PPH 8/12/2012 (031085) Vol. 55 Kota Kinabalu, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 RM1.

50 Established 1963

For
Lahad Datu Feedback Benoni set
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hit by on school to take off
info
flash flood facilities with new
scan
PAGE 2 vital: Ministry developments
here
PAGE 4 PAGE 6

SEAC hails
Anwar’s
Warisan loses tenth YB budget 2023
Ricardo Unto
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan’s Petagas Assemblyman priorities
datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari announced quitting the
KOTA KINABALU: The
party to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Sabah Economic Advisory
led by Chief Minister datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Council (SEAC) congratu-
To date, Warisan has lost 10 assembly members. The party now lated datuk Seri Anwar
has only 15 members in the 79-seat State Legislative Assembly. Ibrahim on his maiden
“I have been thinking about this for three months,” he told a press 2023 budget of RM388.1
conference, Monday. Awang Ahmad was Warisan’s Treasurer-General billion, which has several
and the party’s Putatan head. important objectives for Malaysia’s eco-
“And I listened to the voices of the leaders in my division. So, I called nomic future.
them, including those who do not want to leave Warisan, for discussions. SEAC Chairman Tan Sri david Chu (pic)
“There is no doubt in my decision as I do not make it on my own…I said the Prime Minister had emphasised in
can say the whole division leaders are unanimous in their support for his budget speech that racial differences
the shift.” should no longer be highlighted to pre-
He deemed Petagas Warisan had collapsed following the move. serve harmony and unity in the country.
He said, it was hard for him to leave Warisan, but “I must take into He said Anwar’s foremost task was to
consideration the people’s sentiment and the divisional leadership’s assist the economy recover from the
thoughts on our situation.” Covid-19 pandemic and addressing ongo-
“What is more important is my constituents as they were the ones ing global uncertainties from the Russian-
who voted for me and handed me the victory.” Ukraine war, reset the Malaysian economy
As an elected representative, he said, he has to take practical actions. into a more sustainable, balanced growth
“At the same time, the Chief Minister is a good leader. As such, this is besides providing much needed relief in
a decision that I must make.” the form of lower income tax to lower
He disclosed that he met Hajiji twice, the last being on Friday. income groups and assistance for small
“during the meeting, I did not ask him how much money can he give medium enterprises.
me, or what position he can offer me. I only asked him what are his plans “It is heartening to note that micro,
for Sabah, and I am satisfied with his replies. Afterwards, I held further small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),
discussions with divisional leaders,” he said. which make up almost 97 per cent of busi-
He thanked his supporters as well as Warisan President datuk Seri nesses in Malaysia are given much needed
Shafie Apdal for fielding him as an election candidate. support to pick themselves up after the
He said he was in Kuala Lumpur about 10 days ago with other Warisan pandemic and transform to remain rele-
leaders, including Shafie.
Awang Ahmad and others at the press conference.
vant and competitive.

Defectors
See Page 2, Col. 4 “The provision of RM40 billion in loan
facilities for MSMEs through government

thinking
agencies will help provide much needed
liquidity and finance for MSMEs to recover,
transform or boost their businesses.

ahead,
“It is hoped that the criteria for approv-
ing the loans for MSME is made easy and
the approval process is speedy,” he said,

says Yusof
Monday.
Chu said SEAC is appreciative that the
budget would rein the deficit from 5.6pc
to 5pc and instil fiscal discipline, reduce
leakages in government procurements
Ricardo Unto and fight to reduce corruption.
SINdUMIN Assemblyman “SEAC is happy to see that the grant for
datuk dr Yusof Yacob (pic) Sabah has been increased from RM5.16 to
is not affected by criticisms RM6.5 and allocation for the completion
for deciding to support of the much-delayed Pan Borneo Highway.

Sarawak MP
Chief Minister datuk Seri See Page 2, Col. 4
Hajiji Noor.

Death March and fate of 641 Britons

queries how
“Maybe they do not understand and

Christina (fourth right) at the launching of the book with John (third left) and his wife, Victoria (second left).
labelled us ‘frogs’ or accused of being

much Sabahans
bought over,” he said.
“Our agenda is clear which is for Sabah.
Naysayers can say anything as they do not

know our intentions…I do not want to
dwell on that.”
As right-minded politicians, he said,
they need to take into consideration the
current situation and analyse it.
“They need to think far ahead, not only
on today,” he said.
Welcoming Awang Ahmad into the
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) fold, he is
confident that the other GRS leaders
would also welcome him with open arms.
“Let bygones be bygones as politics are
dynamic – it will shift in parallel with time
and situation.” Asked on the departure of
other Warisan leaders, he said it is for
them to decide.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that he did not
receive any show-cause letter from central
Umno for going against the party’s state
liaison body’s previous decision of not
supporting Chief Minister datuk Seri
Hajiji Noor.
Kan Yaw Chong and
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Major John Tulloch was
shocked more than a decade ago when he
first learnt that 641 British POWs (Prison-
ers of War) died in the Sandakan-Ranau
death March, a significant number from
his former Regiment – the Royal Artillery.
The rest were mostly Australians number-
ing some 2,000 at the closing stages of
the war.
This drove him to mount a deter-
mined marathon research to unearth the
hidden story.
“It is the first British perspective on
the death March. However, the book is
not just on the death March but what
happened on Borneo as a whole,” Tulloch
said.
Tulloch said it was difficult when you
got camps hundreds of miles apart and in
Kalimantan and so forth.
“So when you want to read about Batu
Lintang, you go to that chapter, or if you
want to read what I call the Rampage in
Borneo, these were there and they were
local stories. I didn’t want the Funk family
who have been written by so many people.
“I wanted brand new information and
when datuk Irene Charuruks introduced
me to her father, I suddenly realised this
was what we need, in addition to Tham
Yau Kong who introduced me to a free-
lance guide named Beverly who told me
about her extraordinary story (WW2 sto-
ries involving her ancestors), and even a
bar man at the Star (Shangri-La Tanjung
Aru Resort and Spa) who didn’t want to
captive audience.
“His reply was very telling: ‘Sandakan
day is about remembrance; honouring
those who died during the Japanese
Occupation, whether they be Prisoners of
War (POWs), internees, or locals. A book
launch straight after the service would be
disrespectful to the dead and the relatives
attending Sandakan day’.
She suggested the book be translated
into Bahasa Malaysia and hoped it would
make more people aware of what was
going on.
“We have mountains, wildlife and the
sea, but we do not know much about our
past. This book is excellent,” she said.
“We frequently have guests from
abroad come to our Ministry, and if they
are interested in history, we may give
need to pay
KUALA LUMPUR: The rate of electricity tar-
iff in Sabah will depend on the fuel cost
factors and infrastructure challenges in
the state, the dewan Rakyat was told.
Natural Resources, Environment and
Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik
Ahmad said currently, it is quite impossi-
ble for the federal government, or the
Sabah government, to give any assurance
regarding the tariff until the handover of
the electricity supply regulatory power to
the state is completed.
“And as well all know, there are chal-
lenges in terms of electricity supply infra-
structure development in Sabah,
especially on the east coast because it does
not have the fuel energy infrastructure like
on the west coast,” he said when replying

Lad’s fatal fall

See Page 2, Col. 1
Jimmy Goh
KOTA KINABALU: A 12-year-old boy fell to
his death from the 14th floor of a building,
here, on Monday.
Sources claimed the boy had been
sleepwalking. A hotel that is believed to be
from where he fell, initially, has since
claimed that the victim was not a guest.
At press time, there was no confirma-
tion from police on the boy’s identity or
how he ended up being the 14th floor.
After receiving a call at 6.44am, fire-
fighters led by Sulastri Hassan were dis-
patched to the location.
Early investigations revealed that the
youngster had fallen from a window on
the hotel’s 14th floor and landed on the
fifth floor.
The boy was brought down to the lower
floor by firefighters and medical officials
pronounced the boy dead at the scene.
Besides interviewing people and visit-
ing archives, museums and libraries Tul-
loch travelled extensively in the UK,
Singapore, Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, Ade-
laide and Perth, according to publisher
datuk CL Chan, at launch of “The Borneo
Graveyard 1941-45” by Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Environment,
datuk Christina Liew, Monday.
Chan said it took him only four
months to get “The Borneo Graveyard”
published compared to Tulloch’s 12 years
of research.
Research materials included diaries
and letters of former POWs and internees,
which were not in the public domain.
“He also listened to audio recordings
of former POWs and internees who had
survived, at the Imperial War Museum
and BBC’s War History.
“His online research was extraordinary
in depth,” Chan noted, citing an opinion
of Professor danny Wong, a Sabah-hailed
historian from the University of Malaya,
who felt this was an important book for
Sabah and Borneo as a whole.
be named, did likewise,” Tulloch said.
“There are not many books produced
in respect to the Japanese Occupation in
North Borneo,” said Liew.
“It is a book of immense historical sig-
nificance for Sabah and Borneo. I strongly
recommend this book to the general pub-
lic, it should grace the libraries, universi-
ties and schools of Sabah and Borneo,”
she said.
She said the book was to have been
launched in 2020, the 75th anniversary of
Sandakan day. “But, as we all know, the
Covid-19 pandemic occurred and the
launch was postponed.”
Liew recalled first meeting John at a
dinner “Celebrating Sabah’s Natural and
Cultural Biodiversity” in London in
November 2019. “We had a long talk
about his book on Borneo and that it
would be published and launched in Kota
Kinabalu during Spring 2020.
“I asked John why he did not want to
launch his book straight after the San-
dakan day Remembrance Service on Aug
15, 2020, where he would have had a large
them this book as a souvenir,” she said.
In addition to researching for his
book, John also spent eight years
researching and producing the British
North Borneo Roll of Honour, which he
presented to the Sabah Government on
March 9, 2016.
It is now with the Sabah Museum.
Over the years, John has written arti-
cles on the Vietnam War and Sabah Pris-
oners of War (POW) history which have
been published in international journals.
He has spoken on podcasts and given
talks to Far East POW groups, to military
audiences, history groups and schools.
On July 21, 2021, at the invitation of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commis-
sion, he gave a talk on the Japanese Occu-
pation of Borneo based on his book at the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Commemoration Service of VJ 2021. The
duke of Kent and The Countess of Wessex
were in attendance.
His book covers in extraordinary
detail the war in Borneo, Kalimantan,
Sarawak, Brunei, Labuan and Sabah.
to a supplementary question from datuk
Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) during the question
and answer session in Parliament.
Ali wanted to know the measures taken
by the government to ensure that con-
sumers in Sabah will not be imposed with
higher electricity tariffs and burdened by
the handover of the regulatory power, as
well as its assurance to continue assisting
consumers in the state.
Elaborating, Nik Nazmi said the federal
government has already provided a large
subsidy to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd
(SESB), including RM711 million in 2021,
comprising RM368 million for fuel sub-
sidy, solar subsidy (RM310 million) and
tariff support subsidy (RM32.4 million).
This financial assistance allowed SESB
to maintain the basic tariff in Sabah at a
rate of 34.52 sen/kWh, which is lower than
that in the peninsula, he said.
On Jan 20, Prime Minister datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim announced that the trans-
fer of regulatory power for electricity sup-
ply to Sabah will be made on Jan 1, 2024. –
Bernama
 2 Local
Sabah aims to woo US,
Aussie, Indian tourists
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU:
The State Tourism,
Culture and Envi-
ronment Ministry
aspires to tap into
the American, Aus-
tralian and Indian
travel market in
addition to the
existing European
market.
“We traditionally look into the Euro-
pean market, London and Germany, but
this year, we are intending to look into Los
Angeles, Australia and India, which is fast
becoming an important tourist market,”
said its Minister datuk Christina Liew
(pic).
Christina said there will be a lot of
things to do, including aiming to develop
Sabah’s tourism business and bringing in
more tourists, during her official one-
week visit to Germany and London next
First barter trade Kumpit arrives
week.
LABUAN: The first non-convention ship
(NCS), better known as “kumpit” from the
southern Philippines province of Tawi-
Tawi, arrived at Labuan Liberty Wharf here
Monday to officially revive transhipment
activity between the island and southern
Philippines.
The wooden vessel was given a salute
from two water cannons on two tug boats
as it berthed at Labuan Port’s container-
ised port jetty.
The event was witnessed by Labuan
Corporation chief executive officer
Rithuan Ismail and Azman Abidin, the
Prime Minister’s political secretary, as
well as Labuan Chamber of Commerce
(LCC) members and maritime industry
players.
With the arrival of the NCS, the tran-
shipment activity between Labuan and the
southern Philippines is officially revived.
Labuan Port operator Megah Port Man-
agement Sdn Bhd (Megah) chief executive
officer Idjal Tahir said the vessel would be
undergoing a thorough check by the
authorities before it is allowed to unload
cargoes.
He said the vessel would be unloading
a consignment of 125 tonnes of sugar and
112.5 tonnes of rice for the southern Philip-
pines’ market.
“depending on the weather condition,
Bankruptcy waiver: Three conditions
the second kumpit will be arriving in one
week to unload the same consignments,”
PETALING JAYA: Those who fulfil three con-
ditions can apply to the Insolvency depart-
ment to be lifted from their bankruptcy
status, says datuk Seri Azalina Othman
Said.
According to the Minister in the Prime
Minister’s department (Law and Institu-
tional Reform), the first condition required
that the declaration of bankruptcy had
passed the five-year period from the date
of the acceptance order and the judgment
order or bankruptcy order.
Secondly, the total debt or outstanding
debt involved did not exceed RM50,000.
Third, there were no court orders, court
proceedings or investigative proceedings
conducted on the bankrupt under Act 360.
“Individuals who fulfilled these condi-
Lockup rules to be amended
tions can go to the department’s branches
or email them to check on their bank-
ruptcy cases,” said Azalina.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Home
Affairs (Moha) is preparing a comprehen-
sive amendment to the 1953 Lockup Rules
to ensure the management of lockups,
detainees as well as the basic rights of
detainees are improved in line with current
needs and requirements.
Moha in a reply published on the Parlia-
ment’s official website said this was among
the measures taken by the police to curb
the issue of deaths in custody.
“This is in addition to providing stan-
dard operating procedures (SOP) for the
management of detainees in the lockup as
well as periodic inspections by the author-
ities to ensure compliance,” it said.
The ministry was responding to a ques-
tion from Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli) who
wanted to know the statistics of deaths in
custody for the years 2021 and 2022 as well
as the government’s efforts to curb such
incidents.
According to Moha, the police were also
studying a proposal to affix a ‘Hospital or
‘Some in Umno afraid of me’
Custody’ notice on every police car as a
reminder to send ill or injured detainees to
From Page One
“I thought I was already accepted as an
Umno member as I have submitted my
form to the party’s state liaison office.
“But I got to know that some Umno
leaders are not keen on me joining
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
She said this after officiating the
launching of Major John Tulloch’s book
“The Borneo Graveyard, 1941-1945” at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel, here, Monday.
She also said that she would be meet-
ing with Mayor datuk Noorliza Awang
Alip on the city’s beautification master-
plan because it serves as the gateway to
Sabah.
It will be a significant reform and she
urged the relevant authorities to begin
planning this year.
“There are many things we need to
address in terms of hotspots, cleanliness
and planning,” she added.
“We have started the meeting, and
from what I understand, they have com-
pleted the draft that we discussed two
weeks ago. They are coming sooner or
later to design the draft,” she said.
As for targeted tourists’ arrivals, she
said she could not provide a number for
targeted tourists arrivals until she met
with all relevant sectors.
“So far, I have met the Sabah Museum,
he told Bernama.
Idjal said the consignments are owned
by local licensed transhipment company
New Quality diamond.
LCC facilitated the issuance of the tran-
shipment licence from the Royal
Malaysian Customs department to three
companies, namely Nusa Aman Sdn Bhd,
New Quality diamond and BGC Trading
Sdn Bhd.
The island’s economy has been feeling
the pinch since barter trade activity
between Labuan and southern Philippines
was halted in 2016 after more than four
decades in operation.
Rithuan said Labuan Corporation and
the Labuan disaster Management Com-
mittee are in full support of the revival of
the transhipment activity.
“We have done our part in making sure
the transhipment activity is revived and
running smoothly. Labuan needs to diver-
sify its industry to boost its economy, and
local authorities will do their part to facil-
itate,” he said.
LCC chairman daniel doughty said that
“after putting a lot of effort, the tranship-
ment activity is back on track.” – Bernama
“We must thank Megah Port Manage-
ment for its important role in this tran-
shipment activity for providing a
warehouse for the consignments and mak-
ing sure the vessel berthed safely,” he
added. – Bernama
More information can be obtained from
the department’s website at
www.mdi.gov.my.
Prime Minister datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim had announced on Friday (Feb 24)
that the bankruptcy status for 120,000
insolvents would be automatically lifted
on March 1.
“As of January, there are more than
260,000 bankruptcy cases recorded, the
majority involving young Malays who have
the potential to contribute to the economy.
“The government will amend the Insol-
vency Act 1967 so that bankruptcy cases can
be automatically released.
“While waiting for the amendments,
there are small cases with debts of less than
RM50,000. If conditions are fulfilled, these
cases will be immediately lifted from bank-
ruptcy on March 1,” he said when tabling
Budget 2023.
the hospital for treatment, whereby such a
notice has been used by the United King-
dom Police.
The ministry said that 24 deaths in cus-
tody were recorded from Jan 1-dec 31 2022,
with 11 of those deaths occurring in police
lockups while the other 13 occurred when
detainees were either receiving treatment
at a hospital or clinic or on the way to the
facility.
The number of such cases in 2021
totalled 46, of which 14 occurred in lockups.
Meanwhile, regarding the statistics of
investigations, charges and convictions
under the Sedition Act 1948, Moha said a
total of 367 case files had been opened from
2018-2022, namely 66 cases in 2018; 2019
(46 cases); 2020 (117 cases); 2021 (84 cases)
and 2022 (54).
Five of the cases have been tried in court,
it said, adding that three ended in convic-
tions while the other two were still ongo-
ing.
The ministry was responding to a ques-
tion from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-
Bukit Bendera) over the matter. – Bernama
Umno…perhaps they are afraid of me
becoming their competitor.
“But, it is all right. I am a politician and
I need to have a platform for my struggle,
so, I decided to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat
Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat),” he said.
Wildlife department, Sabah Tourism
Board (STB), and the Environment Protec-
tion department to understand the issues.
“After we get everything, we will begin
to plan. The planning for Kota Kinabalu’s
beautification has already begun,” she
said.
She added that the resumption of AirA-
sia’s international flights from Shenzhen
and Guangzhou to Kota Kinabalu on
March 2 and 3, respectively, would go
according to plan.
“We will travel to China with the STB to
meet with the major airlines there, includ-
ing Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines,
Xiamen Airlines; all these are coming in
private flights from China,” she said.
She also supports the idea of charter
flights from second tier cities in China
proposed the Sabah Association of Tour
and Travel Agents (Satta).
“We are open as long as everything
complies with the law. Among other
things, we ourselves have to upgrade our
facilities, including the airport,” she said.
Anwar on
why no
pay hike for
civil servants
PUTRAJAYA: The government did not pro-
pose salary increments for civil servants in
the 2023 Budget as it could lead to a large
budget deficit, said Prime Minister datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister,
said a high budget deficit could dampen
investors’ confidence in the country as
they would not be convinced there was a
strong political will to manage the country
well.
“Our problem now is (we have) debt of
RM1.5 trillion with (a current) deficit of 5.6
per cent, and if we increase the salaries,
our budget deficit may rise to 6.5 per cent,
nobody will come and invest in our coun-
try because they will have no confidence
that we have a strong political will to man-
age the country well,” he said after attend-
ing International Forum on Islamophobia:
Meaningful Engagement Through Madani
discourse here Monday.
Anwar said this in response to Congress
of Union of Employees in the Public and
Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) president
datuk Adnan Mat’s remarks that there was
no commitment shown by the govern-
ment to reevaluate the new public service
remuneration system in order to increase
salaries in Budget 2023.
Anwar, however, called on Cuepacs to
be patient as the government’s priority
now is to help the poorer groups of the
people.
“Just be patient for a while. Is it not
important to try to help the hardcore poor
who suffer more that the regular workers?
“Life is also hard for the paddy farmers,
fishermen and the hardcore poor...they are
also struggling to make ends meet,” he
said.
Last Friday, Anwar tabled the national
budget for 2023 with a total allocation of
RM388.1 billion, comprising RM289.1 bil-
lion for operating expenditure, and RM99
billion for development expenditure,
including RM2 billion as contingency sav-
ings.
Under the budget, the government also
agreed to give a Special Aidilfitri Assis-
tance of RM700 to all civil servants of
Grade 56 and below including those on a
contract basis and RM350 to pensioners. –
Bernama
Aussie FM
calls on Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim received a courtesy
call from Australian Foreign Minister Sen-
ator Penny Wong in Putrajaya Monday.
Anwar said issues of mutual interest
including economic cooperation, foreign
policy and regional development were dis-
cussed during the meeting.
“Australia is one of Malaysia’s close and
important friends. Senator Wong also con-
veyed greetings from PM Albanese (Aus-
tralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
and invited me to attend the Malaysia-Aus-
tralia Annual Leaders’ Meeting under the
implementation of CSP (Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership) in Australia this
year,” he said in a post on Twitter.
Wisma Putra in a statement said
Malaysia and Australia had close coopera-
tion in various sectors including defence,
science and technology, education,
counter-terrorism, trade and investment.
Total bilateral trade between the two
countries in 2022 saw a significant
increase of 55.4 per cent to RM88.65 billion
(US$20.05 billion), making Australia
Malaysia’s 10th largest trading partner. –
Bernama
The town area also not spared.
Lahad Datu
is hit by
flash floods
Azmie Lim
LAHAd dATU: Heavy rains since Monday
morning resulted in flash floods in several
areas in the district.
Lahad datu Civil defence Force (APM)
Officer, Lt. (PA) Asby Mohd Anwar said,
among the areas hit by flash floods were
Batu 1, Batu 5, Kampung Cocos, Pan Borneo
Bypass and Segama areas, Singgamata and
Jalan Silabukan areas.
Asby said following the incessant rains,
he has sent his men for monitoring of the
areas at risk of floods as the water began to
rise at about 5.30pm.
“Our men are still at the scene to moni-
tor the water level and at 5.30pm, the water
level of Sungai Segama was increasing.
“We will continue to monitor the situa-
tion and will take the necessary action if
the situation worsens,” he said.
Asby when contacted also reminds the
people, especially those in the low-lying
areas to always be prepared for any even-
tuality.
He urged the people to contact the APM
S’kan has most PPR units
for any emergencies at 089-880991 or
MERS999.
Winnie Kasmir
SANdAKAN: Sandakan has the most Peo-
ple Housing Project (PPR) with 6,080 units
spread across nine projects.
deputy Minister of Local Government
development, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd
Nasir said, from the total, 4,833 units have
been occupied while the remaining 1,247
units still vacant.
“For the vacant units, 900 are in PPR
Batu Putih which still cannot be occupied
as there are damaged.
“Previously it was used as a placement
and quarantine centre for Covid-19
patients and would need repairs before it
can be occupied,” he said.
Better Sabah-Kalimantan trade
Akmal said the inadequate PPR units
in Sandakan was raised by MP, Vivian
From Page One
“With the connectivity by road between
Kalabakan in Sabah and Simangaris in
Indonesia, bilateral trade and investment
will be enhanced. Border township will be
developed and provide employment for
the communities around the areas.
“SEAC is also gratified that Education
Minister Fadhlina Sidek has assured that
the allocation for her ministry from the
2023 budget will be used to resolve the
problems of all the dilapidated schools in
Sabah. SEAC would request the relevant
federal ministers who are in charge of
infrastructures, trade/investment promo-
tions, tourism promotions and health to
adopt a similar commitment,” he said.
To expedite Sabah’s economic develop-
Solving Petagas flood problem
ment, SEAC hopes that the Prime Minister
can consider granting “free
From Page One
“I did not talk about leaving the party
as I had not decided yet at that time,” he
said.
As for Petagas, he said, he has hired sev-
eral contractors and engineers to study a
project to solve the flood problem in the
area.
Several Wira Warisan leaders also
stated their intentions to leave the party,
Navy rescues 7 crew, 16 passengers
including Wira deputy Chief Ismail
Sabran.
Winnie Kasmir
SANdAKAN: The Malaysian navy’s Kd Todak
came to the assistance of 16 passengers and
seven crew onboard the M/L Rihana from
the Philippines whose engine stalled eight
nautical miles east of the Tg Labian waters
off Lahad datu.
Two women and a three-year-old boy
were among the passengers.
The ship patrolling the waters for Ops
daulat Benua and Ops Pasir Selatan duties
initially received information about the dis-
tress from the Mawilla 2 Operations Centre
via the Joint Task Force Headquarters 2 Mar-
itime Command Centre on Feb 24.
At 11.30 pm, Kd Todak arrived at the site
where M/L Rihana was and checked on the
dailyexpress
An area badly affected.
Wong during Parliament sitting,
recently.
At the same time, Akmal said that all
PPR applications can be made online and
those in keen can visit sprn.kpkt.gov.my
for registration.
Vivian has previously confirmed that
Sandakan has the highest slums in Sabah
with 6,516 units.
“Slum houses are also feared to be
among of the causes of the many problems
in Sandakan over the years.
“Therefore, the government must build
more PPR housing so that those who are
still living in slums can enjoy a better liv-
ing environment, and solve the social
problems and serious security issues,” she
added.
economic/trade zone status” for SOGIP,
KKIP and POIC, targeted tax and other
incentives for investments in Sabah in
2023. “These measures will provide a major
boost for Sabah’s economy to be elevated
from commodity to industrial, for Saba-
hans to maximize economic benefits from
Sabah’s resources,” said Chu.
As investment has poured into Sabah in
2021/2022, SEAC requested that the Prime
Minister to urgently look into the poor
condition of the Kota Kinabalu Interna-
tional Airport (KKIA) which is the second
gateway and busiest airport in Malaysia.
“KKIA is poorly managed, badly main-
tained and is looking very old and tired. A
major renovation is long overdue. SEAC
would like to urge the Prime Minister to
allocate a sufficient sum for this renova-
tion for KKIA urgently,” he said.
His announcement came three weeks
after Kunak Assemblywoman Norazlinah
Arif, Banggi’s Mohammad Mohamarin
and Tanjong Kapor’s Ben Chong also
announced their decision to leave the
party.
Meanwhile, at the same press confer-
ence, Tanjung Aru PBRS Chief Noran Addy
Sukiran announced that the whole divi-
sion decided to leave the party and pledge
their support to Gagasan Rakyat and the
State Government.
vessel’s status.
Heavy seas and strong winds made offer-
ing help to the M/L Rihana difficult.
Notwithstanding the difficult circum-
stances, the Kd Todak continued to provide
drinking water while also assuring the
safety of the M/L Rihana.
On Feb 25, the navy vessel successfully
towed the M/L Rihana to Tg Labian waters,
where it anchored and sought cover from
the storm while waiting for assistance from
the Philippines.
While anchored, Kd Todak proceeded to
provide food to the crew and passengers.
The M/L Rihana was later towed out of
Malaysian seas by the BRP Florencio Inigo
(PC 393), which arrived on Feb 26.

