PPH 8/12/2012 (031085) Vol. 202 Kota Kinabalu, July 30, 2023 RM1.
50 Established 1963
Vote for unity, CM tells Sabahans
SEREMBAN: Chief Minister Datuk
Seri Hajiji Noor urged Sabah voters
in the impending six state elections
in peninsula to choose candidates
from the Unity Government led by
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim.
“Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is
standing behind Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim and fully supports
the Unity Government,” said Hajiji, who
is also GRS Chairman.
“It is crucial that the Sabah voters pick
Unity Government candidates to main-
tain the country’s political dynamics for
a better future,” he said, after meeting
Sabah voters at the Royal Chulan Hotel,
Friday night.
Present were Negeri Sembilan Menteri
Besar Dato’ Seri Haji Aminuddin Harun,
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart-
ment Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and
Sabah Minister of Industrial Develop-
ment and Entrepreneurship of Sabah
Phoong Jin Zhe.
“GRS declares its full support to the
Unity Government because it is the best
platform for a multi-racial country like
Malaysia to move forward,” he said.
Hajiji also urged the people to reject
racial slurs and religious bigotry used by
the opposition to canvas for votes.
“Such tactic is detrimental to a plural
country like ours, which will never guar-
antee Malaysia’s future.”
He said stability, one of the important
factors for the country to progress, can
only be achieved when the people are
united and not blinded by racism and
bigotry.
Hajiji, who is also President of Parti
Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), said the
special rights of the Malays are protected
under the Constitution but does not
mean the interests of other races are
ignored.
RM40mil
allocation
for Esscom
staff reflects
concern
KOTA KINABALU: The RM40 million allo-
cation to upgrade the infrastructure and
quarters for the staff of the Eastern Sabah
Security Command (Esscom) in Lahad
Datu provided by the Government demon-
strates its commitment to ensuring the
welfare of the agency’s personnel is always
taken care of.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
said the allocation also reflects Prime Min-
ister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s concern
for the welfare of Esscom personnel who
are willing to sacrifice to ensure the safety
of Sabah and the country.
“Thank you to the Prime Minister for his
concern and hopefully this initiative will
boost the spirit of Esscom personnel to do
their best in defending the country’s sov-
ereignty,” said Hajiji, who is also the East-
ern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone)
Chairman, in a statement.
On July 15, Anwar, when speaking at the
Malaysia Madani programme with the
Internal Security and Public Order Depart-
ment of the Royal Malaysia Police at the
Kulim GOF Battalion 2 in Kulim, Kedah,
announced the allocation of RM40 million
for Esscom-related infrastructure and
facilities.
Meanwhile, Esscom Chief Executive
Officer Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali said the
allocation will be used to provide the
agency’s personnel with the best housing
facilities, which will be of great benefit to
them. He said the provision also enables
Esscom to acquire houses for its members
on duty in Lahad Datu.
“It is for the convenience of the Esscom
officers, members as well as staff and the
process to acquire the facility (houses) is
ongoing,” he said.
Esscom Commander DCP Victor Sanjos
expressed his gratitude for the Unity Gov-
ernment’s concern and appreciation for
the contributions and sacrifices of those
who safeguard the security and sover-
eignty of the country, especially in Sabah.
“On behalf of Esscom and as the Esscom
Commander, I would like to express my
gratitude to the Unity Government for its
concern and kindness towards the mem-
bers of Esscom by providing this alloca-
tion,” he said.
“The rights of the Malays, Bahasa
Melayu as the official language, Islam as
the official religion and the privilege of
the Malay rulers are enshrined in the Fed-
eral Constitution and it must be
respected.
“However, we cannot deny the rights
of other races in Malaysia.
“We in Sabah have been a good exam-
ple of unity in diversity and solidarity
because, despite differences in race and
religion, we have co-existed in harmony
for so long regardless of political ideol-
ogy, which is what the Unity Government
is also promoting at the national level.
“Therefore, I call upon the people to
support the Unity Government candi-
dates in this state elections,” he said.
Among the GRS entourage at the
event were Deputy Chairman Tan Sri
Pandikar Amin Mulia, vice chairman
Datuk Masiung Banah and Information
Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Also on hand were Kawang Assembly-
man Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan
Bahadar, Pantai Dalit Assemblyman
Datuk Jasnih Daya, Tempasuk Assembly-
man Arshad Bistari, Tawau MP Lo Su Fui
and Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan.
Hajiji also took time to meet up with
Sabahans residing in Negeri Sembilan.
Hajiji and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri
Abang Johari Tun Openg, accompanied
Anwar at the nomination centre at Seko-
lah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai
Pusu in Gombak, Selangor.
Both state leaders were making their
first appearance together with federal
leaders in showing support for the ruling
coalition candidates in the peninsula.
The Election Commission had set Sat-
urday as nomination day and Aug 12 as
the polling date for the polls in six states,
namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah,
Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan,
and the Kuala Terengganu by-election,
with early voting on Aug 8.
Adalbert (sixth left) and Greg on his right with village chiefs and community representatives.
3,000 Kolopis folks ‘no’ to raised taxes
Jonathan Nicholas
PENAMPANG: Some 3,000 residents from
seven villages in Kolopis want their area
excised from the District Council’s opera-
tional area, claiming property valuations
carried out recently will burden the
underprivileged rural majority.
Community spokesperson Datuk Seri
Dr Adalbert Kinson said it was unfair for
the flood-prone and underdeveloped val-
ley to be subjected to a subsequently
higher door tax despite virtually no miti-
gation efforts and ill infrastructural
maintenance.
He said the valuation notice was pub-
licised by print media on June 12, six days
after the objection period was over.
“This is a little known fact, insurance
companies refuse to cover flooding since
an event in 1999.
“A masterplan study for the Moyog
River basin flood mitigation had even
listed Kolopis as a flood area.
“It has flooded 16 times from 2019 to
2022 and waters from the recent one in
June this year took three days to recede.
This is exacerbated by the ongoing Pan
Borneo Highway construction,” he told a
press conference.
Adalbert questioned the methods
Author: Teach children positive
character traits: P7
Anwar (centre), flanked by Hajiji (second left) and Sarawak Premier
Abang Johari, at the Nomination Centre in Selayang on Saturday.
570 candidates; straight fights in 181 seats
PUTRAJAYA: The six state elections sched-
uled for August 12 are shaping up to be
multi-cornered fights for seats.
The Election Commission (EC) Saturday
said that there will be 51 three-cornered
fights, 13 four-cornered fights and one
five-cornered fight, in addition to 181
used by the consultant valuers, saying
they did not meet the country’s stan-
dards.
“The Malaysian Valuation Standard
clearly mandates the factors that are to be
taken into consideration to determine a
property valuation.
“This is not limited to comparable
rental and sales data, property size and
age, neighbourhood appeal, zoning and
land use, and the overall health of the
housing market. Only a few of these were
taken into account.
“Taxes are for maintenance but the
Government is yet to give us roadside
lighting, park cleaning, municipal waste
collections and proper roads and drains,”
he said, adding he was born and has
already booked a grave in Kolopis.
Meanwhile, an Australian, Greg King,
who has been staying in Kolopis for five
years is perplexed as to why either the
bureaucrats or consultants are not pre-
pared for transparency.
He presumed the valuators went
ahead in terms of rentable value instead
of improved capital.
“There is a problem on a massive scale
when there is no explanation to an obvi-
ously incorrect valuation with no data
Sabah, S’wak products take
stage at KL’s Borneo Fest: P9
straight fights. the total number of candidates for the
The EC also announced that the elec- state assembly seats, Perikatan Nasional
toral contests will involve a total of 572 (PN) has fielded the most candidates at
candidates from various political parties 168, followed by Pakatan Harapan (PH)
who will be vying for the 245 seats up for with 138 candidates, Barisan Nasional (BN)
grabs. 108, PAS 78, Malaysian United Democratic
Based on data provided by the EC, of Alliance (Muda) 19, Parti Rakyat Malaysia
(PRM) 13 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
four.
There are 41 Independent candidates as
well as candidates from two less well-
known parties, the Youth Front Party
which was formerly known as Penang
Front Party (PFP) with two, and Parti
Utama Rakyat (PUR) with one.
The nomination process, which began
at 9am Saturday, officially closed an hour
later at 10am, with 173 candidate nomina-
tion centres witnessing a submission of
573 nomination papers.
“Immediately after the nomination
period ended at 10am, a total of 573 nom-
ination papers were submitted by various
parties and individuals who will contest in
the 15th state election and Kuala Tereng-
ganu by-election.
“However, one nomination paper was
normalisation.
rejected involving an Independent candi-
“For some cases, they (valuators) have date for DUN N09 Kota Lama, Kelantan,”
broken down subunits making the sum
said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani dur-
of parts greater than the whole. ing a press conference here Saturday.
“It makes no sense that Penampang be
Among the candidates contesting, 501
more expensive than Kota Kinabalu. Peo- candidates are male, and 71 candidates are
ple will leave or commute to other dis-
female. The eldest candidate being fielded
tricts for their livelihood,” he said,
for the state elections is an 80-year-old
attributing the cause to be ignorance of
who is standing in Pantai Jerejak, Penang,
economic impact.
while the youngest is a 23-year-old contest-
An anonymous individual claimed a
ing Bukit Antarabangsa, Selangor.
mall here had higher valuations than
He added that 252 enforcement teams
Imago Shopping mall in Kota Kinabalu.
have been set up to monitor candidates’
“While most of us simply do not want
activities.
raised taxes, a few understand that the
He also urged the candidates and par-
District Council has its sight in millions of
ties contesting to adhere to the rules and
ringgit.
regulations.
“The proposed property levy will not
only affect property owners but also “All campaign methods and materials
renters including commercial property as are allowed as long as they do not cause
landlords will be forced to pass on the provocation and violate the provisions of
increased charges. the Electoral Offences Act 1954 (Act 5),” he
“You can hide behind the legal said.
process, but morally the District Council The EC has set August 12 as the polling
is compromised, who does the District date for the state elections and the Kuala
Council represent? Terengganu by-election, with early voting
“Property owners are now left in the on August 8.
position where they will have to under- The 14-day campaign period began
take a dispute with the very people who after the official announcement of candi-
are supposed to represent them,” he said. dates was made and will run until 11.59pm
on August 11.
Five held over death of man
KOTA KINABALU: Five men have been detained in connection with a
fight that may have caused the death of a man in Putatan, near here.
Acting Penampang Police Chief DSP Sammy Newton said the brawl
which also involved the 28-year-old victim was reported to have taken
place at about 7am on Thursday (July 27).
The victim, aged 28, died at home the following day, he added.
Based on their initial probe, he said, the men were all believed to
be under the influence of alcohol when a misunderstanding took
place and triggered the fight among them.
“One of the men (the victim) went home following the brawl and
died,” he said, Saturday. Sammy said medical officers confirmed the
victim had died before sending his body to the Queen Elizabeth Hos-
pital I here for a post-mortem.

2 Local
Agreement
doesn’t
mention need
to vacate
seat: YB
Agust Dean
KOTA KINABALU:
Petagas Assemblyman
Datuk Awang Ahmad
Sah Sahari (pic) said
the letter of
agreement over
candidacy signed
with Warisan does
not mention the need
to vacate the seat if one leaves the party.
“If the party wants to obtain a court
order to request the assemblyman to leave
the party, it’s up to them,” he said.
He said the agreement only required a
candidate to be loyal to the party and there
is no bond payment if a member leaves.
“It does not also mention having to
vacate the seat in case of leaving the party,”
he said.
“We didn’t sign the bond, we just
signed to be a candidate and promised to
be loyal to the party.”
Awang, who is with Parti Gagasan
Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) said he left because
many of the decisions made by Warisan
were not good.
“I had to consider what is best for the
people in my constituency,” he said.
On July 20, Warisan President Datuk
Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the party is in
the process of filing a lawsuit against 10
former assemblymen who violated the
terms of the agreement for candidates in
the 2020 State Election (PRN).
The suit is being taken following the
Kuala Lumpur High Court decision on the
case of former Ampang Member of
Parliament, Datuk Zuraida Kamarudin,
who was ordered to pay a bond
amounting to RM10 million to PKR for
leaving the party.
Other assemblymen who are expected
to face lawsuits are Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob
(Sindumin), Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi
(Segama), Datuk Peter Anthony (Melalap),
Datuk Juil Nuatim (Limbahau), Rina Jainal
(Kukusan), Norazlinah Arif (Kunak),
Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Ben
Chong (Tanjung Kapor) and George Hiew
(Karamunting).
Transfer
Only Datuk Peter Anthony is spared.
request of
332 medical
officers
approved
KOTA BARU: The Ministry of Health
(MOH) has approved appeals for transfer
for 332 medical officers throughout the
country and these MOs are required to
report for duty on July 31.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said
among appeals considered were for med-
ical officers who made appeals to pursue
specialisation studies in their respective
profession, those who faced serious family
problems and for security reasons.
“The appeals were approved on June 27
and July 24 after reviewing appeals from
1,843 of the 4,155 medical officers who
were offered permanent positions.
“The placement this time will be made
via a system and need the medical officers
to choose their placement because the dis-
parity between contract officers and per-
manent officers can be high in a number
of states and to give medical officers a fair
opportunity to choose their placements,”
she told reporters during a special media
conference, here, Saturday.
Commenting further, Dr Zaliha said the
MOH had set up several channels for med-
ical officers to appeal through ‘google
form’, face to face appeals, while three ded-
icated telephone lines were allocated for
medical officers to get in touch with the
Human Resources Department.
“In the process for appeal, the Appeals
Panel during their meetings will consider
the appeals of all officers but not all
appeals can be approved because posi-
tions involving the officers might not be
vacant in certain states that they applied
for. Consideration will be given to those
who need such placements.
“When reviewing the appeals, medical
officers will also be offered to serve in
other states nearby although they have
appealed to serve in a certain state. It hap-
pens when the state in question does not
have vacancies. When there are no vacan-
cies in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and
Melaka, placements in Johor, Pahang or
Kedah might be offered,” she said.
The medical officers can go straight to
their respective work place approved by
the MOH without having to wait for their
letter of offer because their respective
placements will have their record when
they report for duty.
“However, if medical officers seek to
report later than the date of appointment,
they can appeal to their respective heads
of department to determine the actual
date that they will report for duty,” she
said. – Bernama
Saudin documentary on History Channel
KOTA KINABALU: The international
screening of “Saudin: The Orang Utan
Whisperer” will be on History Channel
(Channel 555) over Astro on Sunday and
Monday.
Saudin Labotao, a North Borneo Murut,
was the first from this part of the world to
travel to New York in the late 1930s, when
travelling across continents via sea was
unheard of.
Sabah’s independence through
Malaysia in 1963 – still a generation away
into the future – also makes him the first
Malaysian and Bumiputra to do so.
It recounts his experience of being
transplanted overnight from the dense
Borneo jungle to New York’s concrete jun-
gle.
Rye Production Sdn Bhd producer Nor-
eini Rahman spent four years researching
about him, including retracing all the
places he went to in New York after read-
ing about him in the “Spirit of Borneo” – a
Spiralling prices main
problem of contractors
Johan Aziz
KOTA KINABALU: The uncontrolled
increase in the price of construction mate-
rials is causing problems to contactors in
the State, according to the Sabah Contrac-
tors Association (PKS).
Its President Jupperi Lenson said the
high cost of building materials as well as
difficulty in obtaining them was one of the
main problems faced by contractors.
He said this after paying a courtesy
visit to Sabah Statistics Department
Director Muhammad Amri Idris at his
office here.
Jupperi hoped the Government could
come up with measures to control the spi-
ralling price of construction materials in
order to safeguard the welfare of contrac-
tors in the State.
He also hoped the Government would
protect the interests of contractors, espe-
cially Bumiputera contractors, and sug-
gested that the state and federal
governments give priority to the associa-
tion’s members to implement government
projects under Class G1.
“The association’s members are mostly
local Bumiputeras who are capable of
Subsidised diesel seized in Tuaran raid
implementing any project under Class G1.
“Many PKS members have Class G1
R. Gonzales
TUARAN: The Domestic Trade and Costs of
Living Ministry (KPDN) Tuaran confiscated
5,300 litres of subsidised diesel in an oper-
ation dubbed “Ops Tiris.”
KPDN Tuaran Chief Enforcement Offi-
cer Saripuddin Moleng said the 11am oper-
ation on Friday was conducted at a
construction site store in Rugading.
He said the diesel was kept in a square
iron tank equipped with an electronic
meter pump.
“All the items, estimated to be worth
RM25,700, were seized and a local man,
believed to be the store’s supervisor, was
detained,” he said.
Saripuddin said initial investigations
showed the subsidised diesel was obtained
from a legitimate industrial diesel sup-
plier but the employee failed to produce
any related documents or permit to store
the controlled good at the location.
“This case will be investigated in accor-
dance with Section 20(1) of the Supply
Control Act 1961 for keeping controlled
goods in a place without the permission of
the controller,” he added.
Under the Supply Control Act 1961 (Act
122), Saripuddin said any individual con-
victed of an offence could be fined not
more than RM1 million and for subse-
quent offences not more than RM3 million
or imprisonment not exceeding three
years, or both, on conviction.
Whereas for companies, if convicted of
the offence, it could carry a fine not exceed-
ing RM2 million and for subsequent
offences, not exceeding RM5 million.
Saripudion said the Ministry would
temporarily suspend the licence of the gas
station operator involved until the inves-
tigation is completed.
The vehicle after the crash.
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
ment Corporation (Finas) and History
Channel.
“This is a crucial documentary focusing
on a native Sabahan and we want the
younger generation to know him as he is
part of history,” said Noreini.
Agnes Keith’s in her international clas-
sic “Land Below The Wind” devoted a
chapter to Saudin, who was hired by the
world’s first wildlife filmmakers Martin
and Osa Johnson to handle captured
Bornean wildlife and accompany the ani-
coffeetable book produced by the Sabah mals to New York.
Government when Tan Sri Musa Aman was The friendship between Saudin and the
Chief Minister and which was presented as animals he cared for, including Abai the
souvenirs to visiting VVIPs, including the largest orang utan ever captured and
British royals. placed in New York zoo, is highlighted in
The book was authoured by Daily the story. The filming of the documentary
Express Chief Editor James Sarda and Uni- was made possible via the help of Saudin’s
versiti Malay History Professor Dr Danny children and grandchildren.
Wong. The Kansas History of Museum dedi-
Noreini and her production team then cated to the work of the Johnsons in the
approached the National Film Develop- Pacific islands, Borneo and Africa from
Muhammad Amri (second left) presenting a memento to Jupperi.
licences and some have G7, but imple- others, if needed.
menting government projects under this “We also help each other in any district
class is very limited,” he said. and area as stated in the association’s con-
According to him, the association was stitution.”
established and registered in 2014 with a Jupperi advised members of the associ-
registered membership of 500 contractors ation to always prioritise quality when
from all over Sabah. implementing government projects.
“One of the purposes of establishing Also present were the association’s four
the association is to help its members in Supreme Council members - Deputy Pres-
terms of knowledge in construction to ident Jonathan, the second and third vice
make it easier for them to request the sup- presidents, Jalni and Alex, and a supreme
port of workers, machines, machinery and council member, Amir.
Stones hurled at PAS Hqs
The store where the seized diesel was kept.
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of soon,” he told a special media conference
Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain con- on Ops Cantas in conjunction with the
firmed that police have received a report state elections in Bukit Aman, here, Satur-
in connection with a man hurling stones day.
at the PAS Headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut Police, he said, are reviewing the close-
here, causing the glass wall to break. circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the
Razarudin said the incident occurred nearby areas to assist in their investiga-
at 5.30am Saturday and police are track- tion to identify the suspect.
ing down the suspect with the help of the According to him, the case is being
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). investigated under Section 427 of the
“In the incident, the suspect, who was Penal Code for committing mischief.
riding a motorcycle, had made some Earlier Saturday morning, PAS lodged
noise before hurling the stones at the a police report after one of the glass walls
glass wall of the building. Guards on duty in the PAS Headquarters was broken by
in the building witnessed the incident. stones hurled by a man just a few hours
Driver killed in crash
“Police are tracking the suspect and, before the nomination process for the six
Insya-Allah, we will track him down state elections began. – Bernama
PENAMPANG: A 35-year-old driver was killed after he lost
control of his car and crashed into a barrier at the Kampung
Dambai-Proper Bridge, Jalan Papar Lama, here, early Satur-
day.
Acting Penampang District Police Chief DSP Sammy New-
ton said the victim, a local, died at the scene following the
5am incident.
“The victim was confirmed dead at the scene by a medical
officer and the body was sent to the Forensic Department,
Queen Elizabeth 1 Hospital for an autopsy,” he said.
He said initial investigations showed the driver was com-
ing from the Donggongon direction when the tragedy
occurred.
“Witnesses to the incident are urged to come forward and
assist in the investigation,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the
Road Transport Act 1987.
1900s till before the war, also lent their
support.
The lack of education did not deter
Saudin from even challenging New York-
ers about their notion of freedom and
modernity.
At one of the talks arranged by Martin
Johnson with New York’s elites, he told
them it was only in the jungle that one is
really free and not in concrete pigeon
holes that have to be locked after you
enter.
Martin, who knew Malay from his
almost two-year stay in North Borneo in
1935 to film the motion picture “Borneo”,
acted as translator. The Johnsons also
made an earlier visit in 1920, where they
produced “Jungle Adventure” the world’s
first wildlife documentary set in the Kin-
abatangan.
The screening times are at 7.15pm on
Sunday (July 30) and at 4.25am, 8.10am
‘Prioritise all
and 5.20pm on Monday (July 31).
residents of
Tg Aru flats
for new
placement’
KOTA KINABALU:
Warisan Vice Presi-
dent Datuk Junz
Wong (pic) urged
the State Govern-
ment to prioritise all
residents of Tanjung
Aru low-cost flats for
new accommoda-
tion.
“I request the GRS government, espe-
cially Deputy Chief Minister III and Works
Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, to give
priority to the residents of Tanjung Aru
low-cost flats regarding the placement
issue, as this problem has been ongoing for
two years, and the residents have been
under pressure from LPPB to move out as
soon as possible.
“He (Shahelmey) mentioned that the
Government faces difficulties in relocating
all the residents of Tanjung Aru low-cost
flats to Kibabaig and Tuaran due to the
large number of occupants, around 300
families,” he said.
According to Shahelemey, the Govern-
ment will only relocate residents such as
OKU, the elderly and the underprivileged.
“In fact, it’s not 300 families but less
than 150 families,” said Junz.
“Shahelmey and LPPB always use the
same excuse that the Tanjung Aru low-cost
flats are in a state of deterioration and
unsafe for occupation to force the resi-
dents to leave.
“However, that’s not the case; Ikram did
not state that the buildings are unsafe but
simply require maintenance, and LPPB has
not taken action in the past 10 years, claim-
ing lack of funds. As a result, the building
has become more dilapidated,” he added.
Wong, who is also Tanjung Aru Assem-
blyman, said the residents of Tanjung Aru
low-cost flats remain firm in staying there
until the Government provides an alterna-
tive placement.
“The residents want to know the Gov-
ernment’s sincerity in assisting them with
this issue. If the Government is genuinely
concerned, they should meet with the res-
idents of Tanjung Aru low-cost flats at once
Investment
as a sign of empathy towards them.”
momentum to
stay positive
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s investment
momentum, which has seen strong
growth since the first quarter of 2023 (Q1
2023), is expected to maintain its upward
trajectory in Q2 2023, said Minister of
Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti)
Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said in Q1 2023 Malaysia had secured
RM71.4 billion of approved investments in
various economic sectors, an increase of
60 per cent from RM44.7 billion registered
in the same quarter last year.
“The momentum in Q2 2023, which will
be announced soon, is also positive. We
are on track and this is a good sign consid-
ering the uncertainties surrounding the
global market,” he said.
However, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia’s
total trade will likely moderate in Q2 2023
on the back of the global trade slowdown
and is forecast to grow around 1.6 to 1.7 per
cent this year in tandem with global eco-
nomic growth.
He noted that Malaysia is an open econ-
omy with its trade to gross domestic prod-
uct (GDP) ratio for 2022 standing at 141 per
cent, thus it is relying heavily on what is
happening globally.
Moving forward, Tengku Zafrul hoped
Malaysian companies will continue to
focus on growing their exports by expand-
ing into new markets as well as exploring
opportunities in the halal market to miti-
gate the decline in trade figures, following
the fall in commodities prices seen since
last year.

King calls
for greater
efforts to
conserve
wildlife
TEMERLOH: The Yang
di-Pertuan Agong Al-
Sultan Abdullah Ri’ay-
atuddin Al-Mustafa
Billah Shah (pic) on
Saturday called for
wildlife conservation
efforts to be strength-
ened to prevent
threats to wildlife species that can lead to
their extinction.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said there must be
a concerted effort involving all parties to
preserve wildlife, including the Malayan
tiger.
“All parties including non-governmen-
tal organisations and individuals need to
come together to preserve this national
icon as well as other wildlife so that they
will continue to exist ...and this on-going
effort must be made a priority.”
His Majesty said this at the proclama-
tion of the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger
Reserve and Tengku Hassanal Wildlife
Reserve at Lanchang Biodiversity Centre,
here.
Also present was the Regent of Pahang
Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
Minister of Natural Resources, Environ-
ment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik
Ahmad, Youth and Sports Minister Han-
nah Yeoh and State Local Government,
Housing, Environment and Green Tech-
nology Committee Chairman Datuk Seri
Johari Harun and Pahang Police Chief
Datuk Yahaya Othman were also in atten-
dance.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, in his speech, wel-
comed the move taken by the State Gov-
ernment in gazetting 134,183 hectares of
land in stages for the Al-Sultan Abdullah
Royal Tiger Reserve and expressed appre-
ciation for the efforts taken by his son
Tengku Hassanal in fighting to protect the
Malayan Tigers and their ecosystem.
“I will be launching a large reserve area
in my name and my son’s. In the 45 years I
was Pahang Regent there was no effort to
reserve a large area in the name of the Sul-
tan or the Regent, so this is a positive par-
adigm shift.
“I hope the gazetted areas will be main-
tained as best as possible, we will make
this as an example to the world on how to
protect the environment, the Malayan
Tiger species and other wild animals,” said
His Majesty.
In the meantime, he also expressed the
hope that the State Government will eval-
uate and take into account environmental
aspects before approving any project in
addition to taking a coherent approach to
enhance sustainable development. –
FMM lauds
Bernama
Madani
Economy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of
Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) lauded
the Madani Economy framework for
advancing the manufacturing sector’s
instrumental role in fulfilling the aspira-
tion of making Malaysia a leading Asian
economy again.
President Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said sev-
eral initiatives highlighted in the latest
economic framework launched by the
Prime Minister on Thursday would be
implemented to elevate the sector as the
country’s engine of new growth.
“FMM supports the Government’s tar-
get of making Malaysia one of the top 30
biggest economies in the world including
becoming a regional economic power-
house and establishing greater economic
integration with neighbouring countries.
“Indeed, the manufacturing sector has
a big role to play here by ensuring that
Malaysia continues to be a preferred
regional supply chain and manufacturing
hub in the Asean region,” said Soh in a
statement.
The strategies and reforms outlined to
improve competitiveness and the ease of
doing business including good gover-
nance are very critical to making Malaysia
a continued favoured destination for
investments, he said.
In this regard, Soh said FMM would like
to urge the government to set up a Madani
Economy Inter-Ministry Joint Working
Committee with the involvement of the
private sector to coordinate all the strate-
gies and key performance indicators
(KPIs) and action plans.
“FMM could not agree more that the
key to the success of the implementation
of the Madani Economy is effective and
efficient implementation of the initiatives
and reforms, as well as good governance.
“Most important are regular stake-
holder consultations to ensure that the
initiatives are aligned with the current
economic and business conditions for
industries to remain competitive and sus-
tainable, and to continue growing,” he
said. – Bernama
Strategic plans to make Labuan competitive, liveable
Rosida (centre) at the launch of the Labuan Corporation
and Government Agencies’ Customers Day programme.
SK Nexilis and SBH Kibing plants
1,000 positions to fill in: Phoong
KOTA KINABALU:
Despite training over
100 young Sabahans
in South Korea, there
are still some 1,000
positions to fill in SK
Nexilis and SBH Kib-
ing once the plants
are ready in Sabah,
according to State Industrial Develop-
ment and Entrepreneurship Minister
Phoong Jin Zhe (pic).
He said the trainees have returned but
there is still a significant shortage of
DLP: Schools must fulfil criteria
workers and urged those interested to
contact his Assemblyman’s Office in Foh
Sang, Luyang, here.
PETALING JAYA: While the availability of
the Dual Language Programme (DLP)
continues to be expanded, new schools
must also fulfil the criteria set to offer it,
says the Education Ministry.
“Every year, the Education Ministry
implements the expansion of DLP in pri-
mary and secondary schools based on
applications from schools that meet the
set criteria,” said the Ministry’s Daily
School Management Division and English
Language Teaching Centre.
It was responding to a Star report
where stakeholders claimed the pro-
gramme was being subtly reduced in
what may be an attempt to remove it.
The Ministry said the criteria include
schools having enough resources, the
school heads having a plan to make sure
the programme is sustainable, parents’
consent being obtained, and schools
meeting the minimum Bahasa Malaysia
requirement.
It also said the programme’s imple-
mentation at the school must not affect
the mastery of students in the Bahasa
Malaysia subject as the national lan-
Model held
guage, and must comply with the min-
for allegedly
obstructing
policemen
KUALA LUMPUR: Local model M Gayathri
who allegedly obstructed policemen from
carrying out their duties, was released on
police bail Friday night after being ques-
tioned over the incident at the Brickfields
district police headquarters (IPD) here.
She was arrested on Friday evening fol-
lowing a report lodged against her by a
police officer over the incident when she
was booked for an alleged traffic offence on
Monday. The clip of her arguing with the
policeman has gone viral.
“Yes, I was arrested by officers from the
Brickfields police station. They took my
statement and released me on bail after two
hours,” Gayathri told FMT.
“Investigating me is fine but I wonder
why I was arrested for questioning a police
officer who was filming me on his hand-
phone while I was arguing with another
constable over my rights.”
Gayathri, who gave permission to be
identified for this report, said she had given
her full cooperation to the police and hoped
her complaint against the policeman who
was filming her will also be looked into by
the authorities.
On Friday, Brickfields Police Chief Ami-
hizam Abdul Shukor said that the case was
being investigated under Section 186 of the
Penal Code for obstructing civil servants
from carrying out their duty; and Section
233 of the Communications and Multimedia
Act (CMA) 1998 for offensive online content
intended to threaten or harass another per-
son, among other things.
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
Both factories have initiated sending
Sabahan technical staff to South Korea
and China for training and learning new
technologies.
SK Nexilis has invested RM4.2 billion
to construct the world’s largest copper
foil manufacturing plant in Sabah.
Phoong said attracting foreign invest-
ments primarily aims at achieving “tech-
nology transfer”, training local young
individuals in high-tech skills and
empowering the next generation to cre-
ate advanced industries.
This approach also aligns with China’s
experiences in reform and opening up,
where the country has now independ-
ently mastered better and higher tech-
istry’s Expert Circular Letter Number 3
of 2020: Improvement of the Education
Ministry’s DLP Implementation
Guidelines for 2021, which is still being
used.
It added that the opening of DLP
classes cannot affect other students’
opportunities to follow Science and
Mathematics subjects in their national
language or mother tongue.
It also said primary schools need to
take into account the students’ ability to
continue DLP classes in secondary
schools.
“The implementation of DLP should
not conflict with existing legislation and
the National Education Policy. Section 17
of the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) states
that the National Language shall be the
main language of instruction in all edu-
cational institutions in the National Edu-
cation System except for national-type
schools established under Section 28 or
any other educational institutions
exempted by the Minister.
“In order to ensure the sustainability
Youths must be encouraged to
of the DLP implementation, the
Education Ministry, through the state
join co-op movement: Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Efforts must be inten-
sified to encourage more youths to be
involved in cooperative movements in
the country, said Entrepreneur Develop-
ment and Cooperatives Minietr Datuk
Ewon Benedick.
He said cooperatives are one of the
best platforms to strengthen coopera-
tion among youths in entrepreneurship
and cooperatives.
He said as of last December, over
15,000 cooperatives registered in
Malaysia but only 207 of them had the
involvement of youths, with a member-
ship of 99,954 people and an income of
RM26.60 million.
MOH licence required for ice factories to operate
“Based on statistics, there is still a lot
of room for improvement to increase the
PUTRAJAYA: All ice factories that operate
or provide ice for business must obtain a
Ministry of Health (MOH) licence based
on provisions under Regulation 394A (4),
Food Regulations 1985, said its Food
Safety and Quality senior director Nor-
rani Eksan.
She said under the process and condi-
tions of obtaining a licence, an inspection
of the factory will be carried out and
water and ice sampling will be done to
ensure that the source of water used and
the ice produced is safe.
“It is also compulsory for ice factories
to carry out self-monitoring at least once
a year and their licence can be suspended
LABUAN: The Labuan Structure Plan 2040
and the Labuan Local Plan 2040, which are
in the final stages of preparation, can
ensure that this tax-free island develops
into a more sustainable, competitive and
liveable federal territory.
Federal Territories Department Direc-
tor-General Datuk Seri Rosida Jaafar said
Labuan must be a vibrant island and able
to compete with other tax-free islands.
She said 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.
“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
nologies.
He said his inaugural six-day visit to
South Korea has been very fruitful,
attracting potential investments amount-
ing to approximately RM3.4 billion for
Sabah.
The investments are related to estab-
lishing the electric vehicle (EV) and bat-
tery industry chain in Sabah, envisioning
the establishment of high-impact indus-
tries, creating quality employment oppor-
tunities and paving the way for Sabah’s
industrialisation and leapfrogging strat-
egy.
Phoong said the rest of the invest-
ments could not be revealed due to con-
fidentiality and confirmation.
education departments and district edu-
cation offices, has implemented various
support efforts and visits to help DLP
teachers and students in schools,” the
Ministry said.
There were 2,291 schools – 737 primary
schools and 1,554 secondary schools –
running the programme in 2020.
As of June 30, there were 1,613 primary
schools and 815 secondary schools offer-
ing DLP.
A total of 8,704 classes with 206,710
pupils are in the programme in primary
schools, while there are 9,398 classes with
255,316 students in secondary schools.
“The list of schools that offer DLP
classes can be obtained from the district
education office and the nearest state
education department,” the Ministry
added.
The programme is one of the initia-
tives under the Upholding the Malay Lan-
guage and Strengthening the English
Language (better known by its Malay
abbreviation, MBMMBI) policy.
It offers schools the choice to conduct
Science and Mathematics subjects in Eng-
lish.
involvement of youths in cooperatives.
“This will need the cooperation of all
parties, especially between the Govern-
ment and the youths, as well as the
involvement of the private sector and
non-governmental organisations
(NGOs),” he said in a statement in con-
junction with the Asia Pacific Coopera-
tive Youth Summit, here.
Sabah has been chosen for the first
time to host the three-day summit,
which began Friday and is attended by
186 participants from 19 countries.
“I hope the selection of Sabah as the
host will spur the interest of the youth,
especially those in the State, to be
involved in cooperative movements to
generate national income,” he said.
if the factory fails to do so,” she said in a
statement, Saturday.
She said the MOH, through its Food
Safety and Quality Division, was aware of
the issues of illegal and suspected con-
taminated ice cubes as reported in the
media recently which could pose health
risks.
According to Norrani, there are 198
licensed ice factories with the MOH
nationwide as of June 30.
According to her, 155 ice factories were
inspected last year, with enforcement
action taken on 17 factories, including
nine unlicensed.
From January to June this year, 18 ice
Local 3
Complex, Saturday.
She said Labuan’s strategic location
linking Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and other
Asean countries gives Labuan a competi-
tive advantage as a viable economic desti-
nation in the region.
Labuan, which is an international busi-
ness and financial centre, has the potential
to become a “second Singapore” through
the development of the country’s oil and
gas and maritime industries, she said.
Rosida said Labuan Corporation will
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
people of Labuan,” she said.
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.
During his South Korea visit, Phoong
was accompanied by representatives
from various State Government
ministries and agencies including
Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Thomas
Logijin, KKIP CEO Lawrence Guandi
Kimkuan, POIC Lahad Datu CEO Datuk
Fredian Gan, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd
(SESB) CEO Ir. Ts. Mohd Yaakob Hj Jaafar,
representatives from the Energy Commis-
sion of Sabah (ECoS), Sabah Energy
Corporation (SEC), Sipitang Oil and
Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC),
as well as Henry Shim, Special Task Officer
to the Minister, and George Wong,
Deputy Chairman of Invest Sabah Berhad
(ISB).
The boat detained.
Illegal fishing:
Boat detained
in Lahad Datu
Azmie Lim
LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a
boat for violating fishing licence condi-
tions, here, on Friday.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director
Maritime Commander Nik Mohd Rizam
Nik Mohd Fauzi said a MMEA patrol craft
detected the boat fishing at about 0.6 nau-
tical miles north of Kunak Tiga, at 4.20pm.
He said the skipper produced the boat’s
licence and his identification documents
as well as that of his crew.
“The local skipper and his crew aged 29
and 57 were detained and the boat was
taken to the Lahad Datu Fishery jetty for
further investigations.
“The case will be investigated under the
Fisheries Act 1985 for committing an
offence by carrying out fishing activity in
less than 1.5 nautical miles from the land,”
he said.
He said the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone
would step up patrol and enforcement
from time to time to prevent illegal fishing
and the intrusion of foreign fishing boats
into Sabah waters.
factories were inspected and four were
penalised, including one that was unli-
censed.
She said throughout 2022 until June
this year, 993 ice samples were taken for
monitoring and 80 per cent were found
to have violated the stipulated rules.
She said owners of ice factories operat-
ing without a MOH licence can be fined
not exceeding RM10,000 or jailed for not
more than two years.
She also advised consumers to buy ice
from licensed factories and information
on licensed ice factories can be accessed
through at the http://fsq.moh.gov.my
website. – Bernama
 4 Local
Govt urged
to provide
incentives,
support as
recognition to
co-op sector
IPOH: Angkatan Koperasi Malaysia Berhad
(Angkasa) hopes that the government will
announce incentives and support as
enjoyed by the small and medium enter-
prises (SME) sector, as a recognition to the
cooperative sector.
Its President Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah
Abdullah said Angkasa had resubmitted
the proposal during the budget consulta-
tion session chaired by Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim two weeks ago.
“This matter has been raised several
times over the past 10 years but there is
still no decision. A ministerial-level com-
mittee has been set up to study the pro-
posal.
“If it is difficult to amend the law, we
ask the government to recognise coopera-
tives so that they can get incentives and
the same facilities as SMEs,” he said at a
press conference after opening the 100th-
anniversary carnival of Koperasi Anggota
Kerajaan Ipoh Berhad (KAKIB) held at
Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah here, Saturday.
He said the recognition could help
cooperatives contribute to the country’s
socio-economic development like cooper-
atives in developed countries by diversify-
ing their business activities.
Angkasa also urged major cooperatives
to diversify their business activities by
engaging in sectors such as retail, whole-
sale, tourism and healthcare to achieve the
National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030
(DKN2030), which targets RM60 billion
income from cooperatives by 2025.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, he said
according to the statistics released by the
Cooperative Commission of Malaysia
(SKM), there are 1,694 cooperatives in
Perak as of last December with a total of
357,390 members, RM563.44 million shares
or contributions  and RM1.6 billion in
assets, generating an income of RM535.54
million.
“I believe that this income can be raised
in the future. This is because the business
sector has already recovered after the pan-
demic and the income of the cooperative
movement has also increased,” he said. -
Kembara Riuh
Bernama
offers int’l
experience: Fahmi
KUALA KUBU BHARU: The Selangor edition
of Kembara Riuh 2023 at Fraser Valley this
weekend is offering an experience akin to
being at an international festival, according
to Minister of Communications and Digi-
tal Fahmi Fadzil.
He said that unlike the previous Kem-
bara RIUH events which are usually held in
big towns or cities, visitors this time around
can enjoy the performances by local artistes
and savour a variety of local dishes while
being surrounded by the beauty of nature.
“The venue of this festival here is unique
and interesting. It can also help promote the
local tourism spot and enable city dwellers
to enjoy nature and rural environment… it
indeed gives different vibes, some even said
that it feels like an international festival,” he
said after visiting the booths available at the
festival here Saturday.
The Selangor edition of the festival, tak-
ing place from Friday to Sunday,  aims to
attract 20,000 visitors and offers free shows
by local artists, creative workshops with an
eco-friendly and sustainable focus, cultural
activities, a gathering of motorsports enthu-
siasts, as well as vendors offering various
goods and food.
The festival which runs from 10 am to 10
pm daily, provides a platform to over 100
local artistes and creative entrepreneurs
with the aim of bringing art closer to the
community.
Meanwhile,  MyCreative Ventures
(MyCreative) Group chief executive
officer Zainariah Johari said that the Kem-
bara RIUH also aims at expanding the RIUH
brand by offering an inclusive platform for
the creative industry.
“When it was first introduced, it had an
urban focus, but over time, we realised that
it is a platform for the creative industry, and
we became aware that many states and
provincial districts in Malaysia are filled
with diverse economic activities.
“We want to take an inclusive approach
in providing a platform and opportunities
for all artistes and members of the creative
ecosystem to participate,” she said.
Among the local artistes involved in the
Selangor edition, Kembara RIUH are Datuk
M. Nasir, Hujan band, Dolla, Balan Kash and
SOG.
Next weekend, the Kembara RIUH festi-
val is slated to be held in Juru City, Seberang
Jaya in Penang, featuring Ella, Anuar Zain
and Bunkface.
The festival, led by the Ministry of Com-
munications and Digital  (KKD) through
MyCreative aims to empower local artistes
and creative entrepreneurs while contribut-
ing to inclusive development and economic
growth in the creative sector. - Bernama
‘Speed up Nabawan Native Court’
Marutin Ansiung
NABAWAN: Assemblyman Datuk Abdul
Ghani Mohamed Yassin hopes the con-
struction of the proposed Nabawan
Native Court (MAN) building will be
expedited.
He said the construction of the MAN
building needs to be speeded up to pro-
vide convenience and comfort to cus-
tomary leaders in the district to carry out
native customary-related works.
Abdul Ghani, who is also Chairman of
Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB),
said the customary leaders here are cur-
rently operating from the Nabawan Dis-
trict Office Secretariat building since the
70s.
“I understand that the allocation for
the construction of the Nabawan MAN
Dr Mahathir seen struggling for relevance
building and its proposed site are
already available,” he told reporters after
officiating a leadership transformation
KUALA LUMPUR: For-
mer prime minister Tun
Dr Mahathir
Mohamad’s (pic)
unprecedented appear-
ance at a PAS event last
week showed the
lengths to which he
would go to remain rel-
evant in Malaysian poli-
tics, according to analysts.
After increasingly emphatic remarks in
support of PAS and its Perikatan Nasional
71women standing as candidates
(PN) coalition recently, the twice former
prime minister finally appeared with the
leaders of the Islamist party he had
mocked while in Umno and Bersatu.
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 71 women candi-
dates will be contesting in the state elec-
tions in six states, with a total of 245 seats
up for grabs.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) has the most
women candidates, with 26 out of a total of
138 candidates, while Barisan Nasional (BN)
is fielding 12 women out of 108 candidates,
Perikatan Nasional (PN) have 19 women
out of 245 candidates, while Malaysian
United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has
No new song in conjunction
the largest percentage, with 10 women out
of 19 candidates.
with campaign, says rapper
KUALA LUMPUR: Rap
artiste Syed Ahmad
Syed Abdul Rahman
Alhadad (pic), casu-
ally known as Altimet
said he will not be
releasing a new song
in conjunction with
the Selangor state
election.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for
the Lembah Jaya state seat produced ‘Aduh
Malaysia’, used as the PH anthem during the
15th General Election (GE15).
“Perhaps we will release another song
that is unrelated to this (state polls),” he
told reporters after the nomination process
at Dewan Dato Ahmad Razali, Ampang here
Saturday.
The PKR Ampang division chief is facing
a straight fight against Sharifah Haslizah
Unity govt to
Syed Ariffin of Perikatan Nasional (PN) who
is also the Selangor PAS Muslimat Council
launch Penang
unity manifesto
Aug 1: Chow
GEORGE TOWN: The Unity Government will
launch the Penang unity manifesto on Aug
1 at the Butterworth Arena for its 40 candi-
dates running in the 15th state election, says
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the manifesto would feature
aims and policies based on input obtained
from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan
Nasional (BN) as a united front.
“We will also touch upon the last mani-
festo in terms of what has been achieved
and if there is anything that is unfinished, it
will be continued in this term,” he said dur-
ing a press conference at Wisma DAP here
Saturday.
Chow, who is also the incumbent chief
minister said this was the first time that the
state’s manifesto would be introduced as a
unity manifesto and the candidates intro-
duced as unity candidates following the
alliance between PH and BN.
“This is something special, because pre-
viously, there was no cooperation between
these two coalitions (PH and BN), so this
manifesto shows the cooperation of PH and
BN in facing (the election) and offering a
manifesto from this unity,” he said.
Chow also said that a Madani roadshow
would take place in Penang on Aug 5.-
Bernama
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
Ghani (sixth from right) and Marajam in a group photo with the course participants.
course for village heads at the Youth and
Sports Hall, here, Friday.
According to Abdul Ghani, the dis-
trict customary leaders have been wait-
ing for the construction of the new MAN
building.
“Therefore, we hope it can be expe-
Despite this, however, the analysts said
PAS was unlikely to derive any significant
benefit from his appearance, indicating
that it was lending Dr Mahathir a platform
simply to signal its own ascendancy.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic
Research (NASR) senior fellow Azmi Has-
san told Malay Mail that PAS already pos-
sesses a loyal and dedicated voter base
from its religious appeal, and does not
need Dr Mahathir to tap this audience.
“Dr Mahathir needs PAS more than the
other way around and Mahathir is reaping
the benefits,” he said referring to the for-
mer prime minister’s attempt to regain
support from the Islamist party base.
Azmi said Dr Mahathir may have won
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is fielding
two women, while Parti Socialis Malaysia
(PRM) is fielding one woman. There is also
one woman independent candidate as well.
The women candidates are from a
diverse range of backgrounds, with most
holding important positions in their
respective parties. The youngest candidate
is also a woman, Melanie Ting Yi-Hlin, 23,
and is Muda Central Information Team’s
chief-of-staff. She is standing in the Bukit
Antarabangsa seat.
Other prominent women candidates
member.
The 44-year-old celebrity said he wanted
to make Lembah Jaya a liveable place for
people from all walks of life and help resi-
dents get incentives and assistance offered
by the state government.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Haslizah or Cikgu
Sharifah said she was undaunted by the
competition even though the constituency
is considered PKR’s stronghold.
Having served as a councillor for the
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in
2013 she said she is a familiar face among
the residents.  information regarding the election process in
In the 14th General Election (GE14),
Haniza Talha of PKR won the seat with a
majority of 14,790 votes defeating
Muhamad Nizam from Barisan Nasional
(BN), Khasim Abdul Aziz (PAS) and
Norizwan Mohamed (Parti Rakyat
Malaysia).
The state election’s youngest candidate,
Melanie Ting, fielded by the Malaysian
United Democratic Alliance Party (MUDA)
to contest the Bukit Antarabangsa seat is
involved in a three-cornered fight against
Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (PN) and Mohd
Kamri Kamaruddin (PH).
The 23-year-old lass said she would serve
people from all walks of life, not just the
youths, while Mohd Kamri, a former engi-
neer, said he would focus on environmental
issues in his campaign, which has always
Mesra Rumah home will benefit the poor: UPPM
been the concern of Bukit Antarabangsa
residents.– Bernama
Ibrahim Tabir
KUNAK: The construction of the Sabah
Maju Jaya (SMJ) Mesra Rakyat home will
benefit especially the poor who cannot
afford to own their own home.
Kunak Community Development
Leader Hussin Mohd Rais said, previously
about 20 SMJ houses had been proposed
to be built early this year and 12 had been
submitted by UPPM and eight by the Dis-
trict Office.
“Currently, there are still some SMJ
Rumah Mesra Rakyat under construction
while others have been completed and
occupied by the recipients,” he said on Fri-
day after inspecting a SMJ houses in Kg
Kadazan, here, already occupied the recip-
ients.
Hussin said among the SMJ houses
under construction and would be built are
in Kg Lormalong, Kg Getah, Kg Mostyn
Lama, Kg Pangi, Kg Kunak Jaya and Kg
Kadazan.
“The site that has been built is what we
(UPPM) proposed before after studies and
dited because it will not only provide
comfort to the customary holders in car-
rying out their responsibilities but will
further enhance the image of MAN in the
district,” he said.
On the course, Abdul Ghani said it
benefits customary leaders such as
over PAS with the “Malay Proclamation” he
developed after losing in the 15th general
election, purportedly to unite the commu-
nity against the existential threats that
coincidentally developed after he resigned
as the prime minister in 2020.
The common ground of racial unity
proposed in the “Malay Proclamation” has
also allowed Dr Mahathir and PAS to
bridge the gap that was their differing
views on Islam.
According to Mazlan Ali, a political
analyst from Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia’s Razak Faculty Perdana Centre,
Dr Mahathir’s appearance at a Perikatan
Nasional event could instead be detrimen-
tal to the coalition.
include former Women, Family and Com-
munity Development Minister Datuk Seri
Rina Mohd Harun, who is running for the
Batu Tiga seat under PN, against Saiyidah
Izzati Nur Razak Maideen of MUDA
and Danial Al-Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid
(PH-Amanah).
Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang,
Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, will be
holding their state elections simultane-
ously on Aug 12, along with the Kuala
Terengganu parliamentary by-election,
Op Cantas room
with early voting set on Aug 8. - Bernama
activated to monitor
elections: IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: The
police have activated the
Special Op Cantas room in
Bukit Aman to monitor
and collect information
on breach of election rules
and regulations by parties
involved in the elections
being held in six states.
Inspector-General of
Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain (pic) said all
the six states will be channelled to the Special
Op Cantas room to enable immediate action
to be taken if there is any violation of the pre-
scribed laws.
“The room will have real-time communi-
cation link with the police contingent head-
quarters in the six states and video recordings
will be taken in real-time if there is any provo-
cation or commotion in the six states. “A total
of 82 Op Cantas Khas teams will also be
mobilised to the six states to monitor and
report directly to the relevant operations
room,” he told a special press conference at
Bukit Aman, here, Saturday.
He said a total of 17,176 police personnel
would be mobilised for the state elections and
they would be assisted by 572 members from
the Volunteer Department in the six states
concerned, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembi-
lan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelan-
tan.
Hussin and UPPM staff posing for a photo after inspecting the SMJ houses.
visits to identify the people who need
housing.
“The construction of Rumah Mesra SMJ
is in line with the State Government’s ini-
tiative and Sabah Maju Jaya to help the
poor who need a perfect home,” he said.
Meanwhile, a recipient of SMJ housing
Native Chief representatives (WKAN)
and village heads who gained new
knowledge and experience related to
their duties.
At the same time, he hopes the cus-
tomary leaders will be able to carry out
their respective responsibilities based on
the Native Court Enactment and compli-
ance with enforced customary law.
Apart from that, he said, customary
leaders also need to set a good example
for the people under their care as they
are the community’s reference, espe-
cially in matters related to customary
law.
Also present were Sabah Native
Affairs Department Director Majaran
Osman, Nabawan Community Develop-
ment Leader (PPM) Deckson Andipai,
Nabawan District Chief OKK Ulin Datuk
Pamiang, as well as heads of depart-
ments and community leaders.
Since PN already did not need his help
to attract Malay votes, Mazlan said Dr
Mahathir’s provocative remarks about the
non-Malays could instead turn away any of
the community’s support for the coalition.
He said Dr Mahathir has repeatedly
made remarks indicative of his belief
about Malay supremacy, which would
repel moderate Malaysians as well as non-
Malays.
“I thought Tun Mahathir will reduce
non-Malay support for PN because of his
Malay agenda,” he said referring to the
communal agreement that was also
signed by PN leaders including Bersatu
president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Syaza Shukri, assistant professor of
political science at International Islamic
University Malaysia, said PAS and PN may
have offered Dr Mahathir a stage simply to
consolidate all Malay politicians under
them and bolster their claim of uniting the
community.
However, Syaza said it was still unclear
what Dr Mahathir’s motive was for person-
ally appearing at a PAS event, seeing as he
was not directly involved in the six state
elections taking place next month.
“On one hand, I want to say that he has
made it clear that [Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim] is incompetent and
needs to be replaced.
“But the thing is, he never mentions
who is best to replace Anwar. So that is
where we have the confusion of what his
objective is,” she said.
Two days ago, Abdul Hadi said that Dr
Mahathir has finally returned “to the fold
of his struggles” after joining hands with
B’fort firemen
PN recently.– MM
receive three
emergency calls
Ahmad Apong
BEAUFORT: The Fire and Rescue Depart-
ment here received three emergency calls
from different villages about fallen tree,
rescuing a cat and catching a python.
Its Chief Station Muhammad Hasbullah
Nenggok said the first call was about a
fallen tree that hit a resident’s house at
about 4.38pm.
When the fire brigade arrived at the
scene, they found the tree crashed into the
caller’s house due to strong winds.
Another call was received at 7.37am on
Thursday from SK Pekan saying a cat was
trapped on the third floor of the school
building.
Muhammad Hasbullah said members
rescued and brought down the cat by
climbing the fire ladder.
The third call was received from Kg
Kukut at about 10.47pm saying that a
python was in the house. “There is a batik
python type in the kitchen room of the
caller’s house. The firemen caught the
snake using a snake trap,” he said.
in Kg Kadazan, Maduali Saini said she
appreciates the commitment and support
from the Kunak UPPM Unit which
inspected the condition of her home in
October last year and subsequently
approved her application for SMJ Friendly
Home assistance.

