 54 mata
daripada 18 kemenangan berturut-turut
setakat ini, diikuti Selangor (40 mata)
dengan 19 aksi, Kedah Darul Aman (KDA)
FC (37 mata) dan Sri Pahang FC (34 mata).
Sementara itu, di Stadium Negeri,
Kuching, jaringan tunggal penyerang
import berbisa, Ifedayo Omosuyi hasil
daripada sepakan penjuru Manuel Hidalgo
pada minit ke-39, memastikan KDA
mencatatkan kemenangan tipis 1-0
menentang Kuching City FC.
adalah jurulatih terbaik baginya.
“Saya tahu ramai di luar sana meragui
anda dan memikirkan kaedah kejurulatihan
anda sudah lapuk, tetapi saya mahu katakan
di sini anda adalah jurulatih terbaik di mata
saya. Terima kasih kerana mendidik saya
bagaimana menjadi seorang atlet yang
berdisiplin.
“Tanpa anda, saya tidak akan berada di
tempat ini hari ini. Bukan hanya sebagai
video menunjukkan letupan itu
memusnahkan kawasan besar di sekeliling
gudang.
Sementara itu, Panglima Wilayah
Tentera Keempat, Lt Jen Santi Sakuntanark
berkata pasukan petugas khas (pasukan
siasatan khas) ditubuhkan untuk
menyiasat kejadian itu.
“Kami akan memanggil pemilik gudang
sebaik dia pulang dari luar negara,”
Pesawat terhempas,
katanya. – Bernama
enam terkorban
OTTAWA: Sebuah pesawat ringan
terhempas di Rocky Mountains di Calgary,
Kanada pada Jumaat, mengorbankan
enam orang, lapor Xinhua pada Sabtu.
Polis berkata lima penumpang dan
seorang juruterbang berada di dalam
pesawat itu.
Pesawat malang itu berlepas dari
Lapangan Terbang Springbank kira-kira
8.45 malam (0145 GMT Sabtu) menuju ke
Salmon Arm, British Columbia dan hilang
dari radar kira-kira 30 minit kemudian.
Menurut laporan, serpihan pesawat
bersama enam mayat ditemukan kira-kira
7.30 pagi (1230 GMT) Sabtu di kawasan
pergunungan kira-kira 100 kilometer
barat Calgary.
Identiti mangsa tidak diumumkan dan
punca nahas sedang disiasat. – Bernama-
Raja Maghribi
Xinhua
beri pengampunan
kepada 2,052
banduan
RABAT: Raja Maghribi Raja Mohammed VI
berkenan memberikan pengampunan
kepada 2,052 banduan sempena
memperingati hari baginda menaiki
takhta, lapor Agensi Berita MAP pada
Sabtu.
Banduan itu sebahagiannya berada di
penjara dan ada yang diikat jamin.
Throne Day (hari menaiki takhta) di
sambut setiap tahun pada 30 Julai dan
tahun ini menandakan ulang tahun ke-24,
lapor Xinhua.
Sejumlah 133 banduan dibebaskan,
manakala selebihnya dikurangkan denda
atau tempoh penjara. – Bernama-Xinhua
Terdahulu pada aksi sebelah petang di
Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur, Cheras,
Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC bangkit
daripada ketinggalan untuk membelasah
pasukan di kedudukan tercorot, Kelantan
FC, 5-1.
Pasukan pelawat bermula garang
dengan jaringan seawal minit ketiga
menerusi sepakan percuma pemain import
dari Argentina, Leonardo Rolon sebelum
Zhafri Yahya menyamakan kedudukan pada
minit ke-26. – Bernama
seorang guru, tetapi sebagai seorang bapa
selamanya. Terima kasih. ‘Coach’ Misbun,”
katanya dalam satu hantaran di Instagram.
Pada Jumaat, Misbun dan Persatuan
Badminton Malaysia (BAM) bersetuju
secara bersama untuk berpisah susulan
prestasi hambar skuad badminton remaja di
Kejohanan Remaja Asia yang berlangsung di
Jogjakarta, Indonesia, baru-baru ini. –
Bernama

SUKAN
Keningau, Kota Marudu juara Kejohanan Hoki B-18 MSS Sabah
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Keningau dan Kota
Marudu muncul juara dalam Kejohanan
Hoki Bawah 18 Tahun Majlis Sukan
Sekolah Sabah yang berakhir di Stadium
Hoki Likas pada Jumaat lalu.