dailyexpress
Big budget, no cheers
Sohan Das
for Labuan: Chamber
LABUAN: The
Labuan Chinese
Chamber of Com-
merce has given the
thumbs-up to the
Anwar-led Unity
Government for
tabling a massive
RM388.1 billion
Budget 2023.
Its Chairman datuk Wong Kii Yii said
the amount was not expected, given the
fiscal health of the nation and the many
challenges ahead.
“The widespread of spending would
surely have a desired effect for many seg-
ments and individuals but, unfortunately,
the same could not be said of Labuan,” he
said.
The budget gave no attention to
Labuan, he said, adding “many had
expected that under the Unity Govern-
SME Association of Sabah
ment the budget would restore the island’s
special privilege in the sale of tax-free
hopes for lower costs
KOTA KINABALU: SME Association of Sabah
welcomed the National 2023 Budget and
hoped with the initiatives, the costs of
doing business for micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) can be main-
tained, if not lowered.
Its Founding President Prof datuk Foo
Ngee Kee said it is heartening to note that
MSMEs, which make up almost 97 per cent
of businesses in Malaysia, are being given
needed support under the National 2023
Budget for them to pick themselves up after
the pandemic and transform themselves to
remain relevant and competitive.
“The Government will be providing RM40
billion in loan facilities for MSMEs through
its various agencies and a total of RM1bil
funding under Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
to support MSMEs to automate and digitalise
their business operations.
“A further RM100 million is specifically
allocated for small traders to assist them in
automating and digitalising their busi-
nesses under the Skim Geran Pendigitakan
PKS. Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA)
for automated equipment is also to be
expanded to include the agriculture sector.
“The income tax of MSMEs will be
reduced from 17pc to 15pc for the first
RM150,000 of chargeable income effective
from year of assessment 2023 which will
result in a tax savings of up to RM3,000,” he
said in a statement Monday.
Foo said the tourism sector has been
given a matching grant totalling RM115 mil-
lion for promotional activities plus an addi-
tional of RM40mil to encourage chartered
flights to attract foreign tourists from new
Budget reflects M’sia Madani
markets in collaboration with the launch-
ing of new routes from these new markets.
concept, says MNC head
KOTA KINABALU: Momogun National
Congress (MNC) fully supports the
National 2023 Budget tabled by the
Prime Minister cum Finance Minister
datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Feb 24.
MNC described it as a proactive, busi-
ness and people-oriented strategic plan
of action conceptualised with the
nation’s wellbeing and prosperity at its
core.
MNC President Tan Sri Wences
Angang said the 2023 Budget addresses
every sector and community and is truly
reflective of its Malaysia Madani concept.
“MNC also lauds the Prime Minister’s
initiative to allocate special emphasis on
the infrastructural needs of Sabah with
the allocation of RM6.5 billion for the
infrastructure development in the
region.
“This is indeed a very much awaited
and welcomed allocation for the con-
struction, maintenance and systematic
upgrading of infrastructure and facilities
in Sabah to ensure that our infrastruc-
ture landscape is on par with the rest of
Malaysia.
“MNC is confident that the govern-
ment initiative to provide continued sup-
port to micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs), the bastion of the
country’s economy, with RM1.7 billion
allocated for SMEs’ development in 2023,
specifically in aspects such as capacity
upgrading and digitalisation for busi-
nesses.
“This framework of support augurs
well for the nurturing, expansion and
success of small-scale home-grown busi-
nesses and entrepreneurship,” he said in
a statement Monday.
To realise the objectives of Malaysia
Madani as well as the spirit of Malaysia
Agreement 1963 (MA63), Wences reiter-
ated the need for the Federal Govern-
ment to consider the unique and
different needs of Sabah when allocating
funds where the concept of one-size-fits-
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
tobacco products”.
The special privilege was revoked by the
previous government, which triggered an
outburst and appeal as it plunged the
island into deeper doldrums by seriously
affecting the tourism industry.
Wong also regretted that the new
budget spoke of no infrastructure devel-
opment for Labuan but instead placed
focus on upgrading and expanding the
airports in Penang and Subang as well as
to develop the main port at Carey Island in
Selangor and Sanglang in Perlis.
“What about the Labuan Integrated
port at Rancha Rancha which was planned
15 years ago and much needed for Labuan
There is also a special tax deduction of up
to RM150,000 for expenditure incurred on
the purchase of Malaysian made handicrafts
from local producers registered with the
Malaysian Handicraft development Corpo-
ration for the period from Jan 1 to dec 31, he
said, adding this special tax deduction will
help to boost the sales of Malaysian made
handicraft mostly owned by MSME.
“To answer the call for better infrastruc-
ture which is crucial for all businesses, a
development expenditure of RM6.5bil is
allocated to Sabah and RM20bil to acceler-
ate the development of Sabah-Sarawak Link
Road and Pan Borneo Highway with
another RM2.5 billion for public amenities.
“With the completion of these infra-
structures and the Customs, Immigration,
Quarantine and Security (CIQS) in Kal-
abakan, Sabah will be able to capitalise on
her proximity advantage as a neighbour to
Nusantara in East Kalimantan for bilateral
trade and investments,” he said.
In addition, he said businessmen should
pay attention to the introduction of capital
gains tax from the gain on disposal of
unquoted shares in companies which could
have unintended adverse implications and
consider carefully the reintroduction of the
Special Voluntary disclosure Programme
by LHdN and RMCd which will grant a
100pc waiver of penalty for declarations
made between June 1, 2023 and May 31,
2024.
“We welcome the 2023 budget proposal
from the Sabah MSMEs perspective and
hope both Federal and State Governments
will focus and give their full commitment
to drive the economy in Sabah for the bet-
terment of the people of the State,” he said.
all certainly does not apply.
“In terms of land area, Sabah is equiv-
alent to approximately 60 per cent of
Peninsula Malaysia with its 11 states yet
the quality and level of infrastructure are
dismally lower in East Malaysia with the
added burden of a higher cost of living,”
he said.
Wences suggested that the annual
budget allocation for Sabah should be
directly channelled to the State Govern-
ment to ensure the State receives the full
amount allocated.
“The current situation requires any
unspent amount in the annual Budget
allocation for Sabah to be returned to the
Federal Government with only 60pc to
52 Tawau palm fruit bunches theft: Man held
70pc of the allocated funding fully
utilised every year,” he said.
Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: A 48-year-old local was arrested on
suspicion of stealing 52 bunches of palm fruit
in an oil palm plantation at Mile 24 Jalan
Apas village, last Friday.
district police chief, ACP Jasmin Hussin,
said the suspect was arrested around 4.05pm
following tip-off from the public.
He said a police team carrying out Crime
Prevention Patrols (RCJ) from Bandar Sri
Indah Police Station (BSI) made the arrest
after being handed over by public.
“The police also confiscated a Toyota
Hilux single cab pick-up vehicle along with
52 palm fruit bunches worth approximately
RM600 that were in the vehicle,” he said here.
Jasmin said the suspect and the looted
items were taken to Tawau Police Headquar-
ters (IPd) for further investigation under Sec-
tion 379 of the Penal Code.
He thanked the local community for the
information that was channelled to him
until the suspect was caught.
He also hoped such cooperation contin-
ues to make Tawau a safe place.
is growth. The previous government and
the Ministry of Transport was reported to
be calling for Request for Proposal (RFP)
from the private sector to undertake the
project,” said Wong.
Wong also regretted that no mention of
allocation was made to address the serious
water problems in Labuan.
The network of pipeline and related
facilities needed to be both replaced and
upgraded. “Under the present situation no
investor would be interested to look at the
island,” added Wong.
He reminded that Labuan, being Fed-
eral Territory, was the responsibility of the
Federal government to turn the island into
a mini city with a robust economy. “We
cannot be expecting Sabah to help in this,”
said Wong.
Wong also drew attention to a report
that when Labuan was federalised in 1984,
there was said to be a nine-point agree-
ment in accepting the jurisdiction of the
Group
island and one of the points was not to dis-
turb the duty-free status of the island.
optimistic
over big
budget
allocation
Noor Zafira Zayn
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah West Coast
Smart Consumers Association is optimistic
that the development and progress of
Sabah and Sarawak can be driven more
effectively with large allocations of RM6.5
billion and RM5.6 billion through the pres-
entation of Budget 2023.
Its President, david Chan, said the
announcement by Prime Minister datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim, last Friday, could
greatly benefit the people of both states.
According to him, with the provision in
question, the development gap in progress
between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak
could be narrowed.
“What is important through Budget 2023
is the process of championing the fate of the
people by upgrading various facilities and
basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity
supply, clean water and internet access.
“We hope that this large allocation will
be able to boost the progress of the state
and thus allow economic activities, espe-
cially in rural areas, to become more vigor-
ous,” he said.
He also welcomed the allocation which
will be used to develop cities bordering Kali-
mantan, Indonesia such as Kalabakan,
Sabah and Ba’kelalan, Sarawak at a cost of
RM1 billion.
“These bordering cities will be gateways
for Indonesians, especially after the transfer
of the Indonesian capital to Kalimantan.
“With the availability of complete infra-
structure facilities and suitable facilities, the
border towns will definitely develop,
thereby opening up employment and eco-
nomic opportunities for the local popula-
tion,” he said.
david said the government was also
expected to provide some allocations to
increase food sources and curb the price of
goods from continuing to rise.
He said the people today were stressed
by the prices of food items and services that
continue to rise.
“There should be long-term and short-
term action plans to deal with the issue.
“We welcome the initiatives provided by
the government through the 2023 Budget,
especially to help farmers, rubber tappers,
youths, women and PMKS entrepreneurs.
“We hope that this target group will
make the best use of the aid given and that
it will be distributed to the right target,” he
said.
RM6.5b budget for Sabah
set to have big impact
Azmie Lim
LAHAd dATU: The 2023 budget presented
by Prime Minister datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim last Friday is seen to have a big
impact on the community, especially
those in Sabah.
United Islamic Sabah Association
(Usia) deputy President datuk Abdul
Hakim Gulam Hassan said the budget
that allocates RM6.5 billion for Sabah
clearly shows the government’s commit-
ment and dedication in strengthening
infrastructure development in the State.
Welcoming the government’s efforts
to speed up the implementation of the
Sabah and Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway,
the Sabah Link Road with an allocation of
RM20 billion, Hakim said this effort will
improve the communication network in
Sabah.
“We are very grateful to the Prime Min-
ister for the commitment and concern for
the people of Sabah shown through the
2023 budget.
“Through the initiatives announced,
we can see his and the Unity Govern-
ment’s determination to prosper the
State of Sabah,” he said.
According to Abdul Hakim, the 2023
budget also coincides with the theme of
Malaysia Madani where attention is given
to the people as a whole.
He said the addition of 42 border con-
trol posts of the General Operations
Force, the Malaysian Immigration depart-
ment, the Sabah East Coast Special Secu-
rity Area (ESSCom) and the Malaysian
Maritime Enforcement Agency was also a
good initiative.
He explained that security issues are
often a focus for the State, especially after
the Lahad datu invasion in 2013.
“Efforts to increase and tighten
national border control are welcomed
because this will benefit the people of
Sabah.
“The initiative to increase these con-
Narrowing devt gap between
trol posts will also be beneficial in terms
of economy, where it will stimulate the
Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak
Nikko Fabian
KOTO KINABALU: Making the call for
Sabahans, particularly in the rural areas, to
take advantage of the Madani Budget
2023, PGRS Information Chief datuk
Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan hoped the
increased budget allocation will pave way
for Sabah to accelerate its development
programmes and be at par with the rest of
the states.
He said leaders of Parti Gagasan Rakyat
Sabah hope that the revised national
budget will bridge development gap
between the two Borneo states and Penin-
sular.
“Sabahans welcome the Budget and are
grateful of the three per cent increase in
development allocation to RM6.5 billion
Zulkapli appointed Public
this year”, he said.
He also believes that the local commu-
Service Dept Director-General
PUTRAJAYA: datuk dr Zulkapli Mohamed
has been appointed as the director-General
of Public Service department (PSd) effective
Monday (Feb 27), said the Chief Secretary to
the Government (KSN), Tan Sri Mohd Zuki
Ali.
Zulkapli, 58, was earlier deputy director-
general (development) in the Public Service
department.
Mohd Zuki in a statement said the
appointment has received the consent of the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
He said the appointment was based on
the vast experience of Zulkapli in the various
fields including policies, management and
services in the development of human capi-
tal.
“I am confident that with the knowledge
and credibility that he possesses, he is able
A vehicle
carrying 52
bunches of
palm oil
believed to
have been
stolen by the
local suspect
at Mile 14
Jalan Apas.
(Pic: PDRM
Tawau)
Local 3
Abd Hakim Mizma
tourism industry,” he added.
Meanwhile, Segama Community
development Leader, Mizma Appehdul-
lah, described the budget as inclusive and
will bring prosperity to the people.
Mizma said it covers comprehensive
aspects such as health, education, secu-
rity, development and others.
He said the initiatives announced
through the 2023 budget would benefit
the people of Malaysia, as well as those in
Sabah.
Welcoming the government’s efforts
to make the people of Sabah prosperous,
Mizma said the allocation of RM2.5 bil-
lion to implement public infrastructure
projects, including road and streetlight
projects as well as water and electricity
supply, is good news for the people.
She said the initiative to provide the
best service to the people in Sabah can
also be seen through the allocation of
RM30 million for the interiors of Sabah
and Sarawak to increase the facilities of
clinics, banks and mobile courts.
“The government has also allocated
RM2.3 billion to upgrade buildings and
infrastructure in 380 poor schools, espe-
cially in Sabah and Sarawak, which will
provide comfortable and conducive
schools for students,” she said.
Mizma added that the concept of
Malaysia Madani applied in the 2023
Budget is seen to be capable of develop-
ing and driving the country’s economy in
addition to bringing prosperity to the
people.
nities, especially those in rural areas, fully
support Chief Minister datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor’s style of leadership and the matter’s
earlier statement referring to the serious
consideration to set up another CIQ in
Bantul, Pensiangan.
The Assemblyman stressed that the
RM1 billion allocation to build a Customs,
Immigration and Quarantine complex
bordering Indonesia, including in Kal-
abakan, will surely have a positive impact
of Sabah’s economy following the con-
struction of Indonesia’s new administra-
tive city in the archipelago.
Nizam calls on Sabahans to grab these
opportunities offered by both the Federal
and State Unity Governments.
“PGRS will take the initiative to explain
to the people on these benefits,” he said in
a statement.
to carry the trust and responsibility in sup-
porting efforts and ensuring that public sec-
tor reforms are in line with the aspirations
of Malaysia Madani,” he said.
Zulkapli has served in the public service
for 31 years and his first position was assis-
tant secretary in the Training division on dec
1 1992.
He had also served as the chief executive
officer at Solid Waste and Public Cleansing
Management Corporation (SWCorp) as well
as the Sabah federal secretary at the Sabah
Federal Secretary’s Office.
Zulkapli graduated with a Bachelor of
Social Science (Honours) from Universiti
Sains Malaysia, a Master’s degree in Interna-
tional development from the University of
Japan and a doctorate in Economics (Inter-
national Finance) from Meiji University,
New Treasury
Japan. – Bernama
Secretary-General
PUTRAJAYA: datuk Johan Mahmood @ Johan
Mahmood Merican has been appointed as
the new Treasury Secretary-General, effective
Monday (Feb 27), announce Chief Secretary to
the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Mohd Zuki in a statement said the
appointment of Johan, 50, who was previ-
ously Treasury deputy Secretary-General (Pol-
icy), had received the consent of Yang
di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ay-
atuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Mohd Zuki said the appointment was
based on his qualifications, leadership quali-
ties and extensive experience while holding
several positions in the fields of economics,
finance and policy-making.
“I have full confidence in his qualifica-
tions, experience and credibility to carry the
trust and support the mission and vision in
continuing the excellence of the country’s
financial and economic management which
is efficient, transparent and effective in line
with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” he
said. – Bernama