Minister’s advice on better agri methods
Hire experts from association
Clarence Dol
TENOM: The agricultural sector in this
State can be empowered through the
cooperation of agricultural associations
such as the Sabah Durian and Tropical
Fruit Growers Association (MaSDa) for
better quality crops in the domestic and
foreign markets.
State Minister of Community Develop-
ment and People’s Well-being, Datuk
James Ratib, said the association is made
up of members who have been successful
in agriculture and are able to contribute
ideas towards further strengthening the
sector in Sabah.
“In my previous experience as Assistant
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I saw
some agricultural projects designed by the
department with unsatisfactory results.
“Therefore, I am confident that the
expertise of the members of the MaSDa
can contribute to a variety of better quality
agricultural techniques,” he said.
James, who is also a lifelong member of
the MaSDa, explained that members of the
Manhunt for
association have shown proud success,
man who
trespassed on
LRT track,
molested woman
KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia
Berhad (Prasarana)  is working with
the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to track
down a man who trespassed on the Light
Rail Transit (LRT) track and attempted to
molest a female passenger at the Maluri
LRT Station Friday.
Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, in a statement, said
that in the incident which occurred at 7.58
am, the suspect, who is believed to be
mentally unstable,  was believed to have
trespassed on the LRT track by crossing
from platform 1 to platform 2 where the
woman was waiting for a train.
Prasarana auxiliary policemen on duty
at the scene  rushed  to the platform to
assist the victim who was struggling with
the suspect, it said, adding that other com-
muters who saw the incident also helped
and managed to free the victim from the
suspect.
However, they failed to apprehend the
man because he was very aggressive,” read
the statement.
It said the man returned to the plat-
form shortly after and again trespassed on
the LRT track before knocking on the wall
of a train, which had stopped at the sta-
tion, and then fled the scene at about 8.05
am.
After the incident, the victim and a wit-
ness were taken to a police station to file
their reports, according to the statement.
Rapid Rail expressed regret for the inci-
dent and responded immediately by
increasing the number of auxiliary police
personnel at its stations to enhance secu-
rity and prevent similar incidents from
occurring.
Meanwhile, Cheras district police Chief
ACP Zam Halim Jamaluddin confirmed
that the police had received a report
regarding the incident from a 27-year-old
woman Friday.
He said the police were working to
locate the man involved and urged those
with information about him to contact the
Cheras Police Hotline at 03-9284
5050/5051, the Kuala Lumpur Police Hot-
line at 03-2115 9999, or the nearest police
20pc off fares
station. - Bernama
for travellers
from now to
Aug 10: MAS
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS)
invites travellers to book a holiday to their
dream destination with up to 20 per cent
off on fares to domestic and international
destinations, available from now until
August 10, 2023 for immediate travels until
December 15, 2023.
In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said
domestic destinations start from RM89 via
the airline’s Economy Lite fare, which
comes with a seven-kilogramme (kg)
cabin baggage allowance, complimentary
snacks or meals and beverages and in-
flight entertainment.
“For those looking to explore interna-
tional destinations, enjoy all-in one-way
fares starting from just RM249 on Econ-
omy Basic.
“The Economy Basic fare includes a free
20kg check-in baggage allowance, seven
kg cabin baggage allowance, complimen-
tary snacks or meals and beverages, and
in-flight entertainment.
Holiday-goers can book their dream
holiday with the convenience of the offi-
cial Malaysia Airlines website and its app,
said the airline. — MM
James receiving a memento from
Dan at the Fourth MaSDa AGM.
particularly in the cultivation of local
fruits such as durian and avocado.
Therefore, he will suggest to the Minis-
ter in charge of the agriculture sector that
MaSDa be used as an intermediary to help
farmers and develop agricultural knowl-
edge capable of producing higher quality
fruit products.
“The expertise of the members of the
association can be used by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture to conduct courses
and practical agricultural training.
PEDi operating as
Students attending ICT course at PEDi.
usual in Sabah: MCMC
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia
Commission (MCMC) said the Digital
Economy Centre (PEDi) in Sabah is
operating as usual and the availability of
Community Wifi still can be enjoyed.
It was responding to reports that
hundreds of thousands of students in
rural areas were affected by the
termination of free broadband services
in Sabah.
“MCMC is very concerned about the
difficulties faced by students in rural
areas and recommends students to use
the facilities they provided at PEDi as a
suitable alternative for learning and
knowledge sharing for the time being.
“It is a conducive place to pursue
knowledge and improve digital skills in
an increasingly advanced technological
era,” he said.
Previously, PEDi was equipped with a
Hub and Spoke configuration where it
worked as a Hub while the Wifi service
now known as Wifi acted as a Spoke.
The Community Wifi is connected to
PPKK set up in Kg Tidong
Rohainah (third from left, front row) and the villagers at the programme.
Mardinah Jikur
KINABATANGAN: The Child
Development Centre (PPKK) in
Kampung Tidong, Kinabatangan is
officially open. It was officiated by
Assistant Director of the General Welfare
Services Department of Sandakan
Division, Rohainah Abbas.
She said the establishment of PPKK in
Kampung Tidong is in line with Sabah
Maju Jaya which emphasises human
capital and effort to ensure that rural
children are not excluded from receiving
early childhood education.
PPKK is a centre for human capital
development activities in communities
that do not have access to early
childhood education such as Kemas and
Kindergarten.
The objectives are to provide
educational exposure to children
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
“At the same time, the government can
make financial savings because each suc-
cessful course does not require high costs
because the members of the association
have their own farm to undergo practical
training,” he said.
James who is also Sugut Assemblyman
said this when officiating the 4th General
Meeting of MaSDa which took place at
Naluyan Jungle Lodge, Tenom, near here
on Saturday.
He hoped the Ministry of Agriculture
would hire some members of the associa-
tion to be appointed as State Agricultural
Advisors especially to carry out agricul-
tural projects designed by the govern-
ment.
He explained that some of the previous
agricultural project failures could be over-
come by hiring individuals who have
really proven success in agriculture as one
of the advisory panel members.
“The time has come for members of
MaSDa to join the agricultural advisory
council and at the same time acts as an
intermediary to advance the agricultural
the PEDi via wireless technology and
each PEDi is configured with a minimum
speed of 20Mbps access shared across
Hubs and Spokes.
Although Wifi community with
Spoke service has been discontinued
when these areas have broadband
services with a better 4G quality.
The Perpaduan Broadband /Rahmah
Package was introduced to help those
who are underprivileged.
Community Wifi around the PEDi
area can still be enjoyed by the local
community.
Moreover at PEDi, tablets are provided
for visitors to use if all the terminal
computers are not available at that
instance.
MCMC will continue to strive to
provide quality Internet services for the
advancement of education and
community development in Sabah.
Any enquiries pertaining to the above,
kindly contact the Sabah State MCMC
Director, Izani Othman via email:
izani.othman@mcmc.gov.my.
informally and inculcate good manners
and culture in children of the
community, she said.
The opening ceremony was attended
by 76 villagers from Kg Tidong and Kg
Dagat in Kinabatangan.
Also present were Kg Tidong PPKK
Chairman-cum-Village Head, Nasrah
Tilang and Kinabatangan District
Welfare Officer, Roslan Muhammad.
“The centre will benefit residents,
especially children, of both villages,” he
said.
He said with close cooperation
among the villagers and help from the
Kinabatangan District Welfare Office
made it possible for PPKK to be set up in
Kg Tidong.
The Welfare Service Department
presented equipment such as study
tables, chairs, fans and whiteboards.
projects planned by the government. They
have achieved success and have proven
success in the agriculture carried out,” he
said.
James said his Ministry through the
Sabah Women’s Affairs Department
(Jhewa) and Sabah Community Services
Council (MPMS) would also organise sev-
eral courses related to agriculture and
MaSDa members would be appointed as
facilitators in the programme later.
“The two agencies will cover the cost of
organising the course so that more Saba-
hans can get agricultural knowledge that
can improve their own and family’s econ-
omy in the future,” he added.
MaSDa currently has 141 members com-
prising fruit farm operators who success-
fully produced various products including
durian and high quality avocados from
several districts in Sabah.
Also present at the programme were
the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secre-
tary, Walter Kenson; MaSDa Chairman Dan
Evans and MasDa Secretary General Iannis
Sarawak’s crystal
Irfan Dhil Akhbar.
longans a hit among
Singaporeans at
Expo M’sia Fest
SINGAPORE: Crystal longans from Sarawak
has caught the attention of many, and it is
the main focus of the ongoing Expo
Malaysia Fest 2023.
This four-day event started on July 27,
2023, and is taking place at the Singapore
Expo in Changi.
A Bernama survey found that Singapore-
ans did not miss the opportunity and
patiently lined up to get this fruit, also
known as Brazilian longan, which can usu-
ally be found in the Lundu and Kota Sama-
rahan areas, Sarawak.
Some of the customers who come to buy
this fruit are first-time buyers. They often
ask the seller for help in learning how to
peel it, as the fruit has a rather hard skin and
can be tricky to handle. It looks like an egg,
but it’s definitely not!
Johor’s Federal Agricultural Marketing
Authority (Fama) marketing officer Mohd
Aznor Naim Aznan said the agency first
introduced crystal longans to Singaporeans
at the same expo in 2019.
He also said that Fama had been receiv-
ing numerous inquiries about bringing the
popular fruit to the market.
“This year marks the second time the
fruit will be showcased at the Malaysia Fest
expo. Unfortunately, two years prior, the
fruit was unable to be featured due to the
COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
For this edition of the expo, Mohd Aznor
said Fama Johor had collaborated with
Fama Sarawak to bring in about 2,000 kilo-
grammes (kg) of crystal longans specially
brought from 20 farmers in Lundu and Kota
Samarahan.
“On the first day alone, we sold 800kg of
agricultural products. The response was
encouraging from the people of Singapore,”
he said, adding that he was proud of the
hard work he personally put in to gather
together the agricultural products of the
people of Lundu and Kota Samarahan in
Sarawak.
Crystal longan is priced at S$6 per kg at
the expo (S$1=RM3.418), which is organised
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Security (KPKM), through Fama and in col-
laboration with Singapore-based MegaX-
Safeguarding
press International Pte Ltd. – Bernama
welfare of
M’sians in S’pore
SINGAPORE: The Malaysian High Commis-
sion in Singapore continues to collaborate
with non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) such as the Muslim Converts’ Asso-
ciation of Singapore (MCAS) to protect the
welfare of Malaysian nationals in the
nation,
During a recent ‘Qurban Drive’ event
organised by MCAS, the Malaysian High
Commissioner to Singapore, Datuk Dr
Azfar Mohamad Mustafar expressed his
appreciation for the close cooperation
between the Malaysian High Commission
and MCAS, especially during the Covid-19
pandemic two years ago.
For years, MCAS has been providing aid
to underprivileged Malaysians in Singa-
pore, not just by delivering spiritual sup-
port but also by supplying food and other
essentials.
“Throughout the pandemic, I have
maintained regular contact with MCAS to
ensure the well-being of Malaysians in Sin-
gapore,” said Azfar.
During this year’s Qurban Drive, MCAS
provided Qurban meat to almost 1,000
underprivileged households. The old, poor,
and Muslim convert families all received
two kilogrammes of meat for each family.
Five elderly Singaporeans were individ-
ually given Qurban meat portions by Azfar
and his wife Datin Che Norhayati Soib in
Eunos Ave 1. – Bernama
Local 5
Supermodel
Amber to seek
neurological
care after
‘blackout fall’
KUALA LUMPUR:
Malaysian supermodel
Amber Chia (pic) will
seek neurological care
after being hospitalised
for a ‘blackout fall’ in
her home on Wednes-
day night (July 26).
According to her Instagram post, the
model was having a ‘normal night after
dinner’, sending her son Ashton, 13, to bed
and walking downstairs to take her phone
and bag.
Chia was sending off her friends and
manager at 11pm before they noticed she
had passed out and had fallen forward on
the stairs.
She was rushed to a private medical
centre and shared a quick Instagram
update picture of her in a hospital bed say-
ing that she was about to undergo surgery
and was going to be okay.
Before the surgery, Chia shared a series
of Instagram stories of her friends and
family visiting and caring for her as she
thanked them graciously.
Chia said that she had ‘significant’
external bleeding on her left brain among
other small injuries, adding that a com-
puted tomography (CT) scan showed no
internal bleeding.
After her surgery, Chia posted a picture
of a stitched injury on the left side of her
head with a caption saying she was ‘feeling
much better now’, telling her followers not
to worry.
Despite recovering from the accident,
Chia said that she doesn’t know why she
suddenly fainted.
“No one knows and I know it’s danger-
ous, next, I need to see the neurology
department to find out the cause,” Chia
wrote on Instagram.
“The most important thing is that I’m
okay now, thank you all for the love & con-
cern, I’m sorry for making you all worry. I’ll
be fine, recover soon and love you all.” –
Mr DIY Group
MM
celebrates World
Environ Day
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians’ favourite
home improvement retailer, MR D.I.Y.
Group Berhad (MR D.I.Y.) celebrated
“World Environment Day” in exciting
ways by mobilising its MR D.I.Y. Cares vol-
unteers to organise two environmental
initiatives, the mangrove saplings and
Tapir conservation programmes, to com-
memorate the event.
In a statement Saturday, MR. D.I.Y. said
that realizing the importance of man-
groves as protectors of the coastal ecosys-
tem, 31 dedicated MR. D.I.Y. Cares
volunteers joined forces with residents of
Changkat Keruing and volunteers from
an environmental non-governmental
organisation Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat
Alam (KUASA) went on a mission to
restore nature along the Mangrove River-
bank Park in Changkat Keruing, Perak.
They collectively planted 1,000 man-
grove saplings, thus rejuvenating the
mangrove forest, read the statement.
The MR. D.I.Y. Cares were also involved
in another World Environment Day ini-
tiative,which is at the Sungai Dusun
Wildlife Conservation Centre for Tapir in
Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.
At the conservation centre, the volun-
teers painted a mesmerising mural of the
Tapir , as well as planted some flower
plants, transforming it into an attractive
place.
According to MR. D.I.Y., these activities
are part of the company’s continuous
efforts towards preserving Malaysia’s
tourist spots and ensuring the sustain-
ability of the natural environment.
“We firmly believe that homegrown
corporations or organisations should
play an active role in educating
Malaysians on the importance of sustain-
able practices so that we can together
deliver value and positively impact the
rakyat and our country in meaningful
ways.
“At the same time, to encourage others
to follow,” it said.
The company also held a “Walk with
Style” workshop in MR. D.I.Y. PLUS, offer-
ing children and adults the opportunity
to be creative through upcycling white
school shoes, canvas tote bags, and mir-
rors.
In another programme, Soroptimist
International Damansara (SID), the
retailer invited 15 children from Rumah
Aman Children’s Home to join in the
activity.
It said MR D.I.Y. has a long track record
of supporting and promoting environ-
mental initiatives, which included
upgrading of the Sg Kedondong recre-
ational area and cleaning of the Melaka
riverfront, which was conducted in col-
laboration with Perbadanan Pembangu-
nan Sungai and Pantai Melaka in 2022. –
Bernama
 6 Local
40pc STEM students target by 2025
Mardinah Jikur
SANDAKAN: The Sabah Ministry of
Science and Innovation (KSTI) has drawn
up a strategic plan to ensure that the
culture of Science and its application can
be encouraged throughout Sabah.
KSTI’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk
Zainudin Aman, said KSTI had created an
action plan together with the Sabah
Education Department in regard the
strategic plan to develop Science,
Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) in the State as well
as the Sandakan District Education
Office.
“We are confident of achieving a level
of achievement exceeding 40 per cent in
2025 of student involvement in STEM,” he
explained.
“Now we are on the right track,
Jheains praised for excellent
Ruslan (second from left) presenting an excellent award to one of the recipients.
services to Muslims in Sabah
Iskandar Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU: Assistant Minister to the
Chief Minister, Datuk Ruslan Muharam,
said despite having a limited workforce,
Jheains (Sabah Islamic Affairs
Department) was able to achieve its
objectives.
Its responsibilities include various
aspects of interests of the community as
well as religion.
“All this requires hard work and thank
God, all Jheains members have shown a
proud performance in providing services
to the Muslim community in Sabah,” he
said this recently.
Present were Jheains Director, Datuk
Saifulzaman Sangul; Deputy Director of
Hong Kong’s billionaire donates
Jheains, Awang Juri Ag Tahir and Senior
Assistant Secretary of the State Secretary’s
RM880k to help M’sian students
KUALA LUMPUR:
Richard Li (pic), the
Hong-Kong based
billionaire, has
donated close to a
million ringgit to a
fund set up to help
Malaysian students
in the special admin-
istrative region.
Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke,
spoke about the donation at a business
luncheon held between Malaysia and the
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
here, where the two countries signed 11
memoranda of understanding to explore
investments and trade in key industries.
The fund was established by the
Malaysian Chamber of Commerce in Hong
Kong to help Malaysians studying in Hong
Kong universities through scholarships.
Addressing the luncheon, Loke hailed
Li’s donation as a reflection of the strong
trade ties shared by Malaysia and Hong
Kong.
“I would like to express deep apprecia-
tion to Mr Richard Li, who I understand is
a member of your delegation, for donating
HK$1.5 million (RM880,000) in cash to the
NKF opens Malaysia’s first peritoneal dialysis centre
Malaysian student fund, without asking
for anything in return,” the minister said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Kidney Foun-
dation of Malaysia (NKF) has opened the
country’s first peritoneal dialysis and
chronic kidney disease education centre
(pic) in Selayang.
Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for kid-
ney failure that uses the lining of the
patient’s abdomen or belly to filter the
blood inside the body.
The centre aims to provide peritoneal
dialysis training and support services as well
as chronic kidney disease education services
for free to the community.
It includes providing information and
support about dietary and lifestyle changes
and assisting patients in choosing the right
kidney replacement therapy be it kidney
transplant, peritoneal dialysis, haemodialy-
sis or palliative care.
NKF Malaysia chief executive officer Khor
Xin Yun said with the newly-launched cen-
tre, the foundation hopes to help nephrolo-
Hopefully, by the end of this year we will
have passed the level of 30 per cent of
their involvement and by 2025 we will
also pass the level of 40 to 43 per cent.
This will simultaneously reach the 60
per cent level that the country is
targeting before 2030,” he said this
recently.
Also present were Sandakan Member
of Parliament, Vivian Wong Shir Yee;
Sandakan Municipal Council Deputy
President, Wilson Thomas and Sandakan
District Education Officer, Munah Nasri.
The programme was organised by
KSTI and the Department of Education
Sandakan which is the 10th of the 24
District Education Offices throughout
Sabah to promote STEM to students
involving an allocation of RM250,000
from KSTI.
Office, Mohamad Sidik Awang Adi.
He reminded Jheains members to
maintain the momentum of excellence for
the benefit of the people in line with the
agenda of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) and the
Madani Government.
He said the people are becoming wiser
in their assessment, coupled with digital
technology in all government affairs that
require focus and better quality and
efficient services.
Citing an example, he said with just
one mistake, a complaint could be made
by pressing I-ADU against a person
without going procedures as was done
before.
“So don’t be complacent but increase
efficiency and quality of service for the
benefit of the people,” he said.
Li is the fourth richest man in Hong
Kong with an estimated fortune of US$4
billion (around RM18.2 billion in today’s
exchange), according to news reports.
He is the son of Hong Kong’s legendary
tycoon, Li Ka-shing.
Li is the Chairman and Chief Executive
of the Pacific Century Group, the parent
company of telecoms giant PCCW after
buying it for US$38 billion in 2000 in what
at the time was Asia’s largest corporate
acquisition, reported lifestyle magazine
Tatler Asia.
The company has extensive financial
holdings, including insurance company
FWD and PineBridge Investments, formed
after Li purchased AIG’s asset manage-
ment business in 2010, as well as luxury
property and infrastructure business
Pacific Century Premium Developments.
The fund has so far raised up to HK$15.6
million (about RM9 million) entirely from
voluntary donations in the past several
years for a student fund dedicated to
Malaysians studying in Hong Kong and
Macau.
Malaysia is Hong Kong’s ninth largest
trade partner. Malaysia’s total trade with
Hong Kong last year was valued at US$28
billion (RM127 billion in today’s
exchange). – MM
gists in patient care with quality Peritoneal
Dialysis support services including training,
retraining, transfer of patient’s set to change,
dressing of the exit site and home visits.
“My sincere appreciation to the nephrol-
ogist fraternity, the Health Ministry, industry
partners and community partners like
Rotary Club for constantly helping
Malaysians and non-governmental organi-
sations like NKF.”
The initiative covers a range of serv-
ices for patients with different stages of
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
Zainudin (third from left) and Munah (second from left)
visiting STEM exhibition at SMK Libaran.
Meanwhile, Zainudin said KSTI had
also signed a MoU (memorandum of
Astro undertakes
understanding) with a Science museum
VSS to improve
finances
PETALING JAYA: Astro Malaysia Holdings
Bhd will be undertaking a voluntary sepa-
ration scheme (VSS) to allow the company
to focus on core business activities and
improve financial performance by simpli-
fying the organisation, streamlining oper-
ations and reducing operating expenses.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the
integrated consumer media entertainment
company said the VSS aimed to support its
ongoing transformation and is offered
purely on a voluntary basis.
Group CEO Euan Smith said the media
and entertainment industry is currently
operating in an environment that is experi-
encing an “unprecedented rate of disrup-
tion”.
Therefore, he said industry players are
required to reinvent and adapt swiftly to
remain profitable and relevant in this new
reality.
“In an increasingly borderless and digi-
tal world, competition is relentless, espe-
cially in a challenging economic
landscape,” he said.
He said Astro continued to be proactive
to reinvigorate the company to strengthen
its position in the market and adapt to a
fast-changing business environment.
Notwithstanding this exercise, Astro
said it is putting in place measures to
ensure customer experience would not be
impacted by the VSS.
Additionally, it added that Astro has also
put in place a transition programme that
would provide the right support to employ-
ees who opt for the VSS, including coaching
and skills upgrading training programmes.
The group’s shares fell half-a-sen or 0.9
per cent to 53 sen, giving it a market capi-
Tabling of
talisation of RM2.76 billion. – FMT
Media
Council Bill
in March
KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications
and Digital Ministry (KKD) will ensure that
the bill for the establishment of the
Malaysian Media Council (MMC) can be
tabled in Parliament no later than the
March session next year.
Its Deputy Minister, Teo Nie Ching in
her official Facebook post said the matter
was decided yesterday in a meeting,
chaired by Communications and Digital
Minister Fahmi Fadzil, to further discuss
the bill.
“This is our (KKD) commitment among
other efforts to ensure the welfare of
media practitioners is maintained and
that information received by every level of
society is better authenticated so that it
will indirectly not disrupt the harmony in
the country. “We in KKD welcome Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s man-
date to ensure press freedom is uplifted
and strengthened as one of the efforts to
deal with all the malicious lies and fake
news that can cause division in society,“
she said. – Bernama
kidney failure.
Those with stage two and three kidney
failure will be provided with advice on
dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
For more advanced cases (stages four and
five), patients will be guided to dietary
changes and to choose suitable kidney
replacement therapy.
Additionally, the centre will lend glu-
cometer and/or blood pressure monitoring
sets to patients in stages two to five for home
monitoring, facilitating better health condi-
tion tracking.
Malaysian Society of Nephrology presi-
dent Dr Lily Mushahar lauded the initiative
and said the launch can further strengthen
the government’s commitment towards
managing chronic kidney disease.
“I take this opportunity to call on all
Malaysians to adopt a healthy lifestyle
together and conduct regular check-ups to
ensure optimal health.” – MM
in China for three years to display its
Science materials (exhibits) related to
STEM in several locations in Sabah.
Training on F6 admission process
vital for principals given autonomy
KUALA LUMPUR: The new intake of sixth
formers on July 17 constitutes the last batch
to be overseen by the Ministry of Education
(MOE) as school and Form Six college prin-
cipals have been given autonomy to con-
duct the student admission process.
This means the principals have the
authority to select the students who they
think are qualified to enter Form Six. In pre-
vious years, SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)
school leavers wishing to enter Form Six
have to wait for an offer letter from MOE.   date (to admit students into Form Six), it
While many people lauded the min-
istry’s move to rebrand as well as upgrade
Form Six to pre-university status, some edu-
cation experts feel the principals involved
should be provided optimum exposure to
the best practices in the student admission
process.   Aziah, who was among those that recom-
They said this is to ensure the process
concerned not only runs smoothly but is
also a balanced, fair and inclusive one. It will
also enable the principals to identify stu-
dents with real potential before offering
them a place in Form Six.    Only qualified SPM school leavers should
Commenting on this, Universiti Putra
Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Academic
and International) Prof Dr Ismi Arif Ismail
said principals must be given enough expo-
sure and training on their new responsibil-
ity before next year’s intake of sixth formers
begins.
“In line with efforts to revamp the man-
agement of Form Six classes to pre-univer-
sity level, the time is ripe indeed for the
principals to be given autonomy to select
the students.
“However, they must first be exposed to
the process of recruiting students and given
training because all these years, MOE was
handling this,” he told Bernama.
On July 23, Education Minister Fadhlina
Sidek announced the Ministry had granted
autonomy to school and Form Six college
principals to conduct the student recruit-
ment process for the sixth form with imme-
diate effect.
She said this move will allow the princi-
pals to make direct offers to potential stu-
dents who need the opportunity to
continue their studies without having to
wait for an offer from the ministry.
Three days ago, Education Director-Gen-
eral Datuk Pkharuddin Ghazali said the
guidelines for the admission of Form Six
students by school principals are expected
to be ready by early next month.
Ismi Arif said in order to provide ade-
quate training to principals and equip them
with knowledge of the student admission
system, they can collaborate with the man-
agements of MOE’s matriculation pro-
grammes as well as foundation programmes
at institutions of higher learning.   they can identify students who are inter-
He added that granting principals
autonomy would also allow them to offer
subjects in accordance with the selected stu-
dents’ interests, qualifications and ambi-
RM50m to build 3,000 solar kiosks
tions.   before the SPM exam or after the results
Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation
SEPANG: The government has approved an
allocation of RM49.14 million to 113 local
authorities for the construction and
upgrading of 3,173 business kiosks
equipped with solar panels, said Local Gov-
ernment Development Minister Nga Kor
Ming.
He said 100 green kiosks have been built
in areas under the purview of the Sepang
Municipal Council (MPS), Kuala Langat
Municipal Council, Kuala Pilah District
Council, Seremban City Council and Port
Dickson Municipal Council, with the
remaining 3,073 kiosks expected to be
completed by the end of this year.
Nga said the kiosks, which were con-
He explained that China also has more
than 400 science centres and this shows
the country is famous for its science and
innovation.
In the development of Sabah, he
explained, the KSTI had made an
application to the State Government
through the Chief Minister for 20 acres to
build the Sabah Science Centre.
He is confident that it will be
considered for the development of
students in Science and STEM.
Earlier, Munah thanked KSTI and the
State Education Department for
implementing the STEM Fiesta
programme in Sandakan.
Meanwhile, teachers and students
lauded the programme which, among
other things, provides accurate
information about STEM.
and Community-Industry Engagement in
the School of Educational Studies, Universiti
Sains Malaysia, Associate Prof Dr Aziah
Ismail supported the autonomy move, say-
ing that previously SPM school leavers
found it difficult to get clear information on
the subjects they should take in Form Six
that will enable them to pursue higher stud-
ies in a field they are interested in.  
“Now that school and Form Six college
principals and their teams have the man-
will decentralise the student recruitment
process previously managed by MOE.  
“When their principals take over, it will
make it easier for the students to get more
information on their sixth-form studies,”
she said.
mended the establishment of Form Six col-
leges, said the conditions for admission into
the sixth form must meet a standard criteria
to improve the quality of Form Six educa-
tion in line with the rebranding efforts.
be offered a place in Form Six while the less
qualified ones should be admitted to other
educational institutions including voca-
tional colleges, she added.
On some parents’ concern that the prin-
cipals may abuse their autonomy, Aziah said
the guidelines now being prepared by MOE
will address the issue of transparency in the
intake of Form Six students.
Efforts to rebrand the sixth form started
more than 10 years ago in 2012 when the
new STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan
Malaysia) assessment system was imple-
mented. In 2014, MOE gave permission to
Form Six students to dress casually to school
but with several conditions attached.
And, on July 12 this year, MOE said it is
rebranding Form Six colleges and naming
them MOE Pre-University College.
The rebranding exercise is aimed at get-
ting more SPM school leavers to continue
their studies in Form Six as well as expose
them to the university learning environ-
ment.
National Parent-Teacher Association
Consultative Council president Associate
Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan, mean-
while, said granting autonomy to principals
will help to address the issue of students
who don’t continue with their studies after
completing SPM due to poverty or other
issues.
“Hopefully, the principals will seek initia-
tives or solutions to help students from poor
families who qualify for admission into
Form Six,” he said.
UPM’s Ismi Arif concurred, saying that
with the autonomy given to the principles,
ested in studying in Form Six or those who
don’t have the financial means to pursue
higher studies.
“The identification process can be done
have been announced,” he said. – Bernama
structed at a cost of between RM15,000 and
RM20,000 per unit, were built with a uni-
form red and white colour scheme and
solar panels to promote green technology
practices.
“Petty traders can run their businesses
in a safe and comfortable manner for a
rental rate of RM300 per month,” he told
reporters after launching MyKiosk here.
Last February, Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minis-
ter, when tabling Budget 2023 announced
an allocation of RM50 million to build and
upgrade 3,000 stalls and kiosks nation-
wide to enable hawkers and petty traders
to do business comfortably. – Bernama

Teach children positive
character traits: Author
n Last of a series
Kan Yaw Chong
T
EACH children to live by positive atti-
tudes and character traits, exhorts
American children’s author, Cheri
Meiners.
If you travel all the way to United
Arab Emirates to cover the Sharjah
Children’s Reading Festival
designed to spread the love for
reading among children, Cheri
is exactly the sort of children’s
author you’d want to meet.
And met her I did, thanks to
introduction by Nigerian engi-
neer and volunteer Sabo
Abdullah.
Cheri Meiners
Hailed from the State of
Utah with a Masters degree in
elementary education and once taught a The Truth; I Can Be Fair; I Can Co-operate;
course on elementary education at the I Can Listen; I Show Respect; I Am Creative;
Utah University, Cheri is author of award- I Accept You As You Are; I Can Try New
winning 15-book series “Learning to Get Things; I will Keep Trying; I Am A Leader;
Along” and also eight-book series “Being I’m In Charge of Me.
the Best Me” which have been translated
into 10 languages, including Arabic.
2.4 million children’s books in print
In all, the gifted children’s author is eventually produce better overall well
credited to have a massive 2.4 million being of society, which fits the long term
books in print to her credit.
So what was Cheri doing at the Sharjah
Children’s Reading Festival?
Obviously invited by festival organisers,
Sharjah Book Authority, to connect her internal qualities against the negative pro-
and her renowned writings to the thou- clivities that can change not only individ-
sands of young children attending the uals but potentially the world, Cheri said
May 3-14 festival.
That an Arab country is doing that changing the world.
should raise eyebrow.
And why not? Apart from the festival’s
stated purpose to spread the joy of read-
Will audio books replace physical books?
ing, the higher purpose is to invest in chil- autistic, he wasn’t speaking.
dren sound minds, sound thinking,
FRANKLY speaking, I
have never thought
about audio books.
But while I was in
Sharjah, UAE, Niger-
ian engineer Sabo
Abdullah raised the
rise of audio books.
So I was drawn
Annie
into a discussion
with two publishers
on the this new book front that is thought
to affect the future of books.
Articulate Lebanese and fluent French
speaker, Yasmina Jraissati, Head of Pub-
lishing, Storytel – a Swedish audio book
platform, actually has some good news
for physical book lovers.
“I think audio can be part of the
future,” Yasmani said.
Surge in sales of audio books
Surge
“If you look at audio books in the
Nordic countries – Sweden, Finland, Ice-
land, or if you look at audio books even in
North America , clearly there is demand
for that because I think that lifestyle
shifted,” she noted.
True, a Google check found audio
book grew 157pc between 2015 and 2020,
reported the Association of American
Publishers, attributed to digital advances
over the past 25 years that fuelled the
unprecedented surge in audio books
sales and demand.
“Audio books come in a way people
can listen now so this is certainly one seg-
ment but I think there are people who
were never readers and people who don’t
see themselves as picking up a book and
this is probably true in this region ( Mid-
dle East),” Yasmani noted.
“If you speak to Finnish or Swedish
publishers, they will tell you 50pc of the
revenues is from audio. So in some mar-
kets, it is very big,” she added.
Reasons why audio books
can’t replace Physical books
So is the future of books shifting to
positive attitude and character traits, to
build a more positive societal future.
Series on ‘Learning to Get Along’
& ‘Being the Best Me’
For example, look at the titles to live by
under her “Learning to Get Along” series:
Listen and Learn; Reaching Out and
Give; I Share; I Belong; Bounce
back; Forgive and Let Go; Try and
Stick With It; Be Positive; Cool
Down and Work Through
Anger; Join in and Play; I lis-
ten; Accept and Value Each
Person; Making a Difference;
Have Courage; Feel Confident;
Stand Tall.
And also look at the titles
under her ‘Being the Best Me’
series: I Care About Others; I Tell
She says Being The Best Me is a charac-
ter development series to try to help kids’
learn, understand and develop positive
attitudes and character traits that will
purpose of the Festival.
Foster positive internal qualities
Although her idea is to foster positive
she didn’t start off with grand ideas of
Autistic son
“It started off with my own son who was
“So I was advised to write tiny little sto-
Yasmina Sabo
audio?
“It is a hard question and I think audio
is also changing, you have podcast, now
you have fiction podcast, you have serial
audio, you have original audio, so the
boundaries of audio content are very
blurry. That’s something to consider but
let’s see what the future brings,” Yasmani
said.
Asked if she thinks audio books will
overtake physical books, Yasmani gave an
emphatic “ No, I don’t think so, and I
don’t want to! I think audio books and
print books go together. Books and read-
ing help because books are the ultimate
carriers of knowledge. My observation is
that when people listen to books, they
want to own it, they want to have it on
their book shelf, they want to give it to
people. So I think it goes both ways, I
think it feeds into each other.
“Some people will say, we don’t need
publishers, we can do self publishing.
So you have all these discussions going
on in the background. I think there is
room from a lot of different things, not
either print or audio, I think they go
together.”
On the Sharjah Children’s Reading Fes-
tival, Yasmnina said:
“I think it is a great initiative, honestly.
I have been coming to the Sharjah book
fair and his festival for years so I am
happy to see they have sustained efforts
in attracting children to reading and
beyond books, knowledge in general.”
Pandemic fuelled rapid growth
of audio books: American publisher
Meanwhile, Utah hailed Annie Oswald,
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
Cheri’s
series on
‘Learning
to Get
Along’.
ries for her son – a few sentences explain-
ing what to do in situations – just teaching
basic skills that have to be taught step by
step. Then people saw it and suggested
maybe other children might like to
read them, too. That’s how things kind of
develop from there,” Cheri told Daily
Express.
“Ordinary children learn a lot from par-
ents but some children learn just enough
skills at all and they have to be taught step
by step,” Cheri shared her personal experi-
ence.
Let kids read positive books
“My books are all very positive, they are
in the first person, easy for children to
understand, not a narrative tone, what to
do, like to be this, can do this but in first
person kind of positive vein so that chil-
dren get encouraged by being given power
by what they can do.”
Actually, I never expected to meet
a children’s author from the US but the
all-out effort by the Sharjah Book
Authority to connect the world’s best
authors to the purpose of the festival sur-
prised me.
So, I asked Cheri what she thought of
the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.
“It’s wonderful, I am really surprised by
the different venues, many different activ-
ities, they are right in investing on chil-
dren which will determine the future
personally and nationally, that’s what I try
to tell children and their choice “‘Train
your Brain’ as the theme is spot on, as our
emotions are controlled by our brain, if we
choose positive thoughts, then we will
have positive emotions, positive behav-
iour.
“So our brain is very important, educat-
ing our brain by learning will give infor-
mation we know how to better ourselves
and help others,” Cheri said.
Vice President of Franklin Covey Publish-
ing, said:
“I think audio is growing rapidly, I
believe a major catalyst for this rapid
growth was the pandemic, people cooped
at home, not much work to do they
tended to listen.
“I used to be 90pc a physical book
reader and now 90pc what I do is audio, I
still love to read but the majority of my
intake of information is audio, I listen in
the car as I am driving to work, I used to
just listen to radio, I never listen to radio
any more, I listen to audio books and
podcast,” Annie said.
She added: “In our culture, people
take road trips, it is a perfect time to listen
to a book with the whole family
together.”
‘Nothing should replace
parents reading to a child’
There are signs of this age.
“Children are only learning now by
digital things, so they are going to find
audios, people are not taking their kids
to the library or book stores, kids are
finding content on their cell phones.
But none of this should replace a parent
reading to a child, children learn by
what they see,” Annie argued, saying
reading to children is important for
“bonding”.
Foster bonding
“We can’t fix the world unless we bond
the family because if you bond, you are
fostering this physical, emotional and
mental bonding so that a child wants to
do what you do, because they sense the
love, they want to do what you do,” Annie
reasoned.
Will audio replace physical books?
“It won’t replace. Like me, I love books,
the feel of books, the smell of books but
because of time constraint, I now listen
more, I listen to help me go to sleep at
night, yes, I listen to go to sleep, I can be
deep into a story and it just lulls me to
sleep.” – KYC
Special Report 7
A memorable concert with
The Pavilion – packed to the hilt for the concert.
award-winning pianist Alton
Kan Yaw Chong
AN “Afternoon of Harmonies” with
award-winning Alton Wong turned out to
be a sold out concert at The Pavilion,
Shangri-la’s Tanjung Au Resort, on July 9.
Starting with classical evolving into
jazz, music buffs packed The Pavilion in
an unusual show of interest for the com-
bination.
“I like the freedom that jazz music
gives me,” Alton was to tell Daily Express
later.
Classical music
Alton started off with three classical
pieces, then moved into jazz climaxing in
his own compositions.
Alton on the Kawai piano.
The first piece featured well-known
Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn’s
piano sonata in F major Hob Xvi/23, 1 Alle-
gro Moderato, very popular among music
students, Alton said.
The second tune featured renowned
pianist Frederic Chopin’s Waltz in E
minor.
The third item, Prelude in D major,
Op.23 No 4, was composed by well-known
Russian pianist, Sergei Rachmaninoff
from the late Romantic period that fea-
tures a lot of complex harmony for that
Alton Wong and mother
time, Alton noted.
The world of jazz Audrey, father Alvin.
“Moving on, I started to play music and mentors Dr Alton Merell and Dr
from the realm of jazz with Shiny Stock- James Sim, at the West Virginia University,
ings by Frank Foster, a 16-18 piece big where he doubles up as a paid Graduate
band tune popularised by the Count Basie Teaching Assistant with the university’s
orchestra in the 1950s. Jazz Department.
“This was followed by Donna Lee, a “I teach improvisation, I also teach
composition by famous saxophone combo-like small jazz ensembles, I men-
player, Charlie Parker who popularised tor about six to seven of them, I hope to
keyboard music which is fast melody and get a PhD and go on to tertiary level edu-
the harmonies a bit more challenging. cation teaching at universities,” he said.
Next was a popular Broadway tune
Over the rainbow everybody was familiar The freedom of jazz music
with by Harold Arlen composed for the Trained in classical music but more
film “The Wizard of Oz”. jazz inclined, Alton explained:
“I like the freedom that jazz music
Own compositions gives me. Classical music is more about
Then Alton played Bolo De Manteiga, interpretation, like the first three classical
his own composition with Brazilian pieces that I played, the notes are all writ-
Samba rhythm which is featured in his ten on the page, and it’s about precision
album, climaxing in his arrangement in and interpretation, you play the notes
Claude Debussy N0 1 in E major – a com- that’s written on the page but because of
bination of both classical and jazz. the improvisation of jazz, it allows the
He capped off the afternoon by invit- player to move beyond what’s written on
ing up stage young and natural singer, the page, it gives the player the freedom
Caelan Sham, who shared a few popular and that’s what I like about jazz, the
songs. aspect of freedom, it’s kind of democratic
The second son of biologist, Alvin music, there is structure but then we are
Wong and Audrey Chin, President of Kota free to say something based on that form
Kinabalu Music Society, Alton became the and everyone has a chance to improvise,”
youngest winner of the Malaysian Jazz Alton said repeatedly.
Piano Competition in 2017. There used to be a throbbing annual
Jazz Festival staged by the Society of Per-
First Sabahan to win Downbeat forming Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah
jazz award (SPArKS) but not much jazz around any
Internationally, he showed his win- more although an inaugural Sepilok Jazz
ning form when he became the first Saba- Festival Sandakan was staged last year by
han ever to win the 45th Downbeat Alex Yee, founder of Friends of Sea Turtles
Graduate Student Music Award, USA – one Education & Research, to raise funds for
of the most prestigious awards in jazz turtle conservation.
music education, founded in 1976, While the jazz scene in KK is rather
whereas Downbeat Magazine, founded in quiet there is a growing jazz community
1934, is a world leading jazz contempo- in Kuala Lumpur, Alton said.
rary publication.
“I was very surprised when I got an Honed by parents & very
email saying that I had won the competi- good teachers
tion, one of the most popular competi- But Alton certainly owes his rising
tions in the jazz education world. musical career to classical pianist mother
“Music students of different levels sub-
Audrey Chin who started teaching him at
mit recordings for the completion and four, with support from father Alvin of
the fun aspect of this Downbeat Magazine
course.
Student Music Award is that the record- “When children are very young, they
ings are assessed through a blind audi-
don’t really know what they want, you just
tion process so that the judges don’t know
give them opportunities but discipline is
who you are, what’s your background so very important, whatever you start doing,
they judge you solely on your music,” he
keep it up, don’t give up, finish it off,
told Daily Express. whether to take up music as a career is a
different thing,” said Audrey who started
Graduate teaching assistant at uni Alton on the piano, then the violin.
Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s When he got older she got him a “very
degree in Jazz Pedagogy under teachers good and passionate” Australian teacher
named Edward Potle who
flew into Kota Kinabalu
every eight weeks to teach
Alton and a few other
select students noted for
their potentials, and this
went on for four years.
“I always say a good
teacher is one who knows
where to press the button
because sometimes there
are very talented kids but
we don’t actually know
and miss the very talented
but a good and experi-
enced teacher sees a kid
Alton accompanies guest singer Caelan Sham.
who is more special than
others,” Audrey noted.
 8 Special Report
A soon-to-open flower bud.
Jom, let’s grab some
free wild tomatoes!
M
OST Malaysians regard tomatoes
both as fruits and food. But these
days, they are not cheap. A half
dozen of duck egg-sized tomatoes may eas-
ily cost between RM6 to RM9. Despite the
steep price, everyone still loves them in all
forms such the immature green or mature
yellow or reddish ones. They may love them
even more if they are free, which are those
that can be found in wild tomatoes.
Commercially-grown tomatoes are usu-
ally larger in size while the end-of-season
crop may yield the smaller ones. The large
ones may easily fill the palm of a little girl,
while the smaller ones are basically marble-
sized as can be found in cherry tomatoes.
Although there are yellow-skinned
tomatoes and the firmer green ones in the
market and other outlets, most of them that
are visible and for sale however, are ripe
tomatoes that are reddish in colour. These
make the best dishes in gravy form that is
cooked with fish or chicken slices or even
hard boiled eggs.
There are several food outlets in KK city
that sell noodles that are exclusively pre-
pared with fish balls, sticks or cakes, or just
plain fresh fish slices in soups of mashed
tomatoes and other ingredients, and
because they are so mouth-wateringly deli-
cious and appetizing, they are usually sold
out before 2pm. But without the tomatoes,
the story may be different.
There is a variety of yellow-skinned
tomatoes that bears the common name of
wild tomato. This kind of tomato is sized
like mini marbles with a shape that is round
to slightly oblong. The thin cuticle is very
smooth and glossy and the fruits are com-
pletely edible, just like the tomatoes in the
market. The entire contents including the
cuticle, seeds and pulp, all can be swal-
Ripe
fruits
inside
dry
calyx.
Dr T. Selva
SINCE ancient times, the attraction of spells
and magic has fascinated the human imagina-
tion, evoking a deep yearning to connect with
mystical forces and transcend the bounds of
the physical world.
From the earliest civilisations to the present
day, the belief in the usefulness and effective-
ness of spells is found in various cultures and
societies.
This charmed field continues to signal
believers and sceptics alike, offering an oppor-
tunity to explore the uncharted territories of
the supernatural and the extraordinary.
I embarked on my paranormal exploration
journey when I was 19 to untie the enduring
appeal behind spells and magic, delving into
their origins, principles, and the deep impact
they are said to have on human lives.
The perplexing force of the unseen
enveloped me, revealing a vast array of clan-
destine knowledge across diverse belief sys-
tems and cultural traditions.
Privately, numerous individuals sought
these secrets for healing and well-being, safe-
guarding against malevolent forces and neg-
ative energies, materialising their desires, and
invoking love and attraction.
Over the last four decades, I have gone on
extensive travels, encountering a diverse array
of shamans, healers, priestesses, clairvoyants,
psychics, and contemporary practitioners of
mysticism from various corners of the world.
On July 15th, I was fortunate to step closer to
mystery through the enigmatic Sacred Riana
performances at the KLCC Plenary Hall in
Kuala Lumpur.
Cloaked in secrecy, Riana appeared in her
signature blood-red dress, adorned with
A wild tomato shrub
grown on the ground.
lowed, lock, stock and barrel, so to speak.
A large cultivated tomato may comprise
the equivalent of five to six little fruits of
the wild tomato. This means to say that the
latter is more convenient to be carried
around in the pocket or handbag which can
be conveniently popped into the mouth
whenever the tongue feels plain and empty.
Just make sure the round little balls don’t
get squashed in the pocket.
Wild tomatoes, or Physalis minima, has
a long list of about forty synonyms that
serve little interest to hands-on gardening
enthusiasts sweating it out to cajole the
plants into doing better and producing
more. The plant also has another long list
of common names which are applicable in
different regions or countries.
Such names, apart from wild tomatoes,
also include native gooseberry, letup-letup,
sunberry, bladder cherry, pygmy goose-
berry, celupkan, cape gooseberry, lantern
tomato etc. Native to the Americas, it is now
seen growing in many countries in the trop-
ics and sub-tropics, with its popularity due
mainly to its cup-shaped flowers and pecu-
liarly-formed lantern-like fruits that appear
to be wrapped all-round by the green, ‘poly-
bagged’ calyx in a firm embrace.
Wild tomatoes are annual herbaceous
plants that grow in an erect manner to
heights of 50-100cm or slightly taller with a
Riana’s captivating KLCC performance
unsettling makeup and an expression haunt-
ingly blank, her lengthy hair partially conceal-
ing her face.
There was an unmistakable aura of intrigue
surrounding her every move.
Her presence seemed to transcend the
boundaries of the living, drawing inspiration
from the ghostly and the eerie.
Her hand and head twitched uncannily
throughout her performance, adding an extra
mystique to her act.
It was as if she had tapped into something
beyond our understanding, evoking a sense of
otherworldliness that sent trembles in those
watching.
Clutching a doll named Riani, dressed in
attire mirroring her own, she commenced her
performance by randomly singling out mem-
bers from the audience.
With scary precision, she accurately pre-
dicted a woman’s name and date of birth, leav-
ing the crowd astounded.
But it didn’t stop there. Astonishingly, she
revealed a drawing solely within the partici-
pant’s mind, leaving no doubt that her abilities
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
A leaf with shallow serration.
Some younger leaves may have
smoother edges and without
creases at the edges.
spread of about 60-80cm.
They have good branching habits which
is why a single plant always have multiple
lateral branches some of which may even be
producing their own sub-laterals. To keep
the height and shape in check, it is a good
idea to nip off the tips of the branches. In
this way, a neat and compact form may be
created to benefit the flowering and fruit-
ing process, thus allowing a fairly large
plant to bear in excess of 50-100 yellow
flowers and golden fruits on a single plant.
Now that is indeed a golden windfall which
is quite unlike the usual dedak that do not
grow.
Plants that grow in good locations or are
well-cultivated may last several years with
the lower stems turning semi-woody.
Sometimes, the branches at the lower levels
may droop or sag after a stormy and windy
day. Sprucing them up by stringing may be
just fine to restore the neat form of the
plant. In Sabah, they are terrestrial tropical
plants that can grow well anywhere within
the state except for altitudes that near the
peak of Mount Kinabalu where the temper-
atures are too low and the ground too
rocky.
The leaves of wild tomatoes are ovate in
shape with long petioles and wavy leaf mar-
gins. The edges of the lamina are lined with
broad and shallow serrations that end as a
pointed tip. The leaves do not drop fre-
quently even with those at the lower levels
of the plant. The entire plant therefore
appears to be as young as ever with plenty
of green leaves covering the top and bot-
tom. This perpetual green and young view
is even more appealing when the flowers
begin to open to reveal a pale yellow colour
in a star-shaped pattern.
A nicely maintained potted wild tomato
Ripe
fruits
sliced
open to
reveal
the
seeds
and
juicy
pulp.
transcended the ordinary.
The atmosphere crackled with amazement
as she seamlessly weaved together her mystical
talents, creating an experience that defied
explanation and left us all in awe.
This created an atmosphere of fear and
anticipation with an arsenal of bizarre and
ghostlike themes and unnerving effects.
The hall was packed to the brim, and we
were on the edge of our seats throughout the
show because we were unsure of what we
would witness next.
Adding to the frightening ambience, the
emcee sent a shiver down our spines with his
announcement that paramedics were on
standby, ready to assist in case anyone encoun-
tered any unsettling situations.
The 31-year-old Indonesian illusionist
maintained an unwavering haunting presence
throughout her performance and spoke less.
She relied on weird gestures and expres-
sions to communicate with her spectators, one
of whom broke down on stage, and another
shivered and hesitantly participated in her
acts.
Using an Ouija spirit talking board, she
placed the hand together of a participant and
chanted something in a quavering and
unclear voice, and their hands moved and
spelt the name of the street the man was stay-
ing on.
One of the standout moments of Riana’s
performance that evening was when she
invited the audience to retrieve the items they
had brought, given to them by their departed
loved ones. She had requested it via a video
A truly fruitful wild tomato plant
fully laden with loads of fruits,
thus rewarding the owner with
loads of cash, hopefully.
plant certainly makes for a very good
indoor plant to decorate and enliven the
sitting room as well as bringing vitality and
youthfulness to charge up everyone loung-
ing and wallowing nearby.
The fruits of wild tomatoes are typically
small in size, averaging about 1.5-2.5cm in
diameter, which is about that of cherry
tomatoes. This makes it an easy job to pop
one or two into the mouth with the subse-
quent ‘pop’ sound that is most rewarding
for toiling hard in the cultivation of the
plant. The fruits are soft and smooth to the
feel and the pulp inside is very sweet and
appetising.
The mesocarp is protected by the thin
glossy cuticle to ensure the interior content,
including the seeds, does not slosh about.
These seeds are very small and are pale yel-
low or whitish in colour. Together with the
pulp and cuticle, the whole thing can be
swallowed to provide a good amount of
vitamin C and B complex, fibres, a little
sugar and plenty of antioxidant.
A family of four to five members may
need two to three plants to provide enough
fruits on the table but with 6-8 kids around,
it may be necessary to cultivate eight to 10
plants to reach sufficiency level as there is a
tendency for large numbers of mouths to
have a sort of ‘grab tendency’. Fortunately,
wild tomatoes are fast growers with fruits
coming onstream within eight to 10
months. This is within the same range as
papayas or pineapples with the latter two
requiring less attention in the backyard.
Wild tomatoes are pollinated by insects.
They grow well on well-drained loamy soils
but have no problem to sustain themselves
on light sandy or heavy clayey soils. They
grow on edges of forests in semi-shaded
conditions although full exposure to sun-
light is harmless to the plant. Fruits are
formed after they are successfully polli-
nated and such fruits are wrapped in a
green calyx that embraces and protects the
fruit within, in the same way that a plastic
bag protects an egg that is being carried
home from the market.
For propagation purposes, the seeds
within the fruit may be easily separated and
then air-dried for sowing to start new plants.
recording weeks before the show.
The hall lights were extinguished without
delay, enveloping the space in darkness and an
unsettling atmosphere.
Riana then instructed us to hold the items
from our departed loved ones in one hand and
activate the touch lights on our mobile phones
with the other.
She firmly believed in the possibility of
communication between the living and the
deceased, assuring us that we might sense
their presence through these objects.
Whether it be the items becoming warm to
the touch, carrying the familiar scent of our
departed ones, or triggering a profound emo-
tional connection, she encouraged us to be
open to these potential signs.
In my possession, I carried an amulet pre-
sented to me by my late grandmaster, Dr
Sataya Biswas, who tragically passed away dur-
ing the COVID pandemic in India.
As the session progressed, the talisman
inexplicably warmed up after a few seconds,
and a rush of emotion overwhelmed me, caus-
ing tears to well up in my eyes.
Around me, I noticed a similar reaction:
many broke down, their bodies covered in
goosebumps and gently trembling.
It left an indelible impression on all of us,
leading us to believe that Riana possessed a
unique and extraordinary ability to connect
with spirits or the departed.
The activity comforted us that the ones who
love us never really leave us, but they watch
over us.
Marie Antoinette Riana Graharani, known
Close-up of a fruit that is enveloped
within the green, veiny calyx.
A fully-opened
star-shaped
flower.
Alternatively, basal cuttings may be taken to
be grown and nurtured into adult plants.
Another method is to collect plantlets from
bird droppings by properly digging and
removing the plant without damaging the
rootball. All these methods may yield 100%
success rate if done properly.
Since centuries ago, various communi-
ties around the world have been using wild
tomato plants for a number of beneficial
uses, chief among which is to serve decora-
tive purposes. They are also used as food
items as well as for as medicinal purposes.
Even today, there are cases of the plant
being grown in nice pots for beautification
where they are regularly shifted around to
meet particular needs and situations. They
are also grown on the ground in large num-
bers to provide better harvests to meet the
demands of the table or the market.
As a provider of small edible fruits, the
wild tomato is perfect as it can be eaten raw
and directly from the plant, provided it is
clean and without bugs and wrigglers. On
the other hand, fruits may be sent to the
kitchen where its boss may give directions
on how the little things may be worked on.
But usually, they are prepared in a series
of ways that is considered to be common
practices, such as slicing them up together
with some fresh chillies, shallot, garlic,
onion, baked sambal cooked with fried
anchovies or dried prawns, etc., and then
stirring them thoroughly before being
served. Or the fruits may be sliced and
cooked in a number of ways and then put
on the table. Whatever it is, the end result is
the same, with bowls and plates all spot-
lessly lapped up. Apart from the fruits, all
the other parts of the plant are not used in
any way as edibles.
Traditional medicinal practitioners in
different regions have their particular
methods to treat different ailments using
the plant and its products. The most com-
mon ones include relieving headaches,
stomach discomfort, sore throat, and gatal-
gatal-garuk. There are a lot more of such
ancient practices, but then again, it is best
to consult registered medical practitioners
or accredited and certified traditional med-
icine practitioners before trying them out.
Riana’s hand and head twitched, as
though she transcended the
boundaries of the living and drew
inspiration from the ghostly.
by her stage name Riana, rose to prominence
following her mysterious performances on the
talent show Asia’s Got Talent in 2017, ulti-
mately securing victory in the competition.
While some spectators unfamiliar with the
supernatural world view Riana’s magic as a
charismatic display falling under the realm of
stage magic and illusion, I departed from the
show with a profound belief in the existence
of a metaphysical plane.
To me, Riana transcends beyond magic.
n Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the
author of the bestseller book Vasthu Sastra
Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy,
contact 019-2728464. He can be reached at drt-
selvas@gmail.com Facebook: Vasthu Sastra