Keningau merangkul kejuaraan lelaki
dengan kemenangan 3-0 ke atas Kota
Belud pada perlawanan akhir, dengan
Kota Marudu dan Tenom berkongsi
kedudukan tempat ketiga.
Manakala Kota Marudu merangkul
kejuaraan perempuan dengan
kemenangan 4-2 menerusi penentuan
penalti ke atas Keningau selepas kedua-
dua pasukan terikat 0-0 pada masa
penuh.
Kejohanan itu menyaksikan
penyertaan 30 pasukan dengan 15
pasukan dalam setiap kategori dan
mereka dibahagikan kepada lima
Jadi kapten
kumpulan.
Liverpool satu
penghormatan
– Van Dijk
SINGAPURA: Virgil van Dijk berkata dia
yakin bahawa pemain Liverpool mampu
mengisi kekosongan yang ditinggalkan
Jordan Henderson dan berkata ia adalah
“satu penghormatan” diberikan peranan
sebagai kapten.
Pemain tengah England, Henderson
berpindah ke Liga Pro Saudi minggu ini dan
pertahanan Belanda, Van Dijk, yang pernah
memakai lilitan ketua pasukan sebelum ini,
dijangka akan mengambil alih peranan itu.
“Jelas sekali kami akan merinduinya
sebagai pemain dan pastinya sebagai
pemimpin dan kapten, seseorang yang
sangat penting bagi kami dan berjaya di
kelab sejak beberapa tahun lalu,” kata Van
Dijk.
Henderson, James Milner dan Roberto
Firmino semuanya meninggalkan pasukan
musim panas ini, tetapi Van Dijk berkata
pemain lain dalam skuad akan mengisi
kekosongan itu apabila ia berkaitan dengan
kepimpinan.
“Sudah pasti kami mempunyai ramai
pemain yang boleh memikul dan perlu
memikul tanggungjawab itu, jadi saya yakin
itu akan berlaku,” tambah Van Dijk, 32.
Walaupun dia tidak mahu bercakap
terlalu banyak mengenai penggantian
Henderson sebagai kapten, Van Dijk
mengakui ia amat bermakna kepadanya jika
dia diminta untuk memakai lilitan ketua
pasukan secara tetap.
“Saya telah menjadi kapten pasukan
beberapa kali sejak beberapa tahun lalu dan
ia sentiasa menjadi detik yang
membanggakan untuk melakukannya. Kita
akan lihat apa yang akan terjadi pada masa
hadapan tetapi ia akan menjadi
penghormatan besar untuk menjadi ketua
Liverpool terlepas
pasukan,” katanya. – AFP
bayaran bonus
prestasi Mane
LONDON: Liverpool tidak akan menerima
tambahan 7.5 juta pound (RM43.87 juta)
daripada Bayern Munich selepas Sadio Mane
menyertai kelab Arab Saudi, Al-Nassr.
12 bulan selepas meninggalkan Anfield,
Mane akan bertukar kelab sekali lagi
apabila Bayern setuju melepaskan pemain
31 tahun menyertai Al-Nassr pada harga 30
juta pound (RM175.48 juta).
Selepas mengharungi enam tahun yang
gemilang di Anfield bersama skuad
kendalian Jurgen Klopp, pemain Senegal
itu berharap dapat mengulanginya di
Bundesliga bersama Bayern kendalian
Julian Nagelsmann.
Bayern membayar 27.5 juta pound
(RM160.86 juta) untuk khidmat Mane pada
Jun 2022, dengan tambahan 7.5 juta pound
(RM43.87 juta) jika pemain itu mencapai
prestasi ditetapkan.
Bagaimanapun bayaran berdasarkan
prestasi itu tidak akan diterima Liverpool
selepas musim sulung Mane yang
mengecewakan di Allianz Arena.
Dia bermula baik dengan menjaringkan
gol ketika kemenangan Piala Super DFL ke
atas RB Leipzig dan meledak tiga kali dalam
tiga penampilan pertama Bundesliga.
Walaupun kerap membarisi
kesebelasan utama Bayern, Mane tampak
bergelut untuk mengekalkan prestasi
awalnya dan Nagelsmann mengakui
pemain itu masih dalam proses
menyesuaikan diri.