4 Local
Fadhlina with Armizan listening to SK Kinarut teachers’ grouses
while others look on.
Feedback on
school facilities
vital: Ministry
Hayati Dzulkifli
PAPAR: The Ministry of Education (MoE)
is seeking cooperation from relevant
authorities to ensure that infrastructures
for public use, especially involving stu-
dents, are in good condition.
Its Minister, Fadhlina Sidek, said MoE
would not compromise on safety issues of
students not only at school, but also
when they are on their journey there.
Unfortunately, she said infrastructure
outside the school is not within the juris-
diction of her Ministry and for that rea-
son, the cooperation of the Ministry and
other related agencies is essential.
“Public facilities such as piers or jet-
ties, bridges and roads that are used by
students must be in good condition.
“We are not only talking about safety
issues due to poor school building condi-
tions, but also the safety of children on
their way to schools.
“In that regard, I request cooperation
of other ministries responsible for infra-
structure such as roads and jetties used by
students because these are not under the
MoE,” she said.
Fadhlina said this after her working
visit to SK Kinarut, near here, last Sunday.
She also announced a RM200,000 alloca-
tion for SK Kinarut for maintenance
Premises offering Menu Rahmah
works.
expected to double in March
PUTRAJAYA: number of premises offer-
ing Menu Rahmah is expected to double
in March from over 700 food stalls and
restaurants nationwide at present, said
domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minis-
ter datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
“We expect to see a two-fold increase
in the figure, including through the par-
ticipation of fast food chains,” he said.
Salahuddin told reporters this after
observing the implementation of the
Menu Rahmah initiative at the dengkil
Rest and Service (R&R) Area (south-
bound) here Monday, with Works Minis-
ter datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi
also present.
Menu Rahmah is a voluntary pro-
gramme launched by the domestic Trade
and Cost of Living Ministry (KPdN) to
offer meals at RM5 and below.
Salahuddin said to date, the ministry
received no reports saying that the food
offered under the initiative is of low
quality or not nutritious.
M’sia requests for higher
“From the very beginning, industry
players were involved in the engagement
haj quota of 31,950 pilgrims
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has conveyed a
request to Saudi Arabia for a higher haj
quota of 31,950 pilgrims next year in line
with the increase in the country’s popula-
tion, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s
department (Religious Affairs) datuk dr
Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
Mohd Na’im said he conveyed the
request during a meeting with Saudi’s Haj
and Umrah Minister dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-
Rabiah Monday, who is on a three-day
working visit to Malaysia.
“Insya-Allah, this matter will continue
to be discussed further. In fact, His Excel-
lency (Tawfiq) has stated his commitment
to giving due consideration to our
request,” he told a press conference after
the meeting at his office here.
The haj quota for Malaysia has been set
at 31,600 pilgrims for this year’s haj sea-
son.
Meanwhile, Tawfiq, in his speech, said
the Saudi government welcomed the
arrival of Malaysian haj and umrah pil-
World Understanding and Peace Day
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
Kan Yaw Chong
KOTA KINABALU:
Rotarians under-
stand that peace is
more than just the
absence of conflict,
but the presence of
justice, equality and
fairness.
Zara
datuk Aminah
Ambrose, President
of the Rotary Club of
Kota Kinabalu Pearl, said this at the
“World Understanding and Peace day”
event held at the Hakka Hall Likas, last
Sunday.
“As Rotarians, it is our responsibility to
address the root causes of conflict and
inequality in our communities and
beyond,” she said.
The dinner was attended by Rotarians
from eight Rotary Clubs of KK Mandarin,
Likas Bay, KK Sutera, Luyang, KK South,
Tanjung Aru, KK and Penampang.
Aminah went on: “As we celebrate
Rotary’s 118th anniversary, let us reflect on
our vision statement, ‘Together, we see a
world where people unite and take action
to create lasting change – across the globe,
in our communities and in ourselves’.
“This year we are focussing on peace-
building through Rotary, which is aligned
with World Understanding & Peace day,
the Rotary Clubs in Kota Kinabalu are com-
90 cases of illegal logging: S’wak tops
mitted to instilling the value of peace-
building in our community,” she added,
She was accompanied by Minister in
the Prime Minister’s department (in
charge of Sabah & Sarawak Affairs and
Special Tasks), datuk Armizan Mohd Ali,
as well as officials from MoE and local KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 90 cases of ille-
authorities. gal logging were recorded nationwide in
She was commenting on students who 2022 with Sarawak having the highest num-
had to risk their lives when going to ber at 60 cases, the dewan Rakyat was told
school including using rafts and flying Monday.
fox to cross the river due to bridges being Natural Resources, Environment and
swept away by severe flooding while wait- Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik
ing for the bridges to be rebuilt. Ahmad said 11 cases were recorded in Perak,
The media reported that on Jan 30, two followed by Kelantan (10 cases), Sabah
primary school pupils suffered light (four), Selangor (two) and one case each in
injuries when a village jetty at Kg Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang.
Pababag, Semporna, collapsed while “The culprits who committed the
some 23 pupils, kindergarten children offence have been charged under the
and two SK Pulau Pababag teachers fell National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313) in
into the sea when the wooden jetty col- Peninsular Malaysia, the Forest Ordinance
lapsed at about 6.45am. 2015 (Chapter 71) in Sarawak and the Forest
She said the incident is a big reminder Enactment 1968 (Sabah No. 2 of 1968) in
and a lesson that concerns safety of the Sabah,” he said during the Question-and-
MySejahtera:
students. Answer session.
In light of this, Fadhlina said the MoE He was replying to a question from Che
did require the use of life jackets among
Govt mulls
pupils, secondary students and teachers
for those who come to school by boat ot
public health
just crossing the river.
“When crossing the river there must be
super app
life jackets, it is compulsory to wear them.
“The MoE provided these life jackets,”
Fadhlina said.
THE government intends to make MySe-
jahtera a digital public health super app,
the dewan Rakyat was told Monday.
deputy Health Minister Lukanisman
Awang Sauni said it would be used as big
sessions regarding the menu prepara-
data with all health-related information
tion. They were not forced but volun-
used as a guide in determining the coun-
teered to help the people by providing
try’s health direction encompassing
quality meals,” he said, adding that the
budget provision, best health services and
number of participants’ customers is also
facilitating the people.
increasing.
“As for the payment (of procurement
Salahuddin said the next step was to
cost of MySejahtera) or the amount
meet with industry players in the food
agreed by the government through the
manufacturing sector in a bid to reduce
ceiling set by the Ministry of Finance is
the burden of food stall operators in
RM160 million.”
offering Menu Rahmah.
He said this in reply to dr Kelvin Yii Lee
Meanwhile, Nanta said some 215 stalls
Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) who wanted
in R&R areas along all highways had
to know the way forward for the app and
offered Menu Rahmah to date, with addi-
whether the government would extend
tional 100 stalls expected to join in the
the contract period of the app and how
initiative next month.
much was paid for the procurement of
Elaborating, he said the first phase of
the application.
the initiative was introduced to North- Other plans in the pipeline include
South Expressway (NSE) users on Feb 23 using the data on the application plus
in several R&R areas and lay-bys in the information obtained from the Ministry
central region. of Health (MOH) to identify those who
The second and third phases will be are eligible to receive the Madani Medical
implemented next month involving the Scheme initiative announced in Budget
southern region of NSE and the East 2023.
Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), he said. – Meanwhile, in reply to dr Yii’s original
Bernama question on MOH’s plan to optimise the
use of MySejahtera, Lukanisman said the
MOH was committed to making the
MySejahtera app a national public health
management tool in line with the health
service digitalisation plan.
He said the app would work on surveil-
lance of infectious diseases such as tuber-
grims to the Holy Land and assured that it culosis, dengue, measles, and rabies, as
would continue to improve various facili- well as hand, foot and mouth disease
ties to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims. (HFMd), in addition to vaccination
The Saudi government also plans to records under the National Immunisa-
increase flights from Malaysia to the King- tion Programme; non-communicable dis-
dom from 49 to 70 per week, he said in his ease screening for individuals aged 40
speech translated by senior director of the years and above; registration for organ
department of Islamic development donation; blood type records and
Malaysia (Jakim) Abdul Karim Zakaria. appointment for health screening.
Tawfiq also expressed his appreciation On the details of the ministry’s negoti-
for Malaysia’s various initiatives and effi- ations with MySJ Sdn Bhd, Lukanisman
ciency in managing haj and umrah opera- said the MOH and the company had
tions to facilitate the affairs of its citizens reached several agreements, including a
in the Holy Land. contract for the procurement of the appli-
At the same, he said a new application cation management through direct nego-
called Nusuk had been launched for the tiation for the period from April 1, 2021,
convenience of haj and umrah pilgrims to March 31 this year.
from all over the world. “The MySejahtera application owner-
The multilingual application that can ship which covers intellectual property
be downloaded from Google Play Store rights, source code for modules that have
and Apple App Store is equipped with var- been developed, as well as data, brand
ious information and facilities related to and logo are owned by the government. –
haj and umrah pilgrimage matters. – Bernama
Bernama
Aminah Changaroth
citing the help the clubs here will be get-
ting from the event’s keynote speaker, Anil
Changaroth, Chartered President of the
Rotary Club of Peace Builders Singapore,
district 3310’s 1st Cause Based Club to
achieve the goal.
“Through his experiences in dispute
resolution and restorative justice, Mr
Changaroth has gained valuable insights
into the importance of peace and conflict
resolution in building a harmonious soci-
ety,” datuk Aminah noted.
“He, like many of us, found himself
drawn to Rotary’s commitment to making
a positive difference in the world.”
In his keynote address, Changaroth
quoted the dalai Lama who reportedly
crafted the saying, “World peace must
develop from inner peace. Peace, I think,
is not just mere absence of violence,
peace is the manifestation of human
compassion”.
Changaroth went on to quote Indian
nationalist and non-violence advocate,
Mahatma Gandi, who famously said, “The
Alias Hamid (PN-Kemaman) who wanted
to know the breakdown of illegal logging
cases in the states in 2022 as well as the
effectiveness of using new technologies
such as drones to reduce illegal logging
activities.
Nik Nazmi added that his ministry
through the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry
department (JPSM), the Sabah Forestry
department and the Sarawak Forestry
Passport congestion: Immigration
department also took the approach of
using several technologies to overcome the
Dept taking proactive measures
THE Immigration department is taking
several proactive measures to overcome
the issue of serious congestion over pass-
port-related matters. They include
increasing the number of working days
(on Saturdays and Sundays), especially at
passport issuing offices which are expe-
riencing significant congestion.
Home Minister datuk Seri Saifuddin
Nasution Ismail said there are 20 pass-
port offices facing high congestion
namely nine in the Federal Territory and
Selangor, Johor (five), Perak (three) and
one each in Melaka, Penang and Kedah.
He said RM10 million has also been
allocated for overtime payment.
“Until today, we have issued nearly 2.5
million passports and from this number,
45 per cent represent online applica-
tions.
“However, online passport applica-
tions will take a few days to complete,
while ‘walk-in’ applications will be com-
pleted within a day,” he said during a
Implementing SKSPS in near future
question-and-answer session at dewan
Rakyat Monday.
THE Ministry of Human Resources
(MOHR) will ensure that the govern-
ment’s policy requiring all self-employed
individuals, including gig workers, to
contribute to the Self-Employed Social
Security Scheme (SKSPS), can be imple-
mented in the near future.
Human Resources Minister V. Sivaku-
mar said to ensure insurance coverage
for all sectors including the gig economy
sector, the Social Security Organisation
(Socso) faces various challenges, among
the lack of specific policy or legislation
to safeguard the welfare of gig economy
workers.
Besides, he said gig economy workers
are not protected under the Work Act
PN calls for targeted EPF withdrawals
1955, Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter
PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) has once again
urged the government to allow targeted
withdrawals from the Employees Provi-
dent Fund (EPF) through a suitable mech-
anism.
Opposition leader and Larut MP datuk
Seri Hamzah Zainudin said this is to
ensure only those truly eligible will be
able to make withdrawals.
“There are contributors who save in the
EPF voluntarily… for example, before the
pandemic, they had a successful business.
They contributed (to EPF) and bought a
house, but three years since the pandemic
hit, the income has differed compared to
dailyexpress
best way to find yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of others”.
Sharing his years of experience on con-
flict resolution, Changaroth said he
realised the “need to bring peace to all the
people I engage with and work with”.
Aminah added: “Let us remember that
peace-building is an ongoing process that
requires persistence and commitment. As
we celebrate Rotary’s anniversary, let us
commit ourselves to our vision of a world
where people unite and take action to cre-
ate lasting change.
“On the World Understanding & Peace
day, let us reflect on the theme of ‘End
Racism, Build Peace’.
“As Rotarians, let us embrace diversity,
respect each other’s beliefs, and be toler-
ant of the differences In opinion and lan-
guage. Without peace, trust, cooperation,
and inclusiveness are impossible to
achieve, and we need to be aware of what
is happening in pour community and
within our Rotary clubs.
“As Rotarians, we stand above all these
because we understand what brings peo-
ple or groups together and what drives
them apart,” Aminah concluded, as she
thanked the hard work of Organising
Chairperson, Nicole Lee, for putting the
event together.
The night heard vibrant entertainment
performances from Zara Goh Flintoft in
two solo sessions on the saxophone and
Rotarian Vector on the guitar and Rock
Out with Muddy.
problem of illegal logging.
He said these technologies included the
Forest Monitoring using Remote Sensing
(FMRS) system in the peninsula, the Contin-
uous Monitoring of Surveillance (Comos)
system in Sarawak and the iForSabah appli-
cation system in Sabah in the aspects of for-
est monitoring and enforcement in the
country. These systems use Geographic
Information System (GIS) technology,
remote sensing and high-resolution satel-
lite images that can detect any changes in
Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) areas.
“This system helps patrol teams and
enforcement operations to combat illegal
forest activities in the field with more spe-
cific location information,” he said, adding
that drones were also used to catch illegal
logging culprits to air reconnaissance at
specific locations. – Bernama
Saifuddin was replying to a question
by datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali
(BN-Pekan) who wanted to know what
proactive and progressive solutions
would be taken to overcome the serious
case of congestion for passport matters
at the Immigration department, as well
as a proposal to reinstate the ‘walk-in’
passport application process.
He said after the threat of Covid-19
infection had eased, passport applica-
tions are high so much so it has caused
congestion at passport issuing offices
especially in the Klang Valley.
Meanwhile, he said there was conges-
tion at immigration counters at the
country’s main entry gates, especially at
the Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) and the ministry is working out
ways to solve the problem.
As an immediate solution, Saifuddin
said the auto gates at KLIA that was only
open for Malaysians will be opened to
foreigners especially those coming from
low-risk countries such as Singapore and
Brunei. – Bernama
67) and Labour Ordinance (Sarawak
Chapter 76) and do not get the benefit of
the minimum wage in addition to their
inconsistent and temporary income.
Sivakumar said this in reply to a sup-
plementary question by Azli Yusof (PH-
Shah Alam) at the question and answer
session in the dewan Rakyat Monday,
who wanted to know the extent of the
government’s commitment to work and
put in place a clear policy or act to
defend the fate of economic gig workers.
To Azli’s original question, Sivakumar
said based on statistics (Socso) from Jan-
uary to december 2022, a total of
374,906 self-employed individuals in the
country have had SKSPS protection. –
Bernama
the time they were contributing.
“And now they are asking for with-
drawals to be made because they have
defaulted on their housing loans for six
months and their homes are up for auc-
tion. If we do not help people like these,
what is going to happen?
“Their home is about to be auctioned
and to purchase another asset in a year or
two, I think, is very challenging. And that
is why I am urging the government to look
for a mechanism for this purpose,” he said
when debating the Supply Bill 2023 at the
policy level at the dewan Rakyat Monday.
– Bernama
dailyexpress
Jobless fined RM2,500 for disposing of stolen items, failure to furnish MyKad to police
Jo Ann Mool
KOTA KINABALU: An unemployed man
was fined a total of RM2,500 on Monday on
two counts of disposing of stolen items
and failing to furnish his MyKad to police.
AgKu Jufaiz Abd Gani, 23, pleaded guilty
before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles
to committing the offences.
On the first count, Jufaiz was ordered to
pay a fine of RM2,000 or two months in jail
for assisting in disposing of two stolen
badminton rackets, worth RM1,498
belonging to Hurricane Sports Enterprise
in February this year in front of the Hara-
pan Menang Sdn Bhd here.
June 15 hearing
The court heard from the prosecution
of bid to quash
Tommy’s suit
KUALA LUMPUR: The
High Court on Monday
fixed June 15 to hear the
application of a special
task force and the gov-
ernment to quash the
suit initiated by former
Attorney-General Tan Sri
Tommy Thomas (pic) regarding an inves-
tigation report on the contents of his
memoir titled ‘My Story: Justice In the
Wilderness’.
Thomas filed the suit naming the spe-
cial task force’s Chairman datuk Seri Fong
Joo Chung, seven other members of the
team, as well as the government as defen-
dants.
Besides Fong, the special task force
comprises datuk Seri Panglima Hashim
Paijan, datuk dr Junaidah Kamaruddin,
datuk Jagjit Singh Bant Singh, datuk Sha-
harudin Ali, K. Balaguru, Farah Adura
Hamidi and Mohd Najib Surip.
Senior Federal Counsel Nur Irmawatie
daud who is representing all the defen-
dants when contacted said the court also
ordered the defence to file written submis-
sions on March 27.
“The plaintiff has also been ordered to
file written submissions on April 10 and
all the defendants to file counter submis-
sions on May 2, if any,” she said after the
online case management before Judge
datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.
Lawyer Haikaldin Mahyidin represented
Thomas.
Thomas, who was the Attorney-General
from June 2018 to February 2020, had
sought a declaration that the report titled
‘Report of the Special Task Force – Investi-
gation into the Allegations in the Book
Titled “My Story: Justice In The Wilder-
ness”, was an invalid document and
against the law.
In the originating summons, he
claimed the publication of the report vio-
lated Sections 499 and 500 of the Penal
Code and/or Section 233 of the Communi-
cations and Multimedia Act 1998.
He also sought a declaration that the
publication of the report by the govern-
ment, violated his right to his reputation
as protected by Articles 5(1) and 13(1) of
the Federal Constitution.
The book written by Thomas which was
published in January 2021 courted a lot of
controversies, which led to the Cabinet set-
ting up a special task force on Oct 8, 2021,
to conduct a study on the revelations con-
tained in the book.
On Oct 13, 2022, the government declas-
sified the special task force’s report, which
among other things, recommended that
Thomas be investigated for possible
Oil palm worker
offences. – Bernama
fined RM6,500
for posting
remarks
against King
KUALA LUMPUR: A plantation worker was
fined RM6,500, in default six months in
jail, by the Sessions Court here Monday for
improper use of the network facilities by
sending offensive communications involv-
ing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on his
Facebook page in december last year.
Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak meted out
the fine to Muhammad Hanis Nordin, 34,
who pleaded guilty to making and initiat-
ing the transmission of offensive commu-
nications using the Facebook profile page
‘As Bul’ with the intention of annoying
others at 3.23 am on dec 10 last year.
The link was viewed at the Bukit Aman
Commercial Crime Investigation depart-
ment Office here at 8.18 pm on dec 13,
2022.
The charge, framed under Section 233
(1) (a) of the Communications and Multi-
media Act 1998 and can be punished
according to Section 233 (3) of the same
law, provides a maximum fine of
RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one
year or both and can be fined a further
RM1,000 for each day the offence contin-
ues after conviction.
In mitigation, Muhammad Hanis, who
was unrepresented, said he was remorseful
and regretted his action.
deputy Public Prosecutor Nurilya
Ellyna Nur Azmal prosecuted. – Bernama
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
that Jufaiz sold the rackets to a shop
worker.
On the second count, Jufaiz was fined
RM500 or two weeks in jail for failing to
produce his identification document when
checked by the police at 2.30pm on Feb 11,
this year by the roadside in Inanam.
Prosecutor Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik
told the court that Jufaiz, who was earlier
handed to police for another offence,
failed to furnish his MyKad when asked by
the police.
Jufaiz claimed that he did not bring the
document with him. Jufaiz’s counsel Lim
Ming Zoong @ Lawrence requested a
lenient sentence for his client.
Habitual addict gets
62 months, whipping
Cynthia D Baga
KOTA KINABALU: A man was sentenced to
five years and two months in jail and
ordered to get a stroke of the cane for
repeatedly taking syabu.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus
handed the sentence to Faijal Maidin after
he pleaded guilty.
He was found taking the drug after his
urine was tested positive for drug at the
police station here on March 17, 2022 and
he has several conviction records for tak-
ing the drug.
Najib disrupted his final SRC appeal by changing legal team
The offence under Section 15(1)(a) dan-
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here on
Monday was told that datuk Seri Najib
Tun Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd
appeal had gone wrong when he ‘changed
horses in midstream’ last year.
Ad hoc Prosecutor datuk V. Sitham-
baram was referring to the changing
of lawyers from Shafee & Co to a new
legal team comprising datuk Hisyam Teh
Poh Teik, as well as counsel from Messr
Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners
(ZIST).
He said Najib was represented by Tan
Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah from the
High Court level of the SRC International
case in 2018 and only changed lawyers in
2022 prior to the hearing of the appeal
before the Federal Court in August last
year.
“If not for this changing of horses, I do
not think this (review) would be before
Your Lordship today. While it is the
accused’s right to choose counsel, the
counsel must be ready to act and willing
to act on the given day. The truth is they
did not want to go on with the case, that’s
why they wanted the adjournment,” he
said.
On Justice datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd
Ghazali’s previous position in Maybank
Bhd, the prosecutor said it was never a
secret and Mohd Nazlan’s role in the bank
was irrelevant to the SRC International
case against Najib.
“It was certainly no subject of this
review,” said the prosecutor.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Shafee replied
that it was the first time the change of
Drug trafficking: Former radio DJ to enter defence
counsel had happened in Najib’s case and
it was done in good faith (bona fide).
KUALA LUMPUR: A former radio presenter
Ismahalil Hamzah was Monday ordered to
enter his defence by the High Court here
on a drug trafficking charge.
Judge datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin
made the ruling after finding that the
prosecution had succeeded in establishing
a prima facie case against Ismahalil, 49, at
the end of the prosecution case.
Muhammad Jamil, in his summary
judgment, said the court found that the 22
packets of drugs found in Ismahalil’s room
were in his control and custody.
150 take part in S’kan mass circumcision
“during the raid, the accused himself
picked up the bag containing the drugs
Mardinah Jikur
SANdAKAN: The Free Mass Circumcision
Charity Programme here in conjunction
with Ramadan 2023 received overwhelm-
ing response, Sunday.
It was jointly organised by the datuk
Pengiran Galpam Mosque in collabora-
tion with the United Sabah Islamic
Organisation (Usia) Kinabatangan, San-
dakan Zakat Centre, duchess of Kent Hos-
pital and Tamyiz Muslimah Association.
Organisers aimed for 100 participants
under 12 years old from the district but 50
more signed up.
The programme was officiated by
datuk Pengiran Galpam Masjid Chair-
man cum Usia Vice President and Head of
Usia Kinabatangan, datuk Abdul Rah-
man datuk Pengiran Galpam.
It was also attended by representatives
from Sabah Zakat Centre Sandakan
Abdul Muluk Abdul Ghani, Organising
Charman Surianah Yusop, Mosque Chair-
The first count under Section 414 of the
Penal Code carries a jail term of up to seven
years or a fine or both on conviction, while
the second count, under Section 25(1)(n) of
the National Registration Regulations 1990
provides for a jail term of up to three years
or a fine or both on conviction.
In another case, two motorists were
each jailed one day and fined RM10,000 or
three months in jail for drink driving.
Raimon Seminggu, 36, and Chai Shen
Wee, 28, pleaded guilty separately to com-
mitting the offence against them.
Raimon admitted to committing the
offence at 12.55am, on Sept 15, 2022 at Jalan
Pintas, Kopungit here.
gerous drugs Act (ddA) 1952 is punish-
able under Section 39C(1)(b) ddA 1952.
The court ordered Faijal to serve the jail
sentence from the date of his arrest.
After serving the sentence, the court
also ordered Faijal to be placed under
police supervision for three years.
Meanwhile, four illegal immigrants
were jailed four months each for entering
the State illegally.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram (left) said the former prime
minister’s new solicitor and counsel (Messrs Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew &
Partners (Zist) and Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik) must be fully aware and be prepared
to proceed with the appeal since the hearing date was already fixed. – NSTP photo
In fact, he said the change of counsel
was due to local courts not allowing
Jonathan Laidlaw, the Queen’s Counsel
from the United Kingdom to be temporar-
ily admitted to the Bar and represent
Najib in the final appeal.
“Thus, there is no agenda to engineer
adjournment,” insisted the veteran coun-
sel.
The duo submitted this before the
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak datuk
Abdul Rahman Sebli, who chaired a five-
member panel which included Federal
and gave it to the police officer after being
asked if there was any contraband inside.
“The behaviour of the accused, in pick-
ing up the bag himself was seen to be sus-
picious, showing that he knew the
presence of the drug. Therefore, the pros-
ecution succeeded in proving that the
drug was under the control of the accused.
Therefore, the argument by the defence
that his client does not have the knowl-
edge, control and custody of the drug has
no merit,” he said, adding that the testi-
mony by the prosecution witnesses was
not contradictory and was reliable.
When told by the judge of the option
Abdul Rahman (seated in the middle) with Abdul Muluk, Surianah and Napsah in a
picture with the parents and the children before the programme started.
man Tamyiz Muslimah and datuk
dayang Napsah datuk Pengiran Galpam.
Abdul Rahman said the response to
the programme was extraordinary and
expressed gratitude to those who made it
a success.
“It was clear that this free programme
also helps the needy to some extent,” he
said.
Chai pleaded guilty to committing the
offence at 2.45am on Jan 28, this year at
KM1 Jalan Tuaran.
The charge under Section 45A(1) of the
Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2020,
which provides for a jail term of up to two
years and a fine between RM10,000 and
RM30,000 and lost qualification from
holding or getting a driving licence for not
less than two years from the date of convic-
tion.
The court also ordered Raimon’s and
Chai’s driving licences to be suspended for
two years.
Traffic Prosecuting Officer Mohammad
Khairul Nizam Mokhtar prosecuted.
Kokoi Muhammad, Mohd Gabi Jefri,
Kalim Ahailin and Hafiruddin Jupri,
pleaded guilty separately before Sessions
Court Judge Azreena Aziz.
They were arrested at the city area after
failing to produce their identification doc-
uments to the police.
They were ordered to serve the jail sen-
tence from the date of their arrests.
After completing their jail sentence, the
illegal immigrants were ordered to be
referred to the Immigration department
for biometric data to be taken before
deportation.
Court judges datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat,
datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and datuk
Nordin Hassan and Court of Appeal judge
datuk Abu Bakar Jais.
Najib, in his review application, is seek-
ing to overturn the decision made by a
five-member bench of the Federal Court
led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun
Tuan Mat on Aug 23 last year in upholding
his conviction and 12-year jail sentence
and fine.
The hearing continues today (Feb 28)
at 9 am.
for him to make his defence, Ismahalil
chose to testify under oath from the wit-
ness stand, with the prosecution given the
opportunity to question him during cross-
examination.
After the court gave its verdict, Isma-
halil was seen sobbing, while looking at
his wife and children who were in the pub-
lic gallery.
His lawyer, datuk Ahmad Zaharil
Muhaiyar, then told the court that the
defence will call five witnesses, including
the accused.
The court has set Mat 30 and 31 for the
defence trial. – Bernama
Meanwhile, Abdul Muluk said the pro-
gramme was the second held by the San-
dakan Sabah Zakat Centre after the one in
Kampung Batu Putih Baru involving 100
participants on Saturday.
Before the circumcision, the children
looked happy during the mass showering
event with the help of firemen from the
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station.
Local 5
Siti Bainun
enquired for
best medicine
to treat
Bella’s hand
KUALA LUMPUR: Rumah
Bonda founder Siti
Bainun Ahd Razali (pic)
Monday admitted she had
asked for the best medi-
cine at a pharmacy to
treat the burns on the
hand of a teenager with down syndrome
known as Bella.
Siti Bainun, 31, said she inquired about
the medicine with a pharmacist through
WhatsApp and informed the individual
about Bella’s badly burned hand.
Siti Bainun said this during cross-
examination by deputy Public Prosecutor
Shakira Aliana Alias at the defence trial of
the woman who was accused of neglect-
ing and abusing the 13-year-old girl in the
Sessions Court here.
However, Siti Bainun did not agree
with Shakira Aliana’s suggestion that
Bella was only treated at home and the
accused went to the pharmacy because
she wanted to hide the teenage girl’s
wounds.
Shakira Aliana: I said you knew Bella
was badly hurt and needed to be taken to
the clinic, but you didn’t because you
were afraid of what you did to Bella being
exposed?
Siti Bainun: disagree.
The accused also denied that Bella was
looked after by a former resident of
Rumah Bonda, Yasmin Nahar Mahmood
(the fifth prosecution witness) when the
teenager was injured.
Siti Bainun did not agree with the
prosecution’s suggestion that she did not
seriously care for Bella and gave that
responsibility to Yasmin.
In the previous proceedings, Yasmin
told the court, Siti Bainun ordered her to
apply medicine on Bella’s wound and the
medicine was bought by the accused her-
self.
Siti Bainun was charged with neglect-
ing and abusing the teenager causing
physical and emotional injury in a condo-
minium unit in Wangsa Maju between
February and June 2021, according to Sec-
tion 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001,
which carries a maximum prison sen-
tence of 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or
both if convicted.
The trial took place before Judge Izral-
Four MPPD
izam Sanusi. – Bernama
staff charged
with corruption
SEREMBAN: Four Port dickson Municipal
Council (MPPd) employees pleaded not
guilty in the Sessions Court here to
charges of soliciting and receiving bribes
from traders between 2017 and 2020.
They are enforcement assistant Azman
Halidan, 55, assistant environmental
health officer Khairil Rizal Mahtar, 45,
and two public health assistants, Arfizi
Mustafa, 38 and Mohd Azmi Mohd
Hashim, 41.
Azman was charged with two counts
of soliciting and receiving bribes of
RM400 and RM300, respectively from
two traders as an inducement not to take
action against them for operating their
business without a valid licence at Pasar
Pagi Lukut.
He was charged with committing the
offence at the Enforcement division of
the MPPd Office and in Kampung Sri
Parit, Lukut, in October 2017 and early
August 2020.
Khairil Rizal was charged with solicit-
ing RM1,000 from a car wash shop owner
as an inducement for him to help get the
support of MPPd to obtain a business
licence.
Mohd Azmi was charged with commit-
ting a similar offence by soliciting
RM1,800 from a guava trader at Pasar
Malam Lukut on Feb 15, 2020, while Arfizi
was charged with two counts of soliciting
and receiving RM500 from the same
trader as an inducement to not take
action for operating his business without
a licence at a bank in Port dickson
between March 10 and Sept 5, 2020.
All the charges were framed under Sec-
tion 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Cor-
ruption Commission 2009 which
provides imprisonment for up to 20 years
and fine of not less than five times the
value of the bribe, or RM10,000,
whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Judge Rushan Lutfi Mohamed allowed
Mohd Azmi and Khairil Rizal bail of
RM8,000 each, while bail for Azman and
Arfizi was set at RM10,000 each and they
were also ordered to report themselves at
the Port dickson MACC office once a
month pending disposal of their case.
deputy public prosecutor from MACC
Mohamad Azriff Firdaus Mohamad Ali
prosecuted.
The court set March 29 and 31 for men-
tion of the cases for submission of docu-
ments. – Bernama
 6 Local
Armizan (left) listening to a briefing by Susan (right) about her new project
on a 100-acre land while Patricia (second right) and others look on.
A
Benoni set to
take off with new
developments
Hayati Dzulkifli
PAPAR: The vigorous upcoming new Park-
lane City, Parklane Condominium and
Parklane Villa in Benoni will certainly
boost the district’s development here.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s depart-
ment (Sabah & Sarawak Affairs and Special
Tasks) datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he
was pleased to acknowledge the new proj-
ect of a reputable company being devel-
oped here which directly benefit the local
communities and growth of businesses.
Armizan who is also Papar Member of
Parliament thanked WSG Group Manag-
ing director datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen
for constructing a mixed development
project of Parklane to Benoni.
“datuk Susan Wong briefed me on
ongoing construction of the project as
well as incoming well-branded eateries
such as Mcdonald, A&W and a flagship
cinema, among others, that will be operat-
ing within this year.
“But I am very delighted to note that
over a thousand vacancies will be created
by many businesses in Parklane City and I
am calling on the Papar people especially
youths to grab such opportunities.
“This positive progress is commendable
as the project brings various jobs that will
be available to the Papar people and at the
same time meet the needs and wants of
the public.
“I am looking forward to seeing these
Keningau village road
developments materialise as I am sure the
Papar people are feeling the same way as I
upgrade 50pc completed
Yayasan Dalimpos
KENINGAU: Public Works Assistant Minister
datuk Robert Tawik (pic) said the 2.2 km
Kampung Bunga Raya Mukim road upgrade
work being carried out had reached 50 per
cent progress.
The Bingkor Assemblyman urged resi-
dents to be patient and obey the road rules,
especially when passing through newly
maintained roads to avoid unwanted inci-
dents.
“We hope the road that has long been
dreamed of by the villagers of BUnga Raya
will be a reality and this is one of the focuses
of the GRS government’s struggle which is
Computer-delivered IELTS test at ACL
always concerned with the people’s prob-
Christy Chok
TAWAU: Students and others can take the
International English Language Testing Sys-
tem (IELTS) via computer-delivered test at
the Anchorage Learning Centre (ACL) here
without going to Kota Kinabalu or West
Malaysia.
Head of IELTS Operation at IdP Education
Ltd, Ravi Krishnan said there are nine IELTS
computer-delivered in Malaysia, including
three test centres in East Malaysia. Tawau is
the third place to have test centre after Kota
Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia.
He was speaking in the IELTS Computer-
delivered test officially launching in Tawau at
the Anchorage Learning Centre, Unijaya
Commercial Centre, here, on Friday.
Ravi said IELTS is the world’s most popu-
lar high stakes English Language test which
is accepted for study and work in many
countries, including Malaysia, than any
other test.
Sandakan qari, qariah champions
“Apart from paper-based IELTS, there is a
Mardinah Jikur
KINABATANGAN: Abdul Basir Luk-
man and Sabariah Samsudin were
announced as the qari and qariah
from Sandakan, respectively, at the
Al-Quran Recitation and Memorisa-
tion Ceremony at the district Level
1444 Hijrah/2023 at dewan Sri Lamag,
here, recently.
Saiful presenting the prize to Sabariah.
The second place for qari and
qariah were won by Shah Ali Ramil
from Sandakan and Nurhafizah Sak-
ina Norbakti from Telupid.
JR Awaluddin Mohd Zulkifli from Belu-
ran and Jariah Palaka from Sandakan wre in by the director of Sabah State Islamic Reli-
third place.
A total of 12 qari and qariah representing Saiful Zaman Sangul.
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
am also from Papar,” he said to daily
Express when visiting the company’s
Benoni Show Gallery at Benoni Commer-
cial Centre (BSS) here, recently.
Also present were Papar Assistant Col-
lector Land Revenue (PPHT) Patricia Felix
Jumin and other officials.
Armizan also expressed his gratitude to
Susan who received the Best Town devel-
oper Award from Sabah Housing and Real
Estate developers Association (Shareda)
for choosing the district for the new proj-
ect and boosting the development here
that will create economic spin-offs for the
benefit of the people.
He said the branded eateries to be
opened in Parklane City would make
Papar well-known to people from Lawas
and Miri, Sarawak and Brunei darussalam
who travel by road to go to Kota Kinabalu.
Meanwhile, Susan said Parklane City is
poised to become a commercial hub here
that will cater for various needs of con-
sumers.
Apart from upcoming eateries and
retail businesses, she said a hotel and a
shopping mall are in the pipeline in Park-
lane City as well as commercial banks and
private clinics.
On the other hand, she said a 64 two-
storey shoplots now under construction
are expected to be completed by this July
while Phase 1 of 90 units under Parklane
Villa double-storey terrace houses will be
completed in August and another 90 units
to be completed next year.
lems, with its completion in the future it will
make it easier for the residents to go back
and forth to work, bring agricultural pro-
duce, go to the hospital in comfort,” he said.
Robert also had a meeting with PIBG
members and villagers who were involved in
opening a PIBG charity stall and then pre-
sented Year Six school completion certifi-
cates, student character awards, outstanding
parent appreciation, private staff such as
school cleaners and security guards.
The ceremony was enlivened with a per-
formance of traditional welcome dances,
Malaysian ethnic cultural dances, School
Alumni Solo song performances and the
guests’ banquet.
Ravi (second from right) and Dr Dora
in the signing ceremony
while other staff look on.
new way for students, graduates, even work-
ing adults to take IELTS via computer-deliv-
ered method. According to the survey
statistic, it is getting popular nowadays with
about 90 per cent of the candidates [test tak-
ers]. “The results are available within three to
five days compared with the paper-based
IELTS test, which needs about 14 days to pro-
ceed for the results,” he further explained.
Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid
and Tongod took part in the event.
Prizes for all the winners were presented
gious Affairs department (JHEAINS), datuk
Disease spurred by diet
Fructose metabolism in brain catalyst for Alzheimer’s disease
N ANCIENT human foraging
instinct, fuelled by fructose pro-
duction in the brain, may hold
clues to the development and possible
treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (Ad),
according to researchers at the University
of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The study, published recently in The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
offers a new way of looking at a fatal
disease characterised by abnormal
accumulations of proteins in the
brain that slowly erode memory and cog-
nition.
“We make the case that Alzheimer’s
disease is driven by diet,” said the study’s
lead author dr Richard Johnson, profes-
sor at the University of Colorado School
of Medicine specializing in renal disease
and hypertension. The study co-authors
include dr Maria Nagel, research profes-
sor of neurology at the CU School of Med-
icine.
Johnson and his team suggest that Ad
is a harmful adaptation of an evolution-
ary survival pathway used in animals and
our distant ancestors during times of
Prostate cancer:
94 pc accuracy
with blood test
RESEARCHERS at the University of East
Anglia have helped develop a new blood
test to detect prostate cancer with greater
accuracy than current methods.
New research shows that the Prostate
Screening EpiSwitch (PSE) blood test is
94 per cent accurate — beating the cur-
rently used prostate-specific antigen
(PSA) blood test. The research team say
that the new test shows significant poten-
tial as an accurate and rapid cancer
screening diagnostic.
The test was developed by Oxford Bio-
dynamics in collaboration with UEA,
Imperial College London and Imperial
College NHS Trust.
‘Circulating chromosome conforma-
tion signatures significantly enhance PSA
positive predicting value and overall
accuracy for prostate cancer detection’ is
published in the journal Cancers.
Professor dmitry Pshezhetskiy, from
UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said:
“Prostate cancer is the most common
cancer in men and kills one man every 45
minutes in the UK.
“There is currently no single test for
prostate cancer, but PSA blood tests are
among the most used, alongside physical
examinations, MRI scans and biopsies.
“However, PSA blood tests are not rou-
tinely used to screen for prostate cancer,
as results can be unreliable.
“Only about a quarter of people who
have a prostate biopsy due to an elevated
PSA level are found to have prostate can-
cer. There has therefore been a drive to
create a new blood test with greater accu-
racy.”
The UEA team evaluated the new PSE
test, which combines the traditional PSA
test with an epigenetic EpiSwitch test, in
a pilot study involving 147 patients.
They compared its results with those
of the standard PSA test — and found that
PSE significantly enhances overall detec-
tion accuracy for at-risk men.
Pshezhetskiy said: “When tested in the
context of screening a population at risk,
the PSE test yields a rapid and minimally
invasive prostate cancer diagnosis with
impressive performance. This suggests a
real benefit for both diagnostic and
screening purposes.”
scarcity.
“A basic tenet of life is to assure
enough food, water and oxygen for sur-
vival,” the study said. “Much attention has
focused on the acute survival responses to
hypoxia and starvation.
“However, nature has developed a
clever way to protect animals before the
crisis actually occurs.”
When threatened with the possibility
of starvation, early humans developed a
survival response which sent them forag-
ing for food. Yet foraging is only effective
if metabolism is inhibited in various
parts of the brain. Foraging requires
focus, rapid assessment, impulsivity,
exploratory behaviour and risk taking. It
is enhanced by blocking whatever gets in
the way, like recent memories and atten-
tion to time.
Fructose, a kind of sugar, helps damp
down these centers, allowing more focus
on food gathering.
In fact, the researchers found the
entire foraging response was set in
motion by the metabolism of fructose
whether it was eaten or produced in the
Fibrous bearing on stomach gas
CHANGING the structure of a dietary
fibre commonly found in a range of food
products has been found to promote
healthy gut bacteria and reduce gas for-
mation, a finding that could help people
with intolerances to fibre and irritable
bowel conditions.
A team of scientists from the Univer-
sity of Nottingham, Quadram Institute
Biosciences and the University of East
Anglia examined psyllium, a type of nat-
ural dietary fibre that is used in a range
of products including cereals and
yoghurts (above). They showed that the
physical state of the fibre has a major
impact on gas production which often is
linked to bowel discomfort. The findings
have been published in Food Hydrocol-
loids.
The team performed in vitro fermen-
tation experiments seeded with human
stool. They conducted analysis of fermen-
tation products and evaluated the impact
of different structures on the broad cate-
gories of microorganisms.
dr Gleb Yakubov, Associate Professor
in Food Physics at the University of Not-
tingham was one of the lead researchers
on the study, he explains: “Although fibre
is an important part of any diet, for many
people it can cause bowel discomfort and
for people with IBS or IBd fibre can be a
trigger.
This is because some foods cause bac-
terial interactions in the gut that create
gas that can lead to pain or discomfort.
Our study shows that the physical state of
dailyexpress
body. Metabolising fructose and its
byproduct, intracellular uric acid, was
critical to the survival of both humans
and animals.
The researchers noted that fructose
reduces blood flow to the brain’s cerebral
cortex involved in self-control, as well as
the hippocampus and thalamus. Mean-
while, blood flow increased around the
visual cortex associated with food reward.
All of this stimulated the foraging
response.
“We believe that initially the fructose-
dependent reduction in cerebral metab-
olism in these regions was reversible and
meant to be beneficial,” Johnson said.
“But chronic and persistent reduction in
cerebral metabolism driven by recurrent
fructose metabolism leads to progressive
brain atrophy and neuron loss with all of
the features of Ad.”
Johnson suspects the survival
response, what he calls the `survival
switch,’ that helped ancient humans get
through periods of scarcity, is now stuck
in the `on’ position in a time of relative
abundance.
This leads to the overeating of high fat,
sugary and salty food prompting excess
fructose production.
Fructose produced in the brain can
lead to inflammation and ultimately
Alzheimer’s disease, the study said. Ani-
mals given fructose show memory lapses,
a loss in the ability to navigate a maze
and inflammation of the neurons.
“A study found that if you keep labora-
tory rats on fructose long enough they
get tau and amyloid beta proteins in the
brain, the same proteins seen in
Alzheimer’s disease,” Johnson said. “You
can find high fructose levels in the brains
of people with Alzheimer’s as well.”
Johnson suspects that the tendency of
some Ad patients to wander off might be
a vestige of the ancient foraging
response. The study said more research is
needed on the role of fructose and uric
acid metabolism in Ad.
“We suggest that both dietary and
pharmacologic trials to reduce fructose
exposure or block fructose metabolism
should be performed to determine if
there is potential benefit in the preven-
tion, management or treatment of this
disease,” Johnson said.
the fibre has a major impact on gas pro-
duction by creating beneficial com-
pounds that promote the creation of the
good bacteria in the gut.”
Psyllium fibre comes from the seeds of
Plantago ovata plants, known by many
common names such as blond plantain.
These seeds produce a jelly-like material
called mucilage, which comes in a variety
of shapes and forms and these feature
long-chain sugars, called polysaccha-
rides. It is these polysaccharides that lead
to the production of beneficial short-
chain fatty acids that positively con-
tribute to gut health and systemic
metabolism. This study shows that differ-
ent physical states of fibre impact the way
dietary fibre breaks down and that
microbes ‘colonise fibre’ during fermen-
tation.
Professor Yakubov continues: “These
findings show that there are new oppor-
tunities for designing targeted structures
using psyllium, either through seed pro-
cessing or selective breeding, to achieve
new fibre materials with clear clinical
benefit above that of unrefined psyllium
powders aiding in the treatment of gas-
trointestinal discomfort.”
Research is already underway at the
University if Nottingham with the School
of Medicine to use this new knowledge to
create and test psyllium-mimicking
materials as medical nutrition which
could provide a source of fibre for people
with some bowel conditions and trials
will be starting in the Spring.
 Philippines eyes 200,000 M’sians during Matta Fair
dailyexpress
Nikko Fabian
KOTA KINABALU: The Tourism Promo-
tions Board Philippines (TPBP) is return-
ing as a gold sponsor for this year’s Matta
Fair in Kuala Lumpur.
Matta Fair would be held on March 17-
19 at the Malaysia International Trade and
Exhibition Centre (MITEC). Malaysia aims
to woo over 200,000 visitors during the
three-day event.
Philippines aims to woo over 200,000
Malaysians this time.
TPBP has taken up a 110sqm booth and
considered as one of the biggest
High-quality
early education
vital, says NGO
Mohd Izham
Hashim
KOTA KINABALU:
Giving high quality
education during a
child’s early years
gives them the best
start in life.
“There’s a com-
mon saying that a
Atin
child’s job is to play.
It is through play-
time, a critical com-
ponent of education in which a child
learns the skills of negotiation, problem
solving, sharing and working in groups,”
said member of Pasok Momogun Women’s
Tradition and Preservation Non-govern-
mental Organisation, Atin Berlynda, who
noted children also learn social skills, deci-
sion-making skills and move at their own
pace to discover their own interests.
Atin underlined the importance of pay-
ing close attention to early childhood edu-
cation which holds the key to the
betterment of society.
“There seems to be no solution in sight
to the worrying occurrence of young peo-
ple involved in detrimental activities and
social ills such as motor racing, drug
abuse, vandalism, gangsterism and pre-
marital sex. All these problems show there
is something wrong with the upbringing
of young people, which begets the ques-
tion, Should we change our approaches to
early childhood education?” she said.
In the early years of growth, she
pointed the mind of a child is like a
sponge which readily absorbs new infor-
mation and providing them opportunities
to learn new things is an important factor
in their cognitive development.
According to Atin, it is also important
for a child to learn to interact with others
and it is through play that they learn new
things, enhance communication skills,
and provides them with an outlet for cre-
ativity and experimentation.
“The ability to think, give opinions,
understand, remember what happens in
their surroundings, imagination are all
extremely important skills a child needs to
develop during their tender years.
This is also the reason why children in
their formative years pick up languages
faster than adults; they are less inhibited
and for them — the learning process is
more playful and natural,” she told partic-
ipants during a webinar organised by the
Sabah Women Advisory Council (MPWS)
recently.
She said children are naturally curious
of the world around them, they want to
learn new things, and its important for us
to remember this aspect in effective early
childhood education.
Atin pointed education is an activity
towards continuous intellectual, social,
emotional and physical development of
an individual while expanding skills, com-
petencies, knowledge and experience.
She further noted the process of learn-
ing would help a child in their growing-up
years, towards leading a healthier and ful-
filling life as a person, as well as contribute
to society and the nation.
Atin said another important aspect of
a child’s growth refers to social and emo-
tional development which refers to their
ability to understand, manage their feel-
ings effectively —vital for establishing rela-
tionships, resolve problems and conflicts
and learning.
Meanwhile, she noted physical devel-
opment in the field of early childhood
education is to provide sufficient nutri-
tion, be physical active and getting ample
Two siblings found drowned
rest, all of which important factors for a
child to grow healthier and reach their full
IPOH: Two siblings were found drowned in
a swimming pool here Sunday.
Ipoh district police chief ACP Yahaya
Hassan said his team received information
regarding the drowning incident at 6.10
pm.
“Our team went to investigate at the
location of the incident and found two sib-
lings, aged nine and eight, who were from
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
exhibitors.
Visitors will not only be able to get
good travel deals to the Philippines, but
also take part in activities to stand a
chance of winning prizes or travel pack-
ages to the Philippines, said TPBP market-
ing director datuk Melissa Ong.
She said this was part of the Philip-
pines’ goal to reintroduce itself as a
world-class destination for travellers, fol-
lowing the lifting of travel restrictions
globally.
“Tourists looking for an urban adven-
ture have tonnes of options, from visiting
physical potential.
“The next important area for growth in
early childhood education points to the
development of fine motor skills which
typically involve the use of the small mus-
cles that control the hand, finger and
thumb. They help children perform
important tasks like feeding themselves,
grasping toys, buttoning and zipping
clothes, writing, drawing and more,” she
said.
Atin pointed the ability of a child to
complete self-care and everyday tasks
helps a child’s self esteem and confidence
to increase.
The ability to complete self-care and
everday tasks helps a child’s self-esteem
and confidence to increase,” said Atin, not-
ing it’s important for parents, caregivers
and teachers to start working with chil-
dren on building their find motor skills
early on.
“Fine motor skills will develop and
improve as they move through childhood,
and it just takes the right kind of practice.
developing fine motor skills in early child-
hood education helps build the founda-
tion for important future skills like writing
and self-care,” she said.
during her presentation, Atin empha-
sised the importance of providing holistic
early childhood education that gives focus
on all areas of growth important for a
child’s development.
She said early childhood education is
ready accessible from various services pro-
vided in the country, be it government or
private education institutions.
“In Malaysia, early childhood education
is given the utmost priority, the first phase
is divided to two age group categories (0-
4 years) and (4-6 years) .
There are five institutions where chil-
dren can get their education, this includes
government -owned childcare centres;
childcare facilities at workplaces; licensed
nurseries; small scale nurseries ( less than
10 children) and Permata childcare cen-
tres,” she said.
Atin said the Malaysian government
places a high importance on early child-
hood education, noting that childcare
facilities are even provided at estates for
the benefit of children there and their fam-
ilies.
In the second phase, she said children
aged 4- 6 years would be sent to preschool
education which is being managed by
three government agencies which
includes the education, rural development
and national unity departments.
“The first we have is KEMAS children’s
preschool, the oldest institution in the
country in establishment since the 70s, fol-
lowed by the ‘Unity Kindergarten’ which is
under the Unity department that’s mostly
situated in the city centres at areas where
exists the Rukun Tetangga system,” she
said.
Atin said the ministry of education also
provides its own preschool education
institution which offers the facilities and
services for low income group situated at
villages and the outskirts of cities. Mean-
while, she said preschool for children with
special needs are also provided which is
also offered to kids who are hyperactive.
Lastly, she said there are also education
offered by private institutions and NGOS
but are usually more expensive.
“While there are different institutions
providing early childhood education right
up to preschool education, all these insti-
tutions follow the national syllabus pro-
vided in the National Education Act 1996,”
she said. Atin has over 20 years of experi-
ence in early childhood education and
obtained her international certificate from
Montessori.
here had drowned in the swimming pool.
“The victims, a girl and her younger
brother, were sent to Raja Permaisuri
Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in an ambulance
and were pronounced dead by hospital
staff,” he said in a statement.
Yahaya said the post-mortem was com-
pleted and the cause of death is drowning.
– Bernama
the various different cultural sites, to the
vast retail, entertainment and global culi-
nary experiences in Metro Manila, Cebu,
davao, Palawan and many others.
“Those looking for a more nature-cen-
tric experience can visit the popular
beach and dive destinations across the
country such as Boracay, davao, Palawan
and many others.
“Beyond the beaches and diving, the
Philippines is also home to a majestic col-
lection of waterfalls across the islands,
from the Asik-Asik Falls in Cotabato, to
the Maria Cristina Falls in northern Min-
Some Beaufort drivers took it upon themselves to
patch up the damage with bits of building material.
PWD plans to redo and
reseal Beaufort road
% The Public Works department plans to
carry out improvement work on a section
of Jalan Montenior, following com-
plaints that the Beaufort stretch was
damaged.
A spokesman for department’s
branch office in the district said it
intended to “redo and reseal” the road.
“Based on an inspection of the stretch,
we have determined that this is going to
take a bit of effort,” he said.
“We have secured an allocation from
our headquarters to rehabilitate the
road.”
He said this remedial work would be
implemented once it had received the
funds to do so.
“In the meantime, gravel has been
poured over the damaged portions to
offer drivers some relief. This is the most
we can do for now.”
The spokesman was responding to
feedback from rural folk living in Kg Hel-
ogelat and the Montenior area of Beau-
fort about the numerous potholes which
had formed in the stretch.
They feared that a bad accident might
happen at any time, especially if a driver
lost control of his/ her vehicle while try-
ing to avoid the damaged portions of
Jalan Montenior.
A motorcyclist could easily be thrown
from his/ her bike, if he or she was not
careful, according to them.
Two disgruntled road-users provided
Hotline with the location of the potholes.
This information was forwarded to the
department.
When asked about the maintenance
schedule for Jalan Montenior was main-
tained, the spokesman said this task was
under the purview of government con-
cessionaires.
“The company, which looked after the
part of the road highlighted by the com-
plainants, is no longer with the depart-
ment and we are still waiting to hear
back from our headquarters as to who
will be taking over,” he said on February
27.
He said the former concessionaire’s
contract expired in January.
“For the time being, our workers will
be asked to cover the damaged portions
The Department’s technicians in the midst
of scooping out the gravel which will be poured
over potholes like this in Jalan Montenior.
danao.
“Thrill-seekers can get their fix by tra-
versing one of the longest zip lines in Asia
in Bukidnon; surfing at Baler, one of the
oldest and largest surfing communities in
the Philippines; and even canyoneering at
the recently developed Badian trail in
Cebu,” she said.
Noting the importance of Malaysia as
among the top 10 markets for the Philip-
pines, Matta fair organising chairman
Rocky Kho said the collaboration would
help to accelerate the rejuvenation of
both country’s travel industries.
His front tyre burst as a result of the impact
with the damaged section of the road.
and manually flatten them afterwards.”
He said the department would step
up efforts to look after the stretch until a
more permanent solution to the road
woes could be enacted.
“Once the necessary sum becomes
available, we will patch up the affected
portions with asphalt and have them
properly levelled.”
JAYMIE of Beaufort said he first
noticed the damage to parts of Jalan
Montenior in december.
A motorcyclist, who lives in his vil-
lage, took a tumble towards the end of
that month because of the uneven sur-
face of the road, according to him.
“The front tyre of my friend’s motor-
cycle hit a pothole causing him to lose
control of his bike,” he said.
“He was thrown the two-wheeler
which tipped over and skidded to a halt.
“Fortunately, there was no other traf-
fic on the road at the time, otherwise he
might have been run over.”
Nevertheless, Jaymie said, the motor-
cyclist sprained his wrist and got his
palms badly scratched.
“On top of this, he found that his front
tyre had burst.”
He said he personally related his
friend’s mishap to officers at the depart-
ment’s branch in Beaufort.
“They assured me, at the time, that
action would be taken, when I asked if
The damaged sections are a source of frustration to
drivers living in the Montenior area and in Kg Helogelat.
Local 7
This year’s Matta fair would feature
220 tourism-related organisations’
booths including 109 tour and travel
agencies.
The fair will encompass nine halls
from Halls 2 to 4 on Level 1, Halls 6 to 8 on
Level 2 and Halls 9-11 on Level 3 of MITEC,
with Level 1 halls focusing on domestic
travel while Level 2 and 3 halls will show-
case international travel.
MATTA President datuk Tan Kok Liang
would be receiving the Malaysia Book of
Record recognition for organising the
biggest fair.
the damage could be attended to as soon
as possible.”
Jaymie said these staff had failed to
make good on their word as many of the
potholes had become deeper and wider
over the intervening months.
He appealed to the agency to improve
the condition of the road before a bad
accident occurred.
“My friend wound up being able to
walk away, despite his injuries. Others
might not be so lucky and could lose
their lives.
“I hope the department is not waiting
for this to happen before stepping up to
carry out proper repairs.”
Another Beaufort resident, JOHANNA,
said there were several villages located
off Jalan Montenior, including Kg Helo-
gelat.
“Those living in these areas depend on
the road to transport the fruits and veg-
etables they grow to the town,” she said.
“They use this route to send their chil-
dren to their schools.”
Johanna said some among these local
communities had wearied of waiting for
the authorities to attend to the road.
“They have taken to gathering any
building debris they can find and using
this material this material to fill the pot-
holes.
“This has happened once or twice over
the past few months.” (SS)
 PCG to publicise all Chinese incursions in WPS
8 Philippines and Indonesia Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 dailyexpress

MANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard said
Monday it would publicise all incidents of
Chinese incursions in the West Philippine
Sea (WPS).
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela,
PCG adviser of the commandant for mar-
itime security, the move would compel
China to react and acknowledge its actions.
“The National Task Force [for the West
Philippine Sea] believes that it is the obli-
gation of the task force to make all these
incidents publicised in a way that the pub-
lic would be made aware of it,” he told
ANC’s “Headstart”.
“Secondly, we also note that every time
that we publicise those incidents, that’s
the time the Chinese make reactions, even
incidents of Chinese incursions in Philip-
pines were reported to the public, includ-
ing the first alleged laser-flashing
incident involving BRP Habagat in June
last year.
The PCG is also committed to main-
taining its presence in the West Philippine
Sea despite China’s intimidatory tactics,
Tarriela said.
“We are going to maintain our patrols
despite the much more smaller vessels
that we have, despite of the harassment
and the threats they are doing towards the
Philippine Coast Guard vessel,” he said.
Chinese ships remain an intimidating
presence in a Philippine-controlled shoal
in the contested Spratly Islands chain,
during an aerial visit to the area earlier
in the week arranged by the Philippine The Chinese
Coast Guard, reporters witnessed how the Coast Guard
only Philippines’ outpost in Ayungin maintaining its
Shoal in Spratly islands was decrepit, in presence in
contrast to the teeming number of Chi- Ayungin Shoal
nese Coast Guard vessels that surrounded and Sabina
the shoal. Shoal, both
The rare trip came after a vessel within the
belonging to PCG was locked in with a Philippines’
“military-grade laser” from a Chinese exclusive
coast guard ship in the vicinity of the economic zone.
Ayungin Shoal on Feb. 6. (NTF West
The incident quickly escalated into a Philippine Sea)
diplomatic row, with President Ferdinand
Marcos, Jr. immediately summoning
China’s ambassador to the country and