Lillie
manning
her stall
during
Borneo
Festival
event.
Sabah, S’wak
products take
stage at KL’s
Borneo Fest
Lorena Binisol
K
UALA LUMPUR: Lillie Logijin from Kg
Nosoob Baru, Penampang, had been
promoting Sabah is products since
seven years ago after joining a KL-based
NGO Borneo Street Kuala Lumpur.
She said there was tremendous support
from Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in
the nation’s capital coming together to pro-
mote their respective products.
During the recent Borneo Festival event
at One Utama Shopping Mall, arrays of
authentic products were on display includ-
ing Lihing (rice wine), most sought-after
traditional beverage, beads, Sabah delica-
cies, Sarawak baskets, fabrics, necklaces and
many more.
Lillie said with the products put in a
touristic area, it enhances the values and
visibility.
Some
of the
artwork by
Sabahans
on display
at the
exhibition.
Desperate folks falling prey to ‘registered’ moneylenders
KUALA LUMPUR: They may be registered
with the Ministry of Local Government
Development and regulated by the Money-
lenders Act 1951 (Act 400) but the modus
operandi of certain licensed moneylending
companies is no different from that of loan
sharks or ‘Ah Longs’ that charge ridicu-
lously high interest rates and resort to
intimidation if their customers fail to make
their repayments on time.
Although Act 400 clearly states that
licensed moneylenders can impose an
annual interest rate of only 12 per cent on
loans with collateral or 18 per cent on loans
without collateral, some of them are known
to charge much higher interest rates.
In fact, these companies even go to the
extent of keeping their customers’ auto-
mated teller machine (ATM) cards with
them to make it easier for them to collect
their monthly dues.   number of complaints to increase this year
Many people are falling prey to the
high-handed tactics of such moneylenders.
According to the Kuala Lumpur Consumer
Safety Association, it receives over 200
complaints a month, including from civil
servants, pertaining to unscrupulous mon-
eylenders.   them are from the M40 and even T20
But the daily figure could be much more
than that because, usually, only 30 per cent
of the victims come forward to lodge a
report with the association, its Chairman
Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi told Bernama.
He said many of them, especially civil
servants, dare not seek help as the money-
lenders have threatened them they would
lose their jobs if they make a report.   resort to threatening their customers,
“We do get many complaints from vic-
tims but for us to help them, they have to
come to our head office (in Kuala Lumpur).
However, many of them can’t come because
“It was also a way to inform the people
here that Sabah and Sarawak are part of
Malaysia and that we have our own unique-
ness when it comes to production of things
due to the natural environment we are in.
“It is important to place our products at
conspicuous area so people from all walks
of life could view them.
“Most of our Sabahan products are con-
sidered hot sales, especially our rice wine.
They were ‘snatched’ very quickly,” she said
during the event, recently.
Most buyers who bought her Lihing
were Sabahans and Sarawakians who had
lived in KL for a long time.
“The drink probably helped them remi-
nisce the good old days.
“Other nationalities also bought them.
They probably enjoyed the drinks and had
tried it before,” she said, laughing.
of financial constraints or because they live
in other states such as Sabah or Sarawak.
“Many of them became victims because
of money problems… the situation is wor-
rying because most of them are in the pro-
ductive age group of 30 to 40. Some are
even retired,” he said.
Samsudin said since 2012, the associa-
tion has received more than 5,000 com-
plaints from victims of licensed
moneylenders and this year alone up to
May, it received 800 to 1,000 complaints,
adding that 95 percent of the cases have
already been settled.
He said Sabah and Sarawak accounted
for most of the cases, adding that they had
to be settled fast as some of the com-
plainants had mortgaged their land or
house to the moneylenders.
He said the association expects the
in view of the current economic situation
which may compel more people to seek
loans from moneylenders.
He also said contrary to what most peo-
ple assume, not all the victims are from the
low-income group or B40. He said many of
groups whose loan amounts are based on
the needs of their income class.
Asked if licensed moneylenders can
retain the identity card or ATM card of a
borrower, Samsudin replied in the nega-
tive, saying it contravenes the Moneylend-
ers Act 1951.
He said moneylending companies that
including by coming to their houses or
places of work, are actually violating Sec-
tion 29(B) of the Act which clearly states
that moneylenders or their representatives
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
She found it rewarding to tell stories of
I-Lann with some of the collaborators (dancers).
people who struggled to survive by making
all kinds of products.
Married to a West Malaysian, while her
husband is at work, she would use her free
time to help organise activities with her
Sabah connection on what products would
be suitable for future events.
It all started as a hobby, she said. Her
love for beading activities and designing
necklaces had earned her extra income to
support her family.
As for the rice wine, she got her supply
from another Lihing maker in Tambunan.
She would personally get the supply when-
ever needed to do so, she admitted.
“There is wider demand over here, so we
have to keep up with the quality and quan-
tity at the same time,” she said.
There was also workshop on basket-
are not allowed to come to one’s home or
workplace.
He said if this happens, a police report
can be lodged against the company con-
cerned, which can be charged in court
under Section 506 of the Penal Code. This
section provides for a penalty of two years
imprisonment or a fine, or both.
Samsudin said errant licensed money-
lenders dupe their customers into taking
loans at far higher interest rates by forcing
them to sign a blank form as a condition
for approving their loan. The borrowers are
not given a copy of the loan agreement.
As a matter of fact, moneylenders are
obliged to provide complete details of the
loans for their customers to check before
any loan agreement is signed. For each of
these agreements, the companies must use
the form set by the Ministry of Local Gov-
ernment Development, that is, either
Schedule J (for loans without collateral) or
Schedule K (loans with collateral).
However, many moneylenders trick
their customers, especially those applying
for loans with collateral, into signing a
property transfer document such as Form
14A, which is a land office document, and
power of attorney document, instead of
Schedule K.   He said the Ministry of Domestic Trade
These moneylenders can use the prop-
erty transfer documents to seize the prop-
erties belonging to their customers, which
is an offence under the law and classified as
a commercial crime.
“Based on the Moneylenders Act 1951,
(licensed) moneylending companies can
only confiscate a borrower’s property
through the court process.
“If a borrower fails to settle his/her loan,
the appropriate course of action would be
Special Report 9
weaving. People who visited the event
regarded it as an educational tour while
shopping for authentic products from East
Malaysia.
Stalls manned by Sarawakians were
equally interesting as they also portrayed
various products such as Tuak (traditional
drinks), baskets made of rattan, artistic fab-
rics and traditional cuisine, among others.
Meanwhile, an exhibition about “Shar-
ing the Tikar” project and book launching
events were in conjunction with diamond
jubilee of the formation of Malaysia.
Yee I-Lann, one of the initiators who is
also an artist, said the artworks produced
by various collaborators of different genres
had also made their way into major exhibi-
tions around the world.
The programme, held recently, high-
lights “Sembang Atas Tikar”, which literally
Workshop
on basket-
weaving
was also
available
during
the event.
to auction the mortgaged property
through a public auction. Proceeds from
the auction will be given to the money-
lender concerned while the balance is
handed over to the borrower,” Samsudin
explained.
Samsudin feels the Ministry of Local
Government Department’s enforcement
constraints are the reason why certain
licensed moneylenders are openly cheating
their customers. The ministry only has
about 40 enforcement officers to monitor
over 4,000 licensed moneylenders nation-
wide.
In view of this, he urged the government
to place the enforcement of Act 400 under
the purview of the Ministry of Domestic
Trade and Cost of Living which has a suffi-
cient number of enforcement personnel.
“By right, Act 400 should not come
under the Ministry of Local Government
Development because it has no relevance
to the ministry. It is more relevant for
the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of
Living to enforce this Act. The Hire Pur-
chase Act 1967 and Direct Sales and Anti-
Pyramid Scheme Act 1993 also come under
this ministry, which has over 2,000 enforce-
ment personnel,” he added.
and Cost of Living has an office in every dis-
trict where people can lodge their com-
plaints. The Ministry of Local Government
Development, on the other hand, has only
three places where complaints can be
made — one in Putrajaya and the other two
in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Meanwhile, two victims of unscrupu-
lous licensed moneylenders spoke to
Bernama about their harrowing experience
after they took the loans.
Sabah and
Sarawak
traditional
attires on
display at
One Utama
Shopping
Mall in KL.
means conversation on the mat with the
weavers from Sabah, in discovering their
extraordinary skills who were in the project
over the past five years.
Some 16 collaborators from Sabah and
had good support from government agen-
cies who were aware of their work such as
Sabah Tourism Board, LKNS, Sabah Ministry
Arts, Culture & Environment, among others.
She said it was a good opportunity to
meet up with 11 weavers from Pulau
Omadal, Semporna and Keningau at the
event.
They include Roziah Jalalid and daugh-
ters Tasya and Dayang from Pulau Omadal
on Tikar making (mats). Also, Johin Ende-
lengau, Lili Naming, Shahrizan Juin, Siat
Yanau who have studio in Kg. Dangulad,
Keningau, shared their stories as well..
She said the artworks highlighted ‘Lift
the Tikar’ are part of growing body of
woven and video works made by her
exploring art, language and power made in
collaboration with other creative thinkers
from different fields and geographies in
Sabah.
I-Lann’s books “The Sun Will Rise In The
East” and “At the table” were also promoted
at the event. She said it was a good opportu-
nity to speak personally to the weavers to
get their authentic stories.
Borneo Heart was initiated in Kota Kina-
balu in 2021 presenting works by I-Lann
and her collaboration with weavers, film-
makers, dancers and creative producers,
among others.
She reiterated that it was not an ordinary
exhibition, but rather a major celebration
of the community, cultures and knowledge
of the people of Sabah.
She has been actively in touch with tra-
ditional weavers in Sabah since 2018.
A single mother from Batu Pahat, Johor,
who only wanted to be identified as Ros,
said she applied for a loan of RM3,000
from a licensed moneylender but after
receiving the money, she was told her
monthly repayment would be RM460 over
a period of two years at the end of which
she would have paid back a whopping
RM11,000 – more than three times the orig-
inal sum she had borrowed.
“Of course, I can’t afford to pay that
much,” she said.
She told Bernama some people came to
her house recently and threatened to take
her son away from her and put her in a
lock-up if she defaulted on the loan.
As a “fine” for not settling the loan
promptly, they forced her to sign another
agreement for a RM25,000 loan to be
repaid over 10 years at a monthly payment
of RM210.    
“I certainly can’t afford this and I’m now
living in fear,” she told Bernama.
Another victim, who only wanted to be
known as Lina, from Kuala Lumpur said she
borrowed RM10,000 to repay her car loan
and children’s school fees.
“Their interest rate was illogical… I was
told to pay RM1,300 a month for 18
months, which came to a total of
RM23,400. They even took my ATM card
saying it will make it easier for them to get
their payment.
“When I could no longer afford to pay
the remaining loan amount, I had to take
another loan of RM4,000 from another
licensed moneylender for which I was
required to pay RM650 a month for a
whole year with the total payments
amounting to RM7,800.
“I am now saddled with debts and have
to use my entire salary to settle the loans,”
lamented Lina, who works as a promoter at
a supermarket kiosk. – Bernama
 74 hotspots in East Kalimantan
10 Asean S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3

BALIKPAPAN: The
Meteorology, Cli-
matology, and
Marcos urged: Boost
Geophysics
Agency (BMKG)
on
detected
Thursday
74
hotspots of wild-
fires in several
anti-corruption drive
areas of East Kali- MANILA: Curbing corruption will remain take note that this is a legislative initiative.
mantan province one of the biggest challenges of the Mar- This will institutionalise things and turns
amid the ongo- cos administration, a Philippine-based them into law. Even the national govern-
ing dry season, think tank said . ment rightsizing programme,” he said.
an official said The head of Stratbase ADR Institute Manhit said digitalization could be the
(pic). made the assessment, basing it on a recent “most powerful tool” in fighting corrup-
The hotspots survey by Pulse Asia that it commissioned. tion.
were detected in Kalimantan, which were extinguished, The poll, taken from June 19 to 23, Digitalization will support the govern-
the districts of Paser (5), Penajam Paser while, on Thursday, 74 hotspots were showed that a big majority of Filipinos ment’s data-driven and science-based
Utara (3), Kutai Barat (1), Kutai Timur (21), detected at different coordinates, she believe the government of President Fer- planning and decision-making. It is the
Kutai Kartanegara (15), Berau (7), and informed. dinand Marcos Jr. needs to step up its greatest, most powerful tool, not just to
The survey said that Marcos should con-
Mahakam Ulu (22), Diyan Novrida, coordi- ANTARA has reported earlier that the fight against corruption. improve the ease of doing business, but
sider creating a well-resource anti-corrup-
nator of data and information at the BMKG has projected that this year’s dry “The government must ensure that it also against many forms of graft and cor-
tion agency that has fiscal autonomy and is
BMKG’s Sepinggan Office, said here. season will follow the same pattern as the establishes and maintains the right envi- ruption,” he said.
shielded from undue political influence or
According to Novrida, the findings one seen in 2019. ronment to attract investorsand actively The President, however, needs to do
partisanship.
have been shared with the related author- A total of 28 percent of regions in collaborates with the private sector, both more to ensure his policies and reforms
ities, including regional disaster mitiga- Indonesia, which include 194 seasonal domestic and foreign. Among the simple are sustained, he said.
tion agencies. zones (ZOM) determined by the BMKG, desires that we hear from them are trans- “It’s a sense of helplessness, probably, Marcos should consider creating a
The BMKG has also appealed to resi- were expected to experience the dry sea- parency, accountability, and responsive- but this is a problem; as I mentioned, it is well-resourced anti-corruption agency
dents to support the government’s land son from June this year. ness. disturbing because people already submit that has fiscal autonomy and is shielded
and forest fire prevention efforts by not BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said Stratbase President Dindo Manhit said that corruption is pervasive and nothing from undue political influence or parti-
throwing cigarette butts carelessly and the El Nino phenomenon, which is getting during the “Rhetoric vs. Action: Reviewing can be done,” Pulse Asia President Dr. sanship, he said.
refraining from slash-and-burn farming stronger due to the positive phase of the the Alignment of Promises and Imple- Ronald Holmes, who also participated in “Unfortunately, this recommendation,
methods, she said. Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), could trigger mentation under the Marcos Jr. Presi- the webinar, said. which had been given to past administra-
On Wednesday, the agency also a drought during the dry season in dency” webinar. Forty percent of the respondents tions, has not been heeded. Perhaps this

Three Bali immigration officers

detected 50 hotspots in 6 districts of East Indonesia. – Antara “We cannot eradicate corruption, but believe that if the problem of corruption administration would take on and even-
we should attempt to control corruption,” is handled correctly, the country will tually follow through and adhere to and
Manhit said. implement this particular recommenda-

held over Cambodia organ ring

experience economic recovery and devel-
In the survey, 84 percent of the 1,200 opment. tion,” Holmes said.
respondents agreed that the government The survey also found that 23 percent The Office of the Ombudsman and the
needs to do more to address corruption, believe ending corruption will improve Presidential Anti-Graft Commission seem
while 3 percent disagreed. the plight of ordinary citizens. to be unable to weed out the root cause of
The remaining 13 percent were unde- The reforms put in place in the first graft and corruption, he said.
JAKARTA (Indonesia): The organ trafficking ring has been cided. year of the Marcos administrations have “There are many other things that can
Three Bali immigration operating since 2019 earning 24.4 billion It showed that 67 percent of Filipinos resulted in an improvement in gover- be done. And I’m not saying that this
officers have been rupiah ($1,588,614) in total, Haryadi told have lost trust in the government and its nance, Manhit said. problem is only with this administration,
arrested for their reporters last week. officials because of corruption; 47 percent “I take note of key structural reforms but there is no indication what this
alleged role in an illegal The traffickers received 200 million said corruption normalised Filipinos’ atti- administration would do, and that would

‘Tell the President to walk the talk’

organ trafficking syndi-
cate that ferried dozens
of victims to Cambodia
to sell their kidneys,
Indonesian police said Saturday.
The move comes as authorities crack
down on the suspected illegal organ
trade ring, arresting 12 members last
week—including a police officer and an
immigration officer identified as AH—
accused of smuggling 122 victims abroad.
The three Bali immigration officers
are accused of working with AH, who
allegedly took bribes to allow victims
lured by the trafficking ring to easily pass
through immigration checks to Cambo-
dia for kidney surgeries.
“(They) will be brought to Jakarta this
rupiah for each kidney, pocketing 65 mil-
lion rupiah and giving the rest to the vic-
tims.
The organs were harvested at Preah
Ket Mealea Hospital in Cambodian capi-
tal Phnom Penh, police said.
Organ trading is outlawed in Indone-
sia and the 10 syndicate members
arrested last week face 15 years in prison
and 600 million rupiah in fines if found
guilty of violating the country’s human
trafficking law.
The police officer was accused of
obstructing the investigation and receiv-
ing bribes to help the accused traffickers
move locations. He faces five years in
prison if found guilty.
Immigration officer AH is accused of
being initiated by the Department of
tudes toward corrupt practices; and 44 Budget and Management. We have heard really lead to just an escalation of this
percent said that corruption resulted in them speak of Progressive Budgeting for problem rather than a control of the levels
inefficient service delivery to the public. Better and Modernised Governance. And I of corruption,” he stressed. - Inquirer
THE head of the Euro- time in 60 years that the president of the “Any strengthening of EU-Philippines
pean Commission body would visit the country, Mala- relations and cooperation should be
should tell President cañang said on Thursday. based on the government ending its
Marcos to “walk the But the Human Rights Watch said von abuses, delivering on human rights
talk” on human der Leyen “should make it clear to Presi- reform, and securing accountability for
rights during her visit dent Marcos that while a different narra- past and ongoing crimes,” Francavilla
here in the Philip- tive on human rights is welcome, his said.
pines next week, a administration needs to walk the talk.” The Department of Trade and Industry
rights organisation This, as red tagging, drug war killings, (DTI) earlier this month said the Euro-
said on Saturday. and repression supposedly continue, pean Union has seen progress on the
European Commission President said Human Rights Watch senior EU country’s human rights conditions under

Macron makes historic stop in Sri Lanka

afternoon and will be under Jakarta
police custody,” Jakarta police director
for general crimes Hengki Haryadi (pic)
told AFP.
At least 18 of the kidney donor victims
left Bali for Cambodia between March
and June, he said.
Authorities believe there are more vic-
tims and are looking for them to come
forward.
Some of the members of the cell are
former donors who became recruiters
using Facebook and WhatsApp to lure
and trade victims.
abuse of power and faces up to 20 years
in prison.
Cash-strapped Indonesians have pre-
viously been caught selling their kidneys
online for as little as 50 million rupiah
($3,300) each, fuelling a dangerous and
illegal trade in human body parts.
Much of the desperate trade is driven
by poverty, family debt or outstanding
bank loans.
Many of the 122 victims had lost their
jobs in the pandemic and were exploited
because of precarious financial situa-
tions, Haryadi said. – AFP
Ursula von der Leyen (pic) will visit the
country from July 30 to Aug. 1, the first
COLOMBO (Sri Lanka): Emmanuel
Macron made a short stopover in, the first
visit by a French president to the island
nation, which is undergoing a difficult
economic recovery.
The French leader, who spent less than
two hours in the country, was welcomed
advocate Claudio Francavilla in a state- Marcos, Jr, which is among the country’s
ment. trade obligations with the EU. – ABS-CBN
ago after his predecessor fled the country,
driven out by massive protests amid the
country’s worst economic crisis since
independence in 1948.
Sri Lanka, which has received major
support from the IMF, is expected to
remain bankrupt until 2026.

Bangla protesters block major roads

by his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wick- Macron was to speak with Wick-
remesinghe. remesinghe about the country’s debt
Macron made the stop en route home restructuring—with Beijing, the country’s
from Oceania, after visiting Papua New main creditor, having agreed in March to

Macron (left) with Lanka President Ranil

D H A K A Guinea, the French territory of New Cale- reschedule its loan repayments.

Wickremesinghe (right) in Colombo.

(Bangladesh): donia and the sea-threatened archipelago China and India vie for influence in
Bangladesh of Vanuatu. economically fragile Sri Lanka.
police fired rub- During the airport meeting, Macron The situation prompted Macron to
ber bullets and and Wickremesinghe were to talk about of the meeting, which occurred after warn against “new imperialism” at work
tear gas to dis- economic recovery and maintenance of Macron disembarked around 11:30 pm in the region while he was in Vanuatu,
the rule of law. local time (1800 GMT). referring in particular to China’s growing

UN urges moratorium after S’pore, Kuwait executions

perse stone-
throwing crowds “This is a historic visit,” the Elysee said Wickremesinghe came to power a year influence. – AFP
blockading major
roads in the capi-
tal Dhaka on Sat-
urday in the latest
protest demand- GENEVA (Switzerland): The United
ing the prime Nations denounced the recent exe-
minister’s resig- cutions carried out by Singapore
nation. and Kuwait and called for the
The opposi- nations to impose a moratorium
tion Bangladesh on carrying out the death penalty.
Nationalist Party The protesters demand that PM Sheikh Hasina step down and allow a Singapore on Friday hanged a
(BNP) and its caretaker government to oversee elections due next January. 45-year-old citizen for drug traf-
allies have staged ficking, the city-state’s first execu-
a series of protests since last year demanding lock. tion of a woman in nearly 20 years,
Sheikh Hasina step down and allow a care- Hasina’s Awami League has ruled officials said.
taker government to oversee elections due Bangladesh since 2009 and has been Kuwait put to death five people
next January. accused of human rights abuses, corruption on Thursday, including a man
Clashes erupted in several locations when and creeping authoritarianism. convicted of involvement in a 2015
police moved in to clear thousands of people Protests led by the BNP have become suicide bombing by the Islamic
who gathered in the morning to block traffic increasingly common since the start of the State jihadist group that killed 26
on key arterials around the city. “Some offi- year, with rallies this month drawing tens of people, the Public Prosecution
cers were injured,” Dhaka Metropolitan thousands of people to the streets. said.
Police spokesman Faruq Ahmed told AFP. Police arrested at least 500 opposition The multiple executions in the
“We fired tear gas and rubber bullets.” activists ahead of a rally outside the party’s Gulf emirate—relatively rare com-
At least four protest sites around the city headquarters this week. pared to neighbouring Saudi Ara-
saw clashes between police and protesters, Western governments have expressed bia—were the first since seven
Ahmed said. concern over the political climate in people were put to death in

About 50 people are on death row and majority of them is men.

AFP journalists at one protest site in Dho- Bangladesh, where the ruling party domi- November last year ending a five-
laikhal, an old neighbourhood now a hub nates the legislature and runs it virtually as year moratorium. “We deplore the
for automotive repair shops, witnessed pro- a rubber stamp. multiple executions carried out
testers retaliate by throwing rocks at riot Her security forces are accused of detain- this week in Kuwait and Singapore and guards on the use of the death penalty.” inmates on death row is not known.
police and their vehicles. ing tens of thousands of opposition activists, oppose the death penalty under all circum- “There is no evidence that the death Criminal lawyer Joshua Tong said those
Bacchu Mia, a police inspector at the killing hundreds in extrajudicial encounters stances,” UN Human Rights Office penalty has a unique deterrent effect or convicted of drug trafficking were usually
Dhaka Medical College Hospital, told AFP and disappearing hundreds of leaders and spokesman Seif Magango said in a state- that it has any impact on the use and avail- men, but he had seen “his fair share” of
that six protesters had been admitted to the supporters. ment. ability of drugs. As countries around the women drug offenders.
hospital with injuries. The elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) “We urge Kuwait and Singapore to world do away with the death penalty and On the issue of drug crimes, Tong said
Senior BNP leaders Goyeshwar Roy and security force and seven of its senior officers immediately establish a moratorium on embrace drug policy reform, Singapore’s there was generally “no distinction
Amanullah Aman had been taken into were sanctioned by Washington in 2021 in executions and join the more than 170 authorities are doing neither,” she said in between men and women for criminal
police custody but had not been formally response to those alleged rights abuses. states that have so far abolished or intro- a statement. punishments.”
arrested, Ahmed said. The BNP’s leader Khaleda Zia, a two-time duced a moratorium on the death penalty.” Figures shared by the Ministry of Home “The only distinction made would be on
Transport links between the capital and premier and old foe of Hasina’s, is effectively Amnesty International’s death penalty Affairs with CNN in 2022 said about 50 whether caning is to be imposed,” he
other parts of the country were badly dis- under house arrest after a conviction on expert Chiara Sangiorgio said Singapore’s people were on death row, the majority of added, noting that Singaporean law only
rupted, with trucks and buses stuck in grid- graft charges. – AFP latest execution “defied international safe- whom were men. The number of women permits the caning of men. – AFP

Legal woes won’t derail
White House bid: Trump
DES MOINES (United States): Former US
president Donald Trump—who has
pledged to pursue his White House bid if
convicted and sentenced in one of the
cases engulfing his comeback bid—shared
a stage with his Republican rivals for the
first time in Iowa.
Trump’s appearance at the party’s Lin-
coln Dinner fundraiser came as he faced
new charges over his handling of classi-
fied government documents—and a pos-
sible fresh indictment over his alleged
efforts to overturn the result of the 2020
election.
The format of the Lincoln Dinner — 10
minutes for each candidate—kept the fire-
works to a minimum, but the frontrunner
did not shy away from telling the atten-
dees what he thought of his main chal-
lenger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“I wouldn’t take a chance on that one,”
Trump said after offering a barrage of poll
data suggesting he would easily defeat
incumbent President Joe Biden while
DeSantis would lose against the veteran
Democrat.
Trump offered a rapid-fire summary of
his achievements while in office, from
appointing three conservative-leaning
Supreme Court justices to withdrawing
US troops from Afghanistan, and only
briefly alluded to his legal woes.
“If I weren’t running, I would have
nobody coming after me,” the 77-year-old
said.
For his part, DeSantis stuck to his usual
stump speech, and did not use the oppor-
tunity to take a swipe at Trump.
“The time for excuses is over. We must
get the job done. I will get the job done,”
he told attendees in Des Moines.
Earlier in the day, Trump used a radio
interview to insist his legal woes would
not derail his White House bid.
Asked by radio host John Fredericks if
being sentenced would stop his 2024 cam-
paign, Trump quickly responded: “Not at
all. There’s nothing in the Constitution to
say that it could.”
“And even the radical left crazies are
African Union, EU intensify pressure on Niger coup leaders
saying not at all, that wouldn’t stop (me)
— and it wouldn’t stop me, either,” he
NIAMEY (Niger): The
African Union
demanded Niger’s mili-
tary “return to their
barracks and restore
constitutional author-
ity” within 15 days as
the EU intensified pres-
sure on the coup lead-
ers Saturday by suspending security
cooperation with the jihadist-hit coun-
try.
General Abdourahamane Tiani (pic),
head of the Presidential Guard since
2011, appeared on state television on Fri-
day to declare himself the troubled West
Iran news editor suspended over protest coverage
African country’s new leader.
His forces have confined democrati-
cally elected President Mohamed
TEHRAN (Iran): Iranian authorities have
banned the editor-in-chief of reformist
daily Etemad “from any press activity for
a year” over coverage of last year’s nation-
wide protests, the newspaper reported on
Saturday.
The journalist, Behrooz Behzadi, was
“accused of publishing false content”,
Etemad said, citing a decision by the pros-
ecutor’s office following a complaint by a
Tehran branch of the Iranian Revolution-
ary Guards Corps.
The complaint, according to Etemad,
was in relation to reports it had published
which detailed the October “kidnapping”
of a scientist and “bans and arrests” of
artists who backed the protest movement
triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death.
The newspaper’s Saturday edition
quoted Behzadi, in his late 70s, as saying
the court had initially sentenced him to
British railways hit by latest staff walkout
prison time but instead handed him the
one-year suspension from work.
Iran was gripped by unrest following
LONDON: Rail workers in Britain held
their latest strike over pay and conditions
on Saturday, as more than a year of walk-
outs on the country’s train network grinds
on.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and
Transport (RMT) union working for train
operating companies staged the day-long
stoppage, leading to the widespread can-
cellation of services and misery for trav-
ellers.
In some areas only about half of train
services will run, while others will have
none at all.
The repeated strikes by rail staff have
been mirrored across the public and pri-
Trump with DeSantis (left). The ex-President shared a stage with his Republican rivals
for the first time in Iowa.
added. “These people are sick. What they
are doing is absolutely horrible.”
The twice-impeached former president
was first indicted in the classified docu-
ments case last month, accused of endan-
gering national security by holding onto
top secret nuclear and defense informa-
tion after leaving the White House.
The Justice Department added charges
Thursday to its more than three dozen
counts against Trump, who was found by
a jury in a civil trial in May to have raped
a writer in Manhattan in the 1990s.
Trump is also facing dozens of felony
charges in a case involving hush money
payments to a porn star in New York and
is bracing for indictment in separate state
and federal investigations into his efforts
to overturn the 2020 election.
In a major development Thursday in
the documents probe, Special Counsel
Jack Smith alleged that Trump, who is
scheduled to go on trial at the height of
the campaign in March and May next year,
asked a worker at his beachfront estate in
Florida to delete surveillance footage to
Bazoum to his official residence in the
capital Niamey since Wednesday, in a
putsch Tiani presented as a response to
“the degradation of the security situa-
tion” linked to jihadist bloodshed.
The African Union and the European
Union joined the chorus of international
condemnation of the power grab, the lat-
est to strike the Sahel region.
Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina
Faso have both undergone two military
coups since 2020, fuelled by anger at a
failure to quash long-running insurgen-
cies by jihadists linked to the Islamic
State group and Al-Qaeda.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council
“demands the military personnel to
immediately and unconditionally return
to their barracks and restore constitu-
the September death in custody of 22-
year-old Amini, an Iranian Kurd, follow-
ing her arrest for an alleged breach of
strict dress rules for women.
The demonstrations saw hundreds of
people killed, including dozens of secu-
rity personnel, and thousands arrested in
connection with what officials labelled as
“riots”.
In January, an Etemad report estimated
that some 80 journalists were among the
thousands arrested during the unrest.
In Iraq, a fire killed four people in the
Iraqi shrine city of Karbala as hundreds of
thousands of Shiite pilgrims began gath-
ering to mark Ashura, emergency services
said.
The blaze erupted in an alleyway near
the mausoleum of Imam Hussein, the
focal point of commemorations for one
of the holiest dates in the Shiite calen-
dar.
“According to preliminary reports, the
fire was sparked by a gas bottle in the
vate sectors in Britain, as workers demand
pay rises in response to decades-high infla-
tion and the worst cost-of-living crisis in a
generation.
Those who have taken to picket lines
over the last 18 months have ranged from
health sector employees and teachers to
lawyers and dock workers.
The RMT’s dispute with 14 train operat-
ing companies running services, over
salary and working conditions such as
overtime, has been worsened by con-
tentious plans to close most ticket offices
across the UK.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has
accused the Conservative government,
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
obstruct investigators.
Trump, who denies all wrongdoing,
was also charged with illegally retaining
national defense information over a doc-
ument he is accused of showing to jour-
nalists at his New Jersey golf club.
He unleashed a torrent of invective
loaded with false accusations against the
government, Biden and other top Democ-
rats on his social media platform.
He also called for Smith “and his Thug
Prosecutors” to be jailed alongside Attor-
ney General Merrick Garland.
DeSantis is in a campaign lull—the 44-
year-old has seen Trump’s lead widen
from 13 points in February to 34 points
now, as he has failed to connect with vot-
ers and has been beset by a series of
largely self-inflicted controversies.
His team was forced this week to fire a
staffer who promoted a video featuring
Nazi imagery, and the candidate sparked
outrage by suggesting he would pick anti-
vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. to lead his public health pol-
icy. – AFP
tional authority, within a maximum
period of fifteen (15) days”, it said in a
communique following a meeting Friday
on the coup.
It “condemns in the strongest terms
possible” the overthrow of the elected
government and expressed deep concern
over the “alarming resurgence” of mili-
tary coups in Africa.
The EU’s diplomatic chief Josep Bor-
rell on Saturday said the bloc would not
recognise the putschists and announced
the suspension of security cooperation
with Niger.
“The European Union does not recog-
nise and will not recognise the authori-
ties from the putsch in Niger,” Borrell
said in a statement.
“All cooperation in the security field is
kitchen” of a refreshment tent set up for
pilgrims and then spread into an adjacent
market, an emergency services statement
said.
Fire crews arrived on the scene and put
out the blaze “in record time, despite the
which has overall responsibility for rail
transport and provides strategic direction
and funding, of trying to “artificially keep
the dispute going”.
“Our union remains wholly committed
to reaching a negotiated settlement on
pay, jobs, security and conditions,” he said
Saturday as RMT members joined picket
lines nationwide.
“But our members remain steadfast in
their industrial action and will not be
cowed into submission by anyone.”
The Department for Transport insists
officials have met with rail union bosses,
listened to their concerns and facilitated
improved offers. – AFP
Thirty-three of the 45 on board survived the initial impact, but only 16
were left after an ordeal of 10 weeks on an Andean glacier. The survivors had
to resort to eating the flesh of their dead comrades to stay alive. Inset Inciarte.
‘Miracle in the Andes’ crash
survivor dies half century later
MONTEVIDEO, (Uruguay): Uruguayan
Jose Luis Inciarte (pic), one of 16 sur-
vivors of a 1972 Andean plane crash
immortalised in the film Alive, died in
his home city of Montevideo on Thurs-
day aged 75, a friend said.
Inciarte, known fondly as “Coche,”
was part of an amateur Uruguayan
rugby team flying to play a match in
Chile, accompanied by family mem-
bers, when their plane crashed on Octo-
ber 13, 1972. Thirty-three of the 45 on
board survived the initial impact, but
only 16 were left after an ordeal of 10
weeks on an Andean glacier without
food, shelter, or even warm clothes in
Son held for killing of mum found in fridge
minus 30°C at an altitude of some
BRUSSELS (Belgium): A man in his mid-30s
in Belgium has confessed to killing his
mother and sticking parts of her body in a
fridge found in a canal in the country’s
east, prosecutors said Friday.
The refrigerator with its grisly con-
tents—two arms and two legs—was found
Tuesday bobbing in a canal on the out-
skirts of the city of Liege, triggering a mur-
der investigation.
That led detectives to discover the rest
of the woman’s body—her head and
torso—in a trash container thrown in a
nearby river.
A tattoo on the torso helped identify
suspended indefinitely with immediate
effect” in addition to the end to budget-
ary aid, he added.
Bazoum “remains the only legitimate
president of Niger”, the statement said,
calling for his immediate release and
holding the coup leaders to account for
the safety of him and his family.
Borrell said the EU was ready to sup-
port future decisions taken by West
Africa’s regional bloc, “including the
adoption of sanctions”.
Leaders from the Economic Commu-
nity of West African States will meet on
Sunday in Abuja to discuss the coup,
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said.
French President Emmanuel Macron
will chair a defence meeting on the coup
on Saturday, the presidency said. – AFP
The complaint
was in relation
to detailed reports
on ‘kidnapping’
of a scientist and
‘bans and arrests’
of artists who
backed the
protest movement
triggered by
Mahsa Amini’s
death.
difficulty of moving fire trucks through
the crowds of pilgrims”, it added.
Ashura commemorates the martyrdom
of the Imam Hussein, grandson of the
Prophet Mohammed, in a seventh century
battle. – AFP
Those who have taken to picket lines over the last 18 months have ranged
from health sector employees and teachers to lawyers and dock workers.
World 11
3,500m.
The survivors had to resort to eating
the flesh of their dead comrades to stay
alive. Rescue finally came after two of
the young men – Roberto Canessa and
Fernando Parrado – walked for 10 days
into the unknown, hostile terrain,
finally spotting people at a river as they
were close to their end. The story of sur-
vival became known as the “Miracle in
the Andes”.
“We lost a friend,” Canessa said on
Thursday of Inciarte’s death from can-
cer. “We already lost Javier (Methol),
and now we are 14” left over from the 16
who returned home after the crash, he
said. — AFP
the victim as a woman in her 70s, a spokes-
woman for the Liege prosecutors’ office
told AFP.
Her son, born in 1988, was arrested just
before dawn on Thursday in a hotel close
to Brussels’s airport.
He apparently was preparing to take a
flight to South Korea, the spokeswoman,
Catherine Collignon, said.
Under questioning by police, the man
“confessed”, she added, and the investigat-
ing judge ordered him charged and taken
into custody.
Early indications in the investigation
suggest the mother and son had regular
arguments after he moved back in with
her after the Covid pandemic.
The killing was said to have occurred in
Seraing, a southwestern neighbourhood
of Liege, where the woman lived with her
two children and a grandchild, according
to local media.
The suspect was said to have confessed
to the killing to someone in his entourage,
who shared the information with another
Kenyan citizenship
person who spoke to police. – AFP
to stateless Pembas
NAIROBI (Kenya): Kenya awarded citizen-
ship to the Pemba community, ending
decades of statelessness for a margin-
alised people in a historic move hailed by
the UN refugee agency.
President William Ruto issued ID cards,
birth certificates and passports at a cere-
mony in Kilifi that marked the comple-
tion of the registration process for all
7,000-odd members of the community.
“This, effectively, ends Pemba commu-
nity’s statelessness and marginalisation
that has lasted for close to 100 years,” Ruto
said in the city on Kenya’s East Coast.
The move finally affords the Pemba full
access to public services like schools,
healthcare, social security and the right to
work which they have long been denied.
The community settled in Kenya about
a century ago but was never recognised at
independence in 1963.
It is believed they originally came from
the island of Pemba in the Zanzibar Archi-
pelago off mainland Tanzania.
Most today still live along Kenya’s
coast.
Ruto announced in December that the
government would begin the process to
formally recognise the Pemba as citizens.
UNHCR said Kenya had made “impor-
tant strides” in eliminating statelessness
in recent years by extending citizenship to
thousands of others from previously
unrecognised groups like the Makonde
and Shona.– AFP
 US to help Australia boost missile manufacturing
12 World
BRISBANE (Australia): Washington will
seek to bolster its shrinking weapons
stockpiles by helping Australia develop a
missile manufacturing and exporting
industry, top officials said Saturday after
high-level talks between the two countries.
Australian Defence Minister Richard
Marles announced the project after meet-
ings in Brisbane with US Secretary of State
Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd
Austin.
“We hope to see manufacturing of mis-
siles commenced in Australia in two years’
time,” Marles told reporters, hailing the
initiative as a boost to his country’s
defence and industrial base.
Germany warns of
“We are really pleased with the steps
spy-risk with some
Chinese students
BERLIN (Germany): Germany’s educa-
tion minister on Saturday called for a
revision of student exchange practices
with China, citing an increased risk of
scientific espionage posed by Chinese
students who come to study in Germany
on full state scholarships.
“China is becoming more and more
competitive and is a systemic rival in the
domain of science and research,” Bettina
Stark-Watzinger said in an interview
published on Saturday by the Medien-
gruppe Bayern.
The minister hailed a decision by the
Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) in
Bavaria, which regularly partners with
German industry in research projects, to
no longer accept China students whose
sole financing comes from the China
Scholarship Council (CSC), which is a
state institution.
According to recent reports pub-
lished in Deutsche Welle and the Correc-
tiv investigative platform, recipients of
these scholarships must sign a loyalty
oath to the Chinese state or risk legal
proceedings.
Stark-Watzinger hailed the German
university for its decision, saying it was
motivated by “the realisation that the
freedom of opinion and scientific free-
dom anchored in German Basic Law can-
not be fully exercised by the CSC
scholarship recipients due to the condi-
tions of their scholarships and there also
exists an increased risk of scientific espi-
onage”.
“The FAU decision should prompt
other institutions to revisit the terms of
their cooperation with the CSC,” she said.
In mid-July, Germany toughened its
approach to China, publishing a 64-page
US$345mil military aid
strategy in response to a “more assertive”
China, sparking ire from Beijing. – AFP
package for Taiwan
WASHINGTON: The United States unveiled
a $345 million military aid package for Tai-
wan designed to quickly bolster the
island’s ability to deter a Chinese invasion
(pic).
The package—which an official said fea-
tures intelligence, surveillance and recon-
naissance equipment and small arms
munitions—will be drawn from the US’
own reserves, allowing it to be delivered
on a faster-than-usual timeline.
These are “capabilities that Taiwan will
be able to use to bolster deterrence now
and in the future,” a Pentagon spokesper-
son said.
Elements of the package “address criti-
cal defensive stockpiles, multi-domain
awareness, anti-armor and air defense
capabilities,” he added.
Beijing on alert as Typhoon Doksuri sweeps northwards
“We are working expeditiously to
deliver the military assistance announced
today.”
BEIJING (China): A swathe of northern
China, including the capital Beijing, was
put under alert Saturday as Typhoon Dok-
suri swept inland, bringing high winds and
torrential rain.
Doksuri, which smashed into Fujian
province on Friday morning with gusts of
up to 175 kilometres per hour (110 miles per
hour), is already being felt further north,
according to China’s meteorological serv-
ices.
Anticipating flooding, Beijing has
issued an orange alert, the second-highest
in the four-tier system.
Several of the city’s parks, lakes and
riverside roads have been closed out of pre-
caution, the municipal authorities
announced on Saturday.
They warned the downpour could
prompt even worse flooding than in July
2012, when 79 people died and tens of
thousands were evacuated.
Heavy showers were reported in the
capital on Saturday afternoon and are
expected to last through Tuesday.
Neighbouring Hebei province, which is
expecting torrential rain and gusty wind,
has issued the highest level of alert in some
areas.
that we are taking in respect of establish-
ing a guided weapons and explosive ord-
nance enterprise in this country,” he
added.
The project will see Australia develop
guided multiple launch rocket systems, or
GMLRS.
Austin said the plan would help the
United States “sharpen our technological
edge and strengthen our defence indus-
trial base”.
Washington will now work to help Aus-
tralia build a fledgling domestic missile
industry almost from scratch, with an eye
to securing a reliable pipeline for its own
armed forces down the track.
The war in Ukraine has exposed weak-
Zelensky at advanced
positions in Bakhmut
KYIV (Ukraine): President Volodymyr Zelen-
sky said on Saturday he was visiting
“advanced positions” of Ukraine’s special
forces near the hotspot of Bakhmut as Kyiv
ramps up its counter-offensive.
“The Bakhmut direction, advanced posi-
tions of the Special Operations Forces,”
Zelensky said on messaging app Telegram.
“I am here to congratulate our warriors on
their professional day, to honour their
strength.”
Zelensky said he was not at liberty to dis-
close details of the special forces’ current
operations.
He said he heard a commander’s report
and spoke with the troops, praising their
“truly heroic” performance.
Ukraine last month began its highly antic-
ipated fightback after stockpiling Western
weapons and building up its offensive forces.
Kyiv has however admitted difficult bat-
tles and called on the United States and other
allies to provide long-range weapons and
artillery.
Ukrainian authorities have said Kyiv’s
troops are gradually moving forward near
the eastern city of Bakhmut, which Russian
forces seized in May.
A Russian missile struck an apartment
block in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro,
Kyiv officials said, injuring at least nine peo-
ple including two children.
“Dnipro. Another terrorist attack,” said
Sergiy Kruk, head of the Ukrainian State
Emergency Service, on Telegram.
“Currently, we know of 9 injured, includ-
ing two children. Work continues.”
Internal Affairs Minister Igor Klymenko
earlier reported “a Russian strike on a multi-
storey building in Dnipro”, saying five people
Taiwan’s defense ministry thanked
Washington “for its staunch commitment
to Taiwan’s security.”
“The Presidential Drawdown Authority
is another important support for Taiwan’s
self-defense in addition to weapons sales,”
ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said.
“Taiwan and the US will continue to
cooperate closely in safety issues in order
to maintain peace, stability and the status
quo in the Taiwan Strait.”
Congress has authorized President Joe
Biden to draw aid for Taiwan from Ameri-
can military stocks—the same way that
Washington has provided large quantities
of assistance to Ukraine since Russia
invaded in February 2022.
In the past year, the Chinese military
has held two major drills around Taiwan,
simulating targeted strikes and a blockade
of the island.
China, which is an increasingly
The weather service warned that rainfall
there could exceed 60 centimetres (24
inches).
In Fujian’s capital Fuzhou, authorities
ordered residents not to leave their homes
unless necessary on Saturday.
The coastal province of Shandong and
the megacity Tianjin also felt the deluge.
Doksuri had been a super typhoon as it
tore across the Pacific Ocean earlier this
week, but lost some intensity as it neared
the Philippines.
The typhoon killed at least 13 people in
the Philippines, where it caused landslides
and floods before tracking northwest to
China and gradually weakening.
It still brought colossal waves and howl-
ing winds to the country’s southeast.
China has been experiencing extreme
weather conditions and posting recording
temperatures this summer, events that sci-
entists say are being exacerbated by cli-
mate change.
At the beginning of July, Beijing and the
surrounding region broke temperature
records, with local temperatures in excess
of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
In Athens, Greece, wildfires that have
scorched Greece for more than two weeks
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
nesses in many Western military supply
chains and has steadily depleted stocks of
missiles and other munitions.
Australia is currently embarking on its
own armed forces overhaul, pivoting
towards long-range strike capabilities in
an effort to keep would-be foes such as
China at arm’s length.
The two-day Australia-US meeting that
ended on Saturday was heavily focused on
regional security and military cooperation,
as the longtime allies work to curb China’s
growing power in the Pacific region.
The talks were partially overshadowed
when an Australian MRH-90 Taipan military
helicopter crashed in subtropical waters off
the coast of Queensland late Friday,
Zelensky (4THright) said he heard a commander’s report and
spoke with the troops, praising their ‘truly heroic’ performance.
had been injured.
Videos posted on social media showed
smoke billowing from the top floors of a res-
idential building that had been badly dam-
aged.
In Brisbane, Australia, Secretary of State
Antony Blinken on Saturday said that the
United States believes Russia’s defence min-
ister is in North Korea to secure supplies of
weapons to aid the stalled invasion of
Ukraine.
Following Sergei Shoigu’s arrival on a rare
trip to Pyongyang, Blinken said that Russia is
scrambling to buy arms from allies across the
world.
“I strongly doubt he’s there on holiday,”
Blinken told reporters in Australia.
assertive diplomatic and military power,
claims the democratic, self-ruled island of
Taiwan as part of its territory and has
vowed to take it, by force if necessary.
A statement from the White House
were on Saturday mostly under control,
but firefighters remained in key hotspots
with strong winds still a threat, officials
said.
“Scattered fire pockets are being extin-
guished,” the fire department said in an
update to AFP, adding that there was “no
active front” in the three biggest wildfires
in Rhodes, Corfu and central Greece that
had forced thousands of people to flee.
prompting the suspension of a major mili-
tary exercise between the two countries.
The four crew members are still missing
and concern is growing for their wellbe-
ing.
They had been taking part in the vast
Talisman Sabre exercise, which features
30,000 military personnel from Australia,
the United States and several other
nations.
Both Australian and US officials
expressed concern about the incident, but
insisted drills were needed to ensure both
militaries were “match fit”.
The meeting signalled that joint opera-
tions and projects are only likely to
increase. – AFP
“We’re seeing Russia desperately looking
for support, for weapons, wherever it can
find them to continue to prosecute its
aggression against Ukraine,” he said.
“We see that in North Korea, we see that
as well with Iran, which has provided many
drones to Russia that it’s using to destroy
civilian infrastructure and killed civilians in
Ukraine.”
While in North Korea, Shoigu met the
country’s leader Kim Jong Un, in what
Pyongyang’s state media described as “a
friendly talk.”
Russia, a historic ally of North Korea, is
one of a handful of nations with which
Pyongyang maintains friendly relations. –
AFP
announced the package of “defense arti-
cles and services of the Department of
Defense, and military education and
training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”
– AFP
Doksuri had
been a super
typhoon as it
tore across the
Pacific Ocean
earlier this
week, but lost
some intensity
as it neared
the
Philippines.
Nevertheless, more than 460 firefighters
were still deployed in these three areas as a
precaution, it said.
“There is no de-escalation of forces until
the major incidents are checked”, it said.
Fed by scorching temperatures, dry con-
ditions and strong winds, the two-week
inferno had sparked chaos at the peak of
the busy summer tourist season in Greece.
– AFP
Biden
acknowledges
seventh grandchild
for the first time
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on
Friday publicly acknowledged his seventh
grandchild for the first time—a four-year-
old girl his son Hunter fathered with an
Arkansas woman—after Republican criti-
cism of his failure to recognise her.
“This is not a political issue, it’s a family
matter,” the president said in a statement
to People magazine about the girl, Navy
Joan Roberts.
“Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother,
Lunden, are working together to foster a
relationship that is in the best interests of
their daughter, preserving her privacy as
much as possible going forward.”
Biden said he and his wife Jill “only
want what is best for all of our grandchil-
dren, including Navy.”
People cited an unnamed source famil-
iar with the situation as saying that a child
support dispute between Hunter Biden
and Lunden Roberts, settled last month,
had affected how the First Couple inter-
acted with their grandchild.
“You have to remember there were
some fairly contentious legal proceedings
between Navy’s parents happening until
just a few weeks ago. As grandparents, the
Bidens are following Hunter’s lead,” the
source said.
The Democratic US president had come
under tough criticism from Republicans
who said his failure to mention Navy was
at odds with his public image as a family
man.
Earlier this month, top Republican law-
maker Elise Stefanik called Biden “cold,
heartless, selfish, and cowardly” for not
acknowledging Navy, and labeled the sit-
uation “an inexcusable disgrace” in com-
ments to the Daily Mail.
Hunter Biden’s paternity of the child
was confirmed through DNA testing. She
has reportedly not met her father or her
grandparents.
Hunter Biden, who has battled drug
addiction and is currently mired in legal
trouble over tax charges and illegal posses-
sion of a firearm, has four other children.
US president
- AFP
to host Japan,
S Korea leaders
August 18
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will
host Japanese Prime Minister Kishida
Fumio and South Korea’s President Yoon
Suk Yeol for a summit at his retreat outside
Washington on August 18, the White
House said.
“The leaders will celebrate a new chap-
ter in their trilateral relationship as they
reaffirm their strong bonds of friendship
and the ironclad alliances between the
United States and Japan, and the United
States and the Republic of Korea,” an offi-
cial statement said.
The summit, held at the Camp David
presidential retreat in rural Maryland near
Washington, DC, will be a chance to “dis-
cuss expanding trilateral cooperation
across the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the
White House said.
They will address the “continued
threat” from North Korea and “advance a
shared trilateral vision for addressing
global and regional security challenges,
promoting a rules-based international
order, and bolstering economic prosper-
ity.”
Biden has made a priority of getting
close US allies Japan and South Korea to
overcome years of tension and work
together in the face of nuclear-armed
North Korea’s ongoing saber rattling and
fear of confrontation with superpower
Four electrocuted
China. – AFP
during religious
procession in India
NEW DELHI (India): At least four people
were electrocuted Saturday and seven oth-
ers injured after a Muslim religious proces-
sion came into contact with a high-voltage
wire in India, police told AFP.
The Islamic calendar is currently in the
month of Muharram, the holiest time for
Shiites across the world, when large
Ashura processions mark the martyrdom
of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson
Hussein in the seventh century.
Members of a procession in the eastern
state of Jharkhand were killed when a
metal pole carried by some devotees hit an
overhead cable, Bokaro district police
superintendent Priyadarshi Alok told AFP.
“Four people have died and seven oth-
ers are injured,” he said.
Deaths by electrocution are common in
India as a result of waterlogging during
the summer monsoon season.
Nearly 11,000 people on average die by
electrocution in India every year, accord-
ing to official data. – AFP
 COMMENT& ANALYSIS S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
Opinions expressed here are the personal views of the writers and not necessarily those of the Daily Express or other organisations they may be connected with.
13
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Ringgit rot started with Dr M ‘Sabahans First’