Kecederaan ketika menentang Werder
pada November menyebabkan Mane
terpaksa berehat tiga bulan dan terlepas
aksi Piala Dunia Qatar.
Dia kemudian digantung oleh kelab
kerana menumbuk rakan sepasukan, Leroy
Sane ketika aksi Liga Juara-Juara Eropah.
Mane akan bergandingan dengan bekas
bintang Liga Perdana Inggeris, Cristiano
Ronaldo, Alex Telles dan David Ospina di
Al-Nassr. – Agensi
harianekspres
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I I S NI N, 3 1 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
PASUKAN lelaki Keningau dan pasukan perempuan Kota Marudu bersama pegawai selepas majlis penutupan.
Nevern raih tempat
kedua di Thailand
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Pemain boling Sabah,
Nevern Nethaneel (gambar) menduduki
tempat kedua dalam Masters Terbuka
Kejohanan Boling Terbuka Antarabangsa
Thailand MWA-Singha ke-47 yang
berlangsung dari 16-29 Julai di Blu-O
Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin, Bangkok,
Thailand.
Pemain pilihan keempat yang beraksi
cemerlang dalam pertandingan itu tewas
181-225 kepada pemain pilihan utama
Muhd Jaris Goh dari Singapura pada
perlawanan akhir.
Dia sebelum itu menewaskan pemain
pilihan kelima dari Korea, Oh Byung Jun
dan pilihan keenam, Chanathip Prempree
dari Thailand 278-209-195 dalam
Stepladder Lelaki pertama sebelum
menyingkirkan pilihan kedua dari Korea,
Hong Hae Sol dan rakan senegara
Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin 200-
Skuad ekuestrian sasar satu pingat di Sukan Asia
184-193 untuk mara ke final.
KUALA LUMPUR: Skuad ekuestrian
menjanjikan sekurang-kurangnya satu
pingat disumbangkan buat negara pada
Sukan Asia 2022 di Hangzhou, China yang
akan berlangsung 23 September hingga 8
Oktober ini.
Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan
Ekuestrian Malaysia (EAM), Mej (B) Datuk
Yap Mou Soon berkata pingat sebarang
warna itu disasarkan menerusi atlet
ekuestrian negara Mohd Qabil Ambak
Mahamad Fathil bagi acara dressage dan N.
Shoorendran bagi acara show jumping.
“Kedua-dua mereka sebelum ini telah
layak beraksi di Sukan Asia 2022 secara
merit dan sedang giat berlatih di venue
Norway, Switzerland mara ke pusingan 16 terakhir
BOLA SEPAK – Piala Dunia Wanita
AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Bekas juara
Norway membelasah Filipina untuk mara ke
pusingan 16 terakhir Piala Dunia Wanita
pada Ahad, tetapi tuan rumah bersama New
Zealand tersingkir selepas seri tanpa
jaringan dengan Switzerland.
Switzerland mengungguli Kumpulan A
dalam persaingan sengit yang menyaksikan
pasukan New Zealand tersingkir disebabkan
perbezaan gol yang lebih rendah
berbanding Norway.
Juara 1995, Norway memerlukan
kemenangan dan mereka melakukannya
dengan bergaya, membenam Filipina 6-0 di
Eden Park di Auckland.
Sophie Roman Haug menjaringkan
hatrik ketika perjalanan kisah dongeng
Filipina terhenti.
Dengan Norway mendahului di depan,
New Zealand – yang berada di kedudukan
teratas pada awal hari itu – kini perlu
menewaskan Switzerland di Dunedin.
Tuan rumah beraksi dengan baik pada
separuh masa pertama dan mencipta banyak
peluang, yang menyaksikan percubaan
penyerang Jacqui Hand menggegarkan tiang
gol pada minit ke-24.
Ketika Norway menambah gol di
Auckland, pasukan New Zealand
meningkatkan intensiti permainan,
mengetahui hanya kemenangan mampu
membawa mereka ke peringkat seterusnya.
Suasana di stadium yang penuh dengan
penonton semakin hangat apabila kedua-
dua pasukan berusaha mendapatkan
jaringan dan penjaga gol New Zealand,
Victoria Esson hampir menjaringkan gol
kemenangan namun tandukannya dari satu
sepekan sudut pada masa kecederaan
tersasar.