Search for Taiwan ship

the Chinese embassy right now,” he where a laser-pointing incident in Febru- protesting Beijing’s aggressive activities in
added. ary has become a new source of tension the resource-rich South China Sea, where
The PCG earlier admitted that not all between the 2 countries. the Spratlys are located.. –ABS-CBN

Marcos Jr brings Cebu MANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard

(PCG) on Monday said it has deployed
search and rescue (SAR) teams to find a
missing Taiwanese-flagged fishing ves-
According to Yang, two US Coast
Guard (USCG) aircraft conducted air sur-
veillance and a commercial vessel com-
pleted a search in the area, but both

voters slew of projects sel.

In a statement, the PCG said Sheng
Feng No. 128, with one Taiwanese and
five Indonesian fishermen on board, was
last seen 414 nautical miles northwest of
failed to find the missing vessel.
Eight Taiwanese fishing vessels joined
the operations while two Taiwan Coast
Guard (TCG) cutters were on the way to
search the vicinity waters, he added.
CEBU CITY: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Palau on February 17. The Coast Guard Aviation Force
President
on Monday returned to Cebu for the first Taiwan Coast Guard Attaché Com- meanwhile dispatched Cessna Caravan
Ferdinand
time after the 2022 national elections, mander Arthur Yang requested assis- 2081 Monday morning for aerial surveil-
Marcos Jr. joins
bringing with him a slew of projects for tance from the PCG. lance within the vicinity waters of East-
Cebu local
one of the most populous and vote-rich The PCG Command Center then ern Visayas and Bicol regions.
officials
areas in the country. directed Coast Guard districts in Eastern According to PCG, there is a possibil-
during the
Marcos Jr. launched the “Kadiwa ng Visayas, Bicol, Southeastern Mindanao, ity that the missing Taiwanese vessel
groundbreaking

Kadiwa stalls the answer to food

Pangulo” market — a program similar to Northeastern Mindanao, and Northeast- drifted towards the eastern seaboard of
of the Cebu Bus
the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” bazaars — at the ern Luzon to launch SAR operations. the Philippines. –GMA
Rapid Transit
Provincial Capitol Grounds, and thanked
(CBRT) Project

crisis, high prices: Bongbong

Cebuanos for their support.
“Ito na ang unang pagkakataon na
magpasalamat ako sa Cebu sa pagbibigay
ng suporta ninyo sa amin ni Inday Sara,”
the President said in his speech.
“It was history making, you were part
of that history and for that I will always be
grateful for the rest of my life,” he said.
Like other Kadiwa markets, the bazaar
in Cebu sold products from micro, small
and medium enterprises at cheaper
prices.
“Gagawa pa kami ng Kadiwa para sa
mga Manggagawa para sila din ay magka-
roon ng pagkakataon,” he said.
“Patuloy naming gagawin ito,
pararamihin natin, palalakihin natin lalo
na sa mga lugar na hirap ang tao at hindi
pa kaya ang presyuhan sa mga palengke,”
he said.
(We will launch Kadiwa para sa mga
Manggagawa so that they will also have a
chance. We will expand this to areas
where people are struggling with the
prices of goods.)
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia
noted that Marcos Jr. enjoyed a wide lead
in the Philippines’ most vote-rich
province during the presidential race.
“In a magnificent show of force, the
It set the highest record for the highest
number of votes given to a candidate even
way back during the time of President
Quezon,” she said.
Garcia, whose daughter serves as Mar-
cos Jr.’s Tourism Secretary, noted that late
President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. also won
in Cebu in the 1969 presidential race
despite running against former Cebu Gov-
ernor Sergio Osmeña Jr.
“Since then… it seemed Cebu became a
difficult province, island to be reckoned
with especially in the presidential elec-
tions,” she said.
Garcia thanked Marcos Jr. for returning
to Cebu and for approving the “final
transfer of Camp Lapu-Lapu back to the
Cebuanos.”
After the Kadiwa launch, Marcos then
proceeded to the Fuente Osmeña Circle
for the groundbreaking ceremony of
– Package 1
along Fuente
Osmeña Circle
in Cebu City.
(PNA)
operational by 2025.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama led the
local officials attending the ceremony,
acknowledging his political rival and for-
mer mayor Tomas Osmeña who he cred-
ited as a pioneer of the project.
Marcos Jr. was also slated to attend the
launch of a housing project in Cebu City
and a relief drive in neighbouring Man-
daue City.
“The President knows how to be grate-
ful. In a symbolic gesture and a most
meaningful one, the first ever ‘Kadiwa ng
Pangulo’ in the entire country will be
launched in Cebu,” Garcia said.
“This is one of the many collaborations
that Cebu and our dearly beloved Presi-
dent will work on,” she added.
Cebu delivered some 1 million votes for
Marcos Jr. in May 2022.
His top rival, former Vice President
MANILA: The Philippine government is
inclined to continue and increase the pres-
ence of Kadiwa stalls in the country as this
will address food crisis and the high prices
of commodities, President Ferdinand
“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday.
“We will continue to do this, increase
and improve... it’s important that we
increase the stalls especially in areas where
residents cannot afford the increase of the
prices of basic commodities in the mar-
ket,” Marcos said in his message during the
launch of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” in Cebu.
“This is our response to the food crisis
and the increasing prices of goods. We will
continue this to ease the burden of our
kababayans,” he added.
“Kadiwa ng Pangulo” will allow farmers
and micro, small, and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) to directly sell their products.
The President said there are more than
500 Kadiwa stalls across the country cater-
ing to the basic needs of consumers at a
cheaper price.
continue to work with local government
units for the continuity of this kind of
project.
“We will work closely with the local
government. In the past, what we’ve
launched in other places have become reg-
ular. We will check if we can do this here
also. We will look at the turnout of the
food traffic and see what commodities are
still needed,” she told reporters in a sepa-
rate interview.
When asked about the long term plan
to lower prices of commodities, Evange-
lista said the dA has this Kadiwa Food Mar-
ket Mobilisation.
“This will definitely capacitate more
cooperatives to be able to consolidate
more products... economies of scale kasi
ang pinag-uusapan dito eh (we are talking
about economies of scale here). Nakita
natin ang trader may kakayahan to consol-
idate metric tons at sila na ang magsasabi
kung anong presyo (we see that traders are
capable of consolidating metric tons and

Groups warn RCEP a threat to P’pine industries

entire island of Cebu delivered the highest Cebu’s bus rapid transit project, a P16.3 Leni Robredo, got around 300,000 votes According to Agriculture Assistant Sec- they can give the prices as well),” she said.

Jakarta, Tokyo discuss EV industry

number of votes to Ferdinand Marcos Jr… billion initiative scheduled to be fully from Cebuanos. –ABS-CBN retary Kristine Evangelista, the agency will –GMA

JAKARTA: The Min- MANILA: Several groups on Monday the country’s resources.
istry of Industry said urged the government to rethink the rat- With increased trade activities, there
that Indonesia and ification of the country’s participation in would be more extraction of natural
Japan are again hold- the Regional Comprehensive Economic resources that could lead to environmen-
ing dialogue to Partnership (RCEP) due to threats to local tal degradation and destruction, the
develop the automo- industries and potential income losses. group said.
tive industry, one of RCEP is a free trade deal among 14 The effects of climate change might
which is in the field of other nations including Asean member also worsen, it added.
electric vehicles and states and its partners China, Japan, RCEP can also potentially result in a
carbon neutrality South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. monopoly on pharmaceutical products,
(CN) fuels, including Sonny Africa, the Executive director of Filipino Nurses United said.
biofuels. the independent think tank IBON Foun- Containers inside the Philippine Ports Filipinos would have less access to
“One of these col- dation, said the country has not benefited Authority (PPA) compound in Manila. affordable medicines, the group said.
laborations is realised on any of the past trade agreements that “RCEP will further entrench the power
by establishing dia- Japanese and South Korean carmakers such as promised more investments and better ment measures to attain food self-suffi- of the pharmaceutical companies to
logue on automotive Nissan and Hyundai are squaring off for a slice of the jobs for the Filipinos. ciency instead of opening the local mar- extract profits and deprive millions of
industry policies, Indonesian electric vehicle market as the country He said the government was down- ket to more imports. people from affordable treatment,” FNU
especially related to aims to slash carbon emissions. (Getty Images) playing the lower tariff revenues and RCEP would also destroy the fishing leader Jocelyn Andamo also said.
efforts to reduce failed to see that the country is poised to industry since there would be more con- Unhealthy food products and com-
emissions,” said the director General of Japan Automotive Manufacturers’ Associ- lose roughly $58.2 million in revenues version and reclamation projects in the modities may also flood the local market
Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equip- ation (JAMA) Asia Experts Group, due to RCEP concessions, he added. coastal areas, fisherfolk group and cause health problems among Fil-
ment and Electronics (ILMATE) Industry Enomoto Masato who conveyed the con- Some free trade agreements, he said PAMALAKAYA said. ipinos, she said.
Ministry of Industry, Taufiek Bawazier in tribution of Japanese car manufacturers could lead to trade deficit and “worsen- While businessmen engaged in private “It will embolden alcohol, tobacco,
a statement in Jakarta. to Indonesia, he proposed a cooperation ing” food import dependency. aquaculture may thrive, small fishermen sugar, and processed industries that are
Taufiek explained an overview of the program between Indonesia and Japan in Former Agrarian Reform Secretary and will suffer heavy losses, the group said. drivers of non-communicable diseases,”
Indonesian automotive industry as well studying multiple pathway approaches to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas RCEP is unlikely to result in more jobs she added.
as strategies and policies for the develop- achieve zero emission in Indonesia. (KMU) Chairman Emeritus Rafael Mari- for the Filipinos, labour group Kilusang Together, the groups called on the gov-
ment of electric vehicles (EV) in Indone- director of Bioenergy, Ministry of ano said Filipino farmers would suffer Mayo Uno (KMU) said, but instead would ernment to rethink its participation in
sia. This includes the EV development Energy and Mineral Resources (ESdM) income losses due to the expected cause more layoffs and increased unem- the RCEP and withdraw its membership
roadmap, EV ecosystem and investment Edi Wibowo provided information on the increase in the imports of agricultural ployment following the possible closure before we feel the negative impacts.
in the battery industry in Indonesia at development of the latest biofuels as a products. of many industries. Economic managers have said the
The 4th Automotive dialogue Indonesia- source of clean, sustainable energy as He also said local products are not Centre for Environment Concerns RCEP could give the country access to
Japan in Jakarta. well as several strategies to advance the competitive in the bigger export market. Philippines Inc (CEC) Executive director more markets, create jobs and boost eco-
“As a country with the best automotive implementation of biofuels to achieve What the government should do, he Lia Torres, meanwhile lamented the lack nomic recovery. The trade deal also has
industry in the world, we believe cooper- zero emission.