M. Shanmugam
policy is not
OF all people, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir
Mohamad should know what is really ailing the ringgit.
The architect of capital controls did the right thing in Sep-
tember 1998 by taking the ringgit off the offshore markets,
discipline the government has adopted in managing public
finances. When governments spend more than they earn for
a long period, something will give way eventually.
Normally, it is the currency that depreciates in value. That
is what happened to Malaysia.

for politicking
thus quelling speculation in it. He pegged the ringgit to the
US dollar at 3.80, which stabilised the currency and bought
him and the country a few years to reset the economy
But Mahathir did not undertake reforms for public-sector
Mahathir resigned in 2003 without doing much to restruc-
ture the economy and public finances. He handed over the
reins to Abdullah, who attempted to reform government
expenditure by cutting subsidies. Among the subsidies cut was
finances that were required to put the country back on the that for petrol. When prices shot up, his political opponents, Datuk John Lo in their action.

right track. He continued with budget deficits and did not
dare to cut subsidies. The unfettered government spending
continued to fuel the patronage system that is so entrenched
in Corporate Malaysia.
During Mahathir’s rule and even after that, budgets run-
ning into deficits were the norm. None of the prime ministers
adopted financial discipline in handling public funds. Some-
times, they started off with the intention to reform the
nation’s finances but then succumbed to the pressure to be
popular so as to ensure that they remained in power.
Budgets were in deficit, and to compound matters, the gov-
ernment’s off-balance sheet liabilities grew. The worst among
the off-budget entities was 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MDB) under the watch of now-jailed Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Years of not instilling financial discipline in public
finances have led to the current state of the ringgit, which is
trading at 3.43 against the Singapore dollar and 4.61 against
the US dollar.
Malaysians will particularly feel the impact of the depre-
ciating ringgit when they travel overseas for work or leisure.
Even in tiny Singapore, Malaysians will be a whole lot poorer.
Within the country, Malaysians lead a sheltered life. Most
of the essentials required for day-to-day living are subsidised.
Thus, ordinary folks will not be affected by the ringgit hov-
ering at around 4.60 to the US dollar.
For those who dare to venture further, for example, into
Europe, the weakness of the ringgit will be conspicuously felt.
For instance, a lot of Singaporeans spend their holidays in
Switzerland, which is known as heaven on earth. They can
afford to stay in that country for a few weeks or months
because of the strength of the Singapore dollar. One Swiss
Franc can be exchanged for S$1.30.
In stark comparison, Malaysians will find Switzerland an
ultra-expensive holiday destination. One Swiss Franc is equiv-
alent to RM5. A simple meal will make one wonder whether
the holiday is worth it after all.
The ringgit’s rot did not happen overnight. It started in
2000 when Mahathir did not take the opportunity to reset
the economy and undertake structural reforms. That would
have required difficult decisions and he did not want to push
the button.
The biggest reform he promoted after 2000 was making
English the medium of instruction for science and mathe-
matics in schools. He advocated that English was the lan-
guage of the internet and students should be equipped with
language skills. This right but unpopular move was disman-
tled during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s tenure.
The danger of capital controls is that as the currency is not
traded internationally, it allows the country to get away with
financial indiscipline in managing its budget without being
punished.
A fully traded currency is like a report card. It reflects the
including Mahathir, capitalised on the situation. In the 2008
general election, Abdullah’s Barisan Nasional lost its two-
thirds majority in Parliament and it cost him the premiership.
In came Najib, who started off well by attempting to
reform the economy. He did not float petrol prices but loos-
ened bumiputera requirements in some areas of the economy
to encourage more non-bumiputeras and foreigners to
invest.
For instance, he relaxed the bumiputera equity require-
ment for companies going for listing and opened up some
sectors to foreigners. He also introduced the dreaded Goods
and Services Tax (GST).
However, Najib was also responsible for creating one of
the world’s biggest financial scandals in the form of 1MDB.
Currently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is
looking to reduce the fiscal deficit to 5% of gross domestic
product (GDP) this year and 3.2% by 2025. A lower deficit sig-
nals tighter spending by the government.
Generally, in the current environment, where interest rates
are rising, there is increased scrutiny of debts. Higher debt
means a higher interest-servicing burden. In relation to that,
Malaysia’s debt servicing is already above the accepted
threshold of 15% of GDP.
What this means is that for every RM1 that the government
collects, more than 15 sen goes towards servicing debt.
Singapore’s budget deficit was only 0.3% of GDP last year
and it recorded a surplus in 2021. Indonesia’s budget deficit
last year was 2.4%, below the forecast figure of 3%.
In Malaysia’s case, the deficit has always been within the
forecast amount or higher.
Apart from cutting down on spending, the strength of the
ringgit is also dependent on the cost of funds. On this score,
Bank Negara Malaysia has raised rates by 25 basis points,
which drew criticism from politicians seeking to be popular.
The critics claim that the rise in rates is causing further
hardship among the poor, who have to fork out more money
to service loans.
But in reality, the interest rates have been far too low for
far too long. Raising rates is a difficult decision but Anwar is
right in allowing Bank Negara to do what it feels is necessary.
Generally, bold and difficult measures do not go down
well in the short term. But they bode well for Malaysia’s
finances and the currency over the long haul.
It is hard to cut excesses and implement targeted subsi-
dies, both unpopular measures. But they are necessary. Oth-
erwise, the country and the ringgit will continue to be in a
state of decline.
It is the long haul for the ringgit. Taking shortcuts to
restructure and reform will only be an exercise in futility.
l M. Shanmugam is contributing Editor at the Edge. This
appeared in the Edge.
S
abahans First Policy is 1st of its
kind in Sabah. Like the saying goes,
there are policies AND there are piv-
otal policies. Some policies produce neg-
ative impacts, some fail to produce any
benefits for the intended recipients for
many reasons, only a tiny number benefit
a small number of people. These types
policies are “run of the mills” which com-
prise most of the government policy ini-
tiatives.
Then there are rare pivotal policies.
The highest form of policy success is
when citizens can appreciate its honest
intention, give it their full support and
most significantly, embrace, take own-
ership, add value to it and even fight for
its implementation. CM Datuk Seri
Hajiji’s Sabahans First Policy is Sabah’s
first such policy that will create all-
round benefits.
Legendary policies of Lee Kuan Yew
and Deng Xiao Ping have made Singapore
and China great nations, uplifted their
peoples’ standard of living and imbued
them with great national pride. Both LKY
and Deng had put Singaporeans and Chi-
nese First in their policies, very much like
the Sabahans First Policy.
Sabahans First Policy is every Saba-
han’s responsibility. True that both LKY
and Deng were excep-
tional leaders. Singa-
pore and China have
succeeded because of
them. Let’s also
remember that much
credit should be
attributed to their
respective citizens
who have supported
and embraced LKY’s
and Deng’s policies
for Singaporeans
First and Chinese
First. It is notewor-
thy that some Saba-
hans have begun to
take ownership of the Sabahans First
Policy.
The Sabahans First Policy is for the
prosperity of Sabahans, not for politick-
ing. Firmly in the belief that Sabahans
should fight for our rights, the SLS [Sabah
Law Society], under the leadership of Roger
SLS’s court case against the Federal
Government is complimentary and in
support of Sabah Government’s fight
for 40% revenue. All Sabahans should fol-
low SLS’s example and must also rendered
total support for Hajiji, Dr Jeffry and
Masidi in their fight for our 40% net rev-
enue in the political arena. All of them
have said they will fight on. All other lead-
ers should join in the fight. This is not pol-
iticking. The 40% revenue is the number
1 problem that the Sabahans First Policy
must tackle as it is our birth right.
The successful fight for 40% net rev-
enue will have a very defining-moment
financial impacts in the implementation
of the Sabahans First policy, more mean-
ingful and speedier for each and every
Sabahan.
This 40% net revenue fight is the fight of
all time for Sabahans. We have no choice.
We must unite as Sabahans. We must win.
https://wartaoriental.com/2023/07/20/bicam-
reinforces-sabah-sarawaks-position-as-lead-
ing-destinations-for-legal-services/
SLS’s other significant contributions
for Sabahans First Policy. SLS, in
another significant and long-term bene-
ficial initiative for Sabah, has launched
BICAM [Borneo International Centre for
Arbitration and Mediation]. Sabah’s own
recent retired Chief
Judge of Sabah and
Sarawak Tan Sri David
Wong is the founding
chairman and will add
considerable prestige
to BICAM.
BICAM will comple-
ment very well with
the exceptional inflow
of investments. Nor-
mally all major inter-
national commercial
agreements will
require an arbitration
clause. The nearest
arbitration centre is in
KL or Singapore. BICAM, which Hajiji has
given fullest support, is a critical legal
architecture for the development of
Sabah’s commercial and business devel-
opment.
Other Sabahans’ initiatives in fur-
therance of Sabahans First Policy. The

Carbon tax must to control emissions

Soh Lian Seng
SEVEN years ago, in April 2016, Malaysia
officially signed on to the Paris Agree-
ment to pledge its commitment to
achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. But
since then, there has been no sight of a
definitive road map to achieve this
national goal, leading to questions on
whether this remains only an ambition.
The latest report from the Intergov-
ernmental Panel on Climate Change
(1PCC) warned that global emissions will
need to be halved by 2030, if warming is
to be limited to 1.5°C.The solution,
according to scientists, lies in climate-
resilient development, which involves
integrating measures with actions to
reduce or avoid greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions.
Malaysia’s GHG emissions per capita is
among the highest among the Asean
nations, recorded at 12.77 tonnes In 2021
compared with our closest neighbours,
Singapore (6.7 tonnes) and Thailand
(6.31 tonnes).
To keep emissions on a downward
trend, many are expecting a carbon tax to
be implemented in Malaysia soon. To
understand carbon tax, we must study
carbon pricing mechanisms. Simply put,
carbon pricing is the act of putting a
price on pollution. By imposing some
form of carbon pricing mechanism on
businesses and industries that produce
GHG through their operations, the gov-
ernment aims to encourage businesses to
lower their GHG output, which predom-
inantly comprises car-bon
dioxide(CO2),In principle, carbon pric-
ing can take the form of carbon taxes or
emissions trading schemes (EIS).
Carbon taxes are usually fixed rates
taxed per tonne of carbon dioxide emis-
sion (tCO2e). Singapore introduced car-
bon taxes in 2019, which are levied on all
facilities with annual direct GHG emis-
sions of 25 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide
(ktCOze) or more, and no exemptions
were provided.
During the first five years. Singapore’s
carbon tax rate is set at SS5/tCO2e and
this will increase fivefold to SS25/tCO2e
in 2024 and 2025, and subsequently to
SS45/tCO2e in 2026 and 2027. Singapore
expects to collect a total of USS1 billion
in revenue from the first five years of its
carbon tax scheme. The potential of addi-
tional tax revenue enhances the appeal of
implementing a car-bon tax, which is
easier to manage administratively and
can also be applied at various points of
the production chain where large emit-
ters are identified, and heavy taxes are
implemented on those sectors.
However, the possibility exists where
large emitters may circumvent the issue
and choose to pay the penalty without
making actual efforts to reduce GHG
emissions.
For this reason, some jurisdictions
introduce ETS as a form of carbon pricing
on top of the carbon tax, such as seen in
Switzerland and Canada. Leveraging ETS,
also known as a cap-and-trade pro-
gramme, the government will set a limit
on the total level of covered GHG emis-
sions (that is, cap) and a free market
exists between entities to trade carbon
pricing instruments. For example, the
European Union Emissions Trading Sys-
tem (EU ITS), one of the world’s largest
emissions trading markets, set a cap of
1,572 MtCO2e in 2021 and is expected to
decrease by 2.2% annually. The emission
allowances under the cap are then dis-
tributed by way of free allocation and
auctions depending on the sectors.This
approach allows lawmakers to legally set
an ETS cap to reduce GHG emissions on a
national scale.
The ETS approach is already being
explored in Malaysia. Further to the
release of the National Guidance on
International Voluntary Market Mecha-
nisms by Malaysia’s in 2021,Bursa
Malaysia recently launched the Bursa
Carbon Exchange (BCX).
BCX is the country’s voluntary carbon
market exchange that offers high-quality
standardised carbon credits for both
buyers and suppliers to transact at trans-
parent prices via a rules-based carbon
exchange. According to BCX, entities may
purchase these credits to offset their car-
bon footprint while the sale of carbon
credits, in return, is used to help steer the
development of reduction and removal
of domestic GHG emission solutions.
It remains to be seen if a regulatory-
based EIS will be introduced by the
Malaysian government, similar to that of
BCX with a tighter compliance regula-
tion scheme, or if a carbon tax would be
introduced, similar to that of Singapore,
or possibly a combination of both.
For certain, our government will not
have an easy time determining a carbon
pricing mechanism that will be equally
received by all affected parties. Its effec-
tiveness in reducing carbon emissions
will be heavily reliant on the availability
of clear guidelines and support provided.
There is also the concern that imposing
stringent climate policies will affect
Malaysia’s competitive standing in the
short term, compared with other juris-
dictions that are less stringent in policies.
But there is no doubt that a form of
carbon pricing mechanism is imminent
for Malaysia as a manageable way to
achieve the national net zero ambition
by 2050. Therefore, businesses should
approach carbon taxes proactively (and
not reactively) so they can be in a
stronger position to identify opportuni-
ties and challenges, not only from a tax
perspective but also from a sustainability
perspective.
Businesses will have to look into how
their accounting costs and margins will
be affected, especially if they are heavily
reliant on carbon-intensive products and
sources. Additional compliance costs
may need to be taken into consideration
with the implementation of carbon
taxes. It is also crucial that businesses
look into investing in cleaner technolo-
gies with reduced carbon footprints.
Paired with the green incentives that the
government continuously introduces,
this will drive the interest in making
more green solutions available nation-
wide and result in relatively cheaper
green technologies.
Sweden was among the early adopters
of carbon tax 32 years ago, and its expe-
rience demonstrated that progress on a
national scale is possible with political
will, introduction of policies that are sup-
portive and inclusive, and with commit-
ted cooperation between the
government, academia, businesses and
society as a whole.
Since 1990, Sweden has successfully
decreased its GHG emissions by 33% and
also reported that its gross domestic
product grew by 92% during the period
up until 2021. Our future depends on
what we can achieve within the next
decade, so let’s collectively roll up our
sleeves and get started.
l Soh is head of Tax at KPMG in
Malaysia
Chin, has sued the Federal Government
over its 48 years of dilly-dallying paying
Sabah the 40% net revenue. SLS’s reason is
noble because this is of public interest,
especially for Sabahans, that this long over-
due issue has been unresolved for too long.
I like to quote 3 points of SLS which clearly
personify the fighting spirit of the Saba-
hans First Policy.
1st quote: “This was a serious breach of
the Federal and State governments’ con-
stitutional duty to the people of Sabah
mandated under those provisions noted
above in the Federal Constitution.”
2nd quote: Painfully and succinctly, SLS
said “After close to 60 years since the for-
mation of Malaysia, Sabah still does not
possess the basic infrastructure and
amenities. Meanwhile, Sabah being a
major contributor of its rich oil resources
to the development of Malaysia’s petro-
leum industry through Petronas (wholly
owned by the Federal Government) that
have benefitted the development of
peninsula Malaysia, lags behind. 8 of the
10 poorest districts in Malaysia identified
in the 12th Malaysia Plan are in Sabah.”
3rd quote: “Many think the Federal
Government’s failure to honour the pay-
ment of the Sabah’s 40% entitlement is
one of the reasons why Sabahans are
adversely and detrimentally affected.” SLS
is not mincing its words. It is expressing
the exact feelings of every Sabahans.
In true Sabahans First Policy fighting
spirit, SLS has assembled a formidable
team of legal brains to conduct in depth
research into this issue and has formu-
lated a very winnable strategy. Appearing
for SLS and leading the fight for ALL
SABAHANS in the court will be 2 very
prominent and experienced lawyers, Dr
David Fung and Mr. Jeyan Marimuttu.
The SLS warriors are the true sons and
daughters of Sabah.
I urge all Sabahans, irrespective of
political affiliation and social status, to
pour out their support to SLS for its fight
for our birth rights of 40% net revenue.
Federal Government’s barefaced bias
against Sabah in 40% revenue issue. If
the Federal Government is being fair and
to keep its promise to give Sabah equal
partnership status, it should live up to the
40% revenue as provided for in the consti-
tution. It should have NOT appealed to the
Court of Appeal.
Its appeal gives Sabahans a distinctive
feeling of distrust. It shows that the Fed-
eral Government, despite all the sweet
words from W Malaysian leaders, is not
genuine. Their action is in direct oppo-
site of their words. Their true colour is
spirit of Sabahans First Policy is well and
truly alive in other spheres too.
Food sufficiency and security: All
successive governments after Berjaya
have neglected food sufficiency and
security. Now Sabah can only produce
about 22% of rice requirement, almost
zero maize for animal feeds. Maize is
being imported from Argentina. Sabah’s
food situation is extremely precarious
and may worsen as India has banned rice
exports. Compounding this is the increas-
ing climate change severity which may
compel other countries to follow the
Indian ban. To avert disastrous calami-
ties, Hajiji has ordered solutions to be
found. Towards this end, Datuk Yusof
Kasim, the Chairman of Desa Group is
working with Jilin Province of China at
an advance stage to introduce latest
hybrids and planting/harvesting tech-
nology for the cultivation of maize
[jagung] and padi. The Jiling team will
arrive over this very weekend. Hopefully,
Datuk Yusof ’s endeavours will see Sabah,
for the first time ever, have enough maize
[for animal feeds] and rice! Let’s pray that
Datuk Yusof will succeed ASAP!
TAS and SAYAP are holding Sabahans
First Policy flag high Norman Wong,
chairman of TAS [Timber Association of
Sabah] and his committee are collaborating
with CCF, Datuk Fred Kugan to implement
Hajiji’s ITP policy. The ITP policy will see even
more inflow of investments, 40,000 skilled,
semi-skilled jobs, another 40,000 jobs, EVC
driven down stream will contribute about
RM20 billion to Sabah’s GDP. The outstand-
ing feature of ITP is that more than 90% of
the jobs will be for the rural population.
SAYAP [Sabah Young Professionals
and Entrepreneurs] is forming a founda-
tion to galvanise young Sabahans for
mutual help and to assist the government
to grow the economy.
Its Facebook has 590 members already
at time of writing.
The Sabahans First Policy needs
more professionals to emulate the
lawyers, young Sabahans, business peo-
ple, academicians to come forward
with their contributions to grow
Sabah’s economy.
Sabah belongs to Sabahans. A new
Sabahan spirit is being sprouted by
Hajiji’s Sabahans First Policy. A new
consciousness that we are Sabahans is
fast emerging, that Sabah is ours for us
to protect, that Sabah’s resources must
benefit Sabahans first. Notwithstanding
the numerous infrastructure problems
facing us now, Sabahans are coming for-
ward to create a new Sabah!
 COMMENT& ANALYSIS
Sabah never an extension of Tanah Melayu
Raymond Tombung
T
HE statement by Tuaran MP Datuk
Seri Panglima Wilfred Tangau pub-
lished in this paper last Monday
under the title, ‘Recognising M’sia part of
Nusantara not challenging Malay domi-
nance’ deserves serious attention. Tangau
has lately been very much on the issue of
what he referred to as “the stoking of
racial and religious sentiments in Penin-
sular Malaysia” by some Malayan leaders,
including Tun Dr. Mahathir Muhammad
who Tangau attacked for treating
Malaysia as an “expansion of Tanah
Melayu”, and Sabah and Sarawak as just
“colonial possessions” transferred from
London to Kuala Lumpur.
Tangau referred to Tun Mahathir, Tan
Sri Hadi Awang and Datuk Seri Mohd
Sanusi as “Malayan extremists” who were
“trying to revert Malaysia back to the
mono-ethnic, pre colonial Tanah Melayu.”
This statement, surprisingly, raised the ire
of the former chief minister Tan Sri Harris
Salleh who then challenged Tangau to
table a motion in parliament to expel
Abdul Hadi on grounds of the latter being
“an extremist and terrorist”.
Then Tangau took the argument of
whether Malaysia was a Malay country by
expanding our perspective to a pan-
regional scope of the Nusantars, saying
“the nation would recognize and cele-
brate its three valuable elements – the
Nusantara heritage, multiculturalism and
liberal political system.” Nusantara, of
course, is the Malay name for the Malay
Archipelago or Gugusan Pulau-Pulau
Melayu, as it was popularly called some
decades ago. He assured that “Recognis-
ing Malaysia as part of Nusantara, rather
than homeland of just the Malays is not at
all challenging the Malay’s dominance in
Malaysia.” But the Nusantara perspective
does give a more sober tone on the Malay-
supremacy leaning.
He went in to look into history of how
we came to be today, and cited the “penin-
sula hope to ‘Malaynise Sabah and
Sarawak in[to] the Malayan mould, by
converting non-Muslim natives to Islam,
and assimilating Muslim natives as
Malays… to create different tiers within
Bumiputera, thinking the process would
strengthen Malaysia and prevent sepa-
ratism.”
His piece of mind tore through the cur-
rent conventional thinking of extreme
pro-Malay extremists who parade the nar-
rative as a legitimate political battle cry.
Not mincing his words, he left with us
courageous remarks that should serve as
ample food for thought for a long time to
come. Tangau, in fact, has erected a tall
milestone on the Malaysian political high-
way by pointing out the very realities most
Sabah politicians had not dared to touch.
Calling the Malayan attitude as conde-
scending (mistyped as condensing) men-
tality, he said it is counterproductive, and
we should be “persevering the liberal
political system we inherit from the
British – the Federal Constitution, consti-
Explaining our education decline via 1511
Gan Joo-ee
IT is about the Malaysian education sys-
tem, again. The causes for its decline are
complex, ranging from the change of
medium of instruction from English to
Bahasa Malaysia, the lowering of recruit-
ment criteria for teachers, their unattrac-
tive salaries and the lack of career
prospects, the juggling of three lan-
guages at vernacular schools, an overem-
phasis on grades, lip service to
extracurricular activities and govern-
ment inertia in the face of talent poach-
ing (including top students) by our
neighbour.
Rather than delve deeper into these
maladies, I want to approach the issue
differently. I am going to give the reader
a glimpse of how the decline occurs.
Using a common historical fact, I will
illustrate how teaching and assessment
might fail to meet international bench-
marks.
Malaysians who completed their sec-
ondary education at public schools
would be familiar with the Capture of
Malacca in 1511 by Alfonso de Albu-
querque. We would have memorised the
year of this watershed battle and con-
trived to spell “Albuquerque” correctly.
Truth be told, many of us were probably
bored by it, having encountered the
topic twice — in lower secondary and
upper secondary. Is it wrong to repeat
the Capture of Malacca in the curricu-
lum?
In 1956, a team of cognitive psycholo-
gists at the University of Chicago, led by
Benjamin Bloom, devised a learning
framework that would guide the design
of curriculum and assessment strategies.
Focusing on the cognitive domain, the
learning outcomes would vary from the
ability to “remember”, “understand” and
“apply” to “analyse”, “create” and “evalu-
ate”.
Logically, the learning outcomes
should ascend in difficulty as students
progress through the programme. If a
Opinions expressed here are the personal views of the writers and not necessarily those of the Daily Express or other organisations they may be connected with.
If you have something to share, write to: Forum, Daily Express, P.O.Box 10139, 88801 Kota Kinabalu or Fax: 088 432 555 or Email: forum@dailyexpress.com.my
tutional monarchy, parliamentary democ-
racy, civil and political liberties including
religious freedom, judiciary independ-
ence, common laws, impartial and profes-
sional bureaucracy [which] is at the core
of the social contract that produces and
maintains Malaysia. If you tear apart the
liberal political system, you also tear apart
the moral basis of Malaysia’s existence.”
The issue raised by Tangau is surfacing
now in part as a result of the Malay Procla-
mation campaign, the “12-point docu-
ment written by Dr Mahathir that
purportedly aims to protect the interests
of and unite the Malay community to
‘restore the political power of Malays’”
which Bersatu chief Muhyiddin Yassin
describes as “something we (Bersatu)
stand for [and] it is the foundation of our
struggles.”
Somehow, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s
Madani reformation had triggered the
opposition to revert to the Malay cause as
a lame attempt at reviving a collapsing
support base. And the erroneous knee-
jerk reaction from the three ‘extremists’
was to try to reawaken the worn-out pro-
Malay rhetoric. How far this approach will
go depends on the outcome of the coming
six state elections (PRN) next month.
Regardless of the PRN outcome, however,
what Tangau described as condescending
attitude of many Malayan political leaders
will persist as a Malayan-Borneo states’
problem.
The 10th Prime Minister (PMX) should
be alerted that this attitude is one of the
major obstacles standing in the way of the
realization of his Madani visions. For over
half a century now, Sabah and Sarawak
have been looked down upon as a junior
partner within the socioeconomic and
political status in the federation. It is for
this reason that the stated “aims to build
and maintain a single national identity,
based on a combination of shared social
characteristics such as culture, ethnicity,
geographic location, language, politics
(or the government), religion, traditions
and belief in a shared singular history,
and to promote national unity or solidar-
ity” has not been achieved. An accepted
form of a “combination of shared social
characteristics” between the people of the
Peninsular and the Borneo states have not
been found or formulated.
The non-Malay or non-Malayan cul-
tural character of the Borneo states had
always been a main reason to pigeon-hole
us into a different class of Malaysians. The
provision in Article 8 (1) of the Federal
Constitution of Malaysia that “every per-
son shall be equal under the law and have
equal protection of law” is easy to imple-
ment but the rendering of equality in
social, cultural and economic status is
altogether a different, and more difficult,
matter.
Last January 9, the Minister of National
Unity, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang,
announced the “Ini Malaysia Kita” (This is
our Malaysia) initiative to enhance the
spirit of patriotism among Malaysians.
student is expected to “remember” and
“understand” in primary and lower sec-
ondary, the student should be able to
“apply” and “analyse” in upper second-
ary.
If we say a lower secondary student
should remember the year of the Cap-
ture of Malacca and understand its his-
torical significance, we can test these
outcomes through multiple-choice
questions (MCQs).
By upper secondary, however, the
learning outcomes should include some
elements of analysis. MCQs should not
be the only test. The teacher might wish
to supplement this with an essay ques-
tion, perhaps along the lines of: To what
extent did the Capture of Malacca influ-
ence the political development of the
Malay Peninsula in the 16th century?
Among other things, students could
discuss the cusp of colonialism in South-
east Asia, the rise of the Johor Sultanate,
the various attempts to recapture
Malacca and Johor’s alliances with other
Malay states and the Indonesian archi-
pelago.
However, if an exam question asks:
Identify the important events and main
personages in the Capture of Malacca —
analysis and critical thinking are not
required. Cleverly arranged, an assem-
blage of facts will guarantee top marks.
Unfortunately, in the age of ChatGPT,
this sort of assessment is largely mean-
ingless.
Assuming that one revisits the Cap-
ture of Malacca at an undergraduate
level, how should this topic be assessed?
At the tertiary level, we certainly want to
see more nuanced analysis with compet-
ing views and comparative approaches.
Perhaps the instructor could set a group
assignment with the title: Critically eval-
uate the legacy of colonialism in
Malaysia, starting from the Capture of
Malacca.
The question is quite broad, since
there were several colonial powers in the
The initiative, based on the principles of
the Rukunegara, is “aimed at instilling
and fostering the spirit of unity in diver-
sity, and a sense of love for the country.”
The decision by PMX to appoint Aaron
Ago, a Sarawakian Member of Parliament
for Kanowit, to helm this important min-
istry, was a wise move as Aaron Ago
should be infusing the Borneo states’ val-
ues and perspective into national unity
plan.
His aim should firstly be to break the
erroneous Peninsular-centric ideals of
unity which is unconsciously swayed by
the condescending attitude which mani-
fests in various forms to this day. After so
long, the ministry has failed to achieve
even a basic sociocultural understanding
between the peoples of the two regions.
While Sabahans and Sarawakians know
the Peninsula and its people very well, the
reverse is very much the opposite.
Despite the decades of television and
now the Internet, thousands of teachers
and security forces personnel assigned to
Sabah and Sarawak, the various unity pro-
grams undertaken by the ministry, inter-
marriages between peoples of the Borneo
states and people of the Peninsula, the
countless number of Borneons working in
the peninsula, the ministry has still failed
to achieve an acceptable level of national
unity for Malaysia.
There are still the persistent beliefs that
may of us on this side of the nation live on
trees, are hunters and gatherers traversing
jungles in our loin clothes, and we have
different money currencies. The worst
insults are when we meet people in Kuala
Lumpur, we are asked the ignorant or pur-
posefully condescending questions, “Hi,
welcome to Malaysia!”, “Bile you sampai
Malaysie?”, and the worst of all, from
ignoramouses, “When is Sabah going to
join Malaysia?” They even separate them-
selves from us by saying, “Kami orang
Malaysia…” or “Kami di Malaysia…”
It is sad that leaders in both sides of the
country have never felt it necessary to
address this gross misunderstanding and
never mention it as a very serious national
unity problem. But ironically, Malayan
political leaders can slide into a percep-
tion of equalising Sabahans and
Sarawakians with them, and thinking we
are Malays or should be converted to
Malays to live according to the social pat-
terns of the peninsular Malaysians, or that
we can be lumped into their Malay mold
for the purpose of political expedient.
PMX should strive to create a much
more united Malaysia not by conforming
the Borneo non-Muslim and Muslim
natives into the Malayan Malay model. If
the much touted united in diversity is not
achieved, the all-encompassing Madani
objectives “for sustainability, care and
compassion, respect, innovation, prosper-
ity, and trust” will end up as another
national failure.
n Raymond is a political watcher and
defender of Sabah rights.
Malay Peninsula — the Portuguese, Dutch
and English. Moreover, the question
could be analysed politically, economi-
cally and socially.
Comparisons with some Asean coun-
tries would be a plus, seeing that Spain
ruled the Philippines, the French were in
Indochina and the Dutch had control of
Indonesia.
The problem is, students who largely
“remember” and “understand” aren’t
adept at analysis. Thus, they would be
hard-pressed to “analyse” at the level
expected of undergraduates. Critical
analysis has to be taught, fast! And some
students learn faster than others.
With the democratisation of educa-
tion, tertiary educators now manage far
more students from a broader band of
competence. In reality, the swim or sink
philosophy has to be mediated by the
provision of life jackets and lifebuoys.
This is complicated by the frustrating
parental assumption that, whatever aca-
demic shortcomings their children
might have, they will fix them at the uni-
versity!
In short, the Malaysian education sys-
tem lags behind partly because of the
unimaginative way we teach and the
pedantic way we assess students. Now,
transpose this problem to virtually every
subject at every level of primary and sec-
ondary school in the state school system
over the course of 30 years.
The outcome? A large majority of
intellectually docile young people who
aren’t equipped for the challenges of the
Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Of course, the issue is far more compli-
cated and filled with edu-speak. I sim-
plify. Because why would the reader want
a tedious and technical diatribe against
the education system? Besides, to quote
Albert Einstein: If you can’t explain it sim-
ply, you don’t understand it well enough
n Gan is Associate Dean of Education
at Sunway University.
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
14
Tangau Mahathir Hadi
Climate change and the
effects on concrete walls
THE design of
concrete build-
ings in
Malaysia does
not have spe-
cific rules or
guidelines that
set a maximum
age for struc-
tures. Instead,
the design
process follows
certain codes
and standards
that focus on
making the
buildings
strong, safe,
and sustain-
able.
The lifespan Prolonged extreme heat may effect the
of a concrete integrity of concrete walls in long term.
building in
M a l a y s i a improved insulation of thermal
depends on concrete allows for smaller or
factors like optimized heating, ventilation,
how well it was and air conditioning (HVAC) sys-
built, how it’s tems, resulting in cost and energy
maintained, savings.
the environ- 4. Environmental benefits:
ment it’s in, Thermal concrete’s lower energy
and how it’s consumption reduces greenhouse
used. With gas emissions associated with
proper design, energy production, contributing
construction, to environmental sustainability.
and mainte- It’s important to note that the
nance, con- effectiveness of thermal concrete
crete buildings Daud Mohamad in saving energy depends on vari-
can last for ous factors like insulation proper-
many decades or even longer. ties, thickness, and overall building
However, regular inspections, design. To maximize energy savings
maintenance, and repairs are neces- and thermal performance, it’s crucial
sary to ensure the building remains to consider a holistic approach to
structurally sound and safe over time. building design and insulation strate-
In Malaysia or any other country, it’s gies, including other energy-efficient
important to involve qualified struc- features like insulation materials and
tural engineers and follow recom- windows. Consulting with experts in
mended maintenance practices to building design and energy efficiency
ensure the longevity and safety of con- can help determine the most suitable
crete buildings. solutions for specific projects.
When it comes to concrete’s With the current high temperatures
response to temperature, there are in Malaysia, it’s important to be aware
certain considerations. Concrete in of the integrity of buildings. Concrete
Malaysia doesn’t have specific require- walls can be affected by exposure to
ments for minimum thermal temper- high temperatures, leading to certain
atures. However, it’s crucial to follow changes. The effects depend on the
general guidelines to ensure the dura- intensity and duration of the exposure
bility and performance of concrete in and can include:
different climates. 1. Expansion and cracking: Con-
During the curing process, concrete crete expands when heated and con-
is sensitive to extreme temperatures. tracts when cooled. Rapid heating or
To achieve the necessary strength and uneven temperature distribution can
durability, it’s recommended to main- cause cracking and spalling.
tain a minimum temperature of 10°C 2. Loss of strength: High tempera-
(50°F) during the initial curing phase tures can dehydrate the cement paste
to prevent freezing and promote in concrete, resulting in a loss of
proper hydration. In Malaysia’s hot strength.
tropical climate, additional precau- 3. Chemical changes: Elevated tem-
tions should be taken during concrete peratures can alter the chemical com-
placement and curing to prevent position of concrete, affecting its
excessive heat. Guidelines provided by integrity and performance.
the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 4. Structural integrity: Prolonged
offer measures like shading the con- exposure to high temperatures can
crete, cooling the aggregates and mix- weaken the overall structure of con-
ing water, and using temperature crete walls, potentially leading to col-
control methods to maintain accept- lapse or failure.
able temperature levels. It’s important to understand that
Thermal concrete, also known as the severity of these effects depends
insulated concrete, is designed to have on factors such as the specific type of
better thermal insulation properties concrete mix, the presence of reinforc-
compared to regular concrete. It helps ing elements like steel bars, the thick-
reduce the transfer of heat through the ness of the wall, and the duration and
building’s structure. By using thermal intensity of the heat exposure.
concrete in walls, floors, or roofs, Although reinforced concrete
buildings can benefit in several ways: buildings typically can maintain their
1. Improved energy efficiency: integrity and avoid collapse when
Thermal concrete reduces the need for exposed to the current high tempera-
heating or cooling systems by reduc- tures in Malaysia; as an informed citi-
ing heat transfer. This leads to lower zen, we should be wary of its
energy consumption and cost savings. susceptibility to prolonged heat expo-
2. Enhanced comfort: Buildings sure too.
made with thermal concrete have bet-
ter temperature regulation, providing n The author is a Senior Lecturer
a more comfortable indoor environ- and a member of the Institute of
ment by reducing heat loss in cold Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti
weather and heat gain in hot weather. Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). He may
3. Reduced HVAC system size: The be reached at daud@uniten.edu.my
 FORUM
DLP facing a natural death
T of English
HE Education Minister needs to be
reminded of the importance of the
optional Dual Language Programme
(DLP), and how and why it was conceived.
Ministers and Directors-General come and
go, but parents are here to stay.
It was in early 2015 that the Economic
Council, chaired by the sitting prime min-
ister, demanded a radical approach
towards enhancing English proficiency
after seeing the damaging effects of poor
command of English on youth’s chances
for employment.
An English syndicated lab was set up
and close to 100 stakeholders were invited
to participate in the effort. High-ranking
officials from the Education Ministry
(MOE), state education departments, dis-
trict education offices, and industry players
including the Federation of Malaysian
Manufacturers, Malaysian Employers Fed-
eration, the British Council, heads of col-
leges, university professors,
Waiting for rhetoric, expectations to materialise
THIS seems to be an attitude among
Sabah politicians and senior civil ser-
vants. Sabahans matter little as long as
life goes on. It does not matter whether
you are rich or poor, all will face the
Climate change requires city officials to be smart
THESE days, scorchingly hot days and nights
of heavy rain seem to be the norm. It’s rather
alarming to experience these extremes of
weather in Malaysia and to see reports of
extreme weather events in every part of the
world.
Any sort of research about the planet’s cli-
mate will unearth alarming facts. According
to reports at the US National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) web-
site, the Earth’s temperature increased by
0.08°C on average per decade since 1880 –
however, since 1981, the rate of warming has
been twice that rate, 0.32°F on average per
decade.
And in January, the World Meteorological
Organisation confirmed that the past eight
years are the warmest on record. UN-Habit
reports that urban areas are major contrib-
utors to climate change, accounting for 71%
to 76% of the CO2 emissions that are heating
up the planet and disrupting the climate.
As urbanisation continues to increase
rapidly, how should we tackle it to better
manage and improve climate change? Pro-
ponents of smart cities are claiming they
might have the solution.
Smart cities are infused with varied tech-
nologies to improve the livelihoods of their
citizens. In a perfect scenario, these artificial
intelligence-infused cities would be intelli-
gent, digital, resilient, and, most of all, sus-
tainable.
Sustainability is an important factor to
consider when designing smart infrastruc-
ture, smart transportation, smart buildings,
Why we are witnessing rise in scams
WE face a significant surge in scams, which
can be traced to the weak enforcement of the
Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA).
The PDPA was designed around seven princi-
ples to protect personal data from misuse.
However, many companies exhibit lax
adherence to these principles, and in the
absence of severe penalties for violations,
we’ve witnessed a rise in scams and data
breaches, shaking public trust and safety.
Adding fuel to the fire is the burgeoning
illicit trade in personal data on dark web
forums.
Bad actors have found a thriving market,
where they can procure personal informa-
tion, banking details and more, using it to
commit identity theft, scams and other
cybercrimes. Furthermore, the rising popu-
larity of the Internet of Things (IoT) intro-
duces new challenges. With more devices
connected to the Internet, the potential sur-
face for attacks grows exponentially, under-
scoring the urgent need for companies to
ensure robust security measures for these
devices and protect personal data.
Two cases highlight the urgency of
reform. Globally, the 2017 Equifax data
breach, where hackers exploited a web appli-
cation vulnerability to access the personal
Opportunities and challenges as M’sia becomes ageing society
MALAYSIA recently became an ageing
nation because of a significant demo-
graphic transformation. The Finance Min-
istry’s Economic Outlook 2023 Report
reveals that enhanced healthcare and living
standards have led to increased life
expectancy, pushing the country beyond
the ageing ratio threshold. Comprehending
the numerous impacts of this demographic
shift is crucial. The consequences of
Malaysia’s maturing population can be dis-
sected through the lenses of medication,
communication and mental health.
Firstly, the ageing populace presents
unique challenges and opportunities to the
medical field. The healthcare system must
Opinions expressed here are the personal views of the writers and not necessarily those of the Daily Express or other organisations they may be connected with.
If you have something to share, write to: Forum, Daily Express, P.O.Box 10139, 88801 Kota Kinabalu or Fax: 088 432 555 or Email: forum@dailyexpress.com.my
non-governmental organisations and
advocacy groups such as PAGE rigorously
engaged for four weeks to come up with a
concise and workable plan.
On June 11, 2015, the then Director-Gen-
eral of Education announced the DLP to
the public, aptly calling it “a defining
moment” in the history of the MOE. It was
clearly stated that the schools conducting
DLP had received written permission from
parents, were adequately resourced and
teachers were ready. There was no Bahasa
Melayu (BM) requirement whatsoever.
It has come to our knowledge that prin-
cipals have been made to turn existing DLP
classes overnight into non-DLP ones just
weeks into the new term, disrupting stu-
dents’ mental health and parents’ peace of
mind.
Parents of children at the affected
schools are forced to accept non-DLP
classes while the pupils are subjected to
discreet BM assessments, if at all, to deter-
same problems and challenges.
As pointed out by Datuk John Lo in
his Inside Out column on July 2, 2023,
nobody takes notice or action to rectify
shortcomings.
and smart healthcare to name a few attrib-
utes of these cities.
The incorporation of green technology
such as renewable energy to generate green
electricity, and smart grid systems to reduce
carbon emissions can have a high impact on
city-level climate action that encourages
green development and innovation.
To understand this better, let’s take a look
at some of the earliest examples of smart
cities in the world. Smart cities such as
Songdo in South Korea, Copenhagen in Den-
mark, and Helsinki in Finland use a variety
of technologies to achieve their sustainable
goals.
They have implemented smart grids,
smart transportation systems, smart water
systems, and smart waste management sys-
tems.
These solutions have collectively lowered
energy consumption, promoted resource
efficiency, and created a green infrastructure,
all of which has resulted in lower CO2 emis-
sions.
A study by the Korean Environ-ment Min-
istry found that South Korea’s greenhouse
gas emissions in 2020 were 40% lower than
in 2010. The Danish Energy Agency’s website
states that Denmark’s increased use of
renewable energy has lowered the country’s
emissions by 38% since 1990.
The Finnish Environment Institute’s web-
site states that Finland’s greenhouse gas
emissions were 29% lower in 2020 than they
were in 1990.
Along with these success stories, more
data of nearly 147 million people, under-
scores the potential magnitude of such
breaches.
This breach led to significant reputational
damage for Equifax and a settlement of up to
US$700 million, highlighting the financial
implications of lax cybersecurity measures.
Locally, the 2020 incident involving the
leak of data from multiple Malaysian online
shopping sites affected millions of users,
exemplifying the potential impact closer to
home. Personal details were sold online,
revealing the extent to which inadequate
data security can lead to severe conse-
quences.
These instances bring us to the crux of the
matter: the urgent need to revise and
strengthen the PDPA such as: APPOINT-
MENT of a data protection officer to ensure
accountability; INTRODUCTION of a Data
Breach Notification system to enhance trans-
parency; A CLEAR definition of the role and
responsibility of a data processor; ENABLING
data portability to grant individuals control
over their data; GUIDELINES for the transfer
of personal data to places outside Malaysia;
INCREASED Penalties for misuse of data or
breach of the PDPA; and,
INCREASED enforcement powers and eleva-
evolve to cater to older adults’ needs,
including chronic disease management,
palliative care and rehabilitation services.
Technological advancements and inno-
vative research in medicine are crucial to
addressing the health concerns specific to
the ageing population. Medical conditions,
like cardiovascular diseases, dementia and
osteoarthritis necessitate tailored interven-
tions and treatment modalities. Secondly,
healthcare professionals must have effective
communication skills, especially when deal-
ing with the elderly. Communication obsta-
cles could obstruct access to suitable
healthcare or cause misunderstandings and
suboptimal care.
S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3
mine whether they are suitable for DLP or
otherwise.
Oddly, parents have been told that if
their child’s BM proficiency is poor, he/she
would be placed in a non-DLP class. But if
the child’s BM proficiency is above average,
he/she will be put in a DLP class. The per-
ceived risk is that if the child’s BM profi-
ciency is poor at six years old, the
likelihood of failing BM in SPM is high. This
is truly mind-boggling.
Parents who want DLP for their children
are now running around like headless
chickens because principals and school
leaders are preventing them from seeking
external help. The Education Minister and
her ministry have failed to respond to their
concerns and appeals, perhaps hoping that
they (parents) will get tired and give up.
We also understand that the fully resi-
dential schools under MOE, besides the 11
premier ones such as Malay College Kuala
Kangsar and Tunku Kurshiah College, may
Lo is a member of numerous govern-
ment establishments, and writes every
Sunday to highlight challenges and
problems faced by Sabah. A piece he
wrote on 18th July 2021 claimed that
countries are investing in sustainable smart
cities, including Canada, France, Germany,
the United Kingdom and the United States.
By 2025, the worldwide smart city market is
anticipated to be worth US$1.3tril (RM6.1tril).
The relationship between smart cities and
climate change is critical.
More sustainable cities, in particular, can
reduce energy consumption and create
more efficient and environmentally- friendly
urban environments, hence increasing the
use of renewable energy sources.
Malaysia, like many other countries, is
enthusiastic about smart city initiatives too.
Malaysia has declared a goal of being a smart
city nation by 2025. The government’s ambi-
tion for smart cities is described in the
National Smart City Framework.
Sustainability is a key consideration for
smart cities, and it demands careful plan-
ning and foresight. At the Institute of Infor-
matics and Computing in Energy, Universiti
Tenaga Nasional, our research focuses on
technology and sustainability in smart city
projects.
We are excited to collaborate with others
to guarantee that cities are liveable for future
generations.
Dr Saraswathy Shamini
Gunasekaran
Senior Lecturer &
Head of Innovation
Institute of Informatics and
Computing in Energy
Universiti Tenaga Nasional
tion of the Personal Data Protection Com-
missioner (JPDP) as a Statutory Commission.
These amendments are a critical lifeline for
safeguarding our digital ecosystem.
We can draw inspiration from the Euro-
pean Union’s General Data Protection Regu-
lation (GDPR), a model of robust data
protection legislation with stringent
enforcement mechanisms and heavy penal-
ties for non-compliance. A lack of swift
action could continue to feed the supply and
demand of illicit personal data by bad actors.
This not only compromises the security of
individuals but also shakes public trust in
digital platforms. We must protect personal
data, deter unscrupulous activities and
ensure a secure digital future for all
Malaysians.
Let’s not delay in making the changes.
Our digital landscape’s safety, integrity and
the trust of the public depend on this crucial
transition. It is time to strengthen our PDPA
enforcement, ensure strict adherence to its
principles by all businesses, and institute
substantial penalties for non-compliance. By
doing so, we can mitigate further damage
and safeguard our digital future.
Certified fraud examiner
Healthcare professionals need to empha-
sise patient-centric communication,
embrace the unique needs and challenges
that older adults encounter. Clear, empa-
thetic communication utilising simple lan-
guage and visual aids are necessary to
improve comprehension. Encouraging dig-
ital literacy among older adults could
bridge the communication gap, allowing
them access to healthcare and telemedicine
services.
Finally, Malaysia’s transformation into
an ageing nation means more attention
should be paid to older adults’ mental
health. Malaysia should invest in compre-
hensive mental health services tailored for
undergo the same fate.
There appears to be a nefarious attempt
by unseen hands to reduce the number of
DLP classes.
This is not a legacy anyone would want
to leave behind. Instead, the MOE should
be developing the DLP further, in line with
the government’s aspirations to ensure
that the labour workforce is ready for the
so-called high-value and skilled job oppor-
tunities of the future.
We urge the prime minister to intervene
to ensure that the DLP is given the full sup-
port it deserves. Abolish the BM require-
ment, which was added at the last minute
to appease the language nationalists, auto-
matically halving the number of schools
that can choose to do the programme DLP.
This is not a zero sum game.
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
PAGE (Parent Action Group For Educa-
tion) Malaysia Chair
“getting decisions and approvals in
Sabah is just like pushing a buffalo
through a needle hole”.
It is now almost two years and the
buffalo has grown bigger and fatter,
while the eye of the needle has
remained the same.
This remark also applies to the pri-
vate sector where claims for insurance,
for example, will take months and
years. The insurance companies or
agents just take their time. They claim
waiting for this and that and such
things as police reports.
Actually there is no law requiring
insurance companies or agents to bind
them to take consideration of police
reports. Just an excuse. Sooner rather
then later, there will be insurance com-
panies dragged through the courts for
damages caused by their deliberate
delays.
Referring to the administration of
Sabah, over the last few years there
were many announcements of foreign
investors wanting to invest billions. The
announcements include the famous
Sipitang Industrial Park.
A joint venture to build the most
modern shipyard at Sipitang to com-
pete with Brunei, Bintulu, Singapore,
Hong Kong and others. These days, no
one build shipyards in a bay. Ships now
range between 100,000 to 500,000
tons. The most that the Brunei Bay (Sip-
itang) could accommodate is two five
hundred thousand ton ships. That is
all.
Sabah leaders seem easily carried
away by professional rhetoric.
When professionals present propos-
als to Sabah leaders, they exaggerate
that Kota Kinabalu can be like Dubai.
This is only wishful thinking but Kota
Kinabalu is blessed with tropical rain-
forests for its surroundings and not so
blessed with squatters scattered
around the city.
Many investments projects that were
signed with much fanfare.
There were announcements of
investments from China, Korea, Taiwan
(Mengalum Island) and Japan. Though
no Chinese projects were ever imple-
mented, there are Chinese contractors
undertaking work in Sabah.
The famous copper mill at KKIP is
also looking likely it may not complete.
Given that Sabah is incapable of sup-
plying consistent power and water, the
mill is also located in the wrong area, it
should have been near a port, so that
ferrying copper ore and products need
not pass through commercial and
housing areas.
All the media publicity is probably
to push up share prices of these public
listed companies at home.
These leaders who vow to stick with
Sabah for richer or poorer are chosen
by Sabahans. Therefore, Sabahans
must have faith.
Rungus economist.
older adults, including counselling, therapy
and community support. It is crucial to nur-
ture social connections and support net-
works for older adults, ensuring they receive
sufficient attention to improve their quality
of life.
Community-based initiatives, support
groups and recreational activities can alle-
viate loneliness and promote mental well-
being. Additionally, integrating mental
health services into primary care and train-
ing healthcare professionals in geriatric
mental health can facilitate early detection
and suitable intervention.
As Malaysia commences its journey as an
ageing nation, recognising the diverse
15
Teachers must first
improve command
THE Dual Language Programme implemented
in some schools is, in my opinion, an innova-
tive and apt one. It gives the students a choice
of medium of instruction – Bahasa Malaysia or
English – for Science and Mathematics.
I myself was involved in this programme,
whereby I taught Chemistry in English for the
two classes that signed up for it.
There are some schools, especially in urban
areas, where many students converse in Eng-
lish. If the school has teachers who are profi-
cient in English, it is a win-win situation.
The weaker classes can be taught in Bahasa
Malaysia according to their preference. I per-
sonally would prefer that these students be
taught bilingually; that is, with a mix of both
English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Maybe explain the content in Bahasa
Malaysia first and then repeat it in English. By
doing so, the students will at least get to learn
the subject in English too. They won’t be left
far behind in the English terms of the subject
matter. The onus is on teachers to master the
English language for the good of the students.
The higher the number of teachers competent
in the English language, the greater the benefit
for the students.
Of course, we don’t expect the teachers to
speak the Queen’s English. What is important
is to possess enough communication skills to
enable them to impart knowledge to the stu-
dents. That is paramount.
When I was an administrator in a school, a
few teachers would always talk to me in Eng-
lish. I would praise them for their initiative and
attitude, for knowing that only through con-
stant usage of the language will they improve
their fluency of speech. Practice makes perfect.
As teachers and as educators, the interests
of the students must come first and foremost.
Teachers have to improve their communica-
tion skills in English for the betterment of their
students, and in the long run, of their future.
TM
Admission to
Us should be
based on merit
DURING a dialogue with students at Univer-
siti Utara Malaysia’s main campus, the prime
minister stated that the quota system for
Bumiputera students should be retained to
maintain the racial balance in public institu-
tions of higher learning.
I would like to suggest that instead of hav-
ing a quota system, it would be much better if
we could implement merit-based admission
criteria in education. Merit-based admission
criteria ensure fairness, quality and diversity
in academic institutions.
Merit-based admission criteria are the
standards and requirements that applicants
have to meet or exceed to be accepted into an
educational programme or institution. It can
include academic performance, test scores,
extracurricular activities, personal statements,
interviews, and other indicators of aptitude,
achievement and potential.
Merit-based admission criteria aim to
select the best and most suitable candidates
for a given field of study or level of education.
Of course, similar to the quota system, merit-
based admission criteria have their pros and
cons. But if we compare the quota system with
merit-based admission criteria, the latter is a
much better approach.
Having merit-based admission criteria is a
more suitable way to ensure the quality of
graduates we produce, and strengthen and
improve our educational system. Times have
changed, and as such, our educational system
needs to change too. This is to ensure that
graduates have strong abilities, as well as the
capabilities to compete with others.
There is a concern that if we still maintain
or rely on a quota system in the education sec-
tor, we will not be able to get students with the
required qualities, abilities and capabilities.
Producing capable graduates is important
for society and nation building. It is disap-
pointing that we have been relying on the
quota system since our country gained inde-
pendence.
Healthy and fair competition should be
practised in the education system. The gov-
ernment should set up a committee of experts
to analyse this matter.
Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow
Associate professor, Faculty of Syariah
and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
impacts of this demographic transition is
essential. Medicine, communication and
mental health all play critical roles in sup-
porting the wellbeing of older adults.
Becoming an ageing nation presents an
opportunity for Malaysia to generate inno-
vative solutions, fortify social cohesion and
create a society that celebrates ageing with
dignity and grace.
Professor Long Chiau Ming; Dr Chee Kwan
Foong
School of Medical and Life Science, Sun-
way University
DR Serena Leow
Department of Communication,
 SunLife
Moon dust: Tackling nuisance to spacemen
B
ARBIE can do it all. In Greta Gerwig’s
2023 film, she appears as a US presi-
dent, a Nobel Prize winning physi-
cist, a Supreme Court Justice and even a
mermaid. The movie reflects the many
roles the doll has had over the decades.
One of her most famous is as a space
explorer. In the 1960s, Astronaut Barbie
was transporting children on space adven-
tures even before Nasa’s own astronauts
had taken their first steps on the Moon
and 13 years before Nasa began accepting
female astronauts into their programme.
Now Barbie has been helping space
exploration for real. In recent experi-
ments, scientists used the dolls to test
methods of removing Moon dust from
spacesuits. Wearing a tailor-made space-
suit, Barbie was coated in volcanic ash by
a team from Washington State University
and sprayed with liquid nitrogen. They
found this technique is more effective
than previous cleaning methods.
Why is lunar dust a problem? Moon
dust is “ubiquitous, abrasive and electri-
cally charged”, according to Ian Wells, a
graduate researcher at Washington State
University.
These “annoyingly clingy” microscopic
particles statistically stick to the spacesuits
of astronauts and are difficult to clean off.
During the Apollo missions, astronauts
were unable to remove the dust using
standard brushes, resulting in damage to
the seals on their spacesuits.
“If there’s enough dust on the seals, or
enough abrasion occurs, then those seals
won’t sit properly,” Wells said.
“You’ll either have a leak or it won’t seal
at all.”
Beyond damage to the suits, lunar dust
can cause serious damage to the lungs if
inhaled, with Wells comparing it to
“breathing ground-up fibreglass”. With
future plans to travel to the Moon again
already in progress, the need for a novel
cleaning technique to prevent damage to
spacesuits and astronauts is clear.
Wells and the team from Washington
State University were inspired to tackle the
problem following research into the “Lei-
denfrost effect”. This physical phenome-
non is akin to dropping water onto hot
saucepan, causing the water droplets to
bounce around the surface propelled and
encapsulated by their own evaporating
vapour. After pouring some left-over liq-
uid nitrogen onto the floor, Wells realised
that any dust was being picked up and
moved towards the lowest point of the sur-
face.
“We knew it was the Leidenfrost effect,
but we didn’t know why it was picking up
the dust,” he said.
Wells and colleagues figured that
spraying space suits with liquid nitrogen
Chen’s domestic
could produce a similar effect. He
thriller racks up
sizeable audience
ACTOR, director and screenwriter Chen Si
Cheng is one the giants of contemporary
Chinese cinema. His three Detective Chi-
natown films have earned more than $1.2
billion of box office revenue and Chen is
the producing force behind another major
franchise, Sheep Without a Shepherd,
adapted from the Indian Drishyam films.
Lost in the Stars (a scene, right) –
Chen’s latest effort, this time as producer
and screenwriter – is another megahit. Co-
directed by Cui Rui and Liu Xiang Lost in
the Stars has grossed $430 million in
China – enough to make it the seventh
biggest film worldwide this year and the
fourteenth biggest film of all time in
China – all in the span of just 17 days.
The movie is a domestic thriller,
adapted from the ‘90s Russian film A Trap
for the Lonely Man, which itself was
adapted from a Robert Thomas stage play.
It sees a woman disappear while on holi-
day with her husband. When she returns,
the man believes the woman to be an
imposter. But when a high-powered
lawyer gets involved, yet more mysteries
and problems emerge.
While he has worked across multiple
genres, Chen reveals, below, that the com-
mon thread running through his works is
an attempt to find connections with audi-
ences’ everyday lives.
Q: Where did Lost in the Stars begin
for you?
A: I was initially attracted by the setup
of the story. A man claims his wife has dis-
appeared but the next day the stranger
lying next to him insists that she is his
wife.
Q: You worked on TV dramas in your
early years. Why did you make the
described it as a sort of “cryogenic car-
wash”, where liquid nitrogen could be
sprayed onto the astronauts as they enter
the habitat from the lunar surface.
The team tested their liquid nitrogen
spray on fabric in both ambient and
Moon-like vacuum environments. How-
ever, when sourcing lunar dust, they had
to get creative.
“Real Moon dust is actually illegal to
own,” Wells said.
“Our stimulant as actually ash from the
eruption of Mount St Helens and we found
that it had very similar properties for what
we were testing.”
The liquid nitrogen spray works by
using a combination of the Leidenfrost
effect but also the “boiling liquid expand-
ing vapour explosion”-effect. The latter,
which has been dubbed the Bleve effect,
causes the liquid nitrogen to convert to
gas, propelling some Moon dust into the
surrounding air. Finding a way to remove
the propelled dust from the air before
astronauts take off their spacesuits
remains an unanswered question, “other-
wise they’re going to risk getting it back
into their lungs”, explained Wells. The
study, published in Acta Astronautica,
reported a 97 per cent and 98.4 per cent
removal by mass when tested in the ambi-
ent environment and vacuum environ-
ment respectively.
Following the initial success of the
experiments, Wells and colleagues
decided to test scale models to ensure the
liquid nitrogen spray was working. It was
time for Barbie to don a spacesuit again.
“We dressed this Barbie in her suit, cov-
ered in dust and then used a spray bar and
we were able to actually turn Barbie 360
degrees as an astronaut would in an air-
lock,” Wells said.
“We had very high removal and also
importantly minimal damage to the
spacesuit.”
According to Wells, the team from
Washington State University named their
Barbie “Rosie”, after the American figure
Rosie the Riveter who represented the
women who took up factory jobs during
World War Two.
“Personally, I wanted to name her Barb
both because of Barbie and after one of my
personal idols Barbara Morgan, who is an
astronaut from my home State of Idaho,”
he said. The next stages of research hope
to better mimic the environment seen on
the Moon, including stimulating the static
change of the lunar dust itself. Wells is
hopeful that this method will be tested on
the Moon, but using a human astronaut
rather than a life-sized Barbie model.
Another group of scientists have been
doing tests at a quarry in the town of Tao
on the Canary Islands as the basalt from
the area bears a striking similarity to the
switch to suspense films?
A: I believe that life itself is the greatest
mystery. The suspense genre allows me to
incorporate reflections on social issues
into my work. And audiences enjoy locally
relevant suspense movies.
Q: How different was your approach
to this film as compared with the Detec-
tive Chinatown movies?
A: I’ve attempted various kinds of genre
fusion in my previous works. The Detective
Chinatown franchise is a combination of
mystery and comedy, a family-friendly
exercise.
The Sheep Without a Shepherd series
combines suspense with an exploration of
social issues and leans more towards social
realism. But with Lost in the Stars, we
aimed for a pure expression of suspense
across all elements: plot, visual style and
music.
Q: How did you choose the cast for
Lost in the Stars?
A: I love the feeling of ambiguity that
both Ni Ni’s lawyer and Zhu Yi Long as the
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023
samples of lunar regolith – the blanket of
dusty and rocky debris covering the
Moon’s surface – which was brought back
to Earth by the crew of Apollo 14 in 1971.
They have used it to create a sample of
lunar regolith simulant that can be used to
test hardware and experiments before
they are sent to the Moon.
The soil sample, called LZS-1, is the lat-
est in a list of lunar regolith simulants of
varying quality that have been developed
to help Nasa and other space agencies
around the world prepare for missions to
the Moon.
Among the first lunar simulants to be
developed was Minnesota Lunar Simlant 1
at the University of Minnesota in 1988
from basalt found at the abandoned
quarry in Duluth, Minnesota. Researchers
discovered the rocks resembled the chem-
ical composition of soil collected from the
corner of the Sea of Tranquility visited by
the Apollo 11 astronauts. The dark Mare
regions, or “seas” of the Moon are com-
posed largely of basalt rich in magnesium
and iron, while the lighter, highland areas
are made of rocks composed mostly of cal-
cium and aluminium.
The six Apollo missions that landed on
the moon between 1969 -1972 brought
back around 380kg of lunar soil and rocks
with them to Earth. These samples were
zealously protected due to their limited
availability.
“It was precious and used only for
doubting husband have as performers. In
suspense movies, we don’t want the audi-
ence to have to strong a perception of who
is good and who is bad right from the
start. Zhu Yi Long’s performance is always
at a comfortable distance from the audi-
ence which really allowed him to portray
the character of He Fei well. And Ni Ni and
the character of Chen Mai are so similar –
both charming, both unique.
Q: What were the biggest challenges
you faced during production?
A: The scene where Zhu Yilong’s hair is
shaved was pretty risky, as we only had one
chance to shoot.
We hired a professional barber but the
barber didn’t have much experience in
front of the camera and became very nerv-
ous. We all held our breath.
Fortunately, the scene ended up pretty
well. Zhu Yilong’s performance was
beyond my expectations.
We captured a moment when a tear ran
down his face. It wasn’t in the script but it
really resonated with viewers. – By Sophia
Sun
16
Nasa engineers laying lunar regolith simulant (above). Europe’s first female
commander, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (left), holds on to her lookalike Barbie
doll while in orbit. Earthbound researchers have been testing various sprays on the
astronaut version of the toy to determine the most effective means of removing moon
dust from spacesuits. They have also been trying to determine how to make these
garments more durable to lunar dust storms.
important scientific research,” says John required. With supplies of genuine lunar
Gruener, a space scientist at the astroma- soil being so limited, the only solution was
terials research and exploration science to develop lunar simulants on Earth. This
division at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in resulted in the birth of JSC-1, a pioneering
Houston, Texas. Yet engineers, biologists, lunar regolith simulant developed at the
botanists and other research teams work- Johnson Space Center in the mid-1990s.
ing on projects related to the Moon need Sourced from the glass-rich basaltic ash
something to test their equipment and from near the volcanic vents on the south
experiments on. They require substances flank of the Merriam Crater near Flagstaff
that replicate the physical, chemical and in Arizona, JSC-1 was found to be similar to
mineral properties of the lunar regolith, the samples brought back from the Moon
not only to see how hardware such as by the Apollo 14 mission.
spacecraft and spacesuits might cope with “It had the right mineralogy,” says Gruener.
the Moon’s environment, but to test “It had the correct particle size distribution. The
whether it might be possible to eventually individual particles had the right shape and cru-
grow food in the lunar soil, or use it to cially, the simulant had both the crystalline and
make building materials for constructing glass component.”
future lunar bases. Lunar soil has a significant glass com-
According to Gruener, the first real ponent because of the large number of
demand for lunar simulants arose after high-energy meteorite impacts on its sur-
President HW Bush’s 1989 announcement face. The heat generated from these
of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI), impacts produces glass in the lunar soil.
whose objective was to send humans back On Earth, the main places where the soil
to the Moon and then to Mars. naturally contains glass is near volcanoes.
“Unlike the Apollo missions, the SEI The Johnson Space Centre produced
envisaged a longer stay on the Moon around 20 tonnes of JSC-1. However, the
which would require new habitats, rovers SEI programme was later cancelled and
and power supplies among other things,” consequently the demand for lunar simu-
he said. lants dwindled.
“We would have loved to test the new Then in 2005, President George W Bush
hardware on the Apollo soil and rock sam- made a speech similar to his father’s by
ples. But there was too little of it.” announcing the Vision for Space Explo-
SEI’s ambitious goals necessitated ration (VSE) whose objective was to return
extensive testing of hardware on Earth for to the Moon and would serve as a proving
which large quantities of lunar soil was ground for future missions to Mars. – By D
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
QUOTABLE QUOTES
‘The hunger for love
is much more difficult
hunger for bread.’
to remove than the
– Mother Theresa
 S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 Sport 17
Property
s