Ia merupakan podium pertama Nevern
di persada antarabangsa dan dia
mengucapkan terima kasih kepada
mereka yang telah menyokongnya.
“Ini adalah podium pertama saya,
sebelum ini saya hanya mendapat tempat
keempat dalam mana-mana kejohanan
terbuka yang saya bertanding.
“Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih
kepada MTBC (Kongres Tenpin Boling
Malaysia), Majlis Sukan Negara, Majlis
Sukan Sabah, dan Persatuan Tenpin
Boling Sabah kerana menaja perjalanan
saya.
“Tidak lupa juga kepada keluarga yang
sentiasa memberi kata-kata semangat
apabila saya terfikir untuk berhenti,”
katanya.
Sementara itu, pertandingannya
seterusnya ialah pada Kejohanan Boling
Terbuka Antarabangsa Sarawak di
Kuching yang akan diadakan pada
September
latihan luar negara masing-masing sebagai
persiapan akhir sebelum ke Hangzhou
pada September.
“Jadi kita harap memperoleh pingat
daripada mereka seperti mana diketahui
Qabil pernah sumbang pingat di Sukan
Asia lepas. Kita juga optimis Shoorendran
yang berada di ranking ketiga Asia bagi
show jumping tidak berdepan masalah
untuk turut menyumbang pingat,”
katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian kepada
Bernama pada Kejohanan Kebangsaan CSI1
International Show Jumping-Tent Pegging
di Selangor Turf Club, di sini pada Ahad.
Mou Soon turut optimis sasaran
PENYERANG Norway, Sophie Roman Haug bersaing dengan
pertahanan Filipina, Jessika Cowart semasa perlawanan
di Eden Park di Auckland pada Ahad. – Gambar AFP
New Zealand mencipta sejarah pada
kejohanan ini dengan merekodkan
kemenangan pertama mereka di Piala
Dunia, namun akhirnya kecewa. Ramai
pemain New Zealand menangis selepas
perjalanan mereka di kejohanan itu terhenti.
Terdahulu di Kumpulan H, Maghribi
memenangi perlawanan Piala Dunia Wanita
buat kali pertama selepas Ibtissam Jraidi
menjaringkan gol awal untuk memberikan
mereka kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Korea
Selatan.
Selepas dibelasah 6-0 oleh Jerman pada
penampilan sulung mereka di Piala Dunia,
diletakkan mampu dicapai selepas rata-
rata skuad ekuestrian rantau Asia tidak
menyertai temasya itu bagi memberikan
tumpuan mengumpul mata kelayakan ke
Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
Pada Sukan Asia 2018 Jakarta-
Palembang, jaguh ekuestrian negara Qabil
Ambak bersama kudanya, Rosentolz
menyumbang pingat perak bagi acara
dressage.
Sementara itu, mengenai kejohanan
hari ini, beliau berkata EAM kini sedang
mempergiat program pembangunan atlet
muda dalam usaha melahirkan atlet
berpotensi mengikut jejak langkah Qabil
Ambak. – Bernama
kemenangan yang diperoleh
menghidupkan peluang Maghribi untuk
mara ke peringkat 16 terakhir.
Selain kemenangan pertama Maghribi
pada kejohanan itu, satu lagi sejarah tercatat
apabila pemain pertahanan Nouhaila
Benzina menjadi pemain pertama berhijab
di Piala Dunia Wanita.
“Kami sangat gembira kerana usaha kami
membuahkan hasil,” kata penjaring gol,
Jraidi.
“Saya ingin mendedikasikan
kemenangan ini kepada Maghribi dan
semua negara Arab umumnya. Ia adalah
JDT kekalkan
rekod
100 peratus
kemenangan
8
Tammy cipta sejarah
raih emas pertama
Malaysia di
Universiade
KUALA LUMPUR: Atlet wushu Tammy Tan
Hui Ling, melakar sejarah apabila
menamatkan penantian 38 tahun untuk
meraih pingat emas pertama Malaysia,
pada temasya Sukan Universiti Dunia
(Universiade) di Chengdu, China pada
Ahad.
Tammy, yang baru menyambut ulang
tahun kelahiran ke-22 pada Khamis lepas,
mengungguli acara Qiangshu wanita,
selepas mencatat 9.613 mata pada saingan
di Chengbei Gymnasium.