Indo Ministry wary of bird flu transmissions

said, is to increase the productivity and of environmental provisions in the RCEP provisions to protect “sensitive” products
ation with Japan can support efforts to The Indonesia-Japan automotive dia- quality of our local produce, and imple- that would guarantee the protection of such as rice and corn –ABS-CBN
achieve carbon neutrality,” said Taufiek. logue was also attended by several min-
director General of the Secretariat of istries, institutions and associations from
the Minister of Trade Policy (Bureau of both Indonesia and Japan, including the
Manufacturing Industry), Ministry of Ministry of Transportation, the National
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Research and Innovation Agency, the
Japan Fujimoto Takeshi explained that Association of Indonesian Automotive JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is and consistent in mammals. prepare health facilities for the management
Japan’s latest policy for carbon neutrality Industries (GAIKINdO), PT Pertamina, aware of the tendency of the new clade of She said the ministry had issued a direc- of suspected cases of bird flu in accordance
(CN) includes the promotion of electrifi- and the Indonesian Association of Biofuel Avian Flu virus 2.3.4.4b infecting humans fol- tor General of disease Prevention and Con- with established guidelines.
cation, hydrogen and carbon neutral Producers (APROBI). lowing the finding of a case in poultry in a trol (P2P) Circular Letter Number They were also urged to increase the
fuels. Meanwhile, METI’s director of Inter- The forum is expected to become a farm in South Kalimantan. PV.03.01/C/824/2023 concerning Precautions capacity of public health laboratories
national Trade Policy for Automotive, Mr. platform for strategic partnerships “There are currently no reports of trans- of Extraordinary Events for Avian Flu (H5N1) (Labkesmas) for the examination of samples
Hirofumi Oima, said that currently a between the two countries, providing mission to humans. However, we still have to New Clade 2.3.4.4b, which was stipulated on of cases with symptoms of suspected bird flu.
cooperation program has been estab- information on the latest situation and be vigilant,” director General of disease Pre- February 24, 2023. The circular requests Meanwhile, areas that conduct sentinel
lished between Indonesia and Japan in the latest policies, especially in the auto- vention and Control of the Health Ministry provincial, district, and regional health surveillance for influenza like illness (ILI) and
the electrification of vehicles and CN motive industry. On the same occasion, Rein Rondonuwu stated here on Monday. offices and heads of Port Health Offices (KKP) Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) are
fuels, including biofuels. Taufiek stated that the government con- Although the risk of infection in humans across Indonesia to coordinate and cooper- also urged to increase early awareness of sus-
On this occasion, representatives of tinues to provide support for the growth is still low, Rondonuwu affirmed that the ate with relevant agencies to prevent and pected bird flu cases in areas where Avian
the Japanese automotive manufacturing of the automotive industry in the country. government had increased early warning, control bird flu in humans. Influenza Extraordinary Incidents occurred
association were also present. Chair of the –Antara given that zoonotic virus mutations are swift Regional governments are also urged to in poultry. –Antara
 WORLD
Victims wash ashore after deadly Italy shipwreck; told 62
10 Kremlin: No conditions for peace at moment
CUTRO, (Italy): Italy’s coastguard on Mon-
day searched the sea and beaches for bod-
ies following a shipwreck off Calabria, as
the death toll rose to 62 and charities
cared for children who witnessed loved
ones drowning.
The overloaded wooden boat broke up
and sank early Sunday in stormy seas off
Italy’s southern coast, with bodies, shoes
and debris washing up along a long
stretch of shoreline.
The death toll rose Monday to 62, a
coast guard official told AFP—and that
number looked likely to increase.
Sergio di dato, head of the doctors
Aussie govt to
Without Borders (MSF) team offering psy-
overhaul cyber laws
CANBERRA: The Australian government
has announced an overhaul of its cyber
security strategy following a string of
major data breaches.
Home Minister Clare O’Neil revealed
the renewed strategy on Monday, saying
the 2022 Optus and Medibank hacks
exposed flaws in cyber laws.
A new national co-ordinator for cyber
security will be appointed by the govern-
ment within the department of Home
Affairs to lead the implementation of the
strategy, with the government given more
powers to intervene following breaches,
according to Xinhua news agency.
Telecommunications giant Optus
revealed in September that the data of up
to 9.8 million customers could have been
compromised in one of the largest data
breaches in Australian history.
One month later, health insurance
provider Medibank disclosed that hackers
had accessed the personal information of
9.7 million current and former customers.
In the wake of the incidents the Labor
government, which won power in May
2022, expressed frustration at the lack of
an emergency response function.
Senior Indian official arrested in graft probe
O’Neil said on Monday that having the
NEW dELHI: Indian
federal investigators
arrested the delhi
capital territory’s
second highest-
ranking official over
corruption allega-
tions, prompting
claims of political
interference from
his up-and-coming opposition party.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking
to establish itself as the main opposition
to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu
nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),
and has already won control of Punjab
state and the capital region delhi.
Manish Sisodia (pic), delhi’s deputy
chief minister and seen as party leader
Arvind Kejriwal’s right hand man, was
arrested by the Central Bureau of Investi-
gation (CBI) after almost eight hours of
questioning.
In a statement, the CBI said Sisodia was
arrested in connection with an investiga-
tion into delhi’s liquor regulations.
“He gave evasive replies and did not co-
N Korea opens crucial agricultural
operate (with) the investigation despite
being confronted with evidence to the
meeting amid grave food shortages
SEOUL: North Korean
leader Kim Jong Un
(pic) has opened a
key party meeting to
discuss agricultural
development, state
media said Monday,
following a report of
“grave” food short-
ages in the isolated country.
Normally such meetings are convened
only once or twice a year, but the plenary
comes just two months after a previous
one, which also focused on agricultural
issues.
The unusual frequency of the meetings
focused on agriculture has fuelled specula-
tion that there may be serious food short-
ages in North Korea now.
Kim chaired the opening on Sunday of
a plenary meeting of top ruling party offi-
cials to “analyse and review... the pro-
gramme for the rural revolution in the
new era, and decide on the immediate
important tasks and the urgent tasks,” the
official Korean Central News Agency
reported.
The participants “unanimously
approved the agenda items and went into
discussion” on the topic, the KCNA said
without giving further details.
South Korea’s unification ministry says
there have been reports of starvation
deaths in the North.
“We judge the food shortages there to
be grave,” ministry spokesman Koo
Byoung-sam said last week, adding
Pyongyang appeared to have requested
food aid from the World Food Programme.
dailyexpress
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
chological support to the survivors, said
there were cases of children orphaned in
the disaster.
“One Afghan 12-year-old boy lost his
entire family, all nine of them—four sib-
lings, his parents and other very close rel-
atives,” he told journalists.
Firefighters from the town of Cutro read-
ied a speed boat to head out on a fresh search
of the area as helicopters flew overhead.
At Le Castella, where a 15th century
fortress dominates the shoreline, an AFP
journalist witnessed the coastguard recov-
ering the body of a woman who looked to
be in her early 20s.
Save the Children charity said on Twit-
Medibank disclosed that hackers had
accessed the personal information of 9.7
million current and former customers.
national coordinator in place at the time
would have made a significant difference.
“What we will have now is an individual
in the public service who is going to
coordinate the response across govern-
ment and make sure that not only are we
deterring and preventing cyber-attacks,
but Australians can get up off that
quickly,” Xinhua reported she told Aus-
tralian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
radio.
“The other really important part of this
person’s job will be to help manage cyber
incidents in a proper, seamless strategic
way across the Australian Government.”
The government hopes to appoint
someone to the new role within a month
to develop a response plan. – Bernama
contrary,” they said. “Therefore, he has
been arrested.”
The arrest comes months after the
Enforcement directorate, India’s federal
financial crime agency, raided several
liquor agencies over alleged irregularities
in the delhi government’s now-withdrawn
excise policy.
The AAP, which has been anticipating
Sisodia’s arrest, said the move was due to
“political rivalry” and that it was a “fake
case”.
“Black day for democracy,” the party’s
delhi office tweeted after the arrest.
The Aam Aadmi Party, formed around
a decade ago, is looking to displace the
Nehru-Gandhi dynasty’s Congress—whose
electoral support has been declining for
decades—as the main opposition to the
dominant BJP.
Kejriwal, also delhi’s chief minister,
said his deputy was innocent and the
arrest was “dirty politics.”
“There is a lot of anger among people
because of Manish’s arrest. People are
watching everything. People will respond
to this,” Kejriwal tweeted.
“This will boost our spirit. Our struggle
will get stronger.” – AFP
North Korea monitoring site 38 North
said it judged the current food shortages in
the country to be the worst in decades.
The Pyongyang regime was being
forced to deal with “a complex humanitar-
ian emergency that has food insecurity at
its core”, it said in a January 2023 assess-
ment.
An analysis of rice and corn prices glob-
ally and in North Korea show “significant”
price divergence since early 2021 — mean-
ing food is far more expensive in the
North—“signalling a breakdown” in sup-
ply, it added.
But a recent commentary carried by
North Korea’s main state-run newspaper
Rodong Sinmun said the country should
continue to stick to the “self-sufficient
economy” as part of its fight against “the
imperialists”.
“The imperialists, under the cloak of the
so-called ‘collaboration’ and ‘aid’, are clam-
ouring as if some countries in economic
difficulties could not tide over crises with-
out their support.”
But such support are efforts to “make
the countries their sources of raw materials
and market after completely demolishing
the barrier of their national economy”,
Rodong said.
Nuclear-armed North Korea, which is
under multiple sets of sanctions over its
weapons programmes, has long struggled
to feed itself.
It is highly vulnerable to natural disas-
ters including floods and drought due to a
chronic lack of infrastructure, deforesta-
tion and decades of state mismanagement.
– AFP
11 Iran’s nuke pace worrying: CIA
ter it was supporting survivors from
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria,
including 10 minors who had been travel-
ling with their families.
“There are many missing minors,” it
wrote.
The charity said survivors described
how “during the night, near the coast, they
heard a loud boom, the boat broke and
they all fell into the water.”
The survivors were “in shock... some say
they saw relatives fall into the water and
disappear, or die”.
The boat was reported to have set sail
from Izmir in Turkey last week. Three sus-
pected human traffickers were arrested
‘Covid likely emerged
from Chinese lab leak’
WASHINGTON: The coronavirus pandemic
likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak,
the US department of Energy now says
according to media, although the White
House maintained that American intelli-
gence remained divided on the issue.
The determination—noted in a classi-
fied report by director of National Intelli-
gence Avril Haines’s office, The Wall Street
Journal reported—marks a shift by the
Energy department, which had previously
said it was undecided on how the virus
emerged.
People who read the classified report
were quoted in the Journal and The New
York Times as saying the department made
its judgment with “low confidence,” high-
lighting how different agencies remain
divided over the origins of Covid-19 and
the pandemic that swept the globe in early
2020.
The conclusion, reportedly the result of
new intelligence, is nevertheless significant
because the department oversees a network
of national laboratories, including some
that do advanced biological research.
The department now joins the Federal
Bureau of Investigation in believing that
the pandemic, which has left nearly seven
million people dead, was the result of a
mishap in a Chinese laboratory.
Four US intelligence agencies believe
Palestinians count cost of Israeli reprisals
Covid occurred through natural transmis-
sion, while two others remain undecided,
the Journal reported.
HUWARA, Palestinian Territories: Palestini-
ans in the occupied West Bank on Monday
counted the cost of deadly violence and
arson by Israeli settlers targeting a town
where two Israeli brothers were killed.
dozens of Israeli settlers set homes and
cars ablaze in the northern town of
Huwara overnight, after a day of Israeli-
Palestinian talks in neighbouring Jordan
aimed at quelling a surge in violence in the
Palestinian territory.
More than 350 Palestinians were
injured, the majority suffering from tear
gas inhalation, the Palestinian Red Cres-
cent Society said.
The Palestinian health ministry said 37-
year-old Sameh Aqtash was shot dead during
an attack on the nearby village of Zaatara.
The violence came hours after two
Israeli settlers—brothers Yagel Yaniv, 20,
and Hallel Yaniv, 22 — were shot dead Sun-
day as they drove through Huwara.
On Monday, an AFP photographer saw
damaged homes blackened by fire, long
lines of charred cars, burned trees and
smashed windows in the town.
“They burned more than 20 buildings,”
Huwara resident Kamal Odeh told AFP.
“Even the trees were not spared. They
burned everything. They burned every-
thing they found.”
Wajeh Odeh, a member of the town’s
municipality, said 30 houses were burned
and damaged while more than 100 cars
were torched.
On Monday morning, the Israeli mili-
tary told AFP no-one had been arrested
over the arson or killing of Aqtash.
The search for the gunmen who fired
Egypt top diplomat visits Syria for first time in decade
on the two brothers is ongoing.
dAMASCUS: Egypt’s Foreign Minister
Sameh Shoukry arrived Monday in dam-
ascus, the latest example of Arab outreach
to Syria’s internationally isolated govern-
ment since it and Turkey were hit by a dev-
astating earthquake.
Shoukry’s trip shows “solidarity with
Syria in the face of the consequences of
the earthquake”, said the official news
agency SANA, adding he was welcomed at
damascus airport by his counterpart
Faisal Mekdad.
Egypt’s foreign ministry said the visit
by Shoukry, who is also due to visit Turkey,
was “a message of solidarity by Egypt with
these two brotherly countries after the
earthquake” of February 6 that killed
nearly 46,000 people in both countries.
9
Rescuers handling
a body bag at the
site of a shipwreck
in Steccato di
Cutro, Italy. At
least 62 migrants,
including 11
children and a
newborn baby,
died after their
overloaded
boat sank.
and police were searching for a fourth, abria, told Rai state broadcaster he had
media reports said Monday. recovered the bodies of young twins from
david Morabito, a rescue diver in Cal- the water. – AFP
The White House maintained that American intelligence remained
divided on the issue. Beijing also called on those involved to ‘stop
smearing China and ‘stop politicising’ the origin-tracing issue.
White House National Security Advisor sions drawn by joint experts from China
Jake Sullivan stressed a “variety of views” on and the WHO,” foreign ministry spokesper-
the matter remain. son Mao Ning told a regular briefing.
“Right now, there is not a definitive In mid-February, the World Health
answer that has emerged from the intelli- Organization pledged to do everything
gence community on this question,” he possible “until we get the answer” on
told CNN Sunday. Covid’s origins, denying a report suggest-
Beijing Monday called on those ing the agency had abandoned its investi-
involved to “stop stirring up claims about gation.
laboratory leaks, stop smearing China, and The scientific community sees it as cru-
stop politicising the origin-tracing issue.” cial to determine the origins of the pan-
“A laboratory leak wasn’t found to be demic in order to better fight or even
possible by authoritative scientific conclu- prevent the next one. – AFP
A scrapyard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian
town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
The violence came days after Israeli forces ated dozens of Palestinians from their
launched their deadliest West Bank raid in homes threatened by fires in Huwara.
nearly 20 years, which claimed the lives of 11 The office of Palestinian president Mah-
Palestinians in the nearby city of Nablus. mud Abbas accused Israel of “protecting
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu terrorist acts perpetrated by settlers” in the
late Sunday called for calm. West Bank.
“I ask—even when the blood is boiling— Hamas, the militant group which rules
not to take the law into one’s hands,” Gaza, called on Palestinians “to defend the
Netanyahu said. city of Nablus and repel the settlers’ terror-
The West Bank is home to about 2.9 mil- ism.”
lion Palestinians as well as an estimated Washington condemned the violence
475,000 Jewish settlers, who live in state- on both sides.
approved settlements considered illegal “The terrorist attack that killed two
under international law. Israelis and settler violence, which resulted
Mayors of Israeli settlements called on in the killing of one Palestinian, injuries to
their residents to let the Israeli army do its over 100 others, and the destruction of
job. extensive property,” US State department
“We do not take justice into our own spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter.
hands,” they said in a statement, while call- The attacks in Huwara came amid talks
ing on the authorities to carry out “a deter- in Jordan, where Israeli and Palestinian
mined and deterrent military operation”. officials pledged to work to prevent fur-
The Israeli military said it had evacu- ther violence. – AFP
Cairo has had tense relations with the countries have severed ties with it.
two countries for a decade. But since the earthquake, the Syrian
In the aftermath of the quake, Egypt’s president has received calls and aid from
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called his Arab leaders, a momentum analysts say he
Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, in the could leverage to bolster regional sup-
first official exchange between the two port.
leaders. On Sunday, a delegation of Arab parlia-
Shoukry also spoke with Mekdad, and mentary leaders met with Assad in dam-
Egypt sent three planes and two boats ascus, including the speaker of Egypt’s
loaded with humanitarian aid to the parliament, Hanafy al-Gebali.
quake-hit Arab country. Egyptian state media described him as
Assad has been politically isolated in “the most senior Egyptian official to visit
the region since the start of the 12-year damascus” in over a decade.
civil war in Syria. Egypt’s official position on Syria has
While Cairo and damascus have called for “a political solution”, steering
largely maintained relations during the clear of discussing the fate of Assad him-
conflict, the Cairo-based Arab League sus- self, whose departure has long been
pended Syria in 2011 and some other Arab demanded by several Arab leaders. – AFP

10 World
LONdON: Britain and the
European Union were on
Monday poised to agree a
crucial overhaul of trade
rules in Northern Ireland,
in a breakthrough aimed at
resetting strained relations
since Brexit.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (pic) and
European Commission chief Ursula von
der Leyen were set to hold “final talks” at
lunchtime in the UK, in a bid to end more
than a year of negotiations over the so-
called Northern Ireland protocol.
Agreed in 2020 as part of Britain’s
divorce from the EU, the contentious pact
kept the province in the European single
market and subject to different trade rules
Italy’s Democratic
than the rest of the UK.
Party elects first
woman leader
ROME: Italy’s democratic
Party (Pd) elected its first
woman leader at the week-
end, charged with re-ener-
gising the centre-left party
to counter a recent surge in
popularity of the right.
Parliamentarian Elly Schlein, 37, (pic)
defeated frontrunner Stefano Bonaccini,
president of the Emilia-Romagna region,
by 53.8 percent to 46.2 percent Sunday, in
an election that saw most left-leaning vot-
ers stay at home.
Schlein becomes the youngest-ever
leader of the progressive, pro-Europe
party, which many political experts have
seen as suffering from an identity crisis
amid the increasing popularity of far-right
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her
Brothers of Italy party.
Ahead of official figures, the Pd esti-
mated that around one million supporters
took part in the primaries, which would
mean that Sunday’s election had the
worst-ever abstention rate of internal Pd
elections.
Schlein succeeds Enrico Letta, a former
prime minister, the head of the party since
March 2021 who resigned after general
elections in September that brought Mel-
oni and her right-wing coalition to power.
The Pd, hurt by a divided left and a neg-
ative election campaign that failed to
inspire voters, won just 19 percent of the
vote in the general election versus 26 per-
cent for the Brothers of Italy.
According to an ixé poll conducted
from 15 to 21 February, the Pd currently
stands at 16.9 percent of voting intentions,
far behind Brothers of Italy at 31.1 percent
and just below the anti-establishment Five
Star Movement at 17.2 percent.
Born in Lugano, Switzerland within the
country’s Italian-speaking region,
Schlein’s father is American with Ukrain-
ian Jewish ancestry. Her mother is Italian.
The left-wing domani daily wrote Mon-
day that Schlein offered “a model of femi-
nine leadership radically different to that
of Giorgia Meloni”, who defined herself
during the general election as a Christian
UN: Progress on
mother. – AFP
human rights has
gone into reverse
GENEVA: Respect for human rights has
gone into reverse, the United Nations chief
warned Monday, calling for a renewal of
the Universal declaration of Human
Rights, 75 years after its signing.
Pointing to the war raging in Ukraine,
and threats to rights from soaring poverty,
hunger and climate disasters, Antonio
Guterres said the declaration was “under
assault from all sides.”
“Some governments chip away at it.
Others use a wrecking ball,” he told the
opening of the UN Human Rights Council’s
main annual session, describing the disre-
gard and disdain seen for human rights
around the world as “a wake-up call”.
He said the “Russian invasion of
Ukraine has triggered the most massive
violations of human rights” being wit-
nessed in the world today.
“It has unleashed widespread death,
destruction and displacement,” he said.
While the past century has seen
astounding progress in human rights and
human development, Guterres warned
that now, “instead of continuing this
progress, we have gone into reverse.”
Russia’s war in Ukraine loomed large
over the meeting, due to last a record six
weeks, with calls for unity in condemning
Moscow and extending a probe into war
crimes in the conflict.
The session comes just days after the
one-year anniversary of Moscow’s full-
scale invasion—which UN rights chief
Volker Turk warned show that 75 years
after the world agreed on the universality
of rights, “the oppression of the past can
return in various disguises.”
Turk cited “the old destructive wars of
aggression from a bygone era with world-
wide consequences, as we have witnessed
again in Europe with the senseless Russian
invasion of Ukraine”.
Following the speeches by the UN top
brass, nearly 150 ministers and heads of
state and government are due to speak,
virtually or in person, during the first four
days of the session. – AFP
UK, EU eye deal over post-Brexit trade
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
However, staunch opposition to the
protocol from the pro-British unionist
community in Northern Ireland, who
argue it threatens the province’s place
within the UK, has led to the collapse of
devolved power-sharing there.
That prompted the UK government to
threaten a unilateral overhaul of the pro-
tocol unless the EU agreed to wholesale
changes, souring diplomatic relations and
risking a wider trade war. Talks between
London and Brussels aimed at resolving
the problems with the protocol dragged
on through last year—and two changes of
prime minister in the UK.
Now, after months of what downing
Kremlin: No conditions
for peace at moment
MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Monday
acknowledged China’s proposal for a
political solution in Ukraine but said the
conditions for a peaceful resolution of the
conflict were not in place “at the moment”.
“We paid a lot of attention to our Chi-
nese friends’ plan,” Kremlin spokesman
dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding
that: “for now, we don’t see any of the con-
ditions that are needed to bring this whole
story towards peace.”
China has sought to position itself as a
neutral party in the conflict while main-
taining close ties with strategic ally Russia.
Beijing last week called for peace talks
as it released a 12-point paper to end the
war in Ukraine, which included the respect
of all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
The Russian foreign ministry on Friday
thanked Chinese efforts but said that any
settlement of the conflict needed to recog-
nise Russia’s control over four Ukrainian
regions.
Russia claims to have annexed the
regions of donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia
and Kherson but never fully controlled
them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelen-
sky said his country needed to work with
China, arguing “it seems to me that there
is respect for our territorial integrity, secu-
rity issues” in the Chinese perspective.
Zelensky also said he was convinced
that only a country whose territory is
under attack can initiate “any peace initia-
tives.”
The publication of the proposal follows
accusations from the West that China is
considering arming Russia, a claim Beijing
has dismissed as false.
The Kremlin hit out at the European
Union after the bloc adopted its latest
package of sanctions against Russia for its
military intervention in Ukraine.
“All this, of course, is absurd,” Kremlin
spokesman dmitry Peskov told reporters
Tense wait as Nigeria slowly counts election results
in response to a question about the new
LAGOS: Nigeria slowly counted more
results on Monday after a tight election
for the presidency of Africa’s most popu-
lous nation as delays and accusations of
manipulation fuelled tensions.
Nearly 90 million were eligible to vote
on Saturday for a successor to President
Muhammadu Buhari, with many hoping
for a new leader to tackle insecurity, eco-
nomic malaise and widening poverty.
Voting on Saturday was mostly peace-
ful, but thugs ransacked some polling sta-
tions and many others opened very late in
Lagos and other cities. Many voters stayed
overnight to watch over the initial count
at polling stations.
The election pits former Lagos gover-
nor Bola Tinubu, 70, of the ruling All Pro-
gressives Congress (APC) against former
vice president 76-year-old Atiku
Abubakar, of the Peoples democratic
Ramaphosa vows to fight dirty money after ‘grey’ listing
Party (PdP).
JOHANNESBURG: President
Cyril Ramaphosa (pic) on
Monday said South Africa
would seize “an opportu-
nity” to tackle dirty money
after the country had been
placed on a watchlist for
financial crimes.
A global watchdog, the Financial Action
Task Force (FATF), on Friday said it had
placed South Africa on its “grey list” for
increased monitoring over deficiencies in
combating “money laundering, terrorist
financing, and proliferation financing.”
The FATF sets standards for more than
Turkish drone kills three fighters in Iraq
200 countries and jurisdictions on cross-
border financial crime—a system intended
ARBIL, Iraq: A Turkish drone attack Monday in northern Iraq killed at least three fighters
from the minority Yazidi community affiliated with the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK), Iraqi Kurdish officials said.
“A drone from the Turkish army targeted a vehicle” in the region, killing an officer
and two combattants from the Yazidi Sinjar Resistance Units, a statement from the Kur-
distan region’s anti-terrorist squad said. The three fighters were heading towards Sinjar,
a stronghold of the Yazidis, at the time of the attack. Turkey has dozens of military facil-
ities in northern Iraq for use in its war against the PKK, and it has repeatedly carried out
strikes targeting the group in northern Iraq, where it has bases, and its allies. – AFP
Street called “intensive negotiations” since
Sunak took power in October, a deal
appears within sight.
“Positive, constructive progress has
been made,” his office said in a statement
late Sunday.
“The prime minister wants to ensure
that any deal fixes the practical problems
on the ground, ensures trade flows freely
within the whole of the UK, safeguards
Northern Ireland’s place in our Union and
returns sovereignty to the people of
Northern Ireland.”
After Monday’s talks, a British cabinet
meeting will take place in the afternoon,
when ministers will get an update.
A Russian Communists supporter attends a rally wearing a vest with a
portrait of Russian President Putin with a quote reading ‘it is impossible
to work without the support of the people’, in downtown Moscow.
penalties, which target 121 individuals and
entities.
The latest penalties are the 10th round
of EU sanctions aimed at undercutting
Russia’s finances and military supplies for
the conflict.
Peskov said Western countries were
struggling to find more people and enti-
ties to sanction.
“That explains the illogical listing of
individuals and entities,” Peskov said.
“We are talking about such accom-
plished people and for them, inclusion in
the lists will not cause any discomfort,” he
added.
The latest EU sanctions target dozens of
Russian entities—meaning businesses or
state agencies—including another three
Russian banks.
But for the first time since the end of
military rule in 1999, a surprise third-
party candidate, Labour Party’s Peter Obi,
has challenged APC and PdP dominance
with an appeal to younger voters.
Announcing first results state by state,
Independent National Electoral Commis-
sion (INEC) on Sunday said APC’s Tinubu
won small, southwestern Ekiti state with
PdP coming second.
INEC was due to announce more state
by state results on Monday at 1000 GMT,
but final tallies for the presidential race
could take days.
Votes are tallied by hand at local
polling stations and results are uploaded
online to INEC’s central database IReV,
which is meant to improve transparency.
But slow uploading of results to INEC’s
website has fueled worries of malpractice
in a country with a history of ballot rig-
ging and vote buying.
to encourage national authorities improve
their performance.
“The grey listing is an opportunity for us
to tighten our controls and improve our
response to organised crime”, Ramaphosa
said in his weekly newsletter.
“The situation is concerning but less
dire than some people suggest,” he added.
“The fundamentals are in place and we
know what we need to do to get off the
grey list,” Ramaphosa said, stressing he was
“determined to do this as quickly as possi-
ble”.
South Africa’s state sector was devas-
tated by corruption under former presi-
dent Jacob Zuma, which Ramaphosa
vowed to clean up when he took office five
If a final deal is agreed as expected,
Sunak and von der Leyen will hold a short
joint press conference in Windsor, west of
London, famous for its royal palace.
Sunak is then due to deliver a statement
to parliament on the agreement.
Former cabinet minister and Johnson
loyalist Jacob Rees-Mogg hinted at the
peril Sunak faces over the deal when asked
about it Monday, noting the dUP’s verdict
would be “very influential” among Tory
lawmakers.
“I’m not sure he has achieved the objec-
tive of getting the dUP back into power-
sharing, which is the fundamental point of
it,” he told broadcaster ITV. – AFP
Being on the list means an asset freeze
in the EU and a visa ban.
And, Belarus’s exiled opposition said
that partisans had destroyed a Russian
plane at an airstrip near the capital
Minsk.
“Partisans... confirmed a successful spe-
cial operation to blow up a rare Russian
plane at the airfield in Machulishchy near
Minsk,” tweeted Franak Viacorka, a close
adviser of opposition figurehead Sviatlana
Tsikhanouskaya.
“This is the most successful diversion
since the beginning of 2022,” he added.
Viacorka did not say what kind of Russ-
ian plane had been targeted but said it was
worth 330 million euros. According to
news media close to the opposition, it was
an A-50 surveillance plane. – AFP
By Monday morning, results from
around 52,000 centres had been submit-
ted to the platform from around 176,000
polling centres nationwide—around 30
percent.
PdP on Monday accused the ruling APC
governors of pressuring INEC over results
in southeast and in parts of Lagos, a
highly contested state with the most reg-
istered voters at more than seven million.
“APC is doing all in its means to cheat
in Lagos,” PdP spokesman dele Momodu
told reporters.
The early result in one state for APC’s
Tinubu was very preliminary in a country
almost equally divided between a mostly
Muslim north and a predominantly Chris-
tian south and with three main ethnic
groups in different regions.
Voting is usually determined by large
key states such as Lagos and northwestern
Kano and Kaduna. – AFP
years ago. The radical leftist opposition
party, the Economic Freedom Fighters
(EFF), reacted strongly to the grey listing,
lashing Ramaphosa as “a criminal who is
leading a criminal state”.
Ramaphosa is “part of the reasons why
South Africa has been grey listed,” it said
on Friday.
South Africa and Nigeria were the only
new entries to the “grey list,” whose 23
members include the Cayman Islands,
democratic Repupublic of Congo, the
Philippines, Syria and Yemen.
The listing is “further indictment on the
ANC national government’s failure to deal
decisively with financial crime,” John
Steenhuisen, the head of the leading oppo-
sition party, the democratic Alliance (dA),
said on Twitter.
The listing is “hardly surprising when
our sitting President stashes millions of US
dollars in his own couch,” Steenhuisen
said, referring to the alleged coverup of a
massive theft at Ramaphosa’s ranch.
Corruption in South Africa has fuelled a
decline in support for the ruling African
National Congress (ANC) ahead of the
2024 elections—a fall that that may cost
Ramaphosa the presidency. – AFP
dailyexpress
One killed,
dozens
wounded in
fresh quake
in Turkey
ISTANBUL: A 5.6 magnitude earthquake
hit eastern Turkey on Monday, killing
one person and wounding dozens oth-
ers while causing some damaged build-
ings to collapse, the government’s
disaster agency said.
The epicentre of the tremor was the
Yesilyurt district in the Malatya
province, which was hit by the February
6 earthquake that killed over 44,000
people in Turkey and thousands more in
neighbouring Syria.
“One citizen lost his life. Some 69
were injured,” Yunus Sezer, chairman of
AFAd disaster agency, said in televised
comments.
AFAd tweeted that 29 buildings
already damaged by a powerful Febru-
ary 6 earthquake had collapsed.
“Our search and rescue teams were
quickly dispatched to the region, and
started to work,” it added.
The local mayor, Mehmet Cinar, said
a father and his daughter were trapped
after they entered a damaged building
to get their belongings, Turkish media
reported.
Television images showed the man
being carried on a stretcher into an
ambulance, while rescue teams were
trying to make contact with his daugh-
ter inside the damaged building.
Turkish authorities have expanded a
criminal probe into individuals respon-
sible for buildings levelled by the deadly
earthquake that left millions without
homes.
AFAd recorded almost 10,000 after-
shocks after the February 6 quake. Some
173,000 buildings are believed to have
sustained damage according to local
media reports.
Turkish media has vocally criticised
developers for using shoddy materials
and failing to comply with construction
codes.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
announced plans to rebuild 270,000
homes in the devastated provinces
within one year. – AFP
Legal age of
marriage in
England,
Wales
raised to 18
LONdON: Vulnerable chil-
dren across England and
Wales will be better pro-
tected from the damaging
impact of forced marriage
as the legal age of marriage
rises to 18 in England and
Wales.
The Marriage and Civil Partnership
(Minimum Age) Act 2022, which gained
Royal Assent in April last year, has come
into force today (27 February). It means
that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be
allowed to marry or enter a civil partner-
ship, even if they have parental consent.
It is now illegal and a criminal offence
to exploit vulnerable children by arrang-
ing for them to marry, under any circum-
stances whether or not force is used.
deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor
and Secretary of State for Justice, dominic
Raab MP (pic), said: “This law will better
protect vulnerable young people, by crack-
ing down on forced marriage in our society.
Those who act to manipulate children
into marrying under-age will now rightly
face the full force of the law.”
The change will crack down on forced
marriages which can cause lasting damage
on a child and forms part of the govern-
ment’s continued commitment to tackle
violence against women and girls.
Those found guilty of arranging child
marriages face sentences of up to 7 years in
prison.
The age of 18 is widely recognised as the
age at which one becomes an adult and
gains full citizenship rights.
Child marriage is often associated with
domestic abuse towards girls, leaving edu-
cation early, limited career opportunities,
and serious physical and mental health
problems. The change honours the gov-
ernment’s commitment to the pledge
made to the United Nations to end child
marriage by 2030.
Previously forced marriage was only an
offence if the person uses a type of coer-
cion, for example threats, to cause some-
one to marry.
It is now an offence to cause a child
under the age of 18 to enter a marriage in
any circumstances, without the need to
prove that a form of coercion was used.
This includes non-legally binding ‘tradi-
tional’ ceremonies which would still be
viewed as marriages by the parties and
their families. – AFP