Smith leads
Australia
revival
PROJEK BEKALAN
ELEKTRIK
in fifth s
Jobs
IMMEDIATE VACANCY
LUAR BANDAR 2017-
2018

MENCARI TUAN TANAH

Ashes Test
PERSONAL CAREGIVER

KG. BINSULOK,
- At least got experience

MEMBAKUT
- Love elderly

1. Nama : Chong Hyen Kong

- Stay-in
No. Geran: 173152657
LONDRES (United Kingdom): Steve - Male
Smith’s 71 helped Australia recover from a - KK/Putatan Aera
KG. KUMAWANAN,
batting collapse as the tourists frustrated Arrange Interview Call:
England by battling to a first-innings lead TAMBUNAN
1. Nama : Neville Chin Fooh Loon
01136918040 Faridah

No. Geran : 143083470

in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval -----------------------
on Friday. VACANCY
KG. DUHOI MOLOUT
Australia were eventually bowled out * Kelindan Lori (Lori Helper)
SINSURON, TAMBUNAN
for 295 on the second day, 12 runs ahead of - Ada Lesen Memandu
1. Nama : Bryendon Billi
England’s 283. - Ada Pengangkutan Sendiri
* Berminat Boleh Hubungi No. Geran : 14409009
2. Nama : Korodok Bt Darok
It looked as if England would enjoy a
Nombor Ni
No. Geran : 143070115
sizeable advantage as veteran seamer Stu-
H/P: 016-8317450
3. Nama : Atut B. Abanau
General
art Broad sparked a slump that left Aus-
s
tralia 185-7 from a comfortable 115-2 at No. Geran : 143039730
lunch. 4. Nama : Dami B. Suding
No. Geran : 144020995
ASIA
But Smith and Australia captain Pat
PLUMBING SERVICE
KG. MAKATAR
Cummins (36) kept England at bay during
ULU SUNGOI, TAMBUNAN
0168877738,
an eighth-wicket stand of 54. Cummins
1. Nama : Charles Anthony
0178287898 Ahmad
then added 49 for the ninth wicket with
No. Geran : 143045096
Pakar mengubahsuai rumah,
Todd Murphy.
2. Nama : Hilary B. Inas
buat pagar, gate grill, manhole
No. Geran : 143045087
Off-spinner Murphy—recalled follow- sumbat, pasang mozek, plaster
3. Nama : Simon B. Gompuk
ing last week’s rain-marred drawn fourth siling, pasang water pump,
No. Geran : 143062248
Test at Old Trafford—added to England’s water heater, paip air, membaiki
woes with a sparkling 34 off just 39 balls. 4. Nama : Lussi Biti Kinsun
No. Geran : 143048195
atap bocor, tandas leaking, paip

5. Nama : Siting B. Ambani

Cummins eventually holed out off part- leaking dan lain-lain
No. Geran : 143080031
time spinner Joe Root, with rival skipper
6. Nama : Henry B. Marinus
Ben Stokes throwing the ball back in over
the rope at long-on to complete a fine @ Henry M Elok
catch. No. Geran : 143098177
7. Nama : Marina Bt Ibin
No. Geran : 143086908
Australia, as the holders, are assured of
retaining the Ashes at 2-1 up, and only
KG. MATANGGAR
need to avoid defeat at The Oval to secure
their first Test series win away to England POMOTODON, TAMBUNAN
in 22 years. 1. Nama : Rayner Jerume
No. Geran : 143037530
2. Nama : Andreas Jordan Ongkili
“It’s ebbed and flowed the whole way,
No. Geran : 143076224
we’re pretty disappointed,” Smith told the
BBC. “A few of us got good starts but could- 3. Nama : Alamin Abdul Gadar
n’t go and get a big score. Twelve runs in Alamin Ali
No. Geran : 143049923
4. Nama : Constanine P. Salus
front, it’s a one-innings game from here
No. Geran : 143076297
pretty much.”
5. Nama : Norsidah Binti Zainuddin
Australia resumed on Friday on 61-1,
with Usman Khawaja 26 not out and Mar- No. Geran : 143041141
6. Nama : Martin Padris Gandu
@ Gandial
nus Labuschagne, fresh from his hundred
No. Geran : 143053972
at Old Trafford, unbeaten on two.
7. Nama : Linus Bin Justin
Their position in the series means they
have no need to replicate England’s risky No. Geran : 143079538

SILA HUBUNGI:
‘Bazball’ batting approach.
6012-817 1067 /
But they arguably veered too much in
Call
6016-582 5108
the opposite direction during an attri-
tional morning session, scoring just 54 088-386555
runs in 26 overs for the loss of
Labuschagne, who edged express fast
bowler Mark Wood to Root in the slips,
who took a brilliant one-handed catch.
But Broad, whose 167-Test career has
been notable for dramatic wicket-taking
bursts, soon reduced them to 127-4.
He had Khawaja, the leading run-scorer
in the series, lbw for 47 with a full-length
delivery.
Broad, who made his name in Ashes
cricket with a return of 5-37 at The Oval in
2009, became the first Englishman to take
150 Test wickets against Australia.
That rose to 151 wickets when Travis
Head was caught behind off an excellent
delivery that nipped away off the seam.
James Anderson, Test cricket’s most suc-
cessful pace bowler, then took just his fifth
wicket of the series when Mitchell Marsh
played on.
“It’s a very level game,” said Anderson.
“Getting into the position we did, we’re a
little disappointed they got past us. Pat
and Murphy batted really well in the end.”
England were a bowler light on Friday
as Moeen Ali remained off the field with
the groin injury the off-spinner suffered
while batting on Thursday. – AFP

NOTIS
PERMOHONAN LESEN MENJUAL MINUMAN KERAS

PETS FUTURE
Adalah dengan ini dimaklumkan bahawa (Nama pemohon)
CHONG JUNE SIEN No.: Kad Pengenalan [840116-08-5571]
FROM:-
yang berniaga dengan (nama syarikat / perniagaan) YOON
CHONG MEDICAL HALL SDN. BHD. telah membuat

MARKETING SDN BHD

permohonan kepada Pengerusi Lembaga Pelesenan Eksais
Bahagian Pantai Barat Kota Kinabalu, Dewan Bandaraya Kota
Kinabalu, No. 1, Jalan Bandaran, 88675 Kota Kinabalu bagi
lesen menjual minuman keras (Jenis dan kelas) RETAIL
SHOP LICENCES di (tempat / alamat kedai) H-G-11, UNIT
IC/H/163A-G, GROUND FLOOR, LORONG INANAM
KAPITAL 6, INANAM CAPITAL, JALAN NOUNTUN,
INANAM, 88450 KOTA KINABALU.
Jika ada sebarang bantahan secara bertulis, sila maklumkan
Pengerusi Lembaga Pelesenan Eksais Bahagian Pantai Barat
di alamat tersebut di atas dalam tempoh 14 hari daripada tarikh
notis ini dikeluarkan. Bantahan selepas tempoh berakhir tidak
akan dilayan.
Tarikh Iklan:
28.07.2023
18 Sport S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3

Philippines wary of Norway

AUCKLAND (New Zealand): Alen Stajcic warned his Philippines team to be wary of
“wounded” Norway when they clash at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday with qual-
USA eye big
ification for the knockout stage on the line.
The Philippines celebrated their first appearance at a World Cup finals with a stun-
ning 1-0 victory over co-hosts New Zealand on Tuesday.
That result, after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland on their tournament debut, means
they will advance to the last 16 by beating 1995 World Cup winners Norway at Eden
win against
Park in Auckland.
The Norwegians are traditional heavyweights in the women’s game but have per-
formed poorly so far, losing 1-0 to the co-hosts and then drawing 0-0 with Switzer-
land.
They appear to be in disarray with an injury to star striker Ada Hegerberg and
player discontent.
Portugal
“Obviously each team has different issues whether it be physical, mental, social, AUCKLAND (New Zealand): Women’s World Cup holders the
cultural,” said the Philippines’ Australian coach Stajcic on Saturday. – AFP United States are hoping to rack up the goals when they play Por-

RETURN THANKS
tugal on Tuesday with the aim of reaching the last 16 as group
winners.
A 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday in a repeat of the Sullivan in action against Vietnam.
2019 final left the two teams locked on four points in Group E.
The USA are top though thanks to a difference of two goals,
but the danger remains that they will live to regret only beating
minnows Vietnam 3-0 in their opening game at the tournament.
A big win for the Dutch against already eliminated Vietnam
would give them a chance of leapfrogging the defending cham-
pions.
It would be the biggest shock in the history of the competi-
tion, but a win for debutants Portugal would take them through
and leave the USA facing an unthinkable elimination.
“We are going to need to play fast

In loving memory of the late

and score a lot of goals and we also just

LIEW VOON WOO @ ACUN EDWARD

want that for ourselves regardless of the
game and the situation,” US midfielder

Born : 06 November 1966

Andi Sullivan told reporters in Auck-

Age : 57 years
land on Saturday.
“We know our first two perform-

THE FAMILY OF THE LATE LIEW VOON WOO @ ACUN EDWARD WISHES TO EXPRESS AND EXTEND OUR DEEP-
ances have been solid but we know we
EST GRATITUDE, SINCERE THANKS AND HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO:-
have more to give, especially in putting
DOCTORS, NURSES of HOSPITAL KENINGAU and HOSPITAL QUEEN ELIZABETH 1, KOTA KINABALU., ST. MARGARET
goals up,” she added.
ANGLICAN CHURCH KENINGAU, DATUK & DATIN, CLASS 1984 LA SALLE KOTA KINABALU, KENINGAU FUNERAL
“That conversation has kind of been
UNDERTAKERS, ALL UNCLES, AUNTIES, COUSINS, RELATIVES, AND FRIENDS FROM NEAR AND FAR, WHOM WE ARE bubbling just because we expect that high standard from our-
UNABLE TO MENTION AND ACKNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALLY FOR YOUR KIND AND VALUABLE ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT,
ATTENDANCE, WORDS OF COMFORT, DONATIONS,WREATHS, MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE AND SYMPATHIES,
selves.”
RENDERED TOWARDS US DURING OUR MOMENT OF GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT.
THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS.
Finishing in second place would expose the USA to a tougher
tie in the last 16, quite possibly against the world’s third-ranked
Sadly Missed And Always Remembered By:
side Sweden.
It could also leave them facing a harder path to the final later
Father: LIEW KU LOI @ EDWARD LIEW NYUK TONG (D)
Mother: CHIN NYUK KIAU
on in the knockout rounds.
Wife: BATRICIA BALIUS
The Portuguese are appearing at their first Women’s World
Son: LIEW YUONG XIANG Cup and followed up a 1-0 defeat against the Netherlands by
Daughters: LIEW YUONG WEI
GRACE LIEW YUONG EN
beating Vietnam 2-0.
Brother: Sister In-law: Nephews:
The meeting with the US will be a special occasion for Ameri-
LIEW VOON LUNG @ AVUN EDWARD ANNIE BUKAT LIEW YUONG PING can midfielder Savannah DeMelo, who had never been capped
LIEW YUONG JIE
Niece: LIEW YUONG LING
before coming to the World Cup.
Niece In-law: NG CHI KHONG
DeMelo’s father is from Portugal and she will hope to keep her
place in the line-up, although she is competing for a starting
Sisters: Brother In-law:
LIEW VOON FUNG @ LILY EDWARD
berth with Rose Lavelle.
LIEW VOON NGO @ IVY EDWARD JOHNNY LAMINGGU Nephews:
Lavelle spurred the USA’s comeback against the Dutch after
JOSHUA JOHNNY replacing DeMelo at half-time.
JOHANSON JOHNNY “I am a dual citizen so I always had the option, but growing
Niece:
up in the US it was always a dream for me to play for the US
IVENNY JOHNNY national team,” the 25-year-old DeMelo said when asked if she
Adopted sister Brother In-law: Niece: had considered representing Portugal instead.
LIM SIEW YEH @ LAVENDER SILVESTER CHOW YI HEN AMANDA CHOW YI VERN “It could have been an option but my heart was always with
the US.” – 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.
 SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023 Sport 19

Fritz flies past Nishikori

WASHINGTON: Top-seeded Taylor Fritz
powered past former world number
four Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2 on Friday to
reach the semi-finals of the ATP Atlanta
Open.
Fritz, ranked ninth in the world,
reached his seventh tour-level semi-final
of the season with his first career win in
four meetings with Nishikori.
event since 2021 as he returns from left
hip surgery in January 2022.
“I’m super happy how I played today,
getting better and better each day I feel
like,” Fritz said in his post-match on-
court interview.
“A lot of positives I can take into the
next match. Kei has been around since I
first started. He’s an incredible player
“I’m just happy to see him back play-
ing again, having good results and hit-
ting the ball well after being injured for
so long,” added Fritz, who had lost three
prior meetings with Nishikori but
hadn’t played him since 2019.
Nishikori, owner of 12 ATP titles and
runner-up at the US Open in 2014,
launched his comeback this season on
ing the title at the Caribbean Open Chal-
lenger in Puerto Rico in June.
He arrived in Atlanta ranked 439th in
the world and posted victories over Aus-
tralian Jordan Thompson and China’s
Shang Juncheng to reach the quarter-
finals.
But he and Fritz held serve with ease
through the first five games, Fritz finally

Brit boxer
Nishikori was playing his first ATP and a great guy. the lower tier Challenger Tour, captur- pouncing on the first break point of the
match to pocket the first set after 34
Top-seeded Fritz.

Benn has
minutes.
Nishikori, who appeared to be strug-

suspension
gling somewhat with his movement
around court, received treatment on his
left knee during a medical time out

lifted by
between sets, and after dropping serve
in the second game could never get back

doping chiefs
on terms.
Fritz, who is seeking a second title of
the season after winning the fifth of his
career at Delray Beach in February, will
face eighth-seeded American J.J. Wolf
LONDRES (United Kingdom): UK Anti-
for a place in the final.
Doping confirmed on Friday that Conor
Wolf beat Germany’s Dominik
Benn is no longer provisionally suspended
Koepfer 6-2, 6-3.
shortly after the British boxer announced
There was a blow to local favourite
he was free to resume his career in the ring.
Christopher Eubanks who, after a two-
Benn was formally charged by UKAD in
hour rain delay, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Aus-
April after twice testing positive for the
tralia’s Aleksandar Vukic.
female fertility drug clomifene in the
The 27-year-old Vukic reaches an ATP
build-up to October’s domestic catch-
Tour semi-final for the first time after
weight showdown with Chris Eubank Jr.
punishing the unforced errors from

Qin breaks record for clean

Qin celebrates after winning.
But the 26-year-old son of British great
Wimbledon quarter-finalist Eubanks,
Nigel Benn revealed in a social media post
who was born in Atlanta. – AFP
that the charge had been dismissed.

sweep as Mollie claims double

“Today marks the end of a gruelling 10-
month process, during which the WBC
(World Boxing Council) had already
decided I was innocent of any wrongdo-
ing,” Benn said. 29-07-23 5617/23 Perak
The welterweight said he has been “vin- 610
FUKUOKA, Japan: China’s Qin Haiyang 52.49 and Marrit Steenbergen of the dicated for the second time” after a hear- 712
broke the men’s 200m breaststroke world Netherlands on 52.71. ing with the National Anti-Doping Panel 540
record to complete an unprecedented The 19-year-old O’Callaghan claimed and UKAD.
clean sweep at swimming’s world champi- the 200m title earlier in the week in a “Hopefully, the public and various 4610
onships on Friday, while Australian teen world record time and she said it was “such members of the media can now under- 0712
Mollie O’Callaghan also made history. a weird feeling” to complete the double. stand why I have maintained my innocence 1540
Qin powered home in 2min, 05.48sec to “I didn’t even know that no woman had so strongly all the way through,” he added. 095/23 29-07-2023
add the 200m title to the 50m and 100m done that, and to be the first is just incred- “The UKAD process has now formally 8755 7913 1632 0463 8888
7220 0918 9426 3619 8020
breaststroke golds he won earlier in the ible,” she said. ended and I remain free to fight.”
week, the first time any swimmer has won “There are no words to explain it—I’m UKAD issued its own statement in an
all three events in one championships. just so thrilled,” she added. attempt to provide clarity. 0396 1377 4617 6571 5624 6812 0563 2701
8823 1733 2161 0733 1503
Qin finished ahead of previous 200m It was O’Callaghan’s fourth gold of the A spokesman said it had taken the
record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook of Aus- competition, having also been part of Aus- “exceptional step” of publicly disclosing
tralia, who clocked 2:06.40, and American tralia’s title-winning women’s 4x100m and details of Benn’s provisional suspension
Matt Fallon, who was third on 2:07.74. 4x200m freestyle relay teams. and charge in April following reports from 2864 3230 5331 4601 0850
906/23 28-07-2023 2378 9283 7556 0611 0244
Qin said winning all three breaststroke Both of those titles were won in world the media and comments made by Benn.
events had been his goal coming into the record times. The spokesman added: “UKAD notes
championships in Fukuoka, but breaking O’Callaghan said that her teammates that Mr Benn has made further public
the record had been “a surprise”. had made the experience “so much easier”.
7479 8625 2324
comments today regarding proceedings
8638 3768 9389 0390 7547
“People have two sides to them, and “Going into previous meets, I was just so before the independent National Anti-
there is a little angel and a little devil inside nervous all the time and worrying,” she Doping Panel.
me,” said the 24-year-old. said. “UKAD can confirm Mr Benn is no 2829 1001 7367 9858 8450
“I thought maybe I could lose because I “This is the first time that I’ve actually longer provisionally suspended under the 5930 4875 9246 9211
8527 1756 0105 5188
had already won two golds, but then felt quite calm and just been enjoying UK Anti-Doping rules.”
before the race, I told myself that I didn’t every little bit.”
9880 2565
The body said it was unable to make
want to be a loser.” Kos won the men’s 200m backstroke further public disclosures in accordance
O’Callaghan also broke new ground title in 1min, 54.14sec, finishing ahead of
5670/23 29-07-2023
with its rules.
when she became the first woman to com- American Ryan Murphy on 1:54.83 and October’s proposed bout was intended
plete a 100m-200m freestyle double. Switzerland’s Roman Mityukov on 1:55.34. to be a continuation of the Benn v Eubank 1959 5574 3641 2309
South Africa’s Olympic champion Tat- Kos has been training under Bob Bow- feud in which the rivals’ fathers—Nigel 0508 5319 0163 1806
jana Schoenmaker added the world title in man, Michael Phelps’s former mentor who Benn and Chris Eubank Sr—battled it out 0008 1630 7035
6732
the women’s 200m breaststroke, while also coaches French sensation Leon Marc- in two ferocious contests in the early 1990s.
Hungary’s Hubert Kos claimed gold in the hand.
3222
A catchweight fight of 157 pounds (71.2
men’s 200m backstroke. Kos said his victory was down to “the kilograms) was agreed for the sons to con-
Britain won the men’s 4x200m freestyle Bob Bowman effect”.
2641 0337 7244 1458
tinue the family feud, meaning Benn would
relay, finishing ahead of the United States “That’s as simple as it is,” he said. 3736/23 29-07-2023
9469 1557 2221 1894
have had to move up two weight divisions

Norsgaard
and Australia. “I’ve been training with him for half a
4675 7138 8177 6615
and Eubank lose three pounds. – AFP
7089 0375 9522 8485
Qin has taken over the mantle as breast- year now and we have a really, really good
3917 6689 8768 3970

scores
stroke king in the absence of Britain’s training group.
Adam Peaty, who is not competing in “Bob knows a thing or two about swim- 0825 4400 9294
Fukuoka as he focuses on his mental ming,” he added.
4122 2014 6157 6306

emotional
5,249,115.33
health. Schoenmaker won the women’s 200m
Qin is aiming to cement his new status breaststroke title in 2min, 20.80sec, ahead 1929 5901 1579 8943
4675 7064 5117 2148
7035 6732 6732 7035

Tour victory
9486 0672
at next year’s Paris Olympics and he said he of American Kate Douglass in 2:21.23 and
8345 8205
was “ready for a new future”. Tes Schouten of the Netherlands in 2:21.63.
9343 1857 6251 0446 7035 3222 3222 7035
“When I finished the race, that was the “I really just went into this race just hav- 6732 3222 3222 6732
end of it—now everything starts again with ing fun racing,” said Schoenmaker, who
a new beginning,” he said. won silver in the 100m breaststroke earlier 150,486.82
“I will hang the medals on the wall and in the week. BLAGNAC (France): Emma Norsgaard out- 1,908,365.51
start a new challenge.” Britain’s men’s 4x200m freestyle team foxed the other women’s Tour de France 0825 4400 4400 0825
O’Callaghan touched the wall in won gold in a time of 6min, 59.08sec, sprinters by escaping on a breakaway and 0825 9294 9294 0825
then holding off the pack at the finish to 4400 9294 9294 4400 7035

Disqualified fencer awarded

52.16sec to defend her 100m freestyle title, ahead of the United States on 7:00.02 and
beating Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey on Australia on 7:02.13. – AFP win stage six on Friday. 61,565.67 6732
3222
Norsgaard missed a large chunk of the

Olympics place and reinstated

season after breaking a collarbone in the
Strade Bianche in March and she wept
throughout her post-race interview. 941 981 550
“I want to thank everyone around me
for still believing in me after being out the
whole spring,” said Norsgaard, who 06 13 14 23 31 33 36
MILAN (Italy): Ukrainian fencer Olha Khar- offer a touch of her blade instead following turned 24 on Wednesday. “I’m super emo- 1,803,769.06 8 9 3 3 2
lan was awarded a place in the 2024 Paris her victory. tional. It’s the biggest victory ever.” 12,043.24 9 3 3 2
Olympics by the IOC on Friday after she was “I thought I had his word, to be safe, but The Dane was a part of a trio that 4 4 2 0 8 3 3 2
9 3 2 7 4 3 2
disqualified at the world championships for apparently, no,” Kharlan said. escaped after 29km and nursed a slender
refusing to shake the hand of her Russian In response to her disqualification, the lead almost to the end of the 122.5km run 8 5 3 2 5 24 128,626.47
7 3 7 4 4 6
opponent. International Olympic Committee called for from Albi to Blagnac.
The International Fencing Federation Ukrainian athletes to be treated “sensitively”. The peloton once again misjudged the 2 4 7 5 2 14 24,412.24
7 3 7 4 4 3 7 4 4 6
(FIE) also said it was reinstating Kharlan, Then on Friday, IOC President Thomas pursuit and just failed to catch all the
allowing her to take part in the team com- Bach, a former Olympic fencer himself, sent members of the escape group. 9 9 3 8 1 18 6,640.01 7 3 7 4 7 4 4 6
7 3 7
As the pack swallowed the other break-
4 4 6
petition at the world championships in Kharlan a letter saying she would be guaran-
Milan. teed a place at next year’s Olympics in Paris aways with less than 500m to go, Nors- 4 4 5 0 7 08 8,103.18
Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek presi- regardless of whether she gained the quali- gaard sprinted. 7 3 4 6
dent of the FIE, said the decision had been fication points. She held on to finish one second ahead 3 2 7 3 6 21 7,103.18
7 9 24 37 47 56
taken “after consultation with the Interna- “As a fellow fencer, it is impossible for me of Charlotte Kool and race leader Lotte
tional Olympic Committee”. to imagine how you feel at this moment,” Kopecky, who beat her handle bars in frus-
Kharlan, the first fencer to face a Russian Bach wrote. tration after another near miss. 0 0 1 7 24 27,041.77 20,679,428.32
or Belarusian since the former’s invasion of “Given your unique situation, the Inter- “I’m not a sprinter any more I have to
Ukraine, won 15-7 against Russia’s Anna national Olympic Committee will allocate realise it,” said Norsgaard. “I might be fast, 5 1 0 1 21 13,448.96 7 10 14 19 25 40
Smirnova on Thursday. an additional quota place to you for the but I cannot keep up with the real sprint-
The 32-year-old four-time Olympic Olympic Games Paris 2024 in case you will ers. I took a chance today and reached for 1 9 0 9 22 3,448.59 8,195,431.44

2 5 7 28 31 38 15
medallist refused Smirnova’s handshake not be able to qualify in the remaining the stars.”
afterwards, instead offering her sabre to tap period.” It was a second stage victory for the 6 0 9 7 09 4,312.08
blades, but FIE rules state that the two Bach added: “Rest assured that the IOC Movistar team at the Tour after Liane Lip- 4,511,008.66
5 8 2 9 22 3,135.72
286,540.67
fencers must shake hands. will continue to stand in full solidarity with pert won stage two.
On Saturday, the team will be focused
0 3 8 9 05 2,188.47
Smirnova staged a 45-minute protest and the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic
refused to leave the competition strip. community of Ukraine during these on helping defending champion Anne-
4 5 2 4 15 2,003.97
Kharlan was disqualified, claiming after- extremely difficult times.” miek van Vleuten through a short but bru-
wards that Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek The decision to allocate Kharlan a place tal Pyrenean stage that contains two
president of the FIE, had even assured her in the Olympics is sure to provoke an angry famed tour climbs: the Col de l’Aspin and
1 0 5 4 26 2,855.51
that it was “possible” not to shake hands and reaction from Russia. – AFP the Tourmalet. – AFP
 USA eye big Fritz flies
win against
Portugal
past
Nishikori
20
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I S UND AY, JULY 3 0 , 2 0 2 3

Sabah must take 3 points against Penang

A CRUCIAL away game is on the cards for
Sabah FC tonight (Sunday) as we take on
Penang FC at the City Stadium.
We cannot afford to drop any more
points in our away matches, especially
before taking on the mighty JDT (Johor
Darul Ta’zim) FC in the next match on Aug
9 at THE Likas Stadium.
It is not merely the three points needed
to win in order to help our standing in the
league table but at the same time a good
performance will certainly boost the play-
The match tonight seems to be a fore-
gone conclusion in our favour with assur-
ance by coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee that
we have the players ready to take on
Penang FC.
I am not too sure if there are first team
players carrying any injuries but I did
notice that our midfield import Telmo Fer-
reira has not been featured for the team in
the past few games and so did new import
Miguel Ángel Garrido Cifuente.
Their absence was definitely felt by the
get the maximum points tonight and as
always, an early goal will certainly help to
settle the nerves.
I hope our front line trio of Ramon
Machado, Darren Lok and Saddil Ramdani
will come good in this game after firing
blank against Selangor FC.
All the players given the tasks must
always stay focussed and beware of the
threats Penang FC can pose with their
home advantage.
available midfield player that we have They may be sitting in 10th position and
overconfident and complacency is the
other biggest culprit.
It is always hard to play against a team
that has nothing to lose and Penang FC
might try their very best to cause an upset
and none sweeter than for them to achieve
it in front of their home fans.
We do not have many games left to play
.We need to secure crucial points to stay in
contention and it is a must win game
tonight.
Let’s hope that all players are in good

Juventus kicked out of

ers confidence considerably ahead of the team and with Baddrul Bakhtiar also gone, apart from Irfan Fazail. look relatively weak on paper, but they are shape and I wish the team all the best and
JDT game. Gary Steven Robbat seems to be the most Team play is essential for the team to capable and can pounce if the players are lets wait for a positive result.

Europe over rules breach

PARIS (France): Juventus were kicked out of
next season’s Europa Conference League
on Friday for breaching financial fair play
rules, UEFA announced.
The Italian giants were also fined 20
million euros ($22 million) with half that
amount suspended.
“Juventus violated UEFA’s regulatory
framework...and it was decided to exclude
Juventus from the 2023/24 UEFA men’s club
competition,” said a UEFA statement.
European football’s governing body
said the 10-million-euro additional fine
will only be applied if the 2023, 2024 and
2025 financial years do not meet their
accounting requirements.
Juventus said in a statement that they
accepted the decision and would not
appeal the sanction.
“Juventus, while continuing to consider
the alleged violations insubstantial and its
actions correct, has declared to accept the
decision,” the club said.
However, they insisted that this did not
“constitute admission of any liability
against itself”.
Juventus in the Conference League.
In May, Juventus agreed to pay a fine of
more than 700,000 euros ($751,000) for
lying about players foregoing wages dur-
ing the Covid-19 pandemic after a plea bar-
gain approved by the Italian Football
Federation tribunal.
The plea deal brought to an end a series
of cases in Italy’s sporting courts involving
the Turin club.
They were also handed a 10-point
deduction in Serie A after a revision of their
initial 15-point penalty inflicted on the
club over illicit transfer activity.
The disciplinary tribunal of the Italian
federation (FIGC) said it had fined the club
718,240 euros, while seven of its manage-
ment figures were ordered to pay fines
ranging from 47,000 euros to 10,000 euros.
On Friday, UEFA also reached a settle-
ment with Chelsea which will result in the
English Premier League side paying 10 mil-
lion euros for “submitting incomplete
financial information” during the Roman
Abramovich era.
A UEFA statement said the club’s new

Kerr gives Australia a boost

“We regret the decisions of the UEFA
Club Financial Control Body,” said Juventus
president Gianluco Ferrero who added the
club preferred “to put an end to a period of
uncertainty”.
Ferrero highlighted the “uncertainty
about a possible participation in the
2024/2025 season of the Champions
League” that could weigh on an appeal
procedure.
owners “identified, and proactively
reported to UEFA, instances of potentially
incomplete financial reporting under the Kerr (left) attends a training session with team.
club’s previous ownership” between 2012
and 2019.
“Following its assessment, including
the applicable statute of limitations, the
CFCB entered into a settlement agreement
with the club which has agreed to pay a BRISBANE (Australia): Captain Sam Kerr thanks to a sixth-minute stunner by Lau-
financial contribution of 10 million euros declared herself available on Saturday for ren James.

Akugue channels Osaka in

Fiorentina, who finished in eighth place to fully resolve the reported matters.” – Australia’s must-win clash with Olympic “But we don’t know yet (how bad the
in Serie A last season, are likely to replace AFP champions Canada in a major boost for injury is) so we can’t make any assump-
the Women’s World Cup co-hosts. tions.”

fairytale Hamburg final run

It came as European champions Eng-
land sweated on the fitness of key mid-
fielder Keira Walsh after she was
stretchered off in their win over Denmark
with what looked like a serious knee injury.
Prolific Chelsea striker Kerr, the face of
the World Cup in Australia and New
BERLIN (Germany): Ger- Zealand, suffered a calf injury on the eve
man teenager Noma of the tournament and missed the Matil-
Noha Akugue said on das’ first two games.
Friday she drew inspira- The Australians, who were one of the
tion from Naomi Osaka’s favourites to win the title, squeezed past
2018 US Open victory as Ireland 1-0 thanks to a penalty to open
her fairytale run contin- their campaign but were then stunned 3-2
ued to the Hamburg by Nigeria.
Open final. That left their World Cup in serious
Wild card Akugue, peril and underlined just how much they
ranked 207 in the world missed their talismanic goalscorer.
and playing in her first With the critical encounter against
WTA main draw event, Canada looming on Monday, the 29-year-
said she was “speechless” old fronted the media in Brisbane to say: “I
after winning through 6- am going to be there, I am going to be
3, 6-3 against Diana ready.”
Shnaider on Friday to set But Kerr declined to say how much of a
up a meeting with Dutch part she will play in the clash in Mel-
seventh seed Arantxa bourne.
Rus. “I would love to tell you guys everything
Akugue, born in but you know being in sport a long time
Hamburg to Nigerian that that’s a massive thing that the oppo-
“It is going to go down to the wire. I am
definitely going to be available but how
we decide to use that is not to be given to
the opposition.”
The 26-year-old Barcelona midfielder
Walsh appeared to suffer a serious knee
injury against Denmark on Friday.
There has been a spate of knee injuries
in women’s football and England were
already missing captain Leah Williamson
and Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth
Mead for that reason.
Coach Sarina Wiegman said after see-
ing her side win 1-0 to stand on the cusp of
the knockout rounds that it was too early
to say how badly Walsh was hurt.
“Of course I’m concerned because she
There was also concern over another
World Cup star.
Colombia’s talented 18-year-old
attacker Linda Caicedo went down in
training on Thursday clutching her chest
and may not play against Germany on
Sunday.
Coach Nelson Abadia called it “an
episode of tiredness, a bit of stress over her
debut in a senior World Cup”.
“It was just an episode and she is ok
now,” he added. “Linda has overcome the
event.
“Whether she will play, we have 24
hours or a bit more to decide.”
Back on the pitch there were three
matches on Saturday as the teams do bat-
tle to reach the knockout rounds.
Sweden face Italy at 0730 GMT before a
heavyweight meeting between France and
Brazil at 1000 GMT.
France, who were among the teams
touted as a threat to holders the United
States before the World Cup, need victory
after being held 0-0 by Jamaica.
But they meet a Brazil side flying high
following a classy 4-0 thumping of
Panama.

Colombia’s
could not walk off the pitch,” said Wieg- Jamaica play Panama in the last game

Germany reshuffle defence

parents, broke her fellow sition wants to know,” Kerr said. man, whose strongly fancied side won of the day, starting at 1230 GMT. – AFP
19-year-old twice in the
first set and once in the German teenager Akugue.