Wakil Macau, Weng Ian Wong (9.593)
dan Lydia Sham Hui Yu (9.583) dari Hong
Kong, masing-masing meraih perak dan
gangsa acara itu, menurut laman web
rasmi temasya.
“Tammy menamatkan igauan hampir
38 tahun pingat emas untuk Malaysia
sejak penyertaan di Universiade Kobe,
Jepun 1985,” menurut catatan di Facebook
Sukan IPT (Institut Pengajian Tinggi).
Sebelum ini, kem wushu
menghadiahkan dua gangsa di Chengdu
menerusi Mandy Cebelle Chen dan Calvin
Lee Wai Leong, masing-masing menerusi
acara Tajiquan wanita dan Nangun lelaki.
Pencapaian terbaik Malaysia sebelum
ini ialah kejayaan membawa pulang tiga
perak dan empat gangsa daripada edisi
Ruta pecah rekod
2017 di Taiwan. – Bernama
dunia 50m kuak
dada wanita
FUKUOKA: Perenang Lithuania, Ruta
Meilutyte mencipta rekod dunia baharu
bagi acara 50 meter (m) kuak dada wanita
ketika memenangi pingat emas pada
Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia, pada Ahad.
Ruta mencatat masa 29.16 saat (s)
untuk mengatasi perenang Amerika
Syarikat (AS), Lilly King on 29.94s dan
perenang Itali, Benedetta Pilato dengan
30.04s.
Sabtu lalu, Ruta menyamai rekod dunia
di peringkat separuh akhir acara itu
dengan catatan 29.30s.
“Saya dapat rasa pasti berjaya
melakukannya, saya dapat rasa,” katanya.
Catatan masa itu menyamai catatan
dilakukan Benedetta pada 2021.
Awal minggu lalu, Ruta memenangi
muncul juara dunia bagi acara 100m kuak
dada.
“Saya menikmati peningkatan
sepanjang masa,” katanya.
Dia bersara pada 2019 ketika berusia 22
tahun apabila digantung dua tahun
kerana tidak hadir tiga ujian dadah,
menyebabkannya tidak dapat beraksi di
Sukan Olimpik Tokyo 2020 sebelum
kembali bertanding pada 2021.
Ruta yang tidak pernah gagal ujian
dadah adalah bintang pada temasya
Olimpik London 2012 apabila dia yang
ketika itu berusia 15 tahun menang emas
acara 100m kuak dada wanita.
Dia turut menang emas di Kejohanan
Dunia di Barcelona, setahun kemudian. –
AFP
hasil kerja keras kami.”
Jurulatih dari Perancis, Reynald Pedros,
menyaksikan pasukan Maghribi
bimbingannya mendahului selepas hanya
enam minit di hadapan lebih 13,000
penyokong di Adelaide.
Hanane Ait El Haj melakukan hantaran
lintang dan Jraidi mengatasi pemain yang
mengawalnya untuk melakukan tandukan
ke penjuru pintu gol.
Maghribi, yang berada di ranking ke-72
dunia, dianggap pasukan bukan pilihan
memandangkan lawan mereka, Korea
menduduki ranking ke-17.
Skuad kendalian Colin Bell itu berjaya
menemui rentak permainan pada
penghujung separuh masa pertama, tetapi
seperti dalam kekalahan 2-0 kepada
Colombia dalam perlawanan pembukaan,
mereka kurang tajam di hadapan gol.
Korea Selatan kini berdepan
penyingkiran awal selepas gagal melakukan
percubaan tepat walaupun menguasai
sebahagian besar permainan.
Bell tidak dapat menyembunyikan
kekecewaannya.
itu “Pertama sekali, tahniah kepada Maghribi
atas kemenangan itu, yang pertama dalam
sejarah Piala Dunia mereka,” katanya.
“Saya tidak mengatakan ia memang
patut. Mereka bermula dengan baik dan itu
menjejaskan kami pada separuh masa
pertama.
“Separuh masa kedua kami menguasai
sebahagian besar permainan, tetapi peluang
yang kami cipta, kami tergesa-gesa, kami
gagal memanfaatkannya.
“Saya telah mengalami banyak pasang
surut dalam bola sepak, dan ini pastinya
salah satu saat yang paling teruk.” – AFP