dailyexpress
$330m coke bound
for Belgium seized
GUAYAQUIL, (Ecuador): Ecuador confis-
cated about 8.8 tonnes of cocaine worth
$330 million that had been hidden
between bananas in a container bound for
Belgium, police said Sunday.
“Record seizure in 2023 of more than
eight tonnes of cocaine,” wrote police
commander General Fausto Salinas on his
Twitter account.
“We prevented (the international sale
of) 90 million doses, worth $330 million
in Europe,” he said, posting a video show-
ing police searching the container, which
was being shipped from the port of
Guayaquil.
Located between Colombia and Peru—
the world’s main producers of cocaine—
Ecuador seized a record amount of the
drug in 2021: about 210 tonnes bound for
European ports.
In 2022, seizures exceeded 200 tonnes -
61 percent of which were hidden among
bananas destined for export—and so far
Brazil storm death
this year they have totalled 31 tonnes. – AFP
toll rises to 64
SAO PAULO: The death toll from floods
and landslides in southeast Brazil a week
ago was officially increased to 64 , as the
search continued for one missing person.
Among the confirmed toll, 18 were chil-
dren, the Sao Paulo state government said
in a statement.
More than an entire February’s worth of
rain fell in 24 hours on the picturesque
beach resort town of Sao Sebastiao and
surrounding areas last weekend.
Authorities said the largest daily rain-
fall ever registered in Brazil triggered vio-
lent floods and landslides that tore
through precariously built hillside com-
munities.
According to the G1 news site, quoting
civil defense authorities, one person
remained missing Sunday, down from
dozens initially.
More than 2,400 people were displaced
by the downpour which washed away
homes, roads, clinics and other infrastruc-
ture.
An estimated 9.5 million of Brazil’s 215
million people live in areas at high risk of
flooding or landslides—mainly poor favela
neighborhoods.
The South American country has been
hit by a series of deadly weather disasters
in recent years, which experts say are likely
being made worse by climate change. –
$4.3b to help
AFP
millions in
war-torn
Yemen: UN
GENEVA: The United Nations said it
needed $4.3 billion this year to help mil-
lions of people in war-ravaged Yemen,
ahead of a donors’ conference on Monday.
Aid agencies need the money to help
more than 17 million people in the coun-
try, which has been devastated by an eight-
year civil war.
The conflict has claimed hundreds of
thousands of lives and plunged the poor-
est country on the Arabian Peninsula into
one of the world’s worst humanitarian
tragedies.
Yemen is also at the forefront of the cli-
mate crisis, with severe drought and flood-
ing threatening lives, the UN said.
It acknowledged that “record global
humanitarian needs are stretching donor
support like never before”.
In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition inter-
vened to back the government after the
Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa
and large swathes of the country.
A truce that began on April 2 last year
IS ‘Beatle’ goes
expired on October 2. – AFP
on trial in UK
LONdON: The UK terror trial of an alleged
member of the Islamic State (IS) group’s
“Beatles” kidnap-and-murder cell begins
on Monday.
Aine davis is accused of belonging to
the notorious group of four hostage tak-
ers, who grew up and were radicalised in
London, something he is understood to
deny.
Active in Syria from 2012 to 2015, the
four were allegedly involved in abducting
more than two dozen journalists and relief
workers from the United States and other
countries.
The group members were nicknamed
the “Beatles” by their captives because of
their distinctive British accents.
The hostages—some of whom were
released after their governments paid ran-
soms—were from at least 15 countries,
including denmark, France, Japan, Nor-
way, Spain and the United States.
IS tortured and killed its victims,
including by beheading, and released
videos of the murders for propaganda pur-
poses. The trial is expected to take less
than two weeks. – AFP
Serbia, Kosovo hold talks as pressure mounts for deal
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
BRUSSELS: Brussels hosts the rival leaders
of Kosovo and Serbia on Monday as the
European Union turns up the pressure to
reach a breakthrough deal it hopes will
lead to a normalisation of ties between the
foes.
Serbia has refused to recognise
Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of inde-
pendence made in 2008, with periodic
bouts of unrest erupting between Bel-
grade and its former breakaway province.
The two sides have admitted being
increasingly squeezed by Western govern-
ments to hammer out an agreement after
more than two decades of acrimony.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti and
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were
Iran’s nuke pace worrying: CIA
WASHINGTON: Iran’s nuclear pro-
gramme is advancing at a “worrisome
pace,” CIA director William Burns said in
an interview broadcast, following reports
Tehran had further enriched uranium.
Iran was last known to have enriched
uranium up to 60 percent purity, but a
recent Bloomberg News report that Inter-
national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
inspectors found uranium enriched to 84
percent, while strongly denied by Tehran,
has sparked consternation.
Uranium enriched to around 90 per-
cent purity is considered nuclear
weapons-grade.
Iran has “advanced very far to the
point where it would only be a matter of
weeks before they can enrich to 90 per-
cent, if they chose to cross that line,”
Burns told CBS’s “Face the Nation,” calling
the progress “quite troubling.”
He added, however, that the United
States did not believe that Iran’s supreme
leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had
Mexicans protest against controversial electoral reform
decided to “resume the weaponisation
programme that we judge that they sus-
MEXICO CITY: Tens of thousands of Mexi-
cans protested against an electoral reform
approved by the ruling party-controlled
Congress that is widely perceived as an
attack on democracy ahead of 2024 presi-
dential polls.
Political and civic organizations joined
forces for the show of discontent, gather-
ing on Mexico City’s main square, Zocalo,
and in other cities under the slogan #MiV-
otoNoSeToca (Hands Off My Vote).
dressed in white and pink, the colors of
the National Electoral Institute (INE) they
say is under threat, protesters denounced
the majority move by President Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador’s backers to
reduce the independent body’s size and
budget.
“It is a setback to democracy.... This
man (Lopez Obrador) wants to control
the election,” protester Alejandro
Rodriguez, a lawyer age 61, told AFP.
“The reform attacks all our institutions,
it wants to take away our freedoms,”
added Feliciano Vidal, a 65-year-old inde-
pendent worker.
A bill the INE says will tarnish the cred-
ibility of elections was approved in the
Senate Wednesday by 72 votes in favor to
50 against.
The legislation must now be enacted
by the leftist president, who championed
Nasa: SpaceX
the change.
crew launch to
ISS postponed
CAPE CANAVERAL: A rocket launch to the
International Space Station was post-
poned minutes before take-off on Monday,
with officials citing a problem with
ground systems.
The SpaceX dragon Crew-6 mission was
scheduled to depart the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida at 1:45 am (0645 GMT),
carrying two NASA astronauts, a Russian
cosmonaut and the second Emirati to voy-
age to space.
But just two minutes before lift-off, the
launch was called off, or “scrubbed”.
“Today’s #Crew6 launch has been
scrubbed due to an issue with ground sys-
tems,” NASA posted on Twitter.
SpaceX unloaded fuel from its Falcon 9
rocket and the crew disembarked, NASA
added in a statement.
“The next available launch attempt is at
12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2, pending
resolution of the technical issue prevent-
ing Monday’s launch,” it said.
“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX
teams’ focus and dedication to keeping
Crew-6 safe,” NASA Administrator Bill Nel-
son said in the statement.
“Human spaceflight is an inherently
risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly
when we are ready.”
Once they are successfully sent into
space, NASA’s Stephen Bowen and Warren
Hoburg, Russia’s Andrey Fedyaev and Sul-
tan al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates
are to spend six months on the orbiting
station.
Neyadi, 41, will be the fourth astronaut
from an Arab country and the second from
set to meet chief EU diplomat Josep Borrell
at the bloc’s headquarters Monday after-
noon, where they will likely go over the
details of a deal that could lay out the
framework for a potential understanding.
The latest round of talks follow months
of shuttle diplomacy in the renewed thrust
to resolve long-simmering tensions, nearly
25 years after the war between ethnic
Albanian insurgents and Serb forces trig-
gered a NATO bombing campaign that
ended the fighting.
Last week, Kurti told Kosovo’s parlia-
ment that the deal currently in the works
would pave the way for the territory’s
entry into a number of international insti-
tutions—a long-sought goal for the gov-
Tehran has repeatedly insisted that it is not
planning to build a nuclear bomb. Inset Burns.
pended or stopped at the end of 2003.”
Tehran has repeatedly insisted that it
is not planning to build a nuclear bomb. activities in 2019, a year after the United
A multi-nation 2015 accord promised States under then-president donald
Iran sanctions relief in exchange for cut- Trump pulled out of the landmark deal
Protesters at Zocalo square in Mexico City. The changes would also eliminate
85 percent of the polling agency’s career staff, and scrap 300 district boards
crucial to organising elections for the country’s 93 million voters.
Former Supreme Court justice Juan
Ramon Cossio, in an address to protesters
Sunday, accused Lopez Obrador of seek-
ing to “appropriate the electoral system.”
The presidential residence is on one
side of Zocalo square, but Lopez Obrador
Mission Specialist Sultan Alneyadi
from UAE (left) and Mission
Specialist Andrey Fedyaev of
Roscosmos gesture to loved ones.
the oil-rich UAE to journey to space; his
compatriot Hazzaa al-Mansoori flew an
eight-day mission in 2019.
Neyadi described the upcoming mis-
sion as a “great honor.”
Hoburg, the Endeavour pilot, and
Fedyaev, the Russian mission specialist,
will also be making their first space flights.
Fedyaev is the second Russian cosmo-
naut to fly to the ISS aboard a SpaceX
rocket. NASA astronauts fly regularly to
the station on Russian Soyuz craft.
Space has remained a rare venue of coop-
eration between Moscow and Washington
since the Russian offensive in Ukraine
placed the two in sharp opposition.
Bowen, a veteran of three space shuttle
missions, said politics rarely come up
while in space.
“We’re all professionals. We keep
focused on the mission itself,” the com-
mander said. “It’s always been a great rela-
tionship we’ve had with cosmonauts once
we get to space.”
While aboard the ISS, the Crew-6 mem-
bers will conduct dozens of experiments
including studying how materials burn in
microgravity and researching heart, brain
and cartilage functions. – AFP
ernment in Pristina.
“I think the next meeting will show how
hopeful we can be for this year,” Kurti told
lawmakers, saying he was “very optimistic
that there can be an agreement this year.”
On the other side, Serbia’s President
Vucic has said his government was under
the gun to come to an understanding.
In a televised address last month, Vucic
said he had been handed an ultimatum
from Western countries to normalise ties
with Kosovo or face measures that would
do “great damage” to his country.
“(They) said—you must accept this
plan, or you will face the interruption of
the process of European integration, the
halting and withdrawal of investments
ting back its nuclear program.
But Iran started stepping up its nuclear
was absent Sunday, touring Mexico’s inte-
rior.
The bill is a watered-down version of
more radical reforms he originally sought
Jill Biden: Horn of Africa
that sparked mass street protests against
a perceived attack on the INE, designed to
needs more drought relief
NAIROBI: US First Lady Jill Biden vis-
ited drought-affected communities in
Kenya and appealed for wealthy
nations to give more as the Horn of
Africa suffers its driest conditions in
decades.
Biden concluded her two-nation
tour of Africa by calling for a greater
spotlight on the record-breaking
drought which threatens 22 million
people in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia
with starvation.
The United States has funded the
lion’s share of the aid budget for the
disaster which has killed millions of
livestock and destroyed crops.
“We cannot be the only ones. We
have to have other countries join us in
this global effort to help these people
of the region,” said Biden at a relief
point in Kajiado, a bone-dry county
south of Nairobi.
“Unfortunately, you know there is
the war in Ukraine. There is the earth-
quake in Turkey. I mean there are a lot
of competing interests but obviously
here... people are starving.”
Biden heard from parents strug-
gling to feed their children and com-
munities unable to source enough
water after five consecutive failed
rainy seasons.
The drought was a key focus of
Biden’s visit to Kenya, with another
engagement looking at food security
and farming in a changing climate.
But the 71-year-old community col-
World 11
and comprehensive economic and politi-
cal measures that will cause great damage
to the Republic of Serbia,” Vucic told view-
ers.
The mounting pressure comes as West-
ern governments have reserved much of
their diplomatic muscle for addressing the
war in Ukraine, spurring fears that the
Kremlin may use the Kosovo issue as a
wedge to further divide Europe.
“Russian aggression in Ukraine has
changed the dynamic. The West can’t
allow Russia to potentially open up a new
front, and this region is volatile enough,”
said Aleksandar Popov, a political analyst
with the Centre for Regionalism based in
Serbia’s Novi Sad. – AFP
and reinstated sanctions. Negotiations to
revive the accord have stalled.
Burns said Iran was “still a ways off... in
terms of their ability to actually develop
a weapon” but said advancements in
enrichment and missile systems that
would be able deliver a nuclear weapon
are “growing at a worrisome pace.”
Another point of concern is that Russia
is proposing to help Iran’s missile pro-
gramme, Burns noted, reiterating as well
the US belief that Moscow is also consid-
ering sending fighter jets to Iran.
Russia and Iran have expanded their
military co-operation, with Tehran ship-
ping growing quantities of weaponry to
Moscow for use in the invasion of
Ukraine.
The two states’ co-operation is “mov-
ing at a pretty fast clip in a very danger-
ous direction,” Burns said.
“That creates obvious risks not only for
the people of Ukraine—and we’ve seen
the evidence of that already—but also
risks to our friends and partners across
the Middle East as well.” – AFP
safeguard elections from political tamper-
ing.
The polling agency says the bill—even
the new version—endangered the elec-
toral process.
It claims the changes would eliminate
85 percent of its career staff, and scrap 300
district boards crucial to organising elec-
tions for the country’s 93 million voters.
The measure, says the INE, would limit its
ability to monitor election propaganda or to
sanction public officials for transgressions.
Lopez Obrador alleges the INE
endorsed fraud when he ran unsuccess-
fully for the presidency in 2006 and 2012,
before winning in 2018.
He argues the reform will improve the
system, and has claimed the protests were
being orchestrated by a group of “corrupt”
people who want power for themselves.
The president, whose popularity hov-
ers at about 60 percent, cannot seek
reelection as the constitution bars more
than one six-year term.
He has ruled out trying to change the
constitution to stay in office, but is never-
theless keen to see his Morena party hold
on to power.
The opposition vowed to challenge the
reform in the Supreme Court, and former
judge Cossio said Sunday he trusted his
peers would overturn the bill if it comes
before them. –AFP
Jill Biden (right) meets with women
from the Maasai community at Loseti
village in Kajiado county, Kenya.
lege professor also met with women
and youth leaders, toured an informal
settlement, and laid a wreath for those
killed in the 1998 US embassy bomb-
ing in Nairobi.
Her visit to Kenya and before that
Namibia aims to build on the US-
Africa Leaders Summit in Washington
late last year where President Joe
Biden said his country was “all in” on
the hotly courted continent.
Africa has become a renewed diplo-
matic battleground following Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine last year and Jill
Biden’s visit was the first by a senior
White House official to the continent
since her husband came to power.
In Namibia, Biden said the United
States was committed to helping
African nations get a louder voice at
the UN and other international bod-
ies. – AFP
 BUSINESS
13 More R&D for plantations, commodities will give edge
BornOil’s
integrated
limestone
processing
plant
(“ILPP”),
has entered
the cement
production
testing
phase.
BornOil sees
net profit
rocket 126pc
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo Oil Berhad (Bor-
nOil) has posted a sterling set of results for
its 2nd Quarter ended 31 december 2022
with net profit more than doubling, and
revenue rising across its various business
units.
In an announcement to the stock
exchange, BornOil said that Q2 net profit
came in at RM23.17 million, representing a
126 per cent increase from the RM10.27
million posted in the previous correspon-
ding quarter (ended 31 december 2021).
Revenue also increased to touch
RM21.25 million, compared to the RM18.37
million posted previously.
The company attributed the higher
profit to fair value gain of RM37.20 million
on its quoted securities, offset by unre-
alised exchange loss of RM8.10 million.
Its various business division saw higher
revenues: Food and franchise operations
spearheaded by the ‘Sugarbun’ brand
posting RM13.90 million, property invest-
ment and management coming in a
RM5.45 and resources and sustainable
energy registering higher revenue of
dailyexpress
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
RM1.90 million.
BornOil also said that its integrated
limestone processing plant (“ILPP”) was
completed during the quarter and is now
at the cement production testing stage.
Although BornOil anticipates that busi-
ness conditions would likely remain chal-
lenging, the company is ‘cautiously
optimistic and will continue to strategize
and navigate the ever-changing business
environment to ensure the group remains
resilient’.
BornOil’s largest shareholder today is
datuk Joseph Ambrose Lee who has a stake
of more than 17 per cent in the company.
Ambrose had emerged as BornOil’s
largest shareholder in december 2021
when he made a block purchase of 1.25 bil-
lion BornOil shares for RM110 million, or
RM0.088 per share.
Since then, he has been progressively
increasing his stake in the company
through a combination of direct acquisi-
tion of BornOil shares in the open market,
and conversion of BornOil warrants into
shares. –Business Today
Maybank ends 2022 with RM8.23b profit
14 China tycoon cooperating in investigation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd’s
(Maybank) net profit for the financial year
ended dec 31, 2022 (FY2022) rose 1.7 per
cent to RM8.23 billion from RM8.10 billion
registered a year ago.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the
banking group attributed its performance
to the increase in its group community
financial services (Group CFS) and group
corporate banking and global markets.
It said its revenue stood higher at
RM50.91 billion compared with RM45.96
billion previously.
Maybank said allowances for impair-
ment losses on loans, advances, financing
and other debts decreased by RM469.2
million, or 17.7 per cent, to RM2.19 billion
as compared with FY2021.
Besides that, it said net interest income
and income from Islamic banking scheme
Public Bank
operations increased by RM1.64 billion, or
profit climbs
to RM6.12b
KUALA LUMPUR: Public Bank Bhd’s net
profit increased to RM6.12 billion for the
financial year ended dec 31, 2022 (FY2022)
compared with RM5.66 billion a year ago,
supported by healthy loans and customer
deposits growth.
Revenue in FY2022 was higher at RM21.43
billion versus RM19.62 billion previously, it
said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.
Public Bank said the gross loans grew by
RM18.9 billion or 5.3 per cent to RM376.9 bil-
lion as at dec 31, 2022, from RM358.0 billion
a year ago, mainly driven by growth in
mortgage financing and hire purchase
financing.
“Total deposits from customers
increased by 3.8 per cent, or RM14.3 billion,
to RM394.7 billion as at dec 31, 2022.
“The group’s gross impaired loan ratio
increased slightly but remained healthy at
0.4 per cent as at dec 31, 2022, in tandem
with the industry trend,” it said.
Meanwhile, for the fourth quarter of
FY2022, its net profit rose to RM1.71 billion
from RM1.38 billion a year earlier, while rev-
enue was higher at RM6.06 billion against
RM4.86 billion previously. –Bernama
8.4 per cent, to RM21.25 billion in FY2022
as compared with the previous correspon-
ding financial year ended dec 31, 2021.
It said net earned insurance premiums
from the insurance and takaful sub-
sidiaries increased by RM130.8 million to
RM8.98 billion in FY2022 as compared
with FY2021.
Meanwhile, it said operating income
stood at RM4.63 billion, an increase of 3.5
per cent in FY2022 from RM4.47 billion in
the previous corresponding financial
year.
For the fourth quarter, Maybank’s net
profit increased 5.4 per cent to RM2.17 bil-
lion from RM2.06 billion while revenue
was higher at RM14.51 billion from
RM11.26 billion previously.
It said allowances for impairment
losses on loans, advances, financing and
RHB Bank net profit hits RM2.71b
other debts increased by 96.3 per cent to
KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank Bhd’s net profit
increased to RM2.71 billion in the financial
year ended dec 31, 2022 (FY2022) compared
with RM2.62 billion a year ago, attributed
mainly to higher net fund-based income,
absence of modification loss (ML) and lower
expected credit losses (ECL).
Revenue rose to RM13.28 billion from
RM11.75 billion previously, it said in a filing to
Bursa Malaysia.
The bank said its net fund-based income
improved by 8.6 per cent to RM6.38 billion
driven by higher gross fund based income,
which grew 18.3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y)
supported by loans growth of 6.9 per cent,
with net interest margin for the year at 2.24
per cent compared with 2.20 per cent
recorded last year. It noted, however, that the
non-fund based income declined by 10.6 per
cent to RM1.93 billion, primarily from lower
fee income, insurance underwriting surplus
and net trading and investment income.
It also said that the ECL reduced by 42.9
per cent to RM421.2 million from lower ECL
on loans and securities, and higher bad debts
recovered. Correspondingly, the credit
charge ratio improved to 0.15 per cent com-
pared with 0.29 per cent last year.
RHB said the group’s total assets increased
7.3 per cent from december 2021 to RM310.8
billion as at dec 31, 2022. Net assets per share
was RM6.76, with shareholders’ equity at
12
RM308.8 million as compared with the
previous period corresponding quarter
ended dec 31, 2021.
On prospects, Maybank said it would
continue to focus on opportunities for
growth across its consumer and business
segments within its ASEAN franchise.
“The group will maintain our solid liq-
uidity position to support asset growth
through its current and savings accounts
franchise. Asset quality management will
remain a priority of the group in 2023,” it
said.
To date, it said the expiry of repayment
assistance programmes has not led to any
material effect on the group’s asset qual-
ity.
It said Maybank would continue to
monitor the loan portfolio and remained
committed to offering targeted support to
customers if needed. –Bernama
RM28.7 billion as of end-december 2022.
Its capital position remained strong; the
Group’s Common Equity Tier-1 and total cap-
ital ratio stood at 16.9 per cent and 19.3 per
cent respectively. The Group’s gross loans
and financing grew 6.9 per cent y-o-y to
RM212.2 billion, mainly supported by growth
in mortgage, auto finance, small and
medium enterprises, commercial, Singapore,
and Cambodia, while domestic loans and
financing grew 5.3 per cent y-o-y, it said.
RHB said gross impaired loans was RM3.3
billion as of december 2022 with gross
impaired loans ratio of 1.55 per cent, com-
pared with RM3.0 billion and 1.49 per cent
respectively as of december 2021.
Customer deposits increased 3.9 per cent
y-o-y to RM227.2 billion, attributed to growth
in fixed deposits and current accounts and
saving accounts (CASA) of 6.7 per cent and 1.3
per cent respectively, the bank said. CASA
composition stood at 29.2 per cent whilst liq-
uidity coverage ratio remained sound at 162.1
per cent as at dec 31, 2022.
For the fourth quarter ended dec 31, 2022
(4Q), RHB Bank posted a higher net profit of
RM772.12 million against RM631.17 million a
year ago, mainly due to higher net fund
based and non-fund based income, absence
of ML and lower ECL, while revenue rose to
RM3.95 billion from RM2.89 billion previ-
ously. – Bernama
 FGV expects plantations biz to improve as more foreign workers arrive
dailyexpress
KUALA LUMPUR: FGV Holdings Bhd sees
its plantation sector operations continu-
ing to improve this year through mecha-
nisation, replanting programmes, and
cost optimisation initiatives as it manages
rising operational costs and energy prices.
Group chief executive officer datuk
Nazrul Mansor said as a result of its
enhanced recruitment strategies executed
throughout the year, the shortage of for-
eign workers shrunk from 32 per cent in
2021 to 13 per cent in 2022.
“We are expecting to receive about
5,000 foreign workers in the second quar-
ter of this year and targeting to bring in
about 10,000 foreign workers before the
end of the year,” he told a media briefing
More R&D for plantations,
commodities will give edge
KUALA LUMPUR:
Stakeholders in the
plantation and com-
modity sectors are
urged to forge better
ties and collabora-
tion in terms of
research and devel-
opment (R&d) to
increase yield quality
and products, in line with international
market standards.
deputy Prime Minister datuk Seri Fadil-
lah Yusof, who is also the Plantation and
Commodities Minister, said the initiative
requires the involvement of all stakehold-
ers to increase the quality of downstream
activities, which, in the long run, would
improve revenue.
“By upgrading the quality of our end
products, it would provide more edge for
us in the market as raw commodity prices
are volatile to many circumstances and
global pressures,” he told Bernama recently.
Besides focusing on improving the R&d
OSK posts
segment, Fadillah also said that the min-
record
RM427.19m
net profit
KUALA LUMPUR: OSK Holdings Bhd’s net
profit jumped to a record high of RM427.19
million in the financial year ended dec 31,
2022 (FY2022) from RM398.23 million last
year on improved operating performance
and market conditions.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the con-
glomerate, with diversified business inter-
ests in property, financial services and
investment holding, construction, indus-
tries and hospitality, said its revenue
climbed to an all-time high of RM1.32 bil-
lion from FY2021’s RM1.13 billion.
It said the group also saw its total assets
reach a new high of RM9.68 billion in
FY2022 from RM9.22 billion last year, with
corresponding earnings per share of 20.72
sen against 19.31 sen in FY2021.
For the fourth quarter ended dec 31,
2022 (4Q FY2022), OSK said its net profit
advanced to RM121.32 million from
RM98.32 million in the previous corre-
sponding quarter, while revenue was
higher at RM332.71 million from RM314.57
million in 4Q FY2021.
OSK Holdings also proposed a single-
tier final dividend of four sen per share,
Bursa lower on downbeat market tone
payable on May 12, 2023. – Bernama
Bursa closing report
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended a
choppy session slightly lower as the rally in
banking stocks helped to offset losses in
the barometer index, amid the downbeat
performance in regional peers.
At 5 pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa
Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) lost 1.30 points
to 1,455.50 from Friday’s closing of 1,456.80.
The index opened 0.76 of-a-point lower
at 1,456.04 and moved in a tight range
between 1,447.55 and 1,458.18.
Market breadth remained negative with
decliners leading advancers 532 to 338,
while 425 counters were unchanged, 946
untraded and 70 others suspended.
Turnover decreased to 3.09 billion units
worth RM2.19 billion from Friday’s 3.43 bil-
lion units worth RM2.58 billion.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president
of equity research Thong Pak Leng said
regional equities were also lower on nega-
tive cues from Wall Street on Friday as con-
cerns about inflation heightened
following the release of a higher-than-
expected US personal consumption expen-
diture price index that may force the
Federal Reserve (Fed) to maintain a high
interest regime longer than anticipated.
‘’This has put fears in financial markets
in that the Fed could continue raising
interest rates through mid-year,’’ he told
Bernama.
Following the trend, the FBM KLCI
moved within a narrow range as investors
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
on the group’s fourth quarter financial
results ended dec 31, 2022, here.
Meanwhile, Nazrul said the group’s
dedication to promoting sustainability,
safeguarding the environment, and
upholding ethical recruitment remains
unwavering.
Aligned with FGV’s “no recruitment
fees” policy, he said the group will reim-
burse the current and former foreign
workers who were employed after June 27,
2019, and had to pay recruitment fees to
agents or other third parties in countries
of origin.
The payment to our current 23,333 for-
eign workers amounting to RM81.64 mil-
lion will be made in three tranches
istry is focusing on its sustainability certifi-
cates such as the Malaysian Sustainable
Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme,
which we want the world to recognise,
especially by the United Nations (UN) and
the European Union (EU).
“Once it is recognised, hopefully by the
end of this year… only then we can address
the negative campaign against our palm oil
products effectively,” he said.
At this stage, Fadillah said a dedicated
team is being formed, and when it has gath-
ered experts on board, together with its
counterparts in Indonesia, plans to go to
Brussels to present both countries’ stand on
sustainability, regulations and policies to
the EU Parliament.
Thailand is also expected to join the
pact, making the case presentation
stronger to the EU, he said.
The minister noted that currently only
the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
(RSPO) certification is recognised.
RSPO is the main certification standard
for the use of palm oil and its fractions in
UMW’s FY2022 profits reach RM415.05m
food and oleo-chemicals. However, only 20
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Holdings Bhd
posted a higher net profit of RM415.05 mil-
lion in the financial year ended dec 31,
2022 (FY2022), up 54.74 per cent from
RM268.23 million in the previous year on
higher revenue in all divisions.
Revenue rose 42.95 per cent to RM15.81
billion from RM11.06 billion previously on
better performance in all segments follow-
ing the strong recovery of the Malaysian
and regional economies.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, UMW
Holdings said its automotive segment
raked in RM13.31 billion in revenue in
FY2022, up 47.4 per cent from RM9.03 bil-
lion in the previous corresponding year,
underpinned by the higher number of
vehicles sold during the year following the
continued strong sales momentum.
Kerjaya Prospek profits up 18.7pc
It said the equipment segment’s rev-
enue rose 16.3 per cent to RM1.53 billion in
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerjaya Prospek Group
Bhd’s (KPGB) net profit rose 18.7 per cent
to RM114.90 million for its financial year
ended dec 31, 2022 (FY2022) from
RM96.96 million in the preceding year.
Its revenue climbed to RM1.12 billion
from RM977.01 million previously, mainly
attributed to the improvement in the
progress of construction work activities
and increased workforce with the inflow
of foreign labour.
KPGB chief executive officer and execu-
were unwilling to make significant move-
ment amid the negative market sentiment
globally.
‘’We believe the market undertone will
remain cautious amid the weak global per-
formance although bargain-hunting activ-
ities may prevail,’’ he added.
Nonetheless, he said buying support
from foreign funds had been rather appar-
ent, hence, he reckoned that the index
could show a slightly more positive per-
formance and hover between at the 1,450-
1,470 range for the week.
Among heavyweights, Press Metal lost
five sen to RM5.15, IHH was 11 sen lower at
RM5.81, Tenaga Nasional slipped eight sen
to RM9.64, and digi.Com lost five sen to
RM4.30.
Meanwhile, CIMB advanced seven sen to
RM5.54, RHB Bank increased 13 sen to
RM5.61, and Public Bank rose two sen to
RM4.15, while Hong Leong Bank Bhd
climbed 16 sen to RM20.42.
As for active stocks, Borneo Oil, Zen Tech
International and Velesto were flat at 2.0
sen, 2.5 sen and 27.5 sen, respectively, MyEG
was down 1.5 sen to 72 sen, and SMRT Hold-
ings put on 7.0 sen to 38 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas
Index gave up 21.19 points to 10,605.25, the
FBMT 100 Index slipped 19.68 points to
10,278.14, the FBM ACE Index fell 23.34
points to 5,536.71, the FBM Emas Shariah
Index went down 70.57 points to 10,860.02,
between March and September 2023.
“Additionally, FGV has created a sinking
fund amounting to RM30 million to reim-
burse former workers who paid recruit-
ment fees during their employment with
FGV but are no longer employed by the
company,” he said.
As for the withhold release order
(WRO) suspension, he said the group’s
independent assessor, ELEVATE, has con-
cluded its on-site assessments.
FGV is currently implementing ELE-
VATE’s recommendations and anticipates
submitting the final report to the United
States Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) in the near future.
“Our vision is to deliver sustainable
per cent of palm oil worldwide is RSPO cer-
tified.
The MSPO certification to date has
reached 97.93 per cent, or 5.62 million
hectares, of planted areas, while about 98.71
per cent or 458 mills in the country have
also been certified.
On the other hand, to strengthen the
industry as a whole, Fadillah said that the
government would continue to initiate bet-
ter policies while assisting industry players
to overcome negative campaigns and trade
barriers such as those imposed by the EU.
“We believe that for any new regulation
introduced by the EU, for example, they
must engage with us (the government and
industry players) and hold joint discus-
sions, and hear our say so that it will not be
regarded as discriminatory against us,” he
said.
On the issue of foreign labour shortage,
Fadillah said the government, through the
Human Resource Ministry, has aimed to
resolve the issue within three months
through the Foreign Worker Recruitment
Relaxation Plan. – Bernama
FY2022, while the manufacturing and
engineering segment’s revenue climbed
35.5 per cent to RM984.2 million.
The company added that the segment
under others also posted higher revenue
of RM80.4 million in FY2022 from RM39.5
million in the corresponding year, prima-
rily due to the revenue recognition relat-
ing to the sale of industrial plots in
Serendah in the current year.
For the fourth quarter ended dec 31,
2022 (4Q FY2022), UMW said its net profit
was lower at RM105.95 million versus
RM239.97 million in 4Q FY2021, dragged
by higher operating expenses.
Revenue climbed to RM4.38 billion
from RM3.65 billion in the previous corre-
sponding quarter on improving sales
momentum in all business segments as
the economy recovers post-pandemic. –
Bernama
tive director Tee Eng Tiong said the group
achieved a record high revenue for FY2022
despite the headwinds faced by the con-
struction sector, including rising labour
costs and raw material costs as well as the
volatility of the local currency.
The construction outfit has declared a
second interim dividend of 2.0 sen per
share for FY2022, which will be paid on
April 13, 2023, bringing the total dividend
declared to date at 6.0 sen per share for
last year. – Bernama
and the FBM 70 Index slid 70.72 points to
13,434.49.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index
jumped 109.19 points to 16,131.02, the
Energy Index shed 0.90 of-a-point to
889.94, the Plantation Index dropped 22.89
points to 6,769.44, and the Industrial Prod-
ucts and Services Index eased 1.60 points to
178.06.
The Main Market volume dwindled to
1.89 billion shares worth RM1.85 billion
from Friday’s 2.27 billion shares worth
RM2.17 billion.
Warrants turnover narrowed to 335.38
million units worth RM50.88 million from
387.71 million units worth RM53.97 million.
The ACE Market volume, however,
expanded to 808.61 million shares worth
RM283.14 million from 729.15 million
shares worth RM354.10 million previously.
Consumer products and services coun-
ters accounted for 240.77 million shares
traded on the Main Market, industrial
products and services (629.63 million);
construction (82.46 million); technology
(281.88 million); SPAC (nil), financial serv-
ices (73.56 million); property (94.30 mil-
lion); plantation (39.92 million); REITs (7.73
million), closed/fund (1,300); energy
(245.03 million); healthcare (77.75 million);
telecommunications and media (25.10 mil-
lion); transportation and logistics (62.28
million); and utilities (27.34 million). –
Bernama
food and agriproducts to the world. We
believe that by prioritising sustainability
and exemplary corporate governance, we
can create a better future for our planet
and generations to come because if sus-
tainability comes first, profit and growth
will follow suit,” he noted.
FGV’s net profit rose to RM1.32 billion
in the financial year ended dec 31, 2022
(FY2022) from RM1.17 billion in the previ-
ous year, attributed to higher average
crude palm oil (CPO) prices and better
contribution from its logistics business.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the
group said its revenue surged to RM25.56
PT Resources, Ocean Exchange to
billion in 2022 compared with RM19.57 bil-
lion previously.
develop RM1b supply chain park
KUALA LUMPUR: PT Resources Holdings
Bhd has signed a memorandum of under-
standing (MoU) with Ocean Exchange
(Fujian) Foreign Trade Services Co Ltd to
jointly develop Malaysia East Coast Inter-
national Supply Chain Intelligent Park,
valued at approximately RM1 billion.
PT Resources said in a statement, that
the park is inspired by the Marché Interna-
tional Cold Logistics and Cross-border E-
commerce Project (Fuzhou Park) located
in Fujian province, China.
“The project involves the establishment
of an International Supply Chain Intelli-
gent Park in Kuantan, Pahang, which is
intended to drive the development of food
and light industries supply-chain between
Malaysia and Fuzhou with the aim of rap-
idly achieving currency internationalisa-
tion between the two countries,” it said.
The company also said the park would
Phone firms at annual meet
encompass integrated cold chain facilities
to facilitate cross-border supply of con-
in shadow of global slump
BARCELONA: The big beasts of the telecom
industry gathered in Barcelona on Mon-
day for their most important annual get-
together, this year under the shadow of a
severe slump across the technology sector.
Some 80,000 delegates are expected at
the four-day Mobile World Congress
(MWC), which is back to near full strength
following years of pandemic-related dis-
ruption.
Industrial titans like Ericsson, Huawei,
Nokia and Samsung are set to showcase
their latest innovations, flanked by smart-
phone makers like Oppo and Xiaomi and
network operators like Orange, Verizon
and China Mobile.
Industry body GSMA, which organises
the event, is building the show around for-
ward-looking ideas like the metaverse and
artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurren-
cies and finance, and the potential of
superfast 5G mobile networks.
But many of the firms are more con-
cerned with finding a path back to profit
as the global economy stutters and the
wider tech sector slashes thousands of
jobs.
Overall sales of smartphones last year
slumped by 11.3 percent compared with
2021, according to the IdC consultancy.
Foreign closing report
Asian markets drop on rate
fears as US inflation runs hot
HONG KONG: Asian markets sank Mon-
day following a Wall Street selloff, as
forecast-beating US inflation data rein-
forced expectations the Federal Reserve
would continue to ramp up interest rates
for some time.
The report on the personal consump-
tion expenditures price index followed
blockbuster jobs figures and data show-
ing prices coming down slower than
hoped.
This month’s readings have wiped out
optimism that the Fed will be able to
soon pause its monetary tightening and
possibly cut borrowing costs before the
end of the year.
Traders will be keeping a close eye on
comments from bank officials this week.
“We have six voting members on the
(policy board) scheduled to appear this
week—ample opportunity for officials to
air their views on the latest data and,
more importantly, the implications for
their policy outlooks,” said SPI Asset
Management’s Stephen Innes.
“But given the rude health of the US
economy and with inflation flames
reigniting, it’s challenging to envision
Fed commentary veering in anything but
a more hawkish direction.
“Hence it could be difficult for the
market to find much comfort this week
unless the sentiment data surprises to
the downside.”
Some figures have already suggested
they are open to hiking by 50 basis points
at the next gathering, and several said
they saw room for further tightening
after Friday’s data release.
All three main indexes on Wall Street
ended deep in the red Friday, and Asia
Business 13
FGV said profit in the plantation divi-
sion jumped to RM2.1 billion for FY2022
from RM1.6 billion recorded in the previ-
ous financial year.
This was mainly attributable to the
higher average CPO price of RM4,832 per
tonne against RM3,671 per tonne regis-
tered in the previous financial year, cou-
pled with a higher sales volume of 19 per
cent.
“The better performance was also con-
tributed by the improved margin in the
downstream and fertiliser businesses and
boosted by share of profit from joint ven-
tures amounting to RM106.08 million in
the current financial year from RM17.26
million previously,” it said. –Bernama
sumer food as well as establish a digital
financial platform utilising the UnionPay
network to streamline and facilitate effort-
less cross-border payments and settle-
ments between the International Supply
Chain Intelligent Park and Fuzhou Park.
The project also aims to boost the trade
between the Malaysian seafood wholesale
market and China through digital trans-
formation, while collaborations with cold
chain logistics companies will be initiated
to facilitate an integrated logistics supply
chain,” it said.
PT Resources managing director Heng
Chang Hooi expects a growth in its over-
seas sales in view of the growing affluence
in China which will contribute to an
increase in demand for frozen seafood in
China.
“This is an excellent opportunity for
both countries to develop a logistics hub
to support international trade between
Malaysia and China,” he said. – Bernama
Research firm Gartner reckons sales of
smartphones, tablets and computers will
fall again by four percent this year.
And network operators are still strug-
gling to make 5G pay, years after they
spent billions in government auctions for
the right to use the bandwidth.
“Macroeconomic pressure and geopo-
litical turmoil will be referenced by all,”
wrote Ben Wood of CCS Insight in a pre-
MWC briefing note.
“The communications industry is not
alone in facing these challenges, so the
focus will be on getting through this diffi-
cult period and emerging ready to
embrace an inevitable return to growth.”
A hugely popular idea for many at the
show is to force the owners of bandwidth-
hungry platforms like YouTube, Netflix
and Facebook to pay network operators a
“fair share”.
EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who
will be at the MWC on Monday, launched
a consultation on the issue last week, flag-
ging that “high-speed internet requires
high investments” so it made sense to dis-
cuss who should pay for it.
Netflix boss Greg Peters, who is unlikely
to share Breton’s enthusiasm, is expected
at the MWC on Tuesday. – AFP
followed suit on Monday.
Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Shanghai,
Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Mum-
bai, Bangkok and Wellington were all in
the red.
London, Paris and Frankfurt opened
with gains.
“The clouds of uncertainty remain
with us—the market’s consensus view
that inflation would head lower through
the year has clearly been challenged,”
Chris Weston of Pepperstone Group said
in a note.
And CMC Markets analyst Micahel
Hewson added: “On Friday all notion of a
possible pause appears to have gone the
way of the dodo, in the face of a series of
better-than-expected economic data
releases, with markets now pricing in
another three 25-basis-point rate increases
at the March, May, and June Fed meetings.”
The prospect of more Fed rate hikes
sent the dollar surging against its peers
Friday and it held those gains in Asian
business, sitting at a two-year high versus
the yen.
Adding to the yen’s weakness were
comments Friday from the man expected
to take over as head of the Bank of Japan
indicating he will maintain an ultra-
loose monetary policy for now.
That came even as data showed infla-
tion at a four-decade high.
Kazuo Ueda told lawmakers again
Monday that he considered the current
policies in place to be correct.
“I think it’s appropriate for monetary
easing to be continued,” he said.
“In order for policy to be revised, I
think there needs to be a major improve-
ment in the price trend.” –AFP
14 Business Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 dailyexpress
n 10 MOST ACTIVE STOCKS