Caicedo for Colombia clash

second. coming from a set down to defeat Aus-
Demonstrating poise and calm she tralian Daria Saville.

a doubt
blocked her Russian opponent from con- Rus, 32, lost the first set 6-2 but rallied
verting any of six break points. to win the next two 6-3, 6-1 on the Ham-
After her quarter-final win over former burg clay.
French Open semi-finalist Martina Tre- Rus hit a career high world number 60
visan on Thursday, Akugue said she tried after her quarter-final win over German SYDNEY (Australia): Germany must “I don’t know how long she will be out
to keep her emotions under control, play- Eva Lys on Thursday, one spot higher than reshuffle their defence at the Women’s for.”
ing tennis “with a poker face”. the 61 she reached more than a decade ago SYDNEY (Australia): Women’s World Cup World Cup after another injury set-back The Germany boss had already lost
Speaking later on Friday, Akugue said in 2012. star Linda Caicedo was “tired” when she when left-back Felicitas Rauch hurt her back-up left-back Carolin Simon with
she drew inspiration from four-time In the men’s side of the draw, number went down clutching her chest in training, knee ahead of their game with tough- torn knee ligaments in a World Cup
Grand Slam winner Osaka. one seed Casper Ruud crashed out in Colombia coach Nelson Abadia said, and tackling Colombia on Sunday. warm-up game.
“She’s also an aggressive player. She’s straight sets to French teenager Arthur may not play against Germany on Sunday. Rauch strained knee ligaments block- “It’s the third defender we have lost, so
similar to me, that’s why I like her,” Fils. The 18-year-old Real Madrid forward ing a shot in training on Friday and it is we know what type of back-up options we
Akugue told wtatennis.com. Fils burst out of the blocks, winning the was at the centre of a health scare on unclear when she will return, said Ger- have,” Voss-Tecklenburg added. “We will
“It’s also important to see a Black first set 6-0 and the second 6-4, withstand- Thursday when she stopped running and many head coach Martina Voss-Tecklen- be able to compensate for this injury.”
woman in tennis—Serena as well of course. ing a fightback from the world number lay on the ground holding her chest. burg. Germany, the 2003 and 2007 champi-
It’s good for young players.” four. Abadia on Saturday called it “an It is the latest injury blow for Germany ons, posted the biggest win of the World
Akugue said on court after the match “a Fils credited his “good tactics” for the episode of tiredness, a bit of stress over her in defence. Centre-back Marina Hegering Cup contenders so far in the romp over
week ago I didn’t know if I would get a win. debut in a senior World Cup”. missed the opening 6-0 thrashing of Morocco. Colombia also won their open-
wild card”, adding she “could not believe” “He makes you run a lot. My goal was to “It was just an episode and she is ok Morocco with an ankle knock. ing game, beating South Korea 2-0.
her run had continued to “my first final”. play a lot of forehands and play a lot on his now,” he added. “Linda has overcome the “That wasn’t a good moment in train- The Germans expect a tense battle in
“I hope I can keep playing my best ten- backhand, and I did it really well today.” event. ing,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “Felicitas Sydney against the South Americans and
nis in the final.” The 19-year-old will meet Alexander “Whether she will play, we have 24 cannot play, but we got a diagnosis quite the result is likely to decide who finishes
Rus booked her spot in the final after Zverev in the semis. – AFP hours or a bit more to decide. – AFP quickly, which was relatively positive. top of Group H. – AFP

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Pemandu pikap maut
rempuh penghadang > 2
PRN: Hajiji nasihat warga
Sabah buat pilihan terbaik
KOTA KINABALU: Warga Sabah yang
akan mengundi pada Pilihan Raya
Negeri (PRN) di enam negeri pada 12
Ogos ini dinasihati supaya membuat pil-
ihan terbaik bagi mengekalkan dinamik
politik negara untuk masa depan yang
baik.
Pengerusi Gabungan Rakyat Sabah
(GRS) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor dalam
kenyataan yang menyokong penuh Ker-
ajaan Perpaduan pimpinan Perdana
Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari
ini berkata kerajaan pimpinan semasa
merupakan platform terbaik bagi
sebuah negara pelbagai kaum seperti
Malaysia untuk bergerak maju ke hada-
pan.
Beliau turut menggesa setiap pen-
gundi untuk menolak parti-parti politik
yang menggunakan fitnah perkauman
dan ketaksuban agama sebagai bahan
kempen mereka yang akan memu-
daratkan negara majmuk seperti
Malaysia dan tidak akan menjamin masa
depannya.
“Kestabilan, yang merupakan salah
satu faktor penting untuk sebuah negara
maju, hanya boleh dicapai apabila selu-
ruh rakyat bersatu dan tidak dipen-
Lelaki terlibat
garuhi dengan sikap perkauman dan
pergaduhan di
Putatan maut
di rumah
PENAMPANG: Seorang lelaki maut di
rumahnya selepas terbabit dalam per-
gaduhan yang tercetus di kawasan
perumahan di Putatan di sini kira-kira
jam 7 pagi, Selasa.
Pemangku Ketua Polis Daerah Penam-
pang DSP Sammy Newton berkata,
mangsa yang berusia 28 tahun dihantar
ke Hospital Queen Elizabeth 1 untuk
bedah siasat selepas disahkan meninggal
dunia oleh pegawai perubatan.
“Susulan itu, Bahagian Siasatan
Jenayah Penampang menahan lima lelaki
bagi membantu siasatan.
“Siasatan mendapati ketika kejadian,
kesemua individu itu berada di bawah
pengaruh alkohol dan berlaku perselisi-
han faham sehingga menyebabkan per-
gaduhan.
“Kertas siasatan telah dibuka di bawah
3,000 penduduk Kolopis tidak
laporan kematian mengejut,” katanya
dalam satu kenyataan.
setuju kenaikan kadar cukai
Jonathan Nicholas
PENAMPANG: Kira-kira 3,000 penduduk
dari tujuh kampung di Kolopis di sini
menuntut supaya kawasan mereka
dikeluarkan kawasan operasi Majlis
Daerah, dengan mendakwa penilaian
hartanah yang dilakukan baru-baru ini
memberikan bebanan kewangan kepada
penduduk luar bandar yang kurang
bernasib baik.
Jurucakap komuniti itu, Datuk Seri Dr.
Adalbert Kinson berkata tidak adil untuk
lembah yang terdedah kepada banjir dan
kurang maju dikenakan cukai pintu yang
lebih tinggi walaupun hampir tiada
usaha mitigasi dan penyelenggaraan
infrastruktur yang teruk.
Beliau berkata, notis penilaian itu
dihebahkan dalam media cetak pada 12
Jun lalu, enam hari selepas tempoh ban-
tahan tamat.
“Ini adalah fakta yang tidak diketahui
ramai, syarikat insurans enggan menam-
pung banjir sejak satu peristiwa pada
1999. Kajian pelan induk untuk tebatan
banjir lembangan Sungai Moyog malah
30 juLAi, 2023 / 12 MuHArAM, 1445H
Dua lagi IKS Mart akan
dibuka di Sabah > 3
ketaksuban,” menurut kenyataan itu.
Hajiji berkata Sabah dan rakyatnya
menjadi contoh perpaduan yang baik
dalam kepelbagaian dan perpaduan,
kerana walaupun terdapat perbezaan
bangsa dan agama, mereka telah wujud
bersama dalam harmoni sejak sekian
lama tanpa mengira ideologi politik,
dan ia juga merupakan sesuatu yang
dipupuk oleh Kerajaan Perpaduan di
peringkat kebangsaan.
Terdahulu pada Sabtu pagi, Hajiji
bersama Premier Sarawak Tan Sri Abang
Johari Tun Openg, mengiringi Anwar di
pusat penamaan calon di Sekolah
Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai
Pusu in Gombak, Selangor.
Kedua-dua pemimpin dari Sabah dan
Sarawak itu membuat penampilan
sulung bersama dengan pemimpin
persekutuan dalam menunjukkan
sokongan padu kepada calon daripada
parti kerajaan yang akan bertanding
dalam PRN ini.
PRN yang melibatkan 36 DUN di
Kedah, Kelantan (45), Terengganu (32),
Pulau Pinang (40), Selangor (56) dan
Negeri Sembilan (36) akan diadakan
pada 12 Ogos bersekali dengan PRK Par-
570 calon bertanding PRN, satu lawan satu di 180 kerusi
limen Kuala Terengganu. – Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Sebanyak 570 calon
bertanding merebut 245 kerusi Dewan
Undangan Negeri (DUN) pada pilihan
raya enam negeri pada 12 Ogos ini,
menurut Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya
(SPR).
Pengerusi SPR Tan Sri Abdul Ghani
Salleh berkata 571 kertas pencalonan
diterima bagi Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN)
di Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pulau
Pinang, Kelantan, Terengganu dan
Kedah, tetapi satu ditolak.
Kertas yang ditolak itu dikemukakan
calon Bebas yang menawarkan diri
bertanding di DUN Kota Lama di Kelan-
tan.
Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Parlimen
Kuala Terengganu yang diadakan
serentak dengan PRN, menyaksikan
pertembungan satu lawan satu antara
calon Pakatan Harapan (PH) dan PAS,
katanya pada sidang media mengenai
urusan penamaan calon PRN dan PRK
Kuala Terengganu di sini, Sabtu.
“SPR menerima 83 kertas penamaan
calon di Kedah, 97 di Kelantan, Tereng-
ganu 66, Pulau Pinang (95), Selangor
telah menyenaraikan Kolopis sebagai
kawasan simpanan banjir.
“Ia sudah dilanda banjir 16 kali dari
2019 hingga 2022 dan banjir yang
berlaku pada Jun tahun ini mengambil
masa tiga hari untuk surut. Ini dibu-
rukkan lagi dengan pembinaan
Lebuhraya Pan Borneo yang sedang ber-
jalan,” katanya pada sidang media.
Adalbert mempersoalkan kaedah yang
digunakan oleh penilai perunding, den-
gan berkata mereka tidak memenuhi
piawaian negara.
“Piawaian Penilaian Malaysia jelas
mewajibkan faktor-faktor yang perlu
diambil kira untuk menentukan penila-
ian hartanah.
“Ini tidak terhad kepada data sewaan
dan jualan yang setanding, saiz dan umur
hartanah, daya tarikan kejiranan, penge-
zonan dan penggunaan tanah serta kesi-
hatan keseluruhan pasaran perumahan.
Tetapi hanya beberapa daripada ini diam-
bil kira.
“Cukai adalah untuk penyelenggaraan
tetapi kerajaan masih belum memberi
KPK akui langgar kod
prosedurjenayah ketika
tahan Ketua Basarnas > 4
PERDANA Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (tiga kanan) diapit
Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor (kiri) dan Premier Sarawak
Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Haji
Openg (dua kanan) di Pusat Pencalonan di Selayang, pada Sabtu.
(147), Negeri Sembilan (83) dan PRK
Kuala Terengganu dua kertas pena-
maan,” kata beliau.
Abdul Ghani berkata seramai 168
calon yang bertanding dalam PRN itu
adalah daripada Perikatan Nasional
(PN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) seramai
137 calon, Barisan Nasional (BN) sera-
mai 108 calon, 77 calon bertanding
mewakili PAS.
Seramai 13 calon bertanding atas
tiket Parti Rakyat Malaysia, 19 calon
Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia
(Muda), empat calon Parti Sosialis
Malaysia (PSM), dua calon Penang Front
Party (PFP), seorang calon Parti Utama
Rakyat (PUR) dan 41 orang bertanding
sebagai calon Bebas, katanya.
Abdul Ghani berkata pertandingan
satu lawan satu yang terlibat dalam PRN
membabitkan 180 kerusi, tiga penjuru
di 51 kerusi, empat penjuru di 13 kerusi
manakala kerusi DUN Lunas, Kedah
menyaksikan pertandingan lima pen-
juru.
“Calon paling ramai bertanding
adalah dalam kalangan yang berusia
ADALBERT (keenam dari kiri) dan Greg di kanannya bersama ketua-ketua kampung dan wakil penduduk pada sidang media itu.
kami lampu tepi jalan, pembersihan
taman, kutipan sisa perbandaran, dan
jalan dan perparitan yang baik,” katanya
sambil menambah, beliau dilahirkan dan
telah menempah kubur di Kolopis.
“Kerajaan Negeri mensasarkan Pemilik
Hartanah Penampang untuk
mengumpul berjuta-juta cukai hartanah
baharu.
“Melainkan Pemilik Hartanah Penam-
pang dan penduduk mendapatkan cam-
pur tangan Kerajaan Negeri, Pejabat
Kerajaan Tempatan dan birokrat Majlis
Daerah akan meneruskan skim penilaian
untuk mengumpul berjuta-juta daripada
sistem pengebilan cukai tanah yang
Dolla mahu fokus siri
jelajah Asia Tenggara > 6
antara 50 hingga 59 tahun iaitu seramai
204,” katanya.
Seramai 111 calon berusia lebih 60
tahun, calon berumur 40 hingga 49
tahun seramai 157, calon berusia 30
hingga 39 seramai 83 orang manakala
calon berusia 21 hingga 29 seramai 17
calon, katanya.
Abdul Ghani berkata calon tertua
adalah calon PRM di DUN Pantai Jere-
jak, Pulau Pinang iaitu Ravinder Singh
yang berusia 80 tahun, manakala calon
termuda adalah Melanie Ting Yi-Hlin,
23, yang mewakili Muda di DUN Bukit
Antarabangsa, Selangor.
Seramai 501 calon yang bertanding
pada PRN dan PRK Kuala Terengganu
itu adalah lelaki manakala 71 calon
adalah wanita, katanya.
SPR menetapkan PRN di Selangor,
Negeri Sembilan, Pulau Pinang, Kelan-
tan, Terengganu dan Kedah serta PRK
Parlimen Kuala Terengganu dilak-
sanakan serentak dengan hari pengun-
dian pada 12 Ogos manakala
pengundian awal pada 8 Ogos. –
Bernama
didakwa oleh pemilik hartanah adalah
berdasarkan data penilaian dan andaian
penggunaan hartanah yang mana enggan
didedahkan sama ada oleh Birokrat Majlis
Daerah mahu pun Penilai Perunding.
Prosedur daripada Akta Kerajaan Tem-
patan sedang digunakan oleh Pejabat
Kerajaan Tempatan Kerajaan Negeri dan
birokrat Majlis Daerah untuk mengger-
akkan proses mengambil Penampang
dari Daerah luar bandar kepada Majlis
Perbandaran yang mana kebanyakan
penduduk di Penampang tidak sedar
mengenainya.
Klasifikasi baharu Penampang sebagai
Majlis Perbandaran kemudian mem-
WAKTU SOLAT
Subuh Zohor Asar Maghrib Isyak
KK/Pantai Barat 5.00 12.26 3.47 6.36 7.49
Sandakan Timur 4.53 12.18 3.39 6.28 7.41
Sandakan Barat 4.57 12.22 3.43 6.31 7.45
Tawau Timur 4.51 12.15 3.36 6.24 7.38
Tawau Barat 4.55 12.19 3.40 6.27 7.40
Kudat 4.55 12.22 3.43 6.33 7.47
Pedalaman Atas 4.59 12.24 3.45 6.33 7.46
Pedalaman Bawah 5.02 12.27 3.48 6.36 7.49
Peruntukan RM40j
untuk kakitangan
Esscom cermin
keprihatinan k’jaan
KOTA KINABALU: Peruntukan RM40
juta bagi menaik taraf infrastruktur
dan kuarters untuk kakitangan
Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai
Timur Sabah (Esscom) di Lahad Datu
yang disediakan kerajaan menun-
jukkan komitmennya untuk memas-
tikan kebajikan kakitangan agensi itu
sentiasa terpelihara.
Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor berkata peruntukan itu juga
mencerminkan keprihatinan Perdana
Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ter-
hadap kebajikan warga Esscom yang
sanggup berkorban demi menjamin
keselamatan Sabah dan negara.
“Terima kasih kepada Perdana
Menteri atas keprihatinannya dan
semoga inisiatif ini dapat
meningkatkan semangat warga Esscom
untuk melakukan yang terbaik dalam
mempertahankan kedaulatan negara,”
kata Hajiji, yang juga Pengerusi Zon
Keselamatan Timur Sabah (Esszone),
dalam satu kenyataan.
Pada 15 Julai lalu, Anwar ketika
berucap pada program Malaysia
Madani bersama Jabatan Keselamatan
Dalam Negeri dan Ketenteraman
Awam Polis Diraja Malaysia di Batal-
ion 2 GOF Kulim di Kulim, Kedah,
mengumumkan peruntukan RM40
juta untuk infrastruktur dan kemuda-
han berkaitan Esscom.
Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai
Eksekutif Esscom Dr Jamaluddin
Mohd Ali berkata peruntukan itu akan
digunakan untuk menyediakan kaki-
tangan agensi itu dengan kemudahan
perumahan terbaik, yang akan mem-
beri manfaat besar kepada mereka.
Beliau berkata peruntukan itu juga
membolehkan Esscom memperoleh
rumah untuk anggotanya yang bertu-
gas di Lahad Datu.
“Ia untuk kemudahan pegawai,
anggota serta kakitangan Esscom dan
proses bagi mendapatkan kemuda-
han (rumah) itu sedang berjalan,”
katanya.
Komander Esscom DCP Victor San-
jos melahirkan rasa terima kasih di
atas keprihatinan dan penghargaan
Kerajaan Perpaduan di atas sumban-
gan dan pengorbanan mereka yang
menjaga keselamatan dan kedaulatan
negara khususnya di Sabah.
“Bagi pihak Esscom dan sebagai
Komander Esscom, saya ingin mer-
akamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada
Kerajaan Perpaduan di atas keprihati-
nan dan kebaikannya terhadap ahli
Esscom dengan menyediakan perun-
tukan ini,” katanya.
berikan Jabatan dan Majlis Kerajaan Tem-
patan dengan keupayaan untuk menge-
nakan cukai hartanah levi sewa
berdasarkan apa yang dikatakan pemilik
hartanah sebagai penilaian hartanah
yang boleh dipersoalkan.
Birokrat Majlis Daerah enggan mem-
bincangkan jumlah hasil yang akan
dikumpul, namun semakan penilaian
yang digunakan sebagai asas untuk caj
itu jelas menunjukkan Majlis Daerah
mensasarkan puluhan atau ratusan juta
dalam cukai hartanah baharu itu. Cukai
yang akan dikenakan kepada pemilik
hartanah di Penampang.
Lihat muka 2
 2 Tempatan
Pengkritik NCA perlahankan Sabah: Dr Jeffrey
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Timbalan Ketua Menteri
Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan berkata
pengkritik Perjanjian Pemuliharaan Alam
Semula Jadi (NCA) harus berhenti bercakap
dan perlu melakukan sesuatu untuk
kepentingan negeri.
“Kumpulan ini adalah mereka yang tidak
faham. Kita diperlahankan oleh mereka,
ketika yang lain sudah jauh ke hadapan,”
katanya ketika ditanya mengenai banyak
pendapat yang dibuat mengenai NCA.
“Ini menyedihkan, tetapi kita mahu
mereka faham bahawa kita terlepas pelu-
ang untuk meningkatkan hasil kita kerana
sumber pendapatan lain hanya boleh pergi
sejauh ini,” tambahnya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui
pada Majlis Kongres dan Penganugerahan
Global ke-17 yang berlangsung di Pusat
Konvensyen Antarabangsa Sabah, di sini,
Sabtu.
Karbon, dakwa beliau, merupakan sum-
ber pendapatan baharu yang boleh
menyumbang kepada perubahan iklim
sambil turut memulihara alam sekitar dan
hutan.
“Kita juga mewujudkan peluang peker-
jaan dengan mengaktifkan aset tidak aktif.
Malah, ia adalah yang terbaik untuk Sabah,”
katanya.
Beliau juga menegaskan bahawa terda-
pat pihak yang berada di belakang pengkri-
tik ini.
“Kami tahu siapa di belakang mereka;
anda tidak boleh bersembunyi kerana kita
ada teknologi, Kepintaran Buatan, jadi saya
meminta mereka ini berhenti menim-
bulkan masalah kepada Sabah dan cuba
bersikap positif.
“Dengan karbon ini, kita memperolehi
keuntungan berbanding kerugian, dan kita
melindungi alam sekitar untuk generasi
akan datang.
“Apabila bercakap mengenai ketelusan,
ia adalah yang paling telus dan sudah pun
melalui proses mahkamah di mana semua
orang memberikan persetujuan.
KPDN sita 5,300 liter
“Ini sangat standard dan kita sangat
berhubung dengan dunia, pembeli, sehing-
galah kepada teknologi terbaik dan kami
minyak diesel di Tuaran
R Gonzales
TUARAN: Kementerian Dalam Negeri dan Kos
Sara Hidup (KPDN) Tuaran menyita kira-kira
5,300 liter minyak diesel bersubsidi menerusi
Ops Tiris bagi membanteras aktiviti
penyelewengan dan ketirisan barang kawalan
minyak diesel, Jumaat.
Ketua Pegawai Penguat Kuasa KPDN
Tuaran, Saripuddin Moleng berkata, operasi
terbabit dijalankan sepasukan pegawai dan
anggota penguat kuasa KPDN Tuaran pada
jam 11 pagi di sebuah stor tapak pembinaan
di Rugading, Tuaran.
“Serbuan mendapati terdapat minyak
diesel yang dianggarkan sebanyak 5,300 liter
dalam satu tangki besi berbentuk segi empat
yang dilengkapi pam meter elektronik.
“Pihak KPDN menyita kesemua bahan
berkenaan yang dianggarkan bernilai
RM25,700 dan menahan seorang lelaki warga
tempatan yang dipercayai sebagai penyelia
stor di lokasi serbuan tujuan membantu siasa-
tan awal kes mengikut Akta Kawalan Bekalan
1961,” katanya dalam kenyataan, Sabtu.
Menurutnya, risikan dijalankan selama
Caj penarafan baharu dianggap ‘cukai pintu belakang’
Dari muka depan
Caj penarafan baharu itu disifatkan oleh
sekumpulan kecil pemilik hartanah yang
menyedari pelan itu sebagai “cukai pintu
belakang”, pada masa masyarakat luar ban-
dar di Penampang sedang bergelut untuk
pulih daripada kemerosotan perniagaan
yang disebabkan oleh perintah kawalan
pergerakan Covid-19 dan merekodkan pen-
gangguran yang tinggi.
Levi hartanah yang dicadangkan bukan
sahaja akan memberi kesan kepada pemilik
hartanah tetapi juga penyewa hartanah ter-
masuk penyewa hartanah komersil kerana
sudah pasti tuan tanah akan terpaksa melu-
luskan caj yang dinaikkan itu.
Majlis Daerah telah menghubungi
Perunding Penilai JS Valuers Property Con-
sultants (E.M.) Sdn Bhd dalam taklimat
yang tidak didedahkan untuk menilai har-
tanah di Penampang.
Walaupun piawaian ditetapkan oleh
Standard Penilaian Malaysia 2019, untuk
ketelusan dan norma yang diterima untuk
menilai hartanah, Perunding Penilai nam-
paknya menggunakan penilaian
berdasarkan “dengar cakap”, dengan beber-
apa hartanah komersial mempunyai peni-
laian yang lebih tinggi daripada pusat
beli-belah yang berprestij di KK, Imago .
Hartanah serupa yang berdiri bersebela-
han atau dari satu bahagian daerah ke satu
bahagian yang lain nampaknya telah dipe-
runtukkan penilaian yang berbeza.
Sesetengah hartanah hilang sepenuhnya
dalam Laporan Penilaian. Hartanah dengan
kegunaan pertanian telah diklasifikasikan
sebagai perindustrian.
Birokrat Majlis enggan mendedahkan
bagaimana penilaian harta individu dikira
dan mengapa klasifikasi penggunaan tanah
khusus telah digunakan untuk tanah luar
bandar.
Dalam mesyuarat komuniti di Kolopis
pada 11 Julai, sekumpulan kecil pemilik Har-
tanah Kolopis diberitahu mereka mempun-
yai baki 5 hari lagi untuk mengemukakan
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
akan membuktikannya. Jadi sudah tiba
masanya untuk berhenti bercakap dan
sebaliknya buat sesuatu,” katanya.
Perjanjian kredit karbon yang disas-
arkan untuk dilaksanakan tahun lepas
ditangguhkan berikutan banyak perde-
batan mengenainya.
Di antara banyak perdebatan mengenai
perjanjian perdagangan karbon yang kon-
troversi, Perjanjian Pemuliharaan Alam
(NCA), ialah pencalonan Hoch Standard,
sebuah syarikat yang tidak mempunyai
rekod prestasi dalam industri perdagangan
karbon.
Kebimbangan juga dibangkitkan oleh
pencinta alam sekitar dan pemuliharaan
mengenai ketiadaan ketelusan dan komu-
nikasi berhubung pembangunan perjan-
jian itu.
Sementara itu, kongres tiga hari yang
bermula pada 28 Julai itu diadakan buat
julung kalinya di Kota Kinabalu.
Ia dianjurkan oleh Institusi Diraja Singa-
pura dengan kerjasama Institusi Diraja Fil-
ipina, Royal Talent Capital Singapura,
Institut Penyelidikan Diraja Singapura dan
Pusat Profesional Singapura.
Bertemakan “Menyatukan kepimpinan
dalam perniagaan dan industri, pen-
didikan, dan pentadbiran awam, sebagai
asas tadbir urus yang baik”, ia
menampilkan panel penceramah daripada
pelbagai bidang dari Singapura, Filipina,
dan Perancis, antara lain.
Jeffrey, yang juga Felo Kehormat Institusi
Diraja Singapura, berkata program itu
adalah mengenai mengiktiraf sumbangan
kepada kerja dan juga kemanusiaan teruta-
manya dalam penyelidikan pendidikan dan
sebagainya.
“Institusi Diraja Singapura adalah
sebuah badan profesional dan saya gembira
menjadi warga asing pertama yang menjadi
penasihat antarabangsa kepada badan pro-
fesional Singapura ini tahun lepas di Singa-
pura,” katanya.
“Lebih banyak aktiviti antarabangsa
yang kita ada di sini, lebih baik untuk mem-
promosikan pelancongan, mempro-
mosikan Sabah dan juga pertukaran
pelaburan dan pendidikan,” tambahnya.
tiga hari oleh Pegawai Penguat Kuasa KPDN
Cawangan Tuaran sebelum serbuan
dijalankan.
“Berdasarkan keterangan awal yang diper-
olehi daripada pekerja stor, barang kawalan
itu diperolehi daripada pembekal diesel
industri yang sah namun pekerja berkenaan
gagal mengemukakan sebarang dokumen
berkaitan dan permit atau lesen kebenaran
untuk menyimpan barang kawalan di lokasi
berkenaan.
“Kes ini akan disiasat mengikut Seksyen
20(1) Akta Kawalan Bekalan 1961 kerana
menyimpan barang kawalan di tempat tanpa
kebenaran pengawal,” jelasnya.
Saripuddin berkata, di bawah Akta
Kawalan Bekalan 1961 (Akta 122), mana-mana
individu yang disabit dengan kesalahan
boleh didenda tidak lebih RM1 juta manakala
bagi kesalahan berikutnya tidak melebihi
RM3 juta atau penjara tidak melebihi tiga
tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.
Manakala bagi syarikat, jika disabit kesala-
han boleh membawa hukuman denda tidak
melebihi RM2 juta dan bagi kesalahan
bantahan terhadap penilaian harta mereka.
Pemilik hartanah perlu mematuhi for-
mat khusus untuk bantahan mereka dan
dalam pendekatan baharu oleh Majlis
setiap bantahan perlu disertakan dengan
yuran penyerahan RM10.
Birokrat Majlis Daerah yang hadir pada
mesyuarat komuniti Kolopis tidak dapat
memuaskan hati (atau mungkin diarahkan
untuk tidak menjawab soalan daripada
pemilik hartanah) tentang penilaian, klasi-
fikasi penggunaan hartanah, dan
bagaimana kawasan penilaian yang
dicadangkan mereka dikira. Dengan jawa-
pan standard ialah bayar RM10 dan buat
bantahan.
Pemilik hartanah yang enggan dikenali
kerana takut akan tindakan balas daripada
Pegawai Majlis Daerah bertanya kepada
Pegawai Majlis “di manakah proses
perundingan yang dijanjikan, mengapa
kita tidak bekerja sebagai komuniti.
Kamu boleh berselindung di sebalik
proses kamu dan ya ia mungkin sah, tetapi
dari segi moral Majlis Daerah sudah terjejas,
Majlis Daerah mewakili siapa? Kamu men-
ganggap kami sebagai orang kampung
yang bodoh yang melakukan apa yang kami
diberitahu. Ini adalah salah guna kuasa dan
ia adalah salah guna proses. Ini bukan cara
Kerajaan Tempatan sepatutnya berfungsi”.
Majlis Daerah yang menggunakan kuasa
yang diberikan daripada Akta Kerajaan
Tempatan telah pun menubuhkan Tribunal
Bantahan sebelum mesyuarat masyarakat
dan jelas tidak berniat untuk menjalankan
proses perundingan dengan pemilik har-
tanah.
Seorang pemilik hartanah yang mem-
buat bantahan mengadu mereka diberi
notis 24 jam melalui telefon untuk meng-
hadiri perbicaraan Tribunal.
Laporan daripada mereka yang hadir ke
Tribunal mendakwa mereka telah dinafikan
sebarang keadilan prosedur. Pembantah
diminta mengemukakan kes mereka ke
bilik yang penuh dengan Kakitangan Majlis
JEFFREY (lima kanan) kelihatan segak dengan pakaian tradisionalnya
ketika menerima sijil penghargaan daripada penganjur pada program itu.
Pengajaran bahasa ibunda: Ewon disaran patuhi Akta Pendidikan 1996
KOTA KINABALU: Seorang bekas Ketua
Daerah mengingatkan Menteri Pemban-
gunan Usahawan dan Koperasi Datuk
Ewon Benedict supaya mematuhi perun-
tukan dalam Akta Pendidikan 1996 berkai-
tan pengajaran bahasa ibunda.
OKK Benedict J S Malanjum berkata
bahasa Kadazandusun tidak wujud,
namun terdapat Bangsa Kadazan dan
Bahasa Kadazan merupakan bahasa
ibunda mereka. Begitu juga dengan
Bangsa Dusun dengan Bahasa Dusun seba-
gai bahasa ibunda mereka.
Menurut Akta Pendidikan 1996 bahasa
asli merujuk kepada bahasa ibunda di
Malaysia Timur seperti bahasa Iban dan
Kadazan. Di Sabah bahasa asli juga
merangkumi Dusun, Rungus, Murut,
Bajau, Kedayan, Bisaya dan etnik orang
asal yang lain.
Malanjum merujuk kepada kenyataan
Ewon, yang dilaporkan dalam akhbar tem-
patan 15 Julai lalu bahawa beliau akan
membincangkan isu pengajaran bahasa
berikutnya tidak melebihi RM5 juta.
“Pihak kementerian akan mengambil tin-
dakan tegas dengan menggantung semen-
tara lesen pengusaha stesen minyak yang
terlibat sehingga siasatan selesai dijalankan,”
ujarnya.
Difahamkan, Ops Tiris dilancarkan sejak 1
Mac 2023 lalu bertujuan membanteras
penyelewengan dan ketirisan minyak diesel
bersubsidi.
Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri
dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN) Cawangan
Tuaran akan terus menjalankan risikan,
pemeriksaan dan pemantauan secara
berterusan ke atas semua kegiatan berkaitan
barang kawalan agar tidak berlaku sebarang
bentuk penyelewengan dan ketirisan barang
Daerah, Perunding Penilaian dan Ahli Tri-
bunal.
Bilik yang penuh dengan mereka yang
kononnya pakar, yang mempunyai masa
berminggu-minggu untuk membuat perse-
diaan, dengan pemilik hartanah dikehen-
daki membentangkan hujah mereka
berdasarkan fakta yang sedikit dan sedikit
kepakaran serta tanpa perwakilan yang
betul.
Pembantah dimaklumkan mereka mem-
punyai 15 minit untuk mengemukakan kes
mereka.
Interaksi dengan Penilai semasa Tribunal
dipenuhi dengan jawapan yang tidak mem-
punyai sebarang kejelasan atau ketelusan.
Dengan tanggungjawab terhadap pihak
Pemandu pikap maut rempuh penghadang
yang membantah untuk menjelaskan men-
gapa penilaian tiada siapa yang akan men-
PENAMPANG: Seorang pemandu trak pikap
maut selepas merempuh penghadang di Kam-
pung Dambai - Jambatan Proper, Jalan Papar
Lama, di sini, awal pagi Sabtu.
Pemangku Ketua Polis Daerah Penampang,
DSP Sammy Newton, mangsa kejadian jam 5
pagi itu adalah seorang lelaki tempatan berusia
35 tahun.
“Mangsa disahkan meninggal dunia di tem-
pat kejadian oleh pegawai perubatan yang
bertugas dan mayat dihantar ke Jabatan Foren-
sik, Hospital Queen Elizabeth 1 untuk bedah
siasat.
“Hasil siasatan awal mendapati kemalangan
berpunca apabila pemandu yang datang dari
arah Donggongon hilang kawalan dan merem-
puh penghadang jambatan.
“Saksi kejadian digesa tampil memberikan
maklumat di balai polis berhampiran bagi mem-
bantu siasatan,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.
Kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 41(1) Akta Pen-
gangkutan Jalan 1987.
Kadazandusun (BKD) di institut guru
bersama Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Datuk
Muhamed Khaled Nordin.
Katanya, Ewon kemudian berkata:
“Perbincangan adalah untuk mencari
penyelesaian kepada masalah dan
cabaran yang dihadapi oleh guru bahasa
Kadazandusun dan mengukuhkan penga-
jaran bahasa itu”.
“Saya menghadiri Forum Hala Tuju
Bahasa Kadazan dan Bahasa Dusun di Uni-
versiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) anjuran
Institut Kajian Orang Asal Borneo (BorIIS)
pada 12 Sept 2019. Saya telah menegaskan
bahawa tiada bahasa “Kadazandusun”
tetapi terdapat bahasa Kadazan dan
Dusun,” kata Benedict.
Pihak berkepentingan dalam isu hala
tuju Bahasa Kadazan dan Bahasa Dusun
ialah Persatuan Kadazan Sabah (KSS) dan
Persatuan Dusun Sabah Bersatu (Usda).
Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin, presiden Usda
berkata, “Mengenai senario Bahasa
Kadazandusun dipisahkan bagi beliau ia
ANGGOTA
KPDN
Tuaran
ketika
membuat
operasi
menerusi
Ops Tiris
di
Rugading,
Tuaran.
kawalan bersubsidi terbabit.
Sehubungan itu, masyarakat disarankan
untuk menjadi mata dan telinga kepada
pihak berkuasa dengan memberikan ker-
jasama sekiranya mempunyai sebarang mak-
lumat terutamanya berkaitan aktiviti
penyelewengan barang kawalan dan bersub-
sidi bagi memastikan aktiviti haram ini
dibanteras sehingga ke akar umbi yang boleh
menyebabkan kerugian besar kepada rakyat
dan negara.
Orang ramai yang mempunyai maklumat,
boleh menghubungi pihak kementerian
melalui saluran aplikasi Whatsapp 019-279
4317 atau 019-848 8000, Portal Aduan e-
aduan.kpdn.gov.my, pusat panggilan 1-800-
886-800 atau emel e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my.
jelaskan kepada mereka adalah salah.
Cabaran kepada Data Penilai telah
dijawab dengan komen “luar biasa” seperti
“jadi kamu tidak boleh menyewakan rumah
kamu pada harga RM800 sebulan”. Per-
tanyaan sama ada penilaian mengambil
kira sifat luar bandar hartanah itu atau
hakikat hartanah itu terletak dalam zon
banjir tidak dijawab langsung oleh Perund-
ing Penilaian dan Ahli Tribunal.
Nampaknya majoriti pemilik hartanah
Penampang tidak mengetahui proses dan
hasrat Majlis Daerah dan Jabatan Kerajaan
Tempatan Kerajaan Negeri untuk mewujud-
kan levi hartanah baharu ini.
Pemilik hartanah kini berada dalam
kedudukan di mana mereka perlu
melakukan pertikaian dengan orang yang
sepatutnya mewakili mereka.
KEADAAN pikap itu selepas kemalangan.
harianekspres
tidak menjadi masalah.”
Kedua-dua masyarakat menghormati
antara satu sama lain dan tidak pernah
bergaduh mengenai perkara ini kerana
mereka boleh berkomunikasi dengan
selesa dan mudah.
“Komuniti Kadazan dan Dusun telah
wujud bersama sejak dahulu lagi. Di
daerah saya Putatan misalnya terdapat
banyak perkahwinan campur antara
kedua-dua masyarakat. Dalam hal ini, saya
menyokong penuh dasar perpaduan
dalam kepelbagaian Perdana Menteri
Penduduk
kita,” kata Benedict.
rumah pangsa
Tg Aru perlu
penempatan
baharu: Junz
KOTA KINABALU: Naib Presiden Warisan
Datuk Junz Wong menggesa kerajaan
negeri mengutamakan semua penduduk
rumah pangsa kos rendah Tanjung Aru
untuk mendapatkan penempatan baharu.
“Saya memohon kerajaan GRS khusus-
nya Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sabah dan
Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Shahelmey
Yahya memberi keutamaan kepada pen-
duduk rumah pangsa kos rendah Tanjung
Aru berhubung isu penempatan kerana
masalah ini sudah berlarutan sejak dua
tahun lalu dan penduduk mendapat
tekanan daripada LPPB untuk keluar
secepat mungkin.”
“Datuk Shahelmey menyebut kerajaan
menghadapi kesukaran untuk
memindahkan semua penduduk rumah
pangsa kos rendah Tanjung Aru ke
Kibabaig dan Tuaran berikutan jumlah
penghuni yang ramai iaitu sekitar 300
keluarga.
“Kerajaan hanya menempatkan pen-
duduk seperti OKU, warga emas, dan
golongan kurang berkemampuan. Sebe-
narnya bukan 300 keluarga tetapi tidak
sampai 150 keluarga,” katanya.
“Datuk Shahelmey dan LPPB sentiasa
menggunakan alasan yang sama bahawa
rumah pangsa kos rendah Tanjung Aru
berada dalam keadaan rosak dan tidak
selamat untuk diduduki sehingga
memaksa penduduk keluar. Namun, tidak
begitu; Ikram tidak menyatakan bangu-
nan itu tidak selamat tetapi hanya memer-
lukan penyelenggaraan, dan LPPB tidak
mengambil tindakan sejak 10 tahun lalu,
dengan mendakwa kekurangan dana. Aki-
batnya, bangunan itu menjadi lebih
usang,” tambahnya.
Wong yang juga Adun Tanjung Aru
berkata, penduduk rumah pangsa kos ren-
dah Tanjung Aru kekal teguh untuk ting-
gal di situ sehingga kerajaan menyediakan
penempatan alternatif.
“Penduduk ingin tahu keikhlasan kera-
jaan membantu mereka dalam isu ini.
Sekiranya kerajaan benar-benar prihatin,
mereka harus berjumpa dengan pen-
duduk rumah pangsa kos rendah Tanjung
Aru sekali gus sebagai tanda empati ter-
hadap mereka,” katanya lagi.
harianekspres
ANDI ketika melakukan gimik perasmian karnival
di Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Tawau, Sabtu.
Dua lagi
IKS Mart akan
dibuka di Sabah
Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: Dua lagi Pusat Produk Industri
Kecil dan Sederhana (IKS) atau IKS Mart
akan dibuka di Sabah pada tahun ini iaitu
Tawau dan Lahad Datu, kata Pembantu
Menteri Pembangunan Perindustrian dan
Keusahawanan, Datuk Andi Muhammad
Suryady Bandy.
Ketika ini, katanya, terdapat lapan IKS
Mart yang menjadi pusat bagi usahawan
perusahaan mikro, kecil dan sederhana
(PKMS) menempatkan produk-produk
keluaran mereka di negeri ini iaitu Wisma
Tun Fuad Stephens, Beaufort, Ranau,
Papar, Kota Marudu, Pasaraya Oceanus
dan Tuaran.
Menurutnya, pembukaan IKS Mart
tersebut bakal membuka peluang kepada
usahawan PKMS di Tawau dan Lahad Datu
untuk mengumpul, mempamer, mempro-
mosi dan menjual produk keluaran usa-
hawan tempatan dari seluruh daerah,
sekaligus meningkatkan hasil jualan.
Andi yang juga Ahli Parlimen Kal-
abakan dan Adun Tanjung Batu berkata
demikian kepada media selepas meras-
mikan Karnival Usahawan PKMS Sabah
Zon Tawau di Dataran Majlis Perbandaran
Kilang ais
Tawau, di sini, Sabtu.
Dalam pada itu, beliau berkata
perlu
dapatkan
lesen KKM
PUTRAJAYA: Semua kilang ais yang
beroperasi atau menyediakan ais bagi
tujuan perniagaan, perlu mendapatkan
pelesenan Kementerian Kesihatan
(KKM), berdasarkan peruntukan di
bawah Peraturan 394A (4) Peraturan-Per-
aturan Makanan 1985.
Pengarah Kanan Keselamatan Dan
Kualiti Makanan (BKKM) KKM Norrani
Eksan dalam satu kenyataan hari ini
berkata dalam syarat dan proses menda-
patkan lesen, pemeriksaan ke atas kilang
akan dijalankan dan pensampelan air
dan ais akan dilakukan, bagi memas-
tikan sumber air yang digunakan serta
ais yang dihasilkan adalah selamat.
“Kilang ais juga wajib menjalankan
pemantauan sendiri sekurang-
kurangnya sekali setahun. Tindakan
penggantungan lesen boleh diambil,
sekiranya pihak kilang gagal untuk men-
jalankan pemantauan sendiri,” katanya.
Norrani berkata berkata KKM melalui
Bahagian Keselamatan dan Kualiti
Makanan (BKKM), mengambil maklum
isu kiub ais haram dan diragui tercemar,
seperti yang dilaporkan di media baru-
baru ini yang boleh mengundang risiko
terhadap kesihatan.
Beliau berkata sehingga 30 Jun tahun
ini, terdapat 198 kilang ais berlesen den-
gan KKM di seluruh negara.
“Pada tahun lepas 155 kilang ais
diperiksa dengan 17 kilang diambil tin-
dakan penguatkuasaan termasuk sembi-
lan yang tidak berlesen, manakala dalam
tempoh Januari hingga Jun 2023,
sebanyak 18 pemeriksaan kilang ais telah
dijalankan dan empat kilang ais telah
diambil tindakan penguatkuasaan ter-
masuk satu yang didapati tidak
berlesen,” katanya.
Noranni berkata sepanjang 2022
sehingga Jun tahun ini, 993 sampel ais
telah diambil untuk pemantauan dan 80
peratus didapati melanggar peraturan
ditetapkan.
Beliau berkata pemilik kilang ais yang
beroperasi tanpa lesen daripada KKM
boleh dikenakan tindakan pen-
guatkuasaan iaitu denda tidak melebihi
RM10,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi
dua tahun. – Bernama
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
kementeriannya juga dalam usaha untuk
membuka satu lagi taman perindustrian
di kawasan Pantai Timur Sabah sebagai
tambahan kepada yang sedia ada di negeri
ini.
“Kita akan membuka satu taman
perindustrian di kawasan antara Kota
Marudu, Kota Belud dan satu lagi di Pantai
Timur, berkemungkinan di Tawau,”
katanya.
Beliau berkata, inisiatif kerajaan itu
adalah untuk membantu memajukan lagi
industri di negeri ini dan menyediakan
fasiliti kepada pelabur untuk
meningkatkan pelaburan mereka.
Di samping itu, katanya, usahawan juga
boleh mengambil peluang daripada per-
pindahan ibu kota Indonesia ke Kaliman-
tan kelak, untuk meningkatkan ekonomi
setempat dan negeri, keseluruhannya.
Menyentuh program itu pula, Andi
berkata penganjuran karnival tersebut
bertujuan membantu usahawan PMKS
meneroka peluang pasaran baharu,
meningkatkan hasil jualan, menjalankan
padanan perniagaan bersama pasaraya
besar dan memperkenalkan produk
buatan mereka kepada penduduk di
kawasan Pantai Timur.
Karnival itu melibatkan 30 gerai pam-
eran di bawah agensi Kerajaan Negeri dan
Persekutuan dan 80 gerai jualan usa-
hawan PMKS dan peniaga.
Terdahulu, Andi menggesa usahawan
PKMS berusaha meningkatkan hasil pro-
duk usahawan untuk pasaran tempatan
dan juga luar negeri yang pastinya akan
dapat menambah peluang pekerjaan
kepada rakyat di Sabah.
Katanya, usaha tersebut adalah bagi
meningkatkan sumbangan sektor pembu-
atan yang merupakan penyumbang 7.5
peratus atau RM5.9 Bilion Keluaran Dalam
Negara Kasar (KDNK) negeri Sabah pada
2021 dengan 69 peratus daripadanya
adalah disumbangkan Industri Pempros-
Loji Rawatan Air Bersepadu Fasa 1 di Pitas siap
esan Makanan terdiri daripada usahawan
PMKS di negeri ini.
PITAS: Pembinaan Mikro Loji Rawatan Air
Bersepadu (Solar-IoT) Kg Lok Dangkaan
Fasa 1 sejak Mac lalu, siap pada Jumaat.
Pengerusi Perbadanan Baitulmal
Negeri Sabah (PBNS), Datuk Dr. Omar
Raisul As-Salam Syah Sulaiman Omar
berkata, fasa 1 melibatkan dua unit struk-
tur mikro loji iaitu dua unit kolam dan
pondok konkrit yang bakal menempatkan
unit rawatan air serta komponen panel
suria.
“Mikro Loji Rawatan Air Kg Lok Dan-
gkaan telah siap sepenuhnya bagi kerja-
kerja fasa pertama yang melibatkan
pembinaan kolam takungan air.
“Sepanjang Fasa 1, penilaian teknikal
bagi tujuan pembinaan sebuah loji mikro
rawatan air secara bersepadu telah
dijalankan.
“Penilaian ini merangkumi penilaian
geologi dan sekitaran, penilaian hidrologi
Masyarakat disaran tidak gentar salur maklumat kepada polis
dan sumber air, penilaian kualiti dan cara
rawatan air, dan penilaian kejuruteraan
Winnie Kasmir
SANDAKAN: Masyarakat disaran untuk
terus menyalurkan maklumat mengenai
sebarang jenayah tanpa rasa ragu kepada
pasukan keselamatan.
Pesuruhjaya Polis Sabah, CP Datuk
Jauteh Dikun berkata walaupun masyarakat
memberi kerjasama erat dengan pasukan
keselamatan namun masih terdapat
segelintir masyarakat yang masih ragu dan
tidak tahu untuk menyalurkan maklumat.
Jauteh berkata antara penyebab
masyarakat tidak menyalurkan maklumat
adalah kerana mereka risau identiti pem-
beri maklumat akan terdedah.
Berucap pada Program Kepolisan Komu-
niti (Community Policing) di Kampung
Tinusa 2 pada Sabtu, Jauteh memberi jami-
Tempatan 3
KKR naik taraf infrastruktur keselamatan jalan raya
KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Kerja Raya
(KKR) akan melaksanakan program
menaik taraf infrastruktur keselamatan
jalan raya di seluruh negara dengan siling
peruntukan berjumlah RM241.5 juta.
KKR dalan kenyataan hari ini memak-
lumkan infrastruktur jalan raya yang sem-
purna menjadi tanggungjawab utama
kementerian dan isu keselamatan jalan
raya khususnya di Jalan Persekutuan selu-
ruh negara adalah diberikan perhatian
utama.
“Program tersebut yang telah diluluskan
pada Rolling Plan 2, Rancangan Malaysia
ke-11 (RMK11) diteruskan pelaksanaannya
dalam RMK12 dengan empat skop utama
iaitu rawatan di lokasi kerap berlaku
kemalangan (blackspot), 264 lokasi telah
dilaksanakan dengan peruntukan RM76.3
juta, pembinaan jejantas pejalan kaki den-
gan 18 jejantas telah siap dibina mem-
babitkan peruntukan RM56.6 juta dan
enam lagi sedang dalam pembinaan.
332 pegawai
“Selain itu, pembinaan Lintasan Pejalan
Kaki Searas Berlampu Isyarat (LPKSI), 114
perubatan mohon
tukar penempatan
diluluskan
KOTA BHARU: Kementerian Kesihatan
(KKM) telah meluluskan rayuan permo-
honan penempatan 332 pegawai peru-
batan di seluruh negara dan perlu
melapor diri pada 31 Julai ini.
Menterinya, Dr Zaliha Mustafa berkata
antara rayuan yang dipertimbangkan
adalah kerana pegawai sedang mengikuti
pengajian kepakaran, menghadapi
masalah keluarga yang serius dan anca-
man keselamatan.
“Rayuan ini diluluskan pada 27 Jun dan
24 Julai lepas setelah menerima sebanyak
1,843 rayuan daripada 4,155 pegawai peru-
batan yang telah ditawarkan ke jawatan
tetap.
“Urusan penempatan pada kali ini
dibuat menerusi sistem dan memerlukan
pegawai memilih penempatan kerana
jurang antara jumlah pegawai kontrak
dan perjawatan tetap yang tinggi di
beberapa negeri selain memberi peluang
yang sama rata kepada pegawai untuk
memilih penempatan,” katanya pada
sidang media khas di sini, Sabtu.
Mengulas lanjut, Dr Zaliha berkata
KKM telah menyediakan saluran untuk
pegawai merayu menerusi e-mel, google
form, rayuan bersemuka, malah tiga talian
telefon yang khusus bagi membolehkan
pegawai menghubungi Bahagian Sumber
Manusia.
“Dalam urusan rayuan pula,
Jawatankuasa Rayuan yang bersidang
telah menimbang kesemua rayuan
pegawai. Namun, tidak semua rayuan
dapat diluluskan ekoran tiada
kekosongan jawatan di negeri yang dimo-
hon dan pertimbangan diberi kepada
rayuan yang lebih memerlukan.
“Rayuan yang dipertimbangkan juga
menyebabkan pegawai perlu ditawarkan
ke mana-mana negeri di Semenanjung
yang berdekatan (kebanyakannya bukan
mengikut rayuan) seperti Johor, Pahang
dan Kedah berikutan tiada kekosongan
jawatan di Kuala Lumpur, Selangor,
Negeri Sembilan dan Melaka,” katanya. –
Bernama
dan cadangan struktur mikro loji.
“Dua unit struktur bagi mikro loji juga
telah berjaya disiapkan iaitu dua kolam
sebagai sumber utama air dan sebuah
pondok konkrit yang akan menempatkan
unit rawatan air dan komponen bekalan
tenaga elektrik menggunakan suria,”
ujarnya.
Mengulas mengenai baki tiga fasa lagi,
Omar Raisul memaklumkan projek terse-
but dijadualkan siap dan mula beroperasi
menjelang Oktober tahun depan.
“Projek ini bakal menghasilkan pen-
geluaran 30,000 liter air sehari dan akan
memberi manfaat kepada penduduk sek-
itar,” jelas beliau.
Menurutnya, projek bernilai RM289,714
itu merupakan kerjasama pihaknya den-
gan Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
melalui saluran dana Agensi Pelaksanaan
Ekonomi dan Koordinasai Strategik
Nasional (Laksana) dan Yayasan Nur
Jauhar (YNJ).
nan bahawa identiti pemberi maklumat
kekal sulit dan tidak didedahkan bagi
memastikan keselamatan pemberi mak-
lumat tersebut.
“Melalui program Kepolisan Komuniti
ini, kita memberi kesedaran kepada
masyarakat tentang kepentingan pencega-
han jenayah dan peranan masyarakat di
dalam pencegahan jenayah ini.
“Kita mendekati rakyat dan memberikan
penjelasan kepada mereka sekaligus mem-
beri jaminan bahawa identiti pemberi mak-
lumat ini akan disembunyikan,” jelasnya.
Program tersebut turut dihadiri oleh
Ketua Jabatan Pencegahan Jenayah dan
Keselamatan Komuniti (KJPJKK) Sabah, SAC
Mohd Azhar Hamin, Ketua Polis Daerah
Sandakan, ACP Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek
lokasi telah dilaksanakan dengan perun-
tukan RM27.4 juta, dan pemasangan lampu
jalan di kawasan kemalangan atau berisiko
kemalangan dengan 148 lokasi telah dilak-
sanakan dengan peruntukan RM15 juta,”
menurut kenyataan itu.
Sementara itu, KKR menerusi Lembaga
Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan
Malaysia (CIDB) menyediakan peluang lati-
han kemahiran di Akademi Binaan
Malaysia kepada kakitangan binaan dan
belia tempatan di dalam bidang kemahiran
berimpak tinggi, di samping menyediakan
latihan di dalam Building Information
Modelling (BIM), selaras dengan usaha
pendigitalan industri pembinaan.
KKR turut menggandakan pelbagai inisi-
atif mengimbangi pertumbuhan dengan
konsolidasi fiskal yang mempunyai impak
secara langsung kepada rakyat, penggiat
industri pembinaan dan pembangunan
sektor pembinaan itu sendiri dalam menca-
pai hasrat dan kejayaan Ekonomi Madani.
Katanya, KKR akan terus melaksanakan
APMM tahan bot langgar syarat lesen
Dasar Pembinaan Negara 2030 dan Pelan
Azmie Lim
LAHAD DATU: Agensi Penguatkuasaan
Maritim Malaysia (APMM) menahan
sebuah bot yang disyaki melanggar
syarat lesen menangkap ikan pada
Jumaat.
Pengarah Zon Maritim Lahad Datu
Komander Maritim Nik Mohd Rizam Nik
Mohd Fauzi berkata, bot peronda APMM
mengesan sebuah bot menangkap ikan
di sekitar 0.6 batu nautika utara Kunak
Tiga, kira-kira jam 4.20 petang.
Katanya, selepas diperiksa, juragan
mengeluarkan lesen bot dan dokumen
pengenalan diri yang sah serta dokumen
anak kapalnya.
“Juragan bot tempatan bersama anak
kapalnya berusia 29 dan 57 tahun dita-
han dan bot berkenaan dibawa ke jeti
Perikanan Lahad Datu sebelum diser-
ahkan kepada pegawai penyiasat untuk
siasatan lanjut.
“Kes akan disiasat di bawah Akta
Perikanan 1985 kerana melakukan
kesalahan dengan melakukan aktiviti
menangkap ikan dalam jarak kurang 1.5
Program tingkat kesedaran
batu nautika dari daratan,” katanya.
penghuni taman perumahan
Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Pembantu Menteri Kerajaan
Tempatan dan Perumahan, Datuk Isnin
Aliasnih menyifatkan Program Pemban-
gunan Komuniti di taman-taman peruma-
han dapat meningkatkan kesedaran
penghuninya tentang kepentingan men-
jaga kebersihan, keceriaan dan kesihatan
di situ.
Katanya, usaha ini juga dapat menyun-
tik semangat gaya hidup sihat dan cin-
takan alam sekitar dalam kalangan
penghuni, yang perlu dipupuk sejak awal
lagi.
“Program seumpama ini juga dapat
melahirkan masyarakat yang prihatin,
bertanggungjawab, saling bantu mem-
bantu demi menjaga kebersihan setempat
yang akan mewujudkan persekitaran yang
sihat dan selamat,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian kepada media
selepas melancarkan Pembinaan Mikro
Loji Rawatan Air Bersepadu (Solar-IoT) Kg
Lok Dangkaan, Pitas di Kg. Lok Dangkaan
Pitas.
Acara tersebut bersempena dengan
Kembara Rahmah 2023 yang disertai rom-
bongan Agensi Laksana, Fakulti Sains dan
Sumber Alam, UMS dan Pejabat Daerah
Pitas.
Pada majlis berkenan, Omar Raisul
turut menyampaikan bantuan kewangan
kepada 54 Ketua Isi Keluarga (KIR) di kam-
pung terbabit.
Antara yang hadir, Pegawai Kemajuan
Masyarakat Pitas Ariffin Matasin mewakili
Adun Pitas, Penolong Pegawai Daerah
(Pembangunan) Johari Abdullah, Ketua
Pegawai Strategi Agensi Laksana Sharifah
Khairiyah Syed Abdul Hamid, Pensyarah
Kanan UMS Dr Zul Hilmey Makmud dan
Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Daerah
Abdul Rahman Jayari.
dan ketua-ketua jabatan yang lain.
Program Kepolisan Komuniti tersebut
turut dimeriahkan dengan pelbagai pam-
eran dari agensi kerajaan seperti Polis
Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) Jabatan Penjara
Sandakan, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat
Sandakan, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia,
Jabatan Perikanan, Sabah Electricity Sdn
Bhd (SESB), Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara
dan aktiviti derma darah.
Dalam pada itu, Jauteh juga berharap
program Kepolisan Komuniti dapat
dihadiri oleh golongan belia kerana statis-
tik kadar jenayah di negeri Sabah menun-
jukkan 70 peratus kes jenayah melibatkan
golongan berumur lingkungan 15 tahun
hingga 45 tahun.
Justeru, pelbagai aktiviti dan pameran
Pembangunan Rangkaian Jalanraya 2030
(HNDP) bagi merancakkan ekonomi dan
meningkatkan kesejahteraan rakyat.
Dalam pada itu, KKR menyasarkan
sebanyak 270 Surat Setuju Terima (SST)
dikeluarkan sehingga akhir tahun ini seba-
gai strategi merancakkan semula sektor
pembinaan serta 196 rantaian bekalan
(subsektor) di bawahnya.
“Antara strategi yang telah dilaksanakan
adalah dengan mempercepatkan pengelu-
aran SST kepada syarikat-syarikat yang ter-
pilih dalam proses perolehan kerajaan.
“Menerusi penyerahan SST ini, secara
tidak langsung dapat membantu dari
sudut ekonomi golongan kontraktor dari-
pada pelbagai kelas termasuk kontraktor
kecil G1 hingga G4,” menurut kenyataan.
Katanya, projek pembangunan yang
dilaksanakan adalah selaras dengan misi
utama dan objektif kerajaan dalam mem-
promosikan keseimbangan di antara
wilayah dan merentangi ekonomi yang
seimbang di antara bandar dan luar ban-
dar. – Bernama
BOT yang ditahan kerana
melanggar syarat lesen.
Sambil berkata Zon Maritim Lahad
Datu akan meningkatkan rondaan dan
penguatkuasaan dari semasa ke semasa,
Nik Mohd Rizam menambah usaha itu
bagi mengelak pencerobohan bot
nelayan asing ke perairan Sabah.
Beliau berkata demikian semasa beru-
cap merasmikan Program Pembangunan
Komuniti bagi Penghuni Taman Anggerik
di sini.
Selain itu, beliau berkata, program ini
juga dapat membantu mengeratkan lagi
hubungan antara penghuni dengan
Kementerian Kerajaan Tempatan dan
Perumahan serta Majlis Daerah.
Pada masa yang sama, program ini juga
memberi impak positif kepada penghuni
yang sentiasa mengamalkan gaya hidup
sihat, dengan keadaan tanpa sampah,
rumput panjang dan pembiakan nyamuk
aedes, selain mendorong untuk lebih
menghargai keindahan serta kepentingan
memelihara alam sekitar.
Katanya, program anjuran Kementeri-
annya dan Majlis Daerah itu adalah antara
yang pertama diadakan di negeri ini den-
gan tujuan agar penghuni sentiasa mem-
berikan keutamaan tentang kebersihan,
keceriaan, penjagaan kesihatan dan kese-
lamatan di tempat mereka.
“Program ini menggalakkan penghuni
bekerjasama untuk memelihara dan men-
jaga kebersihan selain mengawal masalah
gejala tidak baik dan pembiakan nyamuk
aedes.”
Isnin juga menggalakkan penghuni
taman ini agar dapat mengadakan aktiviti
senamrobik setiap minggu agar dapat
mengekalkan kesihatan diri sepanjang
hayat.
Beliau berkata, memandangkan pro-
gram ini mendapat sambutan baik,
kementeriannya akan menganjurkan pro-
gram ini di seluruh Sabah.
Hadir sama pada program itu Pegawai
Eksekutif Majlis Daerah, Mohd Fawzi
Abdul Kadir.
Pada program itu, turut diadakan sesi
ceramah oleh Majlis Daerah, Jabatan Kesi-
hatan dan Pusat Zakat Majlis Ugama Islam
Sabah, senamrobik, mini pameran oleh
beberapa agensi, penanaman pokok
selain pemeriksaan kesihatan oleh Jabatan
Kesihatan.
yang diadakan semasa program Kepolisan
Komuniti ini dapat memberi manfaat
kepada golongan belia yang menjadi
penyumbang terbesar sebagai pelaku
jenayah dari segi kekerasan, harta benda
dan narkotik, katanya.
Dalam perkembangan lain, Jauteh
menyambut baik peruntukan RM150 juta
yang telah diumumkan oleh Perdana
Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, bagi
tujuan penyelenggaraan dan naik taraf
infrastruktur milik PDRM dan Jabatan Pen-
jara di seluruh negara, baru-baru ini.
Jelasnya, Sabah turut menerima manfaat
dari peruntukan tersebut dan akan digu-
nakan sebaiknya bagi membaikpulih dan
menyelenggara kuarters PDRM di seluruh
Sabah.

4 Dunia
LAUTAN Atlantik Utara mencatat rekod suhu tertinggi,
minggu ini, menurut data awal NOAA. – Foto AFP
Lautan Atlantik
Utara catat rekod
suhu tertinggi: Data
WASHINGTON: Lautan Atlantik Utara
mencatat rekod suhu tertinggi, minggu
ini, menurut data awal dikeluarkan Pen-
tadbiran Atmosfera dan Lautan
Kebangsaan (NOAA) Amerika Syarikat
(AS), Jumaat.
Perkembangan itu menyusul selepas
saintis mengesahkan Julai sebagai bulan
paling panas dalam sejarah rekod, dengan
cuaca panas terik yang diburukkan lagi
dengan pemanasan global sehingga men-
jejaskan puluhan ribu penduduk dunia.
“Berdasarkan analisis kami, purata suhu
tertinggi permukaan laut di Lautan
Atlantik Utara adalah 24.9 darjah Celsius
yang dikesan pada Rabu,” kata saintis di
Pusat Maklumat Alam Sekitar Kebangsaan
NOAA, Xungang Yin, kepada AFP.
Lebih mengejutkan, rekod tertinggi itu
dicatat beberapa minggu lebih awal
berbanding lazimnya Atlantik Utara men-
Al-Quran dibakar: Dunia Islam bakal ambil tindakan, pendirian bersama
capai kemuncak suhu pada awal Septem-
ber.
ISTANBUL: Negara-negara Islam akan
memberi respons kolektif selepas
mesyuarat tergempar Menteri-menteri
Luar Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC)
pada minggu depan, terhadap insiden
penunjuk perasaan membakar kitab suci
Indonesia
komited
bangunkan
industri kimia,
tenaga: Jokowi
JAKARTA: Indonesia komited untuk mem-
bangunkan industri kimia dan tenaga, kata
Presiden Joko Widodo semasa pertemuan
dengan ahli perniagaan China di Chengdu,
China, pada Jumaat, lapor agensi berita
Antara.
“Indonesia komited untuk memban-
gunkan industri kimia dan tenaga di negara
ini, khususnya di Kalimantan Utara,”
katanya.
Widodo menekankan kepentingan per-
aturan kerajaan dalam dasar industri negara
untuk menyokong ekonomi hijau yang dis-
asarkan.
“(Peraturan) mengandungi sasaran,
penggunaan, penyediaan, dan pengedaran
bahan kimia berasaskan minyak, gas dan
arang batu,” katanya.
Beliau seterusnya berkata, ahli pernia-
gaan yang menghadiri mesyuarat itu
Usaha menyelamat pelombong terperangkap diteruskan
diharap dapat memainkan peranan dalam
JAKARTA: Agensi penyelamat Indonesia,
Basarnas telah menghantar sepasukan
10 pakar ke Jawa Tengah susulan insi-
den lapan pelombong emas ter-
perangkap sedalam 60 meter di
lombong haram di Pancurendang,
Banyumas sejak Rabu.
Ketua Basarnas Daerah Cilacap, Adah
Sudarsa berkata, masyarakat setempat
dan anggota keluarga turut giat mem-
bantu menjelang hari keempat misi
mencari dan menyelamat.
“Kami berharap keseluruhan proses
pemindahan berjalan lancar,” kata
Sudarsa dalam satu kenyataan.
Operasi mencari dan menyelamat
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
Yin berkata, suhu tertinggi sebelum ini
direkodkan pada September 2022 yang
mencecah paras 24.89 darjah Celsius.
NOAA yang menjejaki suhu lautan sejak
awal 1980-an, memerlukan masa kira-kira
dua minggu untuk mengesahkan dapatan
awal terbabit.
Isnin lalu, penyelidik Sepanyol memak-
lumkan suhu di Lautan Mediterranean
juga mencatat rekod tertinggi mencecah
28.71 darjah Celsius, ketika gelombang
haba luar biasa melanda Eropah.
Menjelaskan lanjut, Yin berkata, suhu
permukaan laut di Atlantik Utara dijangka
meningkat secara berterusan sepanjang
Ogos ini, malah rekod baharu suhu itu
berkemungkinan besar akan dipecahkan
lagi.
“Rekod baharu suhu tertinggi 24.9 dar-
jah Celsius itu adalah satu darjah Celsius
lebih panas daripada klimatologi normal
selama 30 tahun yang dikira dari 1982
hingga 2011,” katanya. – AFP
al-Quran di Eropah, baru-baru ini, kata
Menteri Luar Turkiye, Hakan Fidan, Jumaat.
Mesyuarat tergempar itu dijadualkan
berlangsung pada 31 Julai ini untuk mem-
bincangkan situasi berkait tindakan
menghina al-Quran di Sweden dan Den-
pembangunan industri kimia di Indonesia.
“Indonesia menyasarkan untuk menjadi
pengeluar petrokimia terbesar di Asia,”
katanya.
Beliau turut merakamkan penghargaan
kepada pemimpin perniagaan yang
melabur dalam pembangunan beberapa
kawasan perindustrian di Indonesia, terma-
suk pembinaan kilang penapisan
petrokimia di Kalimantan.
Dalam pertemuan itu, Presiden Widodo
diiringi beberapa menteri termasuk Menteri
Koordinator Pembangunan Manusia dan
Hal Ehwal Kebudayaan Muhadjir Effendy;
Menteri Penyelaras Maritim dan Hal Ehwal
Pelaburan Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; dan
Menteri Luar Negeri Retno Marsudi.
Menteri Pelaburan Bahlil Lahadalia, dan
Duta Besar Indonesia ke ChinaDjauhari
Oratmanguna turut menyertai mesyuarat
itu. – Bernama-Antara
melibatkan lebih 220 anggota Basarnas,
polis dan tentera telah dikerah di Pan-
curendang.
Objektif utama pasukan penyelamat
adalah untuk mengepam air Objektif
utama pasukan penyelamat adalah
untuk mengeluarkan air di dalam
lubang perlombongan sedalam 60
meter dan lima pintu masuk air
berdekatan. Untuk mencapai matlamat
ini, mereka menggunakan 13 mesin
pam.
Lapan pelombong itu dilaporkan ter-
perangkap sejak Rabu 7 pagi waktu
Indonesia Barat, apabila air membanjiri
kawasan itu.
3 maut ditembak
di Augsburg
BERLIN: Tiga mati ditembak di sebuah
bangunan pangsapuri di Augsburg, sela-
tan Jerman, lapor Agensi Berita Jerman
dpa.
Dua lagi mangsa cedera parah dalam
serangan itu, menurut polis.
Suspek berusia 64 tahun itu ditahan
tidak lama kemudian di perkampungan
Langweid Bavaria, menurut polis di utara
Swabia.
Suspek didakwa membunuh dua
wanita dan seorang lelaki sekitar jam 7:15
malam (1715 GMT) menggunakan senjata
api di sebuah rumah bertingkat di Schu-
bertstrasse.
Mangsa yang maut ialah dua wanita
berusia 49 dan 72 tahun serta lelaki beru-
sia 52 tahun.
Dia kemudian menceroboh rumah
berhampiran dan mencederakan seorang
wanita berusia 32 tahun dan seorang lelaki
berusia 44 tahun menggunakan senjata
api, katanya.
Kedua-duanya kini dirawat di hospital.
4 maut, 13 cedera
– Bernama-dpa
terkena renjatan
semasa perarakan
keagamaan di India
NEW DELHI: Sekurang-kurangnya empat
orang terbunuh manakala lebih 13 lagi
cedera akibat terkena renjatan elektrik
semasa perarakan keagamaan di Jhark-
hand, timur India pada Sabtu, lapor Xin-
hua.
Insiden berlaku di perkampungan
Khetko di daerah Bokaro, iaitu kira-kira
100 kilometer timur laut Ranchi, Jhark-
hand.
Beberapa orang yang membawa ben-
dera, terkena renjatan elektrik apabila
wayar bervoltan 11,000 terkena paip besi
bendera berkenaan hingga mengaki-
batkan letupan. – Bernama-Xinhua
mark, lapor Sputnik yang memetik
Kementerian Luar Iran pada Rabu.
“Pada mesyuarat itu nanti, OIC akan
menyuarakan bantahan terhadap perbu-
atan mencemarkan al-Quran.
“Saya pasti beberapa keputusan akan
Indonesia tumpu tiga perkara sebagai pengerusi Mikta
JAKARTA: Ketua Pengarah bagi Kerjasama
Pelbagai Hala di Kementerian Luar Negeri
Indonesia, Tri Tharyat, menyatakan bahawa
Indonesia sedang memberi tumpuan ter-
hadap tiga keutamaan semasa menjadi
pengerusi Mikta tahun ini, lapor Agensi
Berita Antara.
“Di tengah-tengah krisis pelbagai
dimensi yang tiada tandingan, kepemimp-
inan kami memberi tumpuan terhadap tiga
keutamaan,” katanya semasa perbicangan
dalam talian yang dianjurkan oleh Foreign
Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), pada
Jumaat.
Mikta adalah sekumpulan negara kuasa
Akhmad Munir
pertengahan yang terdiri daripada Mexico,
dilantik ketua
baharu Antara
JAKARTA: Pemangku pengarah utama Agensi
Berita Indonesia, LKBN Antara, Akhmad Munir
dilantik jawatan itu berkuat kuasa Jumaat,
menurut setiausaha korporat Antara, Azhari.
Akhmad, 52, akan menggantikan Meidy-
atama Suryodiningrat, yang meletak jawatan
pada bulan lalu bagi menjawat jawatan Duta
Besar ke Romania dan juga ke Moldova.
Sementara itu, Irfan Junaidi, menggantikan
Akhmad sebagai ketua pengarang, dan bekas
pengerusi Forum Ketua Pengarang Indonesia,
Kemal Effendi Gani sebagai pengerusi lembaga
penyelia menggantikan Widodo Muktiyo.
Agensi berita itu mengucapkan terima
kasih kepada Widodo dan Meidyatama atas
sumbangan mereka untuk organisasi itu
selama bertahun-tahun, kata Azhari dalam
satu kenyataan sambil menambah Antara
bersedia untuk bekerjasama dengan Irfan dan
Kemal Effendi. – Bernama
Sementara itu, Polis Banyumas sudah
menahan tiga individu berhubung keja-
dian itu dan kini sedang menjejaki seo-
rang lagi suspek.
Kesemua suspek adalah penduduk
Ajibarang dan berdepan pertuduhan
melanggar Undang-undang No. 3
Tahun 2020 tentang Pindaan Undang-
Undang No. 4 Tahun 2009 Pertamban-
gan Mineral dan Perlombongan.
Ketiga-tiga suspek yang dikenal pasti
sebagai pemilik tanah, pemilik tapak,
pelabur dan pengendali lombong
didakwa bertanggungjawab terhadap
aktiviti melombong emas secara haram
di kawasan itu. – Bernama
Trump ikrar tidak akan undur
dalam saingan ke Rumah Putih
WASHINGTON: Bekas Presiden Amerika
Syarikat (AS), Donald Trump, pada Jumaat
berikrar sekiranya disabitkan kesalahan
serta dijatuhi hukuman atas mana-mana
pertuduhan jenayah yang sedang
dihadapi, beliau tetap tidak akan berun-
dur sebagai calon dalam saingan ke
Rumah Putih nanti.
Trump berkata demikian ketika
menyentuh isu pelbagai dakwaan
dihadapinya, sehari selepas Pendakwa
Raya menambah pertuduhan terhadap
beliau berkait pengendalian dokumen
sulit kerajaan.
Ketika ditanya oleh hos radio, John
Fredericks sama ada keputusan
mahkamah - jika menjatuhkan hukuman
ke atas beliau - akan menghentikan kem-
pennya untuk pilihan raya tahun depan,
Trump pantas menjawab: “Tidak sama
sekali. Tiada sebarang peruntukan dalam
Perlembagaan yang menyatakan ia boleh.”
“Ia tidak akan menjadi halangan
kepada saya. Apa yang mereka lakukan
adalah benar-benar teruk,” katanya.
Trump, 77, kali pertama didakwa dalam
kes dokumen sulit itu pada bulan lalu, den-
gan dituduh membahayakan keselamatan
negara berikutan menyimpan maklumat
rahsia berhubung nuklear serta perta-
hanan, selepas meninggalkan Rumah Putih.
Khamis lalu, bekas Presiden itu berde-
Lelaki bunuh ibu, sembunyi anggota
pan pertuduhan baharu - tambahan
badan dalam peti sejuk, tong sampah
BRUSSELS: Seorang lelaki di Belgium men-
gaku membunuh ibunya dan menyem-
bunyikan anggota badan mangsa di
dalam sebuah peti sejuk yang kemudian
ditemui dalam sebuah terusan di timur
negara ini, menurut pendakwa raya,
Jumaat.
Peti sejuk dengan isi mengerikan itu –
dua tangan serta dua kaki – ditemui pada
Selasa lalu dalam keadaan terapung di
terusan pinggir bandar Liege.
Susulan itu, pihak berkuasa melancar-
dibuat. Untuk pertama kalinya, dunia
Islam akan mengambil tindakan dan
menyatakan pendirian bersama,” kata
Fidan pada sidang akhbar bersama rakan
sejawat dari Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, di
Budapest. – Bernama-Sputnik
Indonesia, Korea Selatan, Turkiye, dan Aus-
tralia.
Tharyat berkata beliau percaya bahawa
dalam situasi persaingan global antara
kuasa besar, kuasa pertengahan seperti
Mikta memainkan peranan penting dalam
memastikan keamanan dan kestabilan.
Indonesia percaya bahawa multilateral-
isme adalah cara terbaik untuk memastikan
semua negara berada pada tahap yang
sama. Keutamaan seterusnya adalah usaha
untuk mencapai pemulihan yang inklusif.
Matlamat pembangunan mampan (SDG)
tetap menjadi agenda Mikta, disokong oleh
dialog inklusif dengan rakan kongsi luar.
Sementara itu, keutamaan ketiga adalah
KPK akui langgar kod prosedur
jenayah ketika tahan Ketua Basarnas
JAKARTA: Suruhanjaya Pembasmian Rasuah
(KPK) pada Jumaat mengaku bahawa penyi-
asatnya melanggar kod prosedur jenayah
apabila menahan Ketua Badan Mencari dan
Menyelamat Nasional (Basarnas) Henri
Alfiandi dan orang bawahannya – kedua-
duanya adalah pegawai tentera aktif.
Lapor portal Jakarta Globe, Timbalan
Pengerusi KPK Johanis Tanak memohon
maaf kepada Tentera Indonesia (TNI) atas
kejadian itu, walaupun siasatan jenayah ter-
hadap dua pegawai dan tiga suspek lain
akan diteruskan.
Naib Marsyal Udara Henri Alfiandi dita-
han awal minggu ini kerana didakwa
menerima wang rasuah Rp88 bilion
(RM26.8 juta) semasa berkhidmat di Basar-
nas bermula pada 2021. Penyelaras Pentad-
biran Basarnas Afri Budi Cahyanto ditahan
di tempat kejadian selepas didakwa mener-
ima wang tunai Rp1 bilion daripada seo-
rang ahli perniagaan semasa transaksi di
dalam kompleks markas tentera di Jakarta
Timur.
“Terdapat kesilapan dalam pasukan
kami yang melakukan penangkapan, dan
dengan itu kami memohon maaf kepada
rakan-rakan kami di TNI dan akan disam-
harianekspres
kepada pelbagai dakwaan sedia ada yang
dihadapinya. Beliau dituduh cuba meng-
halang siasatan kes salah kendali doku-
men sulit utama, dengan berkomplot
untuk memadamkan rakaman pen-
gawasan di kawasan hartanah miliknya
Mar-a-Lago di Florida.
Media sebelum ini melaporkan
mengikut pertuduhan baharu itu, Trump
didakwa berkomplot dengan defendan
bersama dalam kes berkenaan, pembantu
peribadi Waltine ‘Walt’ Nauta, serta defen-
dan baharu, pengurus hartanah Carlos de
Oliveira, untuk memadamkan rakaman
kamera keselamatan di Mar-a-Lago.
Pertuduhan baharu itu berkait per-
bualan antara de Oliveira dengan pekerja
keempat yang tidak dinamakan, di mana
de Oliveira didakwa berkata ‘bos’ mahu
peralatan pelayan berkenaan
dipadamkan.
Ia turut menambah pertuduhan
mengikut Akta Pengintipan berkait tin-
dakan Trump didakwa menyimpan doku-
men sulit membabitkan
ketenteraan di negara asing.’
‘aktiviti
Selain itu, Trump juga menghadapi
beberapa pertuduhan sedia ada, termasuk
didakwa ‘sengaja menyimpan maklumat
pertahanan negara’, konspirasi mengha-
lang keadilan, membuat kenyataan palsu
serta kesalahan lain di mana beliau men-
gaku tidak bersalah pada bulan lalu. – AFP
kan siasatan kes pembunuhan yang mem-
bawa kepada penemuan beberapa
anggota badan lain – kepala dan badan
mangsa – di dalam sebuah tong sampah
yang dibuang ke sungai berhampiran.
Tanda tatu pada badan itu membantu
usaha mengenal pasti mangsa sebagai
wanita berusia 70-an, kata jurucakap peja-
bat pendakwa raya Liege, Catherine Col-
lignon, kepada AFP.
Seterusnya, anak wanita itu yang
dilahirkan pada 1988, diberkas sebelum
subuh Khamis lalu di sebuah hotel
berhampiran Lapangan Terbang Brussels.
Collignon berkata, lelaki itu dipercayai
sedang bersiap sedia untuk menaiki
penerbangan ke Korea Selatan.
Hasil soal siasat, katanya, suspek
‘membuat pengakuan’ dan hakim siasa-
tan mengarahkan dia ditahan serta
didakwa. – AFP
transformasi digital. Usaha untuk mewu-
judkan transformasi digital dilakukan den-
gan membina norma, berkongsi amalan
terbaik, dan menjalin tindak balas dan tin-
dakan bersama yang lebih intensif.
“Ketika menghadapi cabaran ekonomi
dan keselamatan global yang belum pernah
terjadi sebelumnya, Mikta akan sentiasa
dipandu oleh nilai-nilai bersama seperti
demokrasi, menghormati peraturan antara-
bangsa, dan multilateralisme,” kata Tharyat.
Mikta menggalakkan kerjasama dan dia-
log inklusif untuk membina masa depan
bersama yang mempromosikan keamanan,
keselamatan, dan kemakmuran global,
katanya. – Bernama-Antara
JOHANIS
(tengah)
bercakap pada
sidang media
berhubung
penangkapan
Henri dan
beberapa lagi
atas dakwaan
rasuah.
paikan kepada panglima Angkatan Ten-
tera,” kata Johanis pada sidang akhbar di
pejabatnya di Jakarta.
Johanis menjelaskan sistem keadilan
Indonesia memisahkan bidang kuasa
antara mahkamah awam dan tribunal ten-
tera. Suspek penjenayah dari tentera dike-
nakan tindakan mahkamah tentera
walaupun prosiding itu mungkin meli-
batkan kerjasama dengan agensi pen-
guatkuasaan undang-undang awam.
Pada Rabu, KPK berkata, dua pegawai
Basarnas itu ditahan kerana didakwa
menerima bayaran daripada ahli pernia-
gaan yang dianugerahkan projek mem-
bekalkan alat pengesan nyawa, peralatan
menyelam keselamatan dan peralatan men-
cari dan menyelamat (SAR) lain.
Secara keseluruhan, terdapat lima sus-
pek dalam kes itu, termasuk Henri, Afri, dan
tiga ahli perniagaan daripada vendor yang
dianugerahkan. Identiti mereka
didedahkan sebagai Mulsunadi Gunawan,
ketua pesuruhjaya Multi Grafika Cipta
Sejati; Marilya, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
Intertekno Grafika Sejati; dan Roni Aidil,
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kindah Abadi
Utama. – Agensi
harianekspres
D Pelarian pertama & terakhir
IA perlu lari dari buruan dan
tangkapan sekarang. Lari
sejauhnya tanpa meninggalkan
sebarang petunjuk ke pada sesiapa
sahaja. Dia tidak akan berada lebih
lama lagi di sini sebelum tertangkap
atas kesalahan yang telah dilakukannya
sebentar tadi. Kesalahan yang
mengheretnya ke tali gantung selepas
dibuktikan bersalah melalui proses
siasatan lanjut dan perbicaraan
mahkamah. Jika duduk bertahan di
rumah ini bila-bila masa dia akan
ditangkap. Biarlah lari jadi buruan
asalkan bebas bergerak tanpa halangan.
Otaknya tengah berfikir mencari
tempat persembunyian selamat. Perkara
itu lebih mustahak dari segala-gala. Dia
juga belum pasti ke mana arah hendak
dituju dalam keadaan gelisah, takut dan
fikiran bercelaru. Dunia ini baginya terasa
kecil untuk melarikan diri. Hendak pergi
ke mana sahaja dia terasa seperti dijejaki.
Ketelanjurannya sudah menjadi masalah
besar yang terpaksa dipikulnya
berterusan.
Perbuatan itu tidak pernah terlintas
sedikit pun di fikirannya untuk berbuat
demikian. Dia sedar perasaan marah dan
cemburu tidak terbendung lalu nekad
bertindak. Tangannya sendiri sudah
bergelumang dosa yang tidak terhapus.
Dia kini seorang pembunuh yang
melenyapkan dua nyawa dengan tikaman
entah berberapa kali. Pisau tajam berkilat
dibelinya di sebuah pasaraya yang
digunakan membunuh mangsa
kemudian dibuang ke dalam tasik buat
melenyapkan bukti. Darah kedua mangsa
dibiarkannya pula membasahi selimut
dan cadar di bilik hotel budget tapi
berharap tiada sebarang petunjuk dapat
ditemui.
Semasa sedang berada di dalam rumah
sewa, dia sibuk bersiap mengemaskan
pakaian dan mengambil apa-apa yang
patut dbawa pergi. Tiada sesiapa pun
menyedarinya pulang di tengah malam
buta begini. Jiran-jiran sebelah rumahnya
sedang tidur lena bergelut mimpi. Soal
mereka dia tidak perdulikan sangat. Dia
mahu melarikan diri sejauh mungkin.
Keluar rumah membawa diri ke mana
sahaja.
Kereta Mercedes putih dipandunya laju
mengharungi kesunyian malam kelam
dingin. Malam sebegini sunyi sekali-
sekala menyeramkan bulu tengkuknya.
Dia langsung tidak melihat apa-apa
kepelikan terjadi di sepanjang perjalanan
ini. Tidak mungkin orang sudah mati
dibunuhnya bangkit menjadi hantu
bergentayangan sana-sini menganggu
SURAT PERTAMA UNTUK ANAKKU
JADILAH SEORANG YANG RENDAH
HATI1
Bauan ubat di bilik dingin
sungguh menyengat deria hidung.
Aku baring di tilam
berlapik kain putih
sambil melihat siling.
Aku seorang di dalam bilik
yang hening sambil merenung
sebatang pen dan helaian
kertas putih tersusun kemas.
Semalam aku datang dengan ambulans.
kesihatanku semakin merosot
badanku lemah
tarikan nafas singkat termengah-
mengah.
000
“Selamat pagi doktor,
maaf lambat datang ya doktor”
Wajah doktor muda bercermin mata
besar
bertudung merah jambu.
“Oh, tak apa, puan,
bagaimana keadaan sekarang?”
doktor muda yang manis itu
memberikan senyuman mekar
menghilangkan rasa gementar
dan kerunsingan fikiran.
Mengalami lemah jantung
di usia sudah lanjut
tidak mungkin memberi peluang
aku menitipkan zuriat,
penyambung waris keturunanku
di dunia ciptaan Tuhan.
“Puan tidak boleh mengandung
nyawa puan jadi taruhan“
Sembilan bulan lalu
doktor Faridah memberikan amaran
kepadaku.
Aku merenung perutku
yang semakin membesar.
“Apa khabar anakku
terus sihat di dalam ya.“
Kuwariskan senyumanku di bibirmu
kuamanahkan lirikan mata di wajahmu
lontarkan senyumanmu
menjelajah dunia memberi kebahagiaan
kepada setiap insan
kuturunkan DNA kepada anakku.
000
Kugapai sekeping kertas
dan sebatang pena berwarna biru
“Assalamulaikum anakku“
Selamat hari lahir ke sepuluh anakku
Bertemu pertama kali denganmu.
Dunia ini penuh dengan cabaran
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
orang. Dia memang tidak percaya cerita
karut dan tahyul itu sejak di usia remaja.
Cerita sebegitu sengaja direka-reka bagi
menakutkan sesiapa yang suka keluar
rumah berembun hingga tengah malam.
Perjalanan ini belum cukup jauh
buatnya meninggalkan kota dan tempat
tinggal walaupun hampir satu jam dia
duduk memandu kereta. Dia ingin pergi
sejauh yang boleh dari gangguan rasa
bersalah menuju ke tempat lain. Terutama
kawasan sunyi dan terpencil dipenuhi
hutan rimba. Kawasan jauh dari
pengelihatan mata kasar mereka yang
memburunya.
Apakah kenderaan dipandunya
bersendirian ini mampu bergerak lebih
laju meninggalkan mereka yang sedang
memburunya tidak lama lagi? Selaju
mana dia memecut namun tetap kurang
memuaskan hatinya juga. Mereka yang
mencari dan memburunya terasa
bertambah dekat serta berada di mana-
mana.
Mungkin esok atau lusa berita
pembunuhan itu bakal tersebar luas di
media cetak dan elektronik. Dia pasti
mereka berusaha mencari berberapa
petunjuk untuk mengesannya. Samada
sedar atau tidak mereka tetap menemui
hal bersangkutan simati dapat dikaitkan
dengan suspek. Pembunuhan
memerangkap dirinya bermotifkan
cemburu. Dia sedar bahaya makin rapat
ini harus dielakkannya segera.
Jam di tangannya sudah menunjukkan
pukul 12.30 malam. Hari ini Rabu minggu
ketiga bulan April tahun 1978. Malam
Rabu terpahatlah noda diingatannya yang
tidak terlupa begitu sahaja. Kekal di
ingatan bila-bila masa. Bagaikan dia baru
bermimpi melakukan pembunuhan ngeri
sebentar tadi.
Sungguh dia tidak menyangka
tergamak membunuh gara-gara rasa sakit
hati tidak terbendung melihat perbuatan
terkutuk kedua pasangan yang dibuai
keasyikan hingga lupa diri. Perasaannya
jijik melihat kedua makhluk yang cukup
menyakitkan hatinya.
Pembunuhan yang memang dia rasa
wajar lakukan biarpun menyalahi
undang-undang. Perbuatan dilakukannya
demi menebus rasa malu dan kelakian
yang tercabar. Dia tidak sesekali menyesal.
Berani buat, beranilah tanggung, fikirnya
terus memandu laju menuju ke destinasi
yang tidak dipastikan.
dan kemanisan hidup
Ibu tidak ada harta untuk kesenanganmu
hanya sepucuk surat
sebagai pedoman hidupmu.
Wahai anak lelaki atau perempuanku
ibu tidak dapat menatap wajahmu
saat lahirmu di dunia.
Tidak dapat mendengar
tangisanmu yang pertama
ketika badan berlumuran darah
keluar dari rahimku.
Maafkan ibu kerana tidak dapat
memandikanmu buat kali pertama
dan menyelimutmu dengan
lampin putih diiringi wangian.
Ibu tidak dapat mengelus pipi polosmu
maafkan ibu kerana tidak mengiringimu
hingga usia dewasamu
mengisi setiap masa usiamu.
Ibu tidak menjagamu
dari ubun-ubunmu lembut.
hingga kakimu melangkah pantas
berlarian.
wangian syurga ibu
dan tangisku ingin menghidu bauan
badanmu.
Ibu mahu membelaimu lembut
penuh kasih sayang
gelora hati ibu seperti deruan ombak
menghempas batuan
di pinggiran pantai berpasir putih.
Surat ibu yang pertama
wahai anak lelaki atau perempuanku.
jadilah seorang yang tawadhu.
Tunduk pada kebenaran
yang datang dari mana pun
semaikan jiwa pengasih
dan sikap lemah lembut tanpa
membezakan siapapun yang kau temui.
Anakku, kukuhkan sifat rendah hati1
miliki akhlak Nabi Muhammad SAW
Janganlah sekali kau sombong
setelah kau menjadi orang berpangkat.
ada kuasa dalam gengaman
ilmu tinggi mendahului masyarakat.
Rasulullah SAW,
Jadikan sifatnya kau tauladani
Rasul kita anakku
riwayatnya hanya berjalan kaki tanpa alas
“Sampai hati kau menduakan aku
selama ini,” katanya nada kesal dan
terkilan mengenangkan perbuatan
isterinya. Hancur luluh hatinya
mengetahu wanita yang ditatangnya
penuh kasih sayang tergamak berlaku
serong semasa ketiadaannya di rumah
berberapa hari ini. Dia tidak menyangka
wanita yang menjaga makan, minum dan
pakaiannya selama ini berubah hati dan
fikiran. Tindak tanduk isteri yang
menimbulkan kecurigaannya,
membongkar kecurangan itu.
Perkahwinan mereka berusia lima
tahun jelas tidak menghasilkan sebarang
sebarang zuriat mungkin menyebabkan
isterinya kesunyian lalu nekad
menjalinkan hubungan terlarang dengan
lelaki lain. Tentu ada soal lain yang dia
tidak sedari menyebabkan isterinya
menemui lelaki itu secara sulit. Puas dia
mencari punca isterinya berlaku serong,
jawaban ditemuinya tetap samar-samar.
Seribu satu macam perkara terlintas di
kepalanya memikirkan sikap isterinya
begitu menjengkelkan. Apakah perkara
ini berpunca dari kelemahannya selaku
seorang suami yang terlalu sibuk
memikirkan hal lain hingga mengabaikan
tanggungjawabnya? Perkara telah terjadi
tidak berupaya diperbetulkannya seperti
sediakala. Dia pasrah menerima takdir
yang telah berlaku ini.
Dia tidak ingin mengingati semula
detik-detik yang dilaluinya bersama bekas
isteri berberapa bulan lalu. Batinnya
cukup terseksa mengenangkan terhadap
tanpa tutup kepala.
Tidur di atas lantai hanya beralaskan kain
mesra dengan kanak-kanak
dan menyantuni mereka.
Menerima apa sahaja pemberian
janganlah kau memilih-milih anakku
Rasul kita bergaul dengan orang fakir
miskin.
Pakaiannya tidak berlebihan dan
sederhana
tanamkan tawadhu dalam hatimu
anakku
jaga peribadi, jaga hatimu anakku.
Kulipat kertas putih coretan pertama
suratku
buat anak lelaki atau perempuanku.
kumasukkan ke dalam sampul
berwarna ungu warna kegemaranku
kutulis nombor satu di atas sampulnya.
000
“Puan nampaknya kandungan
dalam keadaan yang baik,
Kesihatan dalam keadaan yang terkawal“
senyum doktor Faridah.
“Ini amat luar biasa puan
tapi penjagaan kesihatan mesti dibuat“
Sambung doktor Faridah lagi.
Usia kandunganku
sudah mencecah empat bulan
“Puan, tidak mahu mengetahui
jantina anak puan?“
“Tidak doktor, biarlah nanti
lahirnya saja diketahui“
Doktor muda yang tinggi lampai itu
hanya mendiamkan diri.
000
Selesai surat pertama buat anakku
kusimpan kemas dalam kotak kaca.
satu telah diisi
ada enam masih kosong
lima hari di wad cukup
untuk mengisi keenamnya.
Sebelum suntikan anesthesia epidural
diberikan
pada malam sebelum pembedahan.
Aku memejamkan mata merehatkan
badan
meredakan kepayahan tarikan nafas.
doaku pada Ilahi berikan masa untukku
menulis surat terakhir untuk anakku.
Haliza Matali
Kota Kinabalu
Rujukan
1. Asep Mulana. Muhammad Sang
Manusia Akhlak Terpuji. Anak Hebat
Indonesia. 2022. Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Sastera & Budaya 5
Karya
NR Rahim
apa yang sudah berlaku. Hatinya nekad
hendak pergi jauh, menyelamatkan diri.
Lima tahun kemudian.
Bosan hidup selaku orang buruan dan
pelarian yang mengharungi pelbagai
kesukaran di bumi Kalimantan, dia
mengambil keputusan pulang ke
permukiman asalnya di pinggir bandar
Api-api. Agak lama dia tidak menjejakkan
kaki ke sana sejak menghilangkan diri.
Apa hendak berlaku ke atas dirinya sudah
tidak jadi perkiraan. Dia nekad ingin
pulang menjenguk tempat yang
dirindunya bertahun-tahun. Rindu
membara tidak tertahan dan ingin
melihat tempat yang telah
ditinggalkannya sekian lama.
Kepulangan ini bakal mencetuskan
semula masalah yang disedarinya sejak
mula. Dia sendiri tidak mengerti mengapa
harus tergesa-gesa pula dalam keadaan
tidak bersedia.
Tetapi dia ingin pulang menatap
tempat kediamannya sejenak buat
melenyapkan perasaan rindu. Lima tahun
dia menghilangkan diri tiada sebarang
khabar berita. Kes pembunuhan
dilakukannya tentu sudah ditutup kerana
ketiadaan bukti jelas meyakinkan
pengawai penyiasat meneruskan siasatan
kes. Begitulah yang dia harapkan.
Bagaimanakah rupa bentuk kediaman
dua tingkat yang telah ditinggalkannya
itu? Apakah rumah tersebut kini kosong
terbiar ditumbuhi semak samun yang
tumbuh subur menjalar dan banyak
kerosakkan sana-sini? Persoalan itu
bermain difikirannya semasa dalam
perjalanan menaiki bas memuatkan 30
orang penumpang. Perjalanan jauh yang
cukup meletihkannya duduk lama dan
memakan masa selama lapan jam untuk
sampai. Hatinya berdoa semoga tiada
berlaku kejadian buruk masa tiba ke
rumah lamanya nanti.
Sekali-sekala dia dihantui perasaan
bimbang tentang kedatangannyaa akan
disedari sesiapa. Terutama mereka yang
mengenalinya. Maklumlah dia orang
sedang diburu dan dicari. Namanya tidak
akan terpadam dari senarai orang yang
dikhendaki. Bila-bila masa dia boleh
tertangkap selepas polis mendapat
maklumat yang dia berada di sini.
Kejadian lima tahun lalu masih kekal
diingatan jiran-jirannya dan tidak
mungkin mereka lupakan begitu sahaja.
Mereka tentu mengenali wajahnya yang
biarpun ditumbuhi misai dan janggut.
Semasa dia menjejakkan kaki ke bekas
tempat tinggal, bentuk rumah
dipandangnya itu tiada banyak berubah.
Tetap macam yang dulu. Perasaannya sayu
menatap rumah teres dua tingkat itu
sejenak. Rumah menyimpan banyak
kenangan hidupnya di samping bekas
isteri tersayang.
Alangkah terkejutnya dia melihat
sebuah kereta Mercedes putih yang
ditinggalkannya di tepi jalan lima tahun
lalu, berada di halaman rumah ini.
Kepalanya bingung memikirkan siapakah
meletakkan kereta itu di sini. Setahunya
kereta yang ditinggalkannya itu tentu
dialih ke tempat lain oleh pihak berkuasa
tempatan. Dia berdiri di luar
memerhatikan pintu rumah sedang
terbuka itu dan sekelilingnya penuh
kehairanan. Halaman rumah ini bersih
terjaga.
Siapakah penghuni barunya? Asyik dia
memerhatikan sana-sini, dia terpandang
seorang budak lelaki berdiri di muka
pintu. Wajah anak kecil berusia di
lingkungan 5 tahun itu dipandangnya
lama-lama. Anak siapakah ini dan mana
ibunya? Fikirnya, tertumpu ke arah budak
itu yang melihatnya dan menoleh ke
dalam rumah.
“Siapa yang datang itu nak?” laung
suara seorang wanita dari dalam.
Budak itu diam, menoleh ke belakang
lagi dan memandangnya dengan mata
tidak berkelip. Dia pula menunggu di luar
dan mahu melihat sendiri siapakah
NR RAHIM dilahirkan di Pimping,
Membakut di Kampung Tanjung Aru
Lama, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Beliau
mula berjinak dalam penulisan pada
akhir pertengahan tahun 1980an dan
telah menghasilkan hampir seratus
buah cerpen yang kebanyakannya
tersiar di akhbar tempatan, seperti di
Harian Ekpress, The New Sabah
Times dan Utusan Borneo. Selain
giat menghasilkan cerpen, puisi
merupakan karya utamanya. Kini
beliau bertugas di daerah Kudat,
Sabah sebagai pegawai awam di
bahagian pasukan keselamatan.
gerangannya wanita bersuara dari dalam
itu. Suara yang didengarnya mirip pula
suara arwah isterinya. Ah, mungkin cuma
kebetulan sahaja.
Wanita bertubuh gempal yang muncul
di pintu pada tengahari itu terperanjat
melihatnya muncul tidak diduga. Dia
tercegat berdiri melihat perubahan sana-
sini ke atas lelaki yang dirinduinya sekian
lama. Berbadan kurus tidak terurus.
“Abang!” suara wanita itu seperuh
menjerfit.
“Sumarti?” balasnya ragu-ragu samada
wanita ini memang isterinya.
“Ya, bang,” jawab Sumarti terus rapat
memeluknya bercampur esak tangis. Agak
lama dia tidak mendakap tubuh
suaminya.
“Eh, tapi bukankah kamu sudah
meninggal..” ayat itu tidak dapat
diteruskannya. Perkara sebenar yang
berlaku dibiarkannya terbenam di hati.
Dia tidak percaya wanita dibunuhnya
lima tahun lalu muncul di depan mata
seolah hidup kembali. Apakah Sumarti
bangkit mahu membalas dendam?
Mustahil! Kedua-belah kaki Sumarti
dilihatnya jejak ke tanah. Teragak-agak
dia membalas pelukan Sumarti. Dia
membiarkan dirinya dipeluk erat.
Bagaikan bermimpi dia berada di situasi
begini.
“Hiss, apa yang abang merepak ini?”
Sumarti terkejut, melepaskan dakapan.
Wajah lelaki itu dipandangnya penuh
kehairanan.
“Bukan saya yang meninggal, tapi
abang itu yang hilang masa pergi ke laut
memancing 5 tahun dulu. Kawan abang
yang seorang itu mati lemas, abang pula
tiada khabar berita hinggalah sekarang
baru timbul,” jelas Sumarti rasa jengkel.
“Entahlah, saya betul-betul bingung dan
tidak faham langsung,” ujarnya serba-
salah.
“Ah, tidak lama lagi abang akan ingat
semula itu nanti, tapi syukurlah abang
selamat dan masih hidup lagi,” kata
Sumarti nada gembira. Suami yang
ditunggunya telah pulang hasil berkat
doa yang tidak putus dipohon kepada
Tuhan siang dan malam.
Budak lelaki yang ditenungnya lama-
lama ternyata mirip wajahnya. Budak
lelaki itu ketakutan dan bersembunyi di
belakang punggung Sumari berbalut kain
batik tiba-tiba. Budak itu mengintainya
berkali-kali.
“Asrul, ini ayah kamulah,” jelas
Sumarti, memandang anaknya dan
tersenyum ke arah suaminya. Kepala
budak itu diusap-usapnya tanda sayang
tidak berbelah-bahagi.
“Anak?” Dia hampir tidak percaya yang
budak lelaki di depan ini anak
kandungnya sendiri.
“Ya, sebelum abang hilang saya sudah
mengandung 6 bulan. Anak ini memang
dari benih abang sendiri. Abang sudah
lupakah?” Sumarti berusaha meyakinkan
suaminya yang curiga itu.
Agak payah dia mengingati perkara
yang sudah 5 tahun berlalu. Lengan kiri
dicabutnya kuat-kuat terasa sakit dan
mengesahkan dia tidak bermimpi. Dia
berada di alam realiti
membingungkannya. Sukar diterima akal.
“Asrul, ini ayah kamu nak. Peluklah
ayah itu,” pujuk Sumarti lembut.
Budak lelaki yang cuba dihampirinya
terus mengelak. Menangis ketakutan dan
bersembunyi di belakang Sumarti,
mengesat air matanya di kain batik
“Asrul, kenapa ni? Itukan ayah kamu!”
Sumarti rasa terkilan sedikit oleh tingkah
laku anaknya.
“Tidak mengapa, biarkanlah. Dia masih
belum faham lagi tu,” ujarnya cuba
menenangkan perasaan Sumarti.
Wajah Sumarti dan anak itu
dipandangnya silih berganti penuh
kebingungan.
 Kematian Sinead O’Connor tiada unsur mencurigakan
6 Hiburan
POLIS London mengesahkan
kematian penyanyi popular asal
Ireland, Sinead O’Connor
(gambar) atau nama Islamnya
Shuhada’ Sadaqat tiada unsur
mencurigakan.
Penyanyi dan aktivis
terkenal dengan lagu Nothing
Compares 2 U itu ditemui
sudah tidak bernyawa di
kediamannya di Herne Hill,
Selatan London pada 26 Julai lalu.
Bagaimanapun, punca kematian
hanya akan disahkan menerusi bedah
siasat atas arahan Mahkamah Koroner
Selatan London.
Proses tersebut mungkin mengambil
Artis pun
perlekeh usaha
saya – Thalia
PENYANYI Thalia Rasul, 35, (gambar)
yang kini berada di California, Amerika
Syarikat (AS), bakal membawa cabaran
negara pada World Championship of
Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2021 di negara
itu.
Thalia atau nama sebenarnya Ketty
Natalia Rasul yang juga bekas protege
Ziana Zain dalam program Mentor 4,
berlepas ke AS pada 27 Julai lalu dan akan
berada di sana sehingga 9 Ogos nanti.
Dia akan mewakili Malaysia dalam
kategori vokal untuk lima kategori
nyanyian iaitu genre Pop, World, Open,
Rock dan Contemporary.
Thalia yang ditemui beberapa hari
sebelum berlepas berkata, dia sepatutnya
ke Amerika Syarikat pada 2021, tetapi
pertandingan tertunda disebabkan
pelbagai masalah yang berlaku.
“Alhamdulillah... impian saya akhirnya
jadi kenyataan. Tapi cabaran terbesar
perlu dilalui ialah mencari dana ke
Amerika Syarikat.
“Antara yang saya lalui ialah cemuhan,
kejian, diperlekeh serta tak kurang
memberi harapan untuk membantu tapi
hanya sekadar cakap kosong.
“Malah paling sedih, ada beberapa
artis pun memperlekeh usaha saya.
Mereka kata kenapa nak susahkan diri
sendiri dan ukur baju di badan sendiri,”
katanya dalam nada sedih.
Menurutnya, menerusi usaha ini tidak
ramai yang membantu menghulurkan
bantuan kecuali beberapa individu selain
keluarga sendiri.
“Saya juga terbuka mengakui kena
ilmu hitam ‘buatan’ orang. Tak cukup
dengan itu, saya dapat ‘anxiety’ teruk
sehinggakan tak dapat tidur malam
hampir setahun.
“Bila waktu malam saja, saya mula
‘overthinking’ dan lebih teruk, tangan
mengigil-gigil sampai sesak nafas. Ketika
sedang tidur boleh terbangun dan
menangis sesak nafas.
“Sakitnya sangat terasa. Tangan
menyucuk-nyucuk, perut sakit
berdenyut-denyut macam ada nadi dan
panas macam mendidih. Saya sentiasa
memaafkan sesiapa sahaja yang aniaya
saya tanpa perlu tahu siapa mereka,”
katanya.
Baginya, dia percaya setiap kejadian
sama ada yang baik mahupun yang
buruk atas keizinan Allah.
“Saya tak putus asa dan percaya
dengan aturan Allah. Teruskan hidup
macam biasa dengan berniaga di Perlis
dan kalau ada undangan nyanyian, saya
akan turun ke Kuala Lumpur.
“Saya pun terima perkhidmatan
‘review’ produk, restoran dan pelbagai
kolaborasi. Tak ketinggalan saya juga
keluarkan tiga single di mana dua
daripadanya kolaborasi bersama
Kelichap Studio yang juga projek
sokongan di bawah Kementerian
Komunikasi dan Multimedia.
“Satu lagi lagu ialah usahasama
bersama penulis lirik dari Texas untuk
lagu berjudul Forget All About You yang
kerap dimainkan di Boston dan satu lagi
berjudul Harapan. Single lain berjudul
Hilang kerjasama bersama Keybond
Entertainment,” katanya.
Mengakhiri perbualan, Thalia
meminta semua pihak mendoakan yang
terbaik untuknya terutama agar berjaya
meraih pingat emas untuk semua
kategori disertainya. – Harian Metro
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
masa hingga beberapa minggu dan
keputusan jika inkues diperlukan
pula akan dimaklumkan
kemudian.
Difahamkan, tiada laporan
yang menyatakan kematian
penyanyi terbabit disebabkan
faktor perubatan.
Pada 27 Julai lalu dunia
dikejutkan dengan pemergian
penyanyi itu selepas keluarga
terdekatnya berkongsi berita
menyedihkan itu.
Ada pihak menyangka kehilangan
Dolla mahu fokus siri
penyanyi itu secara mengejut pada usia
56 tahun mempunyai kaitan dengan
kematian anaknya, Shane, 17, akibat
jelajah Asia Tenggara
K
EMUNCUL AN kumpulan pop
sensasi, Dolla bagaikan mengisi
‘lompong’ dalam industri muzik
yang sebelum ini dibanjiri dengan
kehadiran penyanyi solo wanita yang
tumbuh bagai cendawan selepas hujan.
Berbeza senario berlaku ada era 1990-
an apabila banyak kumpulan wanita
yang mengetengahkan pelbagai genre
muzik ditubuhkan, Dolla dianggotai
oleh Wan Sabrina Wan Rusli atau
Sabronzo, Tabitha Ariel Lam (Tabby),
Angelina Chai Ka Ying (Angel) dan
Noorsyasya Afiqah Shahrizal (Syasya)
dilihat cukup selesa mewarnai dunia
seni tanpa bersaing dengan sesiapa.
Justeru, apabila muncul beberapa
kumpulan artis wanita yang bukan
sahaja mempertaruhkan genre sama,
malah turut menampilkan imej seksi
seperti Dolla. Antaranya, Coex dan The
Gadys, ramai berpendapat, Dolla kini
sudah mempunyai ‘seteru’ yang mampu
menggugat mereka.
Saat diajukan pertanyaan kepada
kumpulan yang mula mencipta
populariti menerusi lagu Dolla Make
You Wanna dan Watch Me Glow ini, Dolla
berpendapat, perkara itu tidak
seharusnya dilihat dari sudut negatif.
Ini kerana, bagi Dolla, kehadiran
ramai artis berkumpulan wanita
menandakan industri muzik tanah air
sedang berkembang.
“Dolla melihat situasi itu sebagai
satu perkembangan positif sebab ia
juga menandakan industri muzik kian
berkembang.
“Kami suka mendengar karya artis
baharu atau kumpulan wanita lain.
Mungkin ada yang menganggap
sebagai persaingan, tetapi tidak fikir
sebegitu. Sungguhpun begitu, kami
akan terus menghasilkan pelbagai
karya baharu,” kata Sabronzo.
Tambah Sabronzo, Dolla tidak
langsung memikirkan soal saingan
ataupun mahu mencabar sesiapa
kerana fokus mereka mengembangkan
karya yang diketengahkan sejak
menceburi bidang seni hampir empat
tahun lalu.
“Sejak awal, kami hanya mahu
memberikan yang terbaik dalam setiap
karya dan terus mencuba menjadi yang
terbaik. Kalau mahu bandingkan
dengan kumpulan atau penyanyi lain, ia
akan menjadi sangat negatif.
Bob sokong Zahid sertai Gegar Vaganza
“Jadi, apa yang dilakukan, kami
hanya mahu memberi fokus kepada diri
PENYANYI Bob Yusof, 42, (gambar)
menyokong dan mengalu-alukan
hasrat juara Akademi Fantasia 2
(AF2), Zahid Ahmad
Baharudin untuk mencuba
nasib dalam Gegar Vaganza
musim ini.
Bob atau nama
sebenarnya, Yusrizan Usop
yang muncul naib juara Gegar
Vaganza 9 (GV9) berkata, dia
bukan sahaja bersimpati dengan
nasib Zahid, malah menganggap
hubungan mereka seperti adik beradik.
“Kami dah macam abang adik dan
kami sentiasa jaga ‘circle’ kami. Kita
faham dan tahu tuntutan rezeki
kadang-kadang memang agak susah.
Yantzen tidak minat rakam lagu berunsur cinta sesama manusia
Tapi bagi saya, dia kena berbalik
bunuh diri.
O’Conner yang memeluk Islam pada
2018 namun mengekalkan nama asal
sebagai nama pentas turut dikenali
sebagai aktivis apabila berani
mengoyakkan gambar Pope John Paul II
sewaktu bersiaran langsung dalam
rancangan televisyen Saturday Night
Live.
Tindakan berkenaan sebagai tanda
protes terhadap penderaan seksual
membabitkan gereja Roman Katolik.
Begitupun, menurut rakan terdekat
perkara itu sengaja dilakukan bagi
membolehkannya berundur seketika
daripada arena seni.
Pernah berseloroh mengenai nilai
ANGGOTA kumpulan Dolla.
sendiri sahaja termasuk kumpulan.
Kami lebih selesa untuk fokus mengenai
cara untuk menghasilkan karya atau
muzik yang lebih baik,” ujar Tabby.
Terdahulu, Dolla hadir ke Balai Berita,
Bangsar untuk menerima trofi Artis
Kolaborasi/Duo/Berkumpulan Popular
yang dimenangi pada malam kemuncak
Anugerah Bintang Popular BH (ABPBH)
Ke-35 yang berlangsung di Panggung
Sari, Istana Budaya baru-baru ini.
Ia berikutan Dolla tidak dapat hadir
selepas terikat dengan komitmen
Konsert Rakyat Bersempena Sambutan
50 tahun Sarawak Merdeka di Padang
Merdeka, Kuching. Trofi kemenangan
itu diserahkan oleh Pengarah ABPBH 35
merangkap Pengarang Hiburan BH,
Shamshul Azree Samshir.
Berkongsi perkembangan kerjaya
seni, Dolla memaklumkan bakal
melebarkan sayap ke negara serantau
yang sememangnya menjadi impian
mereka sebelum ini.
“Awal Ogos ini, kami akan
melancarkan single baharu berjudul
Damelo. Bagi mereka yang mengikuti
perkembangan Dolla, mereka pasti tahu
mengenai lagu Damelo. Ini kerana kami
sudah meletakkan teaser lagu dalam
media sosial.
“Kami merancang muncul dengan
album pertama yang memuatkan lagu-
kepada apa yang sepatutnya dia buat.
“Dalam industri muzik
cabangnya banyak. Ada
platform-platform sendiri dan
dia kena pilih satu platfofm
yang mana dia kena
tunjukkan dia tetap relevan
dalam industri.
“Saya sentiasa doakan
sahabat-sahabat saya dan
kawan-kawan yang lain terus
sentiasa ada dalam industri. Juga
terus sentiasa berkarya dan kekal
bertapak dalam industri,” katanya.
Dia yang juga peserta AF2 berkata,
GV adalah satu platform yang baik
untuk penyanyi dan dia sendiri tidak
pernah terfikir diberikan peluang
menyertainya.
PENYANYI rock terkenal Yantzen
Juniawan, 65, (gambar) memaklumkan
tidak berminat merakamkan lagu baru
berunsurkan cinta sesama manusia.
Yantzen berkata, pada usianya
sekarang dia melihat tidak sesuai untuk
menyanyikan lagu-lagu cinta.
“Saya terbabit dengan album
Semangat Zaman 3 dan diberikan lagu
baharu. Apabila dengar lirik, saya rasa
tak sesuai dan minta ia diubah semula
agar nampak berbeza.
“Bila dapat lirik saya tolak. Cukup-
cukuplah saya menyanyi lagu konsep
cinta. Saya dah tak nak lagi. Komposer LY
legasi karya dihasilkan ketika
wawancara bersama majalah People dua
tahun lalu, katanya dia telah meminta
anak-anak menghubungi akauntannya
sebelum memanggil ambulan.
“Saya tahu nilai karya selepas
seseorang penyanyi meninggal dunia.
Jadi saya ingatkan mereka panggil dulu
akauntan sebelum hubungi 911,”
katanya ketika mempromosikan buku
memoir berjudul Rememberings.
Nyata pemergian ibu kepada empat
anak termasuk Shane, yang meninggal
dunia tahun lalu itu mendapat
penghormatan terakhir yang indah
daripada ramai rakan dan peminat
yang menyayanginya. – Kosmo! Online
lagu baharu. Dolla juga akan fokus
kepada siri jelajah di rantau Asia
Tenggara terlebih dahulu. Siapa tahu
kami berpeluang mengadakan
persembahan di Indonesia, Singapura,
Filipina dan beberapa negara lain,” ujar
Tabby optimis.
Mengulas kemenangan dalam
kategori Artis
Kolaborasi/Duo/Berkumpulan Popular
yang turut membariskan nama besar
dalam industri, Dolla meluahkan rasa
syukur kerana trofi itu menterjemahkan
pengorbanan dan perit getir
perjuangan dalam bidang seni.
“Kami tidak sangka boleh menang
sebab bersaing dengan finalis yang
mempunyai pengaruh dan popular.
Dolla anggap kemenangan ini bukti
penghargaan yang sangat bernilai
selepas pasukan dan peminat
bertungkus lumus hingga Dolla berjaya
mengukir kejayaan lagi.
“Dengan kemenangan ini, kami
berasakan Dolla sudah mula
berkembang selepas berada dalam
industri muzik hampir empat tahun.
Kejayaan turut memberi motivasi untuk
bekerja lebih keras. Kami juga akan
menjayakan lebih banyak projek pada
masa akan datang, jadi kejayaan ini
memberi impak positif kepada kami,”
kata Tabby. – BH Online
“Ia satu platform yang terbaik untuk
kita tukar balik posisi dalam industri
muzik. Mungkin selama ini kita
dikenali dengan muzik konsep lain
tapi di pentas itu dikenali sebagai
penyanyi konsep lain pula.
“Mungkin itu satu tahap permulaan
yang baik untuk kita. Jadi tak salah jika
Zahid nak masuk GV. Sebenarnya
banyak lagi platform dia boleh sertai.
Sekarang zaman media sosial semua
platform dihujung jari boleh
digunakan.
“Cuma perlu berikan keyakinan
kepada orang diluar sana yang dia
masih relevan untuk berada dalam
industri. Lakukan sesuatu yang boleh
tarik minat orang lain. Sentiasa ada
perubahan,” katanya. – Harian Metro
yang terbitkan album ini tanya apa yang
saya nak dan saya beritahu impian saya.
“Dia pun setuju. Kalau lagu ini keluar
nanti, orang boleh lihat ia ada unsur
ketuhanan. Rasanya orang pasti suka.
Saya berduet dengan Jatt Ali untuk lagu
ini,” katanya.
Yantzen berkata, sekiranya ada lagi
lagu baharu dihasilkan untuknya, dia
akan berpesan kepada penulis lirik agar
menekankan konsep ketuhanan dan
dakwah.
“Untuk lagu-lagu cinta, zaman itu dah
berlalu. Bagilah kepada artis muda
sahaja menyanyikan.
harianekspres
Zheng sukar
bawa watak
tegas
USAH pertikaikan bakat dimiliki
bintang terkenal dari China, Luo Zheng,
27 (gambar).
Memiliki wajah tampan menjadi satu
kelebihan, malah bakat dan
keterampilannya di layar kaca berjaya
meletakkan Zheng berada dalam kelas
tersendiri.
Deretan drama lakonannya sejak 2018
berjaya mengangkat nama Zheng berdiri
sebaris dengan bintang popular lain.
Namun, pelakon dan penyanyi itu
berdepan satu cabaran dalam karier
lakonannya ketika menjayakan drama
baharu berjudul Skip A Beat.
Zheng menyifatkan, sukar membawa
watak sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
(CEO) bernama Gu Yi yang tegas kerana
dirinya seorang yang peramah dan ceria.
“Bagi saya, membawa watak CEO yang
tegas mungkin sesuai dengan riak muka
saya yang nampak seperti garang, tetapi
realitinya, saya seorang yang peramah
dan ceria.
“Disebabkan itu, saya lebih selesa
berlakon dalam beberapa episod
terakhir kerana watak Gu Yi yang ‘bossy’
akhirnya berubah menjadi lemah
lembut apabila dapat memenangi cinta
hatinya, Qiao Jing,” katanya.
Zheng berkongsi, dia banyak
mengawal emosinya bagi merealisasikan
watak tegas dalam drama berkenaan.
Katanya, meskipun pernah membawa
watak seakan sama menerusi drama lain,
namun ini adalah kali pertama
membawa karakter tegas dan tidak
beremosi.
“Sebelum ini, saya pernah membawa
watak CEO dalam drama lain, namun
kebanyakannya karakter biasa-biasa
sahaja. Ada ketegasan, tetapi tidak
seperti Gu Yi ini.
“Perbezaan boleh dilihat menerusi
watak Gu Yi adalah seorang yang sukar
menunjukkan emosi. Jadi, jika ada babak
sedih atau menangis, saya perlu
mengawal emosi,” katanya pada sidang
media secara virtual menerusi platform
penstriman, iQIYI Original, baru-baru
ini.
Pada masa sama, Zheng berkata, dia
mahu tampil dengan kelainan dalam
lakonannya dengan mencabar diri
membawa watak antagonis bagi drama
atau filem.
“Saya teringin membawa watak
antagonis. Saya belum pernah menerima
tawaran karakter seperti itu.
“Setiap kali ada tawaran lakonan, saya
pasti akan tanya sama ada ada watak
jahat atau tidak. Ini kerana saya ingin
memberi kelainan dalam lakonan saya
supaya ada kepelbagaian,” katanya.
Skip A Beat adalah drama terbaharu
daripada China dengan genre romantik
yang turut disiarkan di iQIYI Original.
Selain Zheng, drama Skip A Beat turut
dibintangi He Rui Xian, Vincent Cao,
Guo Jia Nan, Zhu Jin Tong, Ken Lok dan
ramai lagi.
Skip A Beat adalah salah satu karya
dari sutradara, Jiang Tian Hang yang
sebelum ini pernah mengarahkan drama
My Uncanny Destiny dan Love Unexpected.
Zheng adalah anggota kumpulan MR-
X memulakan karier lakonannya sejak
2018 dengan membintangi drama
berinspirasikan kehidupan di kampus
berjudul Unbelievable Sunny.
Sejak 2018, Zheng sudah
membintangi lebih 10 drama bergenre
romantik. – BH Online
“Biarlah...mereka memang layak.
“Saya teruja kerana lagu Insan yang
dinyanyikan saya satu ketika dahulu
diterima ramai. Tajuknya pun mudah
sahaja.
“Penulis liriknya Allahyarham Juwie
pening kepala nak letak tajuk apa. Saya
baca liriknya dan cadangkan tajuk Insan
dan dia setuju. Lagu ini sangat kuat dan
berada lama dalam carta lagu,” katanya.
Yantzen bakal menjayakan konsert
sempena ulang tahun ke-20 album
Semangat Zaman yang diterbitkan pada
2004 di Zepp Kuala Lumpur pada 29
September depan. – Harian Metro
harianekspres
Intuu’ Kosiga
‘K
ANO mooi inum tobpinai,” ka di
pason minimbuhai doid
whatsapp di mamai Sokot.
Au’ nokoiho isido do isai i pinopobuzu
mesej di. Aiso do lumbul poinsuang di
hanfun disido. Tinutub disido i hanfun
dau om tihombus no do tuminiim di kupi’
O di misun-hisun po. Pinosuung nogi’
doid mija’ disido. Kopituubung nopo i
munung disido om munung di sangkil
nopiumanan disido i hinasu. Ontok dii
tahib no i songuhun hahangai
modsusuung. Singgoupo’ no disido di
tuminiim di kupi’ O. Nokokidum i
hahangai nokoongou disido do opuod
minum kupi’. Noikot hinasu’ di kupi’ doid
kabang disido. Nokoosi isido do ohonuk i
kaad disido. Au’ nadadi isido minonohon.
Pinoguhi’ disido i kupi’ O mantad
pikakabu’ minahik doid sangkil.
Nokoomuou i mato disido.
“Au’ ko makan mi baino bos?” ka di
hahangai. Au’ isido nokosimba. Kakaal do
mapui-apui hinasu di kabang disido.
Poilulo’ no disido i diha’ dau. Nokosiik
isido.
Noondom disido i poinsuat doid
hanfun disido i au’ otutunan. Sohiduko’
no vagu disido. Nokoungkodom i mato
disido do mongiho do mantad disai i.
“Kau ok ka angkol?” ka di hahangai
modsusuung. Au’ nokoongou i mamai
Sokot. Aahom i ondomon disido kakaal
mongiho do isai i kilumbul do miaga dii.
Novukaza’ i mato disido songian
nokopiuman kivaa minomuzai do hikud
disido.
“Osoodu’ no kozo soovon nu tobpinai,”
ka di songuhun kokusazan poingkakat id
sonib di mamai Sokot. Miningkakat i
mamai Sokot. Hinonggos disido i pahad
di tuhun poindoos disido. Opiot i pahad
disido do huminonggos di pahad di
tuhun au’ otutunan disido. Nokotingaa’
isido do pipio gonot om umpaasai no i
voos di tuhun mongobpinai disido.
Nopisok vagu i mato disido. Nolotian di
tuhun di tinabi’ disido.
“I Dousip iti. Songovian haid tokou
suminikul.”
Navahad i kabang di mamai Sokot
nokoiak. Odtoo’ no kozo disido i pahad di
tambahut disido i Dousip. Au’ nasantaban
isido. Agkahai no disido i mamai Dousip. I
mamai Sokot nodii o minomuzai do
hikud di mamai Dousip. Nokotohingi’ i
pipio tuhun songindikau doid kadai
tiinuman do kosuvabon dii. Nokokito di
duvo tuhun minihangad.
“Nokuo gia tu’ poingkakat kito diti?”
ka di mamai Sokot. Noikot no inondos
disido do nokosoomo’ di tambahut do
suminikul om guminazo.
“Ati’!” ka di mamai Sokot naamot do
minomihid di hongon dau
Sukan
BOLA SEPAK – Liga Super 2023
Kelantan United ikat PDRM
di Stadium Muhammad IV
KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan United gagal
memanfaatkan peluang beraksi di laman
sendiri apabila terikat 2-2 menentang PDRM
FC pada aksi Liga Super 2023 di Stadium
Muhammad IV, Kota Bharu, malam Jumaat
lalu.
PDRM selaku pasukan pelawat terlebih
dahulu membuka jaringan menerusi
rembatan lencong dari luar kotak penalti
Mohamad Nabil pada minit ke-47
menewaskan penjaga gol Kelantan United,
Mohd Shahril Sa’ari.
Penyerang import Nigeria, Uche Agba
menambah jaringan buat skuad Sang Saka
Biru pada minit ke-54 apabila mudah
menewaskan penjaga gol Kelantan United
yang berdepan situasi satu lawan satu
selepas menerima lorongan bola rakan
pasukan dalam kawasan kotak penalti.
Kelantan United mempamerkan
kebangkitan dengan memperolehi gol
pertama menerusi Jose Porteria pada minit
ke-55 apabila mudah menolak masuk bola
ke dalam gawang gol PDRM.
Kemasukan S.Sharvin ternyata mengubah
nasib Kelantan United selepas beliau
menghadiahkan jaringaan penyamaan pada
minit ke-70 sebelum kedudukan kekal
sehingga wisel tamat ditiup.
Kelantan United kini menduduki tangga
ke-12 liga dengan lapan mata selepas 18
perlawanan manakala PDRM di tangga
Juventus disingkir dari saingan Eropah
PARIS: Juventus disingkirkan daripada Liga
Konferens Europa musim depan kerana
melanggar peraturan kewangan, umum
Kesatuan Bolasepak Eropah (UEFA) pada
Sabtu.
Kelab gergasi Itali itu turut didenda 20
juta euro (RM100 juta) dengan separuh
daripada jumlah itu digantung.
“Juventus melanggar rangka kerja kawal
selia UEFA... dan ia telah diputuskan untuk
mengecualikan Juventus daripada
pertandingan kelab UEFA bagi 2023-24,”
menurut kenyataan UEFA.
Badan induk bola sepak Eropah itu
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
minamahambai di hahangai
modsusuung.
“Onuai itia tambahut ku di tinumon,”
ka di mamai Sokot.
“Onuai zou do kupi’ O,” ka di mamai
Dousip.
“Avasi do makan kito,” ka di mamai
Sokot.
“Makan do tiinu.”
“Ahaid no au’ nokosoomo’ diau
tobpinai. Pio nodii toun i?” ka di Mamai
Dousip.
“Kopongo nopo tokou sikul di toun 72
om au’ zou nodii nokokito diau. Himo
ngoopod om iso’ toun no. Koni? Pio no
tuhun manangaki diau?” ka di mamai
Sokot.
“Sizam nogi’ tuhun. Pio tuhun i diau?”
ka di mamai Dousip.
“Opod om duvo no.”
“Naaha’ zou diau. Kivaa po vagu
mikot?” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Tanak nodii ngaavi’ o sanganu pandai
dino. Hobi sinapou hobi vinasi,” ka di
mamai Sokot. Miningkoko izioho’
minongiak.
“Otopot nogi’ tobpinai. Tumunda’ no
kozo iti pogun tokou om avasi do kivaa
tuhun tokou mamasok pakalaja’ doid onu
nopo o kaganaan. Kada’ kozo hansan do
kukumalaja’ mantad dahabus pogun,” ka
di mamai Dousip.
“Nga’ i podii do kakaal osusa’
pogiuman do mintamong tanak tonini’,”
ka di mamai Sokot i kivaa do opod om
duvo tuhun manangaki.
Ogumu’ i booson di duvo tuhun
mohoing i ahaid no au’ nokopisoomo’.
Noikot hinaid gisom nopohidan di
mamai Sokot ngaan di tambahut disido.
Nakatamis i kupi’ dioho’. Minamanau i
tutok dioho’ songian nosusui haal
kokomoi pogiuman mintamong. Avasi no
kozo daa do atamangan di mohoing
sondii’ i monongodu’ ngaavi’ dioho’.
Kasandad nodii do moboos Kadazan
kumaa di sinakagon ngaavi’. Kasandad
nopo moboos Kadazan mantad di onini’
po om au’ nodii mai’ kohiiu i dazanak di
boos sondii’. Nga’ namato sosondii’ di
mamai Sokot di ontok pagaganak i
sinavaan disido. Songuhun po tanak
tonini’ tamangan nga’ avagat.
Koinggohou do tuhu. Dolu’ po nung kivaa
do tohu apat tuhun i tamangan.
Ontok timpu di mamai Sokot do
minamagazo di tanak ngaavi’ disido
minaganu isido do mintamong tanak tu’
pakalaja’ nogi’ i sinavaan disido. Oubatan
do mamazada’ kalaja’ doid koupisan
polinta’ tu’ atagakan do toimoon songian
kopinsin. Avasi’ po tu’ apaagat izioho’
duduvo misasavo do moboos boos sondii’
om koiho di do moboos Kadazan i tanak
ngaavi’ dioho’.
kelapan dengan24 mata.
Di TERENGGANU, hasrat tuan rumah
Terengganu FC untuk membawa pulang
bekalan tiga mata penuh turut musnah
selepas terikat seri 1-1 menentang Negeri
Sembilan FC di Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal
Abidin (SSMZA), Kuala Nerus.
Skuad Penyu ternyata menguasai
perlawanan seawal babak pertama
perlawanan sebelum berhasil memecah
kebuntuan gol melalui tandukan Ivan
berkata, tambahan denda 10 juta euro
(RM50 juta) hanya akan dikenakan jika
tahun kewangan 2023, 2024 dan 2025 tidak
menepati keperluan perakaunan mereka.
Juventus berkata dalam satu kenyataan
mereka menerima keputusan itu dan tidak
akan merayu hukuman tersebut.
“Juventus, walaupun menganggap
pelanggaran yang didakwa tidak penting
dan tindakannya betul, mengisytiharkan
untuk menerima keputusan itu,” kata kelab
itu. Bagaimanapun mereka menegaskan ia
bukannya “satu pengakuan sebarang
liabiliti terhadap mereka”.
“Ingkaa daa iti tosoou ku izou
tobpinai,” ka di mamai Dousip. Osikap i
mamai Sokot do pinopotuhid di
podidiikau disido. Tumounda’
mokinongou. Adangan nodii kozo i
pibaasan dioho’. Pibaasan di okon nodii
ko miaga haid di toboos om nazakan di
mintanak vagu nogi’.
“Soou ku om songkuo no umul nu di?”
ka di mamai Sokot i nakapahid do ngaan
di tambahut disido om doolu’ podii do
umul.
“Nokosuang zou no do tinimungan
intuu’ kosiga,” ka di mamai Dousip.
Nokotungkabang i mamai Sokot do
onu komozon do intuu’ kosiga. Uot no
isido, “Onu ino intuu’ kosiga?”
“Nokosuang do tuu’ ngoopod toun
umul,” ka di mamai Dousip. I mamai
Sokot nga’ nokosuang no do tuu’
ngoopod toun umul. Miampon izioho’.
Nokoiak izioho’ ngoduvo. Avasi i
nopiumanan dioho’ do intuu’ kosiga. Au’
oikum-ikum. Au’ konini’ ginavo.
Poimponu’ do pantang do
nokohimpantoi do tuu’ ngapadan o umul.
Avakas, opulokis om okon ko nohoing no.
Tihombus no do minoboos i mamai
Dousip, “Osusu nopo iti koonduan do
timpu do baino nga’ om kivaa nodii do
hamin pokitamangan dioho’ miampai di
tanak kohohodi’. Kagagazo nopo nodii
om mudong i tanak nga’ kivaa nogi’
tampat pokitamangan dioho’. Humoing
nga’ kivaa ngavi’ pokitamangan.”
Tuminiim i mamai Dousip di kupi’ O
disido. Nakatamis. I mamai Sokot nga’
tuminuntum nogi’ di sangkil dau.
Nazapasan i munung om kabang di
mamai Dousip. Kadansaan nodii do
moboos.
“Nung kiusin, tomoimo kabalai hamin
pokitamangan do dazanak. Nga’ kosusaan
nopo do au’ moboos boos sondii’ nga’ au’
oia’ moboos Kadazan iti sakag ngaavi’ di
susuzan totopot poingkuo iti
komohoingan do mamamasi di
poguhui’.”
Sampalag no i mamai Sokot, “Na…
nung au’ koiho moboos i sanganak, tantu’
nopo do au’ koiho’ moboos Kadazan i
tanak. Ohiivan di iti boos dotokou.”
“Miaga ko ahaid no kivaa no kootulan
do polinta’ do popoia’ diti boos sandad
dotokou doid sikul. Asal kivaa do dazanak
kiginumu’ do opod om himo tuhun doid
iso’ sikul kavasa’ mokianu pongiaan boos
Kadazan toi’ onu nopo boos tuhun
mamasok doid pogun,” ka di mamai
Dousip.
“Songkuo vinasi do kivaa no do
undang-undang miaga dino. Koiho po
moboos Kadazan i manangaki ku ngaavi’
nga nogonop no!” ka di mamai Sokot om
au’ isido nokopiuman do pinopitapap di
PEMAIN
PDRM FC
Marcus
Papee
Macauley
(kanan)
diasak
pemain
Kelantan
United FC
Jose Elmer
Porteria
(kiri) pada
perlawanan
tersebut. –
foto-
BERNAMA
Mamut hasil hantaran Sony Norde pada
minit ke-66.
Bagaimanapun, keselesaan Terengganu
tidak kekal lama apabila direntap skuad Jang
menerusi jaringan penyamaan pemain
import Perancis, Hérold Goulon di minit ke-
88.
Terengganu FC kini menghuni tangga
keenam dengan 26 mata manakala Negeri
sembilan di tempat kesembilan dengan 21
mata. – Bernama
“Kami kesal dengan keputusan Badan
Kawalan Kewangan Kelab UEFA,” kata
presiden Juventus, Gianluco Ferrero yang
menambah kelab itu lebih suka
“mengakhiri tempoh ketidaktentuan”.
Ferrero menekankan “ketidakpastian
mengenai kemungkinan penyertaan dalam
Liga Juara-Juara musim 2024-2025” yang
boleh menjejaskan prosedur rayuan.
Fiorentina, yang menamatkan saingan
di tangga kelapan Serie A musim lalu,
berkemungkinan besar akan
menggantikan Juventus dalam Liga
Konferens Europa. – AFP
Hivang Kadazan 7
Sinuat di
Blasius Binjua
pahad disido. Tinunuzan disido i
tambahut dau i mamai Dousip do pahad
poingonggom A-One.
“Otopot tobpinai Sokot. Koiho ko?
Insan tadau mamaso zou makan do
minsosodop. Tikanas ku nopo nga’
nonsom do tuongou nonsumazan do
bungo. Maan ku do pamasi do tivou tu’
nosumo mangakan do ginuling. Noikot
novutangan i manangaki dogo’.
Pinungaanan zou do mangakan sada’
nobuntung!” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Odoi podii gia. Atantaman tokou no
dino do kakaal poingizon id tuntu kazu,”
ka di mamai Sokot.
“Nung koiho moboos Kadazan om
kalati’ i daa do nunu i takanon di doun
guguhu po. Timpu di aiso po do aisbok.
Nung au’ agagaan i sada’ do mongonsom,
tantu’ no do obuntung” ka di mamai
Dousip. Ouhan izioho’ kopilati’ di
pibaasan.
“Kano makan tobpinai. Onu maan nu
iziau?” ka di mamai Sokot.
“Noko-popongo zou no haid doiho’
daamin. Mimang zou nopo do mi sup
sada’. Au’ nodii songkuo mangakan do
tangadadaging. Minsavat mai’ o zaa’,” ka
di mamai Dousip.
“Ati! Onuai zikoi duvo mi sup sada’!”
ka di mamai Sokot.
Mamaso nodii makan izioho’. Naavi’
dioho’ minangakan i mi. Au’ i dioho’
nimaan ovio’ minongiup di sup. Ogumu’ o
pinatabung pomoloso di sup tolotian
dioho’. Ogumu’ i somboboos doid
whatsapp do ogoot nopo do mongiup sup
doid kadai i nasamazan do pomoto di
mogihohongot nga’ osikap tumatak
tobuk. Hobi ginumu’ tabasa’ doid
whatsapp hobi gumumu’ tuhun di osizan
mangakan. Ogumu’ i pogoduan
mangakan. Nobiizung tuhu dioho’.
“Isai no ma tuhun di pinopobuzu do
mesej?” ka di mamai Sokot.
“Do onu ka dau?” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Kano mooi inum tobpinai,” ka di
mamai Sokot.
Ukabo’ no disido i hanfun dau. Kokito
nopo disido i mesej om pokitanai no di
mamai Dousip. Nokokidum isido.
“Ino no dati’ i scammer, tobpinai.
Ogumu’ mati’ o toduung do baino.
Piingat-ingat tokou,” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Poingkuo vagu o scammer do koiho’
moboos Kadazan? Au’ patut!” ka di
mamai Sokot.
“Iti po tuhun tokou di kagagazo nga’
Human Voyage timbang ambil tindakan
undang-undang terhadap PKBM, Abu Samah
KUALA LUMPUR: Penganjur Le Tour de
Langkawi (LTdL) 2022, Human Voyage (M)
Sdn Bhd (HVSB) sedang mempertim-
bangkan tindakan undang-undang
terhadap Persekutuan Kebangsaan
Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dan
presidennya Datuk Abu Samah Abd
Wahab.
Ketua Pegawai Operasi HVSB,
Shahaizereen A Hamid, berkata tindakan
itu mungkin diambil susulan kenyataan
dikeluarkan oleh PKBM dan presidennya
selama ini yang dianggap boleh
menjejaskan HVSB.
Beliau berkata sepanjang HVSB
menganjurkan LTdL pada 2015, 2019, 2020
dan 2022, tidak timbul isu berkaitan
dengan hutang kepada mana-mana
kontraktor mahupun pasukan, selain
hadiah wang kemenangan juga telah
dijelaskan.
“Malah HVSB telah membayarkan
hutang dari penganjur terdahulu dan
perkara ini tidak digembar-gemburkan,
malah hingga sekarang PKBM tidak
membantu apa-apa dalam hal ini,”
katanya, dalam kenyataan.
Pada masa sama, beliau berkata HVSB
memahami situasi dihadapi Kementerian
Belia dan Sukan (KBS) dalam
Hannah yakin isu LTdL
selesai dalam masa terdekat
KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri Belia dan Sukan,
Hannah Yeoh percaya isu perlumbaan
jelajah Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2023
dikeluarkan daripada kalendar
perlumbaan antarabangsa dapat
diselesaikan dalam masa beberapa hari ini.
Beliau berkata Majlis Sukan Negara
(MSN) dan Persekutuan Kebangsaan
Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) sedang
berbincang dengan Kesatuan Berbasikal
Antarabangsa (UCI) untuk menyelesaikan
isu itu.
“Naib Presiden PKBM. Datuk Amarjit
Singh berkata pihaknya sedang berbincang
dengan UCI mengenai cara untuk cari
penyelesaian. Tunggu beberapa hari untuk
dapat maklumat daripada mereka,”
katanya.
Status mengenai LTdL 2023, yang
dijadualkan bermula 23-30 Sept ini,
BLASIUS BINJUA
– Poingkalaja
haid doid
Malaysia Airlines
kihinaid 37 toun
om mininggiat
monuat di toun
2009. Gisom
baino kivaa hobi’
200 susuzan
toniibo’ om sizam novel Kadazan.
Vookon nopo novel sinuat disido nga’
Pangkis Pangazou, Sumidang Mai’
Tadau, Tavan om Tana’, Butiza’ doid
Tana’ om Vaig Babagon. Nokotoimo
do Anugerah Penggiat Bahasa Etnik
TYT 2021.
Magahap nogi’ tobpinai ngaavi’ do
monuat Suzanibo’ kininauu 1,700
patod boos om pobuzuon kumaa do
emel bbinjua@yahoo.com toi’
whatsapp 011 2624 2447/ Blasius
Binjua
ogumu’ no i nohuda’ do tuhun minikot
mantad dahabus pogun. Mongia’
momoduung. Kivaa di oduung do
monongkiambahut. Nga’ manakau nopo
do’ usin kagazaan dioho’. Kogigiatan
dioho’ momoduung i nongokopinsin tu’
kiusin. Ingaton no. Kada’ do koduung
humusi’ di mesej nung au’ no kotutunan,”
ka di mamai Dousip.
“Au’ zou nodii’ oimazaan diti mesej
doid hanfun,” ka di mamai Sokot.
“Siou tobpinai. Itia nopo mesej
magangat diau mooi inum nga’ mantad
dogo’,” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Toi’ gia? Tantaman ku do scammer.
Buntung no kozo!” ka di mamai Sokot.
“Ahaid zou no mogium diau. Asasauu’
zou monolifaun diau nga’ au’ kaanu. Avasi
nasip tu’ nokosoomo’ zou di Ontoluan di
songkoniab om pokiiho zou no di lumbul
hanfun nu,” ka di mamai Dousip.
“Siou no tobpinai. Pinoohon ku i
hanfun ku. Ogumu kozo o monolifaun di
au’ ku otutunan. Kivaa managi do income
tax. Kivaa di popoiho do nokoontok zou
do lumbul kinasip. Kabaazatai zou po om
poohono’ kuno i hanfun om lumbul.”
Osusa’ iti pogigizon doid pomogunan
do toondom di mamai Sokot tu’
nokoundovot noduung doid tolifaun di
ovudut om popobuvang. Monipu’.
Minomusoou isido do tumood
momoguno do hanfun om aiso nodii’ di’
momoduung. Noundoosi isido tu’
tinduon no kozo tuhun nongokopinsin o
pinduungan. Manakau di usin tokuudi’ di
noopi’opi’ mantad napadan toun
pinakalaja’.
“Pointunud kono do au’ huminusi di
mesej mantad di au’ nu otutunan. Piingat-
ingat dotokou tu’ intuu’ kosiga no. Agazo
po ginavo do mongkinanauu umul.
Kokito nodii di manangaki sumapou.
Kiguno iti hanfun. Nombo noihaan kivaa
di kosindavatan ontok osondiian tokou.
Au’ tokou kaanu popoiho tanak do
mokituhung.”
menyelesaikan baki bayaran terhadap
HVSB disebabkan situasi pasca pandemik
Covid-19 serta penelitian dokumen yang
memakan masa.
“HVSB mengambil langkah
mendiamkan diri bagi menghormati
perjanjian yang ada antara pihak HVSB
dan juga pihak KBS,” katanya.
Semalam, arena sukan negara
dikejutkan dengan berita mengenai LTdL
2023 yang dijadual berlangsung dari 23
hingga 30 Sept ini tidak lagi berada dalam
kalendar perlumbaan Kesatuan Berbasikal
Dunia (UCI).
Sebelum ini, Abu Samah meluahkan
kebimbangan perlumbaan jelajah
berbasikal terulung negara itu mungkin
tidak akan berada dalam kalendar UCI
musim depan disebabkan tunggakan
bayaran melebih RM1 juta oleh penganjur
edisi lepas kepada lima pasukan
bertanding.
Abu Samah dipetik sebagai berkata isu
tunggakan itu bukan sahaja mencalarkan
reputasi baik LTdL, malah berupaya
menjejaskan minat pasukan luar untuk
bersaing dalam edisi kali ini dan
seterusnya, namun memberi jaminan
akan berusaha mengatasi masalah
berkenaan. – Bernama
menjadi tanda tanya selepas perlumbaan
berstatus ProSeries itu tidak lagi berada
dalam kalendar perlumbaan badan induk
dunia berkenaan kerana masalah hutang
penganjur sebelum ini.
Hannah berkata isu tunggakan
pembayaran itu bukan masalah baharu
tetapi sudah lama wujud.
Ditanya sekiranya penganjur terdahulu
akan dikenakan sebarang tindakan
berikutan isu itu, Hannah berkata: “Jangan
bimbang...tunggu MSN dan persatuan
sukan kebangsaan akan selesaikan
masalah ini.”
Sebelum ini, Presiden PKBM, Datuk Abu
Samah Wahab mendakwa penganjur LTdL
2019, 2020 dan 2022 belum menyelesaikan
tunggakan hutang lebih RM1 juta, yang
tidak membabitkan hadiah kemenangan,
berdasarkan laporan UCI. – Bernama

SUKAN
BOLA SEPAK – Piala Dunia Wanita
Sweden ke pusingan 16 terakhir
WELINGTON, New Zealand: Sweden
mara ke pusingan 16 terakhir Piala
Dunia Wanita selepas membelasah Itali
5-0 pada Sabtu.
Sweden, yang menduduki ranking
ketiga, menyertai pencabar kejuaraan
Sepanyol dan bekas juara Jepun di
pusingan kalah mati dengan berbaki
satu perlawanan.
Tiga gol dalam masa tujuh minit
pada separuh masa pertama
memberikan mereka kelebihan besar
ketika Itali bergelut untuk menangani
bola mati dan ancaman di udara
Sweden.
Pemain pertahanan Arsenal, Amanda
Ilestedt menjaringkan dua gol – kedua-
duanya dengan tandukan – manakala
Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius dan
Rebecka Blomqvist turut berada dalam
senarai penjaring.
Sweden menewaskan Afrika Selatan
2-1 dalam perlawanan pembukaan hasil
jaringan Ilestedt pada saat-saat akhir –
juga menerusi tandukan.
Tetapi mereka jauh lebih selesa
ketika menentang pasukan Itali yang
masih boleh layak dari Kumpulan G,
selepas menewaskan Argentina 1-0 pada
perlawanan pertama.
Pertembungan Sweden menentang
Itali di hadapan kurang 30,000
penonton di Welington adalah
perlawanan pembukaan pada hari itu.
Satu lagi perlawanan menyaksikan
kapten Wendie Renard menjaringkan
gol kemenangan ketika Perancis
menghidupkan peluang mereka dalam
kejohanan itu dengan kemenangan 2-1
ke atas Brazil dalam perlawanan
Kumpulan F di Brisbane.
Selepas seri 0-0 dengan Jamaica
dalam perlawanan pembukaan,
Perancis mengejutkan Brazil dan 49,378
penonton untuk memastikan tiga mata
menjelang perlawanan terakhir
kumpulan menentang Panama, yang
membuat penampilan sulung dalam
kejohanan tersebut.
Perancis yang menguasai sebahagian
besar permainan, mendahului menerusi
pemain veteran Eugenie Le Sommer.
Brazil bangkit menyamakan
kedudukan pada separuh masa kedua
menerusi Debinha, namun Renard
menanduk masuk satu sepakan sudut
pada minti ke-83 untuk memastikan
kemenangan.
Dalam pada itu, tuan rumah
bersama, Australia, berada dalam
bahaya untuk gagal melangkah lebih
jauh dalam kejohanan itu tetapi mereka
mendapat dorongan besar pada Sabtu
apabila kapten Sam Kerr
mengisytiharkan dirinya bersedia untuk
beraksi.
Penyerang prolifik Chelsea, Kerr,
yang menjadi wajah Piala Dunia di
Australia dan New Zealand, mengalami
kecederaan betis pada malam sebelum
Malaysia kekal dalam Kumpulan 2
Kejohanan Tenis Billie Jean King Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia gagal keluar
daripada Kumpulan 2 Zon Asia Pasifik
pada Kejohanan Tenis Wanita Billie Jean
King Cup 2023 walaupun menewaskan
Hong Kong 2-0 pada aksi klasifikasi tempat
kelima hingga kelapan, di Pusat Tenis
Nasional, di sini, pada Sabtu.
Dalam satu lagi perlawanan klasifikasi
kelima-kelapan, Mongolia mengalahkan
Singapura 2-0.
Malaysia dan Mongolia masing-masing
menduduki tempat keenam dan kelima
berdasarkan jumlah perlawanan yang
dimenangi dan tewas daripada lima aksi
dalam Kumpulan B.
Malaysia memenangi tujuh perlawanan
dan tewas lapan manakala Mongolia
memenangi 11 perlawanan dan tewas
empat perlawanan.
Malaysia tewas 3-0 kepada New Zealand
dan Indonesia dan 2-1 kepada Mongolia
tetapi menewaskan Sri Lanka
Sadio Mane dilaporkan bakal sertai Ronaldo di Al Nassr
danTurkmenistan dengan keputusan 3-0.
Mongolia menewaskan New Zealand 2-
PARIS: Bayern Munich mengumumkan
pada Sabtu bahawa penyerang Senegal,
Sadio Mane sedang dalam perbincangan
“mengenai pertukaran kelab” dengan
laporan mengatakan dia bakal menyertai
pasukan Arab Saudi, Al Nassr.
Juara Jerman itu mengetepikan Mane
daripada perlawanan persahabatan di
Tokyo, membuat hantaran di Twitter:
“Sadio Mane sedang dalam rundingan
kontrak mengenai pertukaran kelab dan
oleh itu tidak berada dalam barisan
pemain hari ini.”
Bekas bintang Liverpool berusia 31
tahun itu dijangka akan menjadi pemain
berprofil tinggi terkini yang menyertai
liga Saudi.
Majalah Bild dan Kicker melaporkan dia
harianekspres
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I AH AD , 3 0 JULAI , 2 0 2 3
kejohanan bermula dan terlepas dua
perlawanan pertama Matildas.
Australia menewaskan Ireland 1-0
hasil sepakan penalti untuk membuka
kempen mereka tetapi kemudian
dikejutkan 3-2 oleh Nigeria.
Dengan pertemuan penting
menentang juara Olimpik, Kanada
semakin hampir pada Isnin, pemain
berusia 29 tahun itu memberitahu
media di Brisbane: “Saya akan ke sana,
saya akan bersedia.”
Tetapi Kerr enggan menyatakan
berapa banyak bahagian yang akan
dimainkannya dalam pertembungan di
Melbourne.
“Saya ingin memberitahu anda
segala-galanya tetapi anda tahu bahawa
itu adalah perkara besar yang lawan
ingin tahu,” kata Kerr.
Sementara itu, juara Eropah,
England, bimbang dengan kecergasan
pemain tengah Keira Walsh selepas dia
diusung keluar akibat kecederaan lutut
yang serius dalam kemenangan mereka
ke atas Denmark pada Jumaat.
Terdapat beberapa siri kecederaan
lutut dalam bola sepak wanita dan
England sudah pun kehilangan kapten
Leah Wiliamson dan pemenang Kasut
Emas Euro 2022 Beth Mead atas sebab itu.
Saingan Kumpulan A yang sengit
akan diputuskan pada Ahad dalam aksi
yang dijangka penuh mendebarkan.
Switzerland mendahului dengan
empat mata dan berada di kedudukan
yang baik untuk mara. Mereka akan
menentang tuan rumah bersama New
Zealand dalam aksi di Dunedin.
New Zealand mengutip tiga mata,
sama dengan Filipina, yang bakal
menentang bekas juara Norway pada
masa yang sama di Auckland.
Norway, yang menduduki tangga
terbawah kumpulan dengan satu mata,
masih boleh layak tetapi mereka mesti
menang – dan perlu melakukannya
tanpa penyerang bintang Ada
Hegerberg, yang cedera.
Turut beraksi pada Ahad ialah salah
satu pasukan pilihan, Jerman, yang
menentang Colombia dalam Kumpulan H.
Colombia mungkin akan beraksi
tanpa bintang remaja Linda Caicedo
selepas dia jatuh semasa latihan pada
Khamis sambil memegang dadanya.
Jurulatih Colombia, Nelson Abadia
pada Sabtu menyifatkan ia sebagai
“episod keletihan, sedikit tekanan atas
penampilan sulungnya dalam Piala
Dunia senior”.
“Ia hanya satu episod dan dia ok
sekarang. Linda telah mengatasi
masalah itu. Sama ada dia akan
bermain, kami mempunyai 24 jam atau
lebih untuk membuat keputusan,”
tambahnya.
Dalam satu lagi perlawanan
Kumpulan H, Korea Selatan akan
menentang Maghribi. – AFP
1, Sri Lanka 3-0, Malaysia 2-1 dan
Turkmenistan 3-0 dan tewas 2-1 kepada
Indonesia.
Persatuan Lawn Tenis Malaysia (LTAM)
sebelum ini menyasarkan pasukan negara
dapat naik ke Kumpulan 1 kejohanan
berprestij itu.
Dalam ‘playoff’ menentang Hong Kong,
pasukan Malaysia, di bawah jurulatih S.
Selva Rajoo, mengutip mata pertama
apabila Lim Sze Xuan menewaskan
Hannah Shen Kaile 6-2, 6-2 sebelum
Shihomi Leong mengesahkan
kemenangan dengan 6-3, 6 -3, terhadap
Che Sin Yu.
Dalam pada itu, Selva Rajoo tetap
berpuas hati dengan persembahan yang
ditampilkan anak buahnya meskipun
menamatkan kempen di kedudukan
keenam dan kekal dalam Kumpulan 2..
“Menduduki tempat keenam
keseluruhan adalah keputusan yang baik
memandangkan ini adalah pasukan yang
muda,” katanya. – Bernama
dalam perjalanan untuk menjalani
pemeriksaan perubatan dengan Al Nassr.
Mane would be another major signing
for the club that pulled off the first coup
of a raft of signings by Saudi clubs by
luring Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time
Ballon d’Or winner.
Mane akan menjadi satu lagi
pembelian besar kelab itu yang menjadi
kelab pertama menandatangani pemain
ternama dengan memikat Cristiano
Ronaldo, pemenang Ballon d’Or lima kali.
Mane memenangi Liga Juara-Juara dan
Liga Perdana sepanjang enam musim
bersama Liverpool dan merupakan
bahagian penting trio penyerang Jurgen
Klopp bersama Mohamed Salah dan
Roberto Firmino.
PEMAIN pertahanan Sweden, Amanda Ilestedt menanduk masuk
Oman tidak pandang rendah Harimau Malaya
gol pertama pasukannya pada perlawanan itu. – Gambar AFP
KUALA LUMPUR: Walaupun disebut
sebagai pasukan pilihan, pasukan Oman
tidak akan memandang rendah pasukan
lawan mereka termasuk skuad Harimau
Malaya dalam saingan Kelayakan Piala
Dunia pada November ini.
Pengarah Pasukan Kebangsaan Oman
Waleed Al Noumani berkata kesemua
pasukan yang diundi dalam Kumpulan
D pusingan kedua Kelayakan Piala
Dunia 2026/Piala Asia 2027 mempunyai
peluang sama rata untuk melangkah ke
peringkat seterusnya.
Beliau berkata prestasi kebanyakan
pasukan bertanding telah meningkat
ketika ini dan setiap pasukan juga telah
menggunakan pendekatan baharu
dalam strategi permainan mereka.
“Walaupun kita pernah berdepan
Bekas pemain Piala Presiden boleh
sertai persatuan bekas pemain Sabah
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Persatuan Bekas
Pemain Bola Sepak Negeri Sabah
membuka pintunya untuk
membenarkan bekas pemain Piala
Presiden negeri menyertai sebagai ahli.
Presidennya Datuk James Wong yang
membuat pengumuman itu pada
Jumaat lalu berkata usul itu diluluskan
oleh jawatankuasa pada mesyuarat
yang diadakan baru-baru ini.
“Kami sebulat suara bersetuju untuk
mengalu-alukan pemain yang pernah
mewakili negeri dalam pertandingan
Jaissle dilantik jurulatih Al-Ahli
Piala Presiden untuk menyertai kami
PARIS: Kelab Arab Saudi, Al-Ahli
menamakan Matthias Jaissle sebagai
jurulatih baharu mereka dengan warga
Jerman itu berpindah dari kelab juara
Austria, RB Salzburg.
Jurulatih berusia 35 tahun itu, yang
dianggap salah seorang pengurus paling
meningkat dalam generasinya, menyertai
kelompok pemain ternama seperti Cristiano
Ronaldo dan Karim Benzema dibawa ke Liga
Pro Saudi dengan bayaran gaji lumayan.
“Pengurus bola sepak baharu kami:
Matthias Jaissle, selamat datang,” tulis kelab
Ketika Liverpool memenangi Liga
Perdana Inggeris buat kali pertama dalam
tempoh 30 tahun pada musim 2019-2020,
Mane menjaringkan 18 gol.
Tetapi pada musim panas 2022, ketika
dia memenangi Pemain Terbaik Afrika,
Mane memutuskan dia mahukan cabaran
baharu.
Bayern berjaya memikat Mane selepas
menjanjikan dia akan menjadi penyerang
utama selepas kelab itu kehilangan
khidmat Robert Lewandowski yang
berpindah ke Barcelona.
Selepas permulaan yang baik di Bayern,
tidak lama kemudian ia menjadi jelas
bahawa Mane tidak dapat menyesuaikan
diri di Bavaria.
Dalam perlawanan Bundesliga
Kelantan United
ikat PDRM
di Stadium
Muhammad IV
pasukan itu sebelum ini, tapi kita perlu
lebih berwaspada dengan apa yang akan
dihadapi akan datang. Yang pasti,
semua pasukan sedang bekerja keras
untuk layak dan menang setiap
perlawanan,” katanya ketika ditemui
baru-baru ini.
Malaysia tewas dalam tiga
perlawanan persahabatan menentang
Oman, dengan pertemuan terakhir pada
2015 menyaksikan skuad Harimau
Malaya dimalukan 0-6.
Selain Oman dan Malaysia, turut
diundi dalam Kumpulan D ialah
Kyrgyszstan dan pemenang bagi playoff
antara Taiwan dan Timor Leste.
Pasukan menamatkan saingan di
kedudukan dua teratas akan layak ke
pusingan ketiga Kelayakan Piala Dunia
dengan syarat mereka mesti berumur
45 tahun ke atas,” katanya.
Beliau juga berkata mereka akan
menganjurkan pertandingan dengan
pasukan yang terdiri daripada bekas
ahli Piala Presiden dalam masa
terdekat.
Tambahnya, persatuan yang
ditubuhkan pada 2017 itu akan
meneruskan objektif mereka untuk
membantu ahli yang memerlukan dan
membantu Persatuan Bolasepak Sabah
dalam pembangunan bola sepak di
negeri ini serta melibatkan diri dalam
aktiviti amal untuk masyarakat.
itu dalam media sosial, beberapa jam
selepas memperkenalkan penyerang
Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez sebagai
pembelian terbaharu mereka.
Jaissle mengemudi Salzburg menjuarai
liga Austria dalam dua musim
mengendalikan kelab itu.
Beliau menyertai pengurus Eropah lain
yang sah dan akan memperagakan
kebolehan mereka dalam liga Saudi musim
ini termasuk Steven Gerrard (Al-Ettifaq),
Jorge Jesus (Al-Hilal) dan Luis Castro (Al-
Nassr). – AFP
menentang Werder Bremen pada
November, Mane mengalami kecederaan
pada fibulanya.
Kecederaan itu menyebabkan dia
terlepas Piala Dunia di Qatar pada
penghujung tahun lalu, satu tamparan
hebat kepada Senegal.
Ketika Mane kembali ke dalam pasukan
Bayern pada 2023, masalahnya terserlah
apabila dia terlibat dalam pergaduhan
dengan rakan sepasukan Leroy Sane
susulan kekalahan kepada Manchester
City dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara.
Bayern dilaporkan mendenda Mane
sekitar 350,000 euro dan mengenakan
penggantungan satu perlawanan
disebabkan peranannya dalam insiden itu.
– AFP
8
2026 sekali gus meraih slot automatik ke
pentas Piala Asia 2027 manakala
pasukan di tangga ketiga dan keempat
kumpulan pula berpeluang merebut
slot ke saingan Piala Asia 2027.
Berdasarkan ranking dunia, Oman
berada di kedudukan ke-73, diikuti
Kyrgyzstan (97), Malaysia (136), Taiwan
(153) dan Timor-Leste (192) dan kelima-
lima pasukan ini tidak pernah layak ke
Piala Dunia.
Harimau Malaya di bawah kendalian
Ketua Jurulatih Kim Pan Gon, mencipta
sejarah tahun lepas apabila
menamatkan penantian 42 tahun untuk
layak secara merit ke saingan Piala Asia
2023 di Qatar, dijadual pada 12 Januari
Malaysia
hingga 10 Februari tahun depan. –
Bernama
gagal akhiri
dominasi
Mesir di
pentas final
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia gagal
mengakhiri penguasaan Mesir selama
lapan kali berturut-turut di Kejohanan
Skuasy Berpasukan Remaja Wanita
Dunia apabila tewas 0-2 di pentas final
pada edisi 2023 di Melbourne, Australia,
pada Sabtu.
Keputusan itu menyaksikan Mesir
mempertahankan kejuaraan dunia itu
buat kali kelapan berturut-turut sejak
edisi 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
dan 2019.
Kekalahan itu menyaksikan Malaysia
sekali lagi kecundang di pentas final
kepada Mesir buat kali keempat sejak
edisi 2007 diikuti 2017 dan 2019.
Pada perlawanan akhir, Mesir hanya
memerlukan masa 27 minit untuk
mengutip mata pertama menerusi Zeina
Zein yang mengalahkan K. Sehveetrraa 3-
1 (11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 11-10).
Mesir mengesahkan kejuaraan dunia
ke-10 mereka selepas Amina Orfi, juara
remaja dunia, sekali lagi mengecewakan
Aira Azman 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-2) dalam
tempoh 34 minit.
Ahad lalu, Amina mempertahankan
gelaran juara remaja dunia dengan
mengalahkan Aira 11-8, 11-5, 11-1 pada
final acara perseorangan, di sini.
Jurulatih kebangsaan, Andrew Cross,
akur dengan kehebatan Mesir yang
dibarisi tiga pemain pilihan utama
kejohanan.
“Seperti dijangka, kita ber¬depan
dengan pasukan juara bertahan dan
mereka telah memberikan kesukaran
buat pemain kita yang memberi
persembahan terbaik masing-masing.
“Ini adalah satu pengalaman yang
akan kekal bersama pemain selama-
lamanya dan skuad negara tidak akan
berhenti berusaha memburu gelaran
dunia ini,” katanya ketika dihubungi
selepas aksi final itu. – Bernama