COUNTER

ZENTECH
TURNOVER
(UNITS)

144,116,800
HIGH
(SEN)

3.0
LOw
(SEN)

2.0
L/dONE
(SEN)

2.5
UP/dOwN
(SEN)

UNCH
China tycoon SAHAM AMANAH SAbAH
(MANAGER’S PRICES FOR FEb 24)
bORNOIL 128,168,700 2.0 1.5 2.0 UNCH
MyEG
VELESTO
HSI-CLN
SMRT
E&O-LR
86,214,800
70,736,600
65,995,200
65,625,800
56,261,700
73.5
28.5
28.5
39.0
6.5
70.5
26.5
24.0
30.0
4.5
72.0
27.5
27.0
38.0
5.5
-1.5
UNCH
-1.0
+7.0
+1.0
cooperating in bUyING:
SELLING:
NAV:

n gold prices
0.2835
0.2835
0.2835

HONGSENG-wb 50,643,900 1.0 0.5 0.5 -0.5

AIMFLEx
bSLCORP

n bURSA SCOREbOARd
49,028,400
45,924,100
17.0
13.5
16.0
12.0
16.5
13.5
+1.0
+1.5
investigation THE physical price of gold as at 5pm stood
at RM251.93 per gramme, up 50 sen from
RM251.43 at 5pm Sunday. – Bernama

n CLOSING INdICES
BEIJING: Chinese bil- owned bank ICBC. No further details have
UP dOwN UNCHANGEd TRAdEd lionaire Bao Fan been shared about his case.
CONSUMER PROd & SERV 59 72 58 189
(pic) is “cooperating China Renaissance has become a FBMEMAS 10,605.20 ( - 21.20 )
INd-PROd & SERVICES 60 96 90 246 FBMKLCI 1,455.50 ( - 1.30 )
in an investigation” global financial institution since its
CONSTRUCTION 8 21 24 53 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 586.41 ( - 0.56 )
by authorities, his founding in 2005, with more than 700
TECHNOLOGy 10 30 13 53
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 178.06 ( - 1.60 )
company said, employees and offices in Beijing, Shang-
SPAC 0 0 0 0 almost two weeks hai, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York.
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16 10 6 32 after his disappear- The group has supervised the IPOs of CONSTRUCTION 163.57 ( - 0.21 )
PROPERTy 26 32 37 95 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,131.00 ( + 109.10 )
ance sparked fears several domestic tech giants, including
PLANTATION 11 20 4 35
ENERGY 889.94 ( - 0.90 )
of a renewed crack- leading e-commerce firm Jd.com.
REIT 6 7 5 18
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 594.84 ( - 3.08 )
down on the nation’s financial services In 2015, Bao appeared on the
CLOSEd ENd FUNd 0 1 0 1
HEALTH CARE 1,649.34 ( - 8.89 )
industry. Bloomberg Markets 50 Most Influential
ENERGy 12 11 12 35
HEALTH CARE 2 9 6 17
The China Renaissance chairman rose list, described as a “fast-talking” banker
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/MEdIA 5 5 6 16 TRANSPORTATION 941.40 ( - 10.20 )
to fame as a key player in the emergence who had the ability to “arrange practically
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS 4 14 13 31 PROPERTY 685.82 ( + 2.30 )
of some of the country’s biggest tech anything in China’s vibrant tech scene”.

PLANTATION 6,769.44 ( - 22.80 )

UTILITIES 4 4 4 12 giants, supervising blockbuster IPOs and The Shanghai-born son of government
STRCwARR 67 117 69 253
FBMSHA 10,860.00 ( - 70.50 )
the landmark 2015 merger between ride- workers, Bao, 52, has enjoyed a globetrot-
ACE-MKT 41 73 78 192 hailing giant didi and its top competitor ting career that has seen him work for
bONd&LOAN 5 1 0 6 at the time, Kuaidi dache. financial giants such as Morgan Stanley FBMACE 5,536.71 ( - 23.30 )
TECHNOLOGY 63.51 ( - 0.82 )
ETF 2 8 0 10 His Hong Kong-listed firm said in a fil- and Credit Suisse, including stints in the
LEAP-MKT 0 1 0 1 ing dated Sunday that it was now “aware United States and Britain.
338 532 425 1,295
that Mr Bao is currently cooperating in an A 2014 profile in The New York Times
n INTERbANK RATES
investigation being carried out by certain described him as a congenial man with a
authorities” in mainland China. penchant for open-necked shirts and an
n bURSA dERIVATIVES ExCHANGE “The Company will duly cooperate and interest in mixed martial arts. KUALA LUMPUR INTERbANK
assist with any lawful request from the rel- Bao is not the first high-profile Chinese OFFER RATES: FEb 27
KUALA LUMPUR COMPOSITE INdEx FUTURES evant PRC authorities, if and when made,” financier to fall foul of the authorities in
CONTRACT CLOSING: FEb 27 it added, referring to the country by its recent years, with President Xi Jinping 1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12M
official name, the People’s Republic of leading an aggressive crackdown on 2.96 3.35 3.63 3.72 - 3.79
CONTRACT VOLUME OPEN OPEN HIGH LOw LAST SETTLE China. alleged corruption.
MONTHS INTEREST TRAdEd PRC The firm did not provide details about In 2017, Chinese-Canadian business- SIbOR (S$) SIbOR (US$) HIbOR (HK$)
the nature of the investigation, and told man Xiao Jianhua was arrested by main-
FEb-23 7,241 19,755 1452.0 1460.0 1448.5 1456.5 1456.5 AFP on Monday it had no additional com- land authorities, receiving a 13-year jail 1M - 2.96708
MAR-23 10,167 35,983 1439.0 1447.0 1435.5 1445.0 1445.0 ment. sentence for corruption last August. 2M - 3.40768
JUN-23 67 557 1440.5 1443.5 1433.0 1442.0 1442.5 Shares in the company slumped as Known to have close ties to top Chinese
SEP-23 13 156 1428.0 1434.0 1428.0 1433.0 1433.0 much as 50 percent at one point following Communist Party leaders, the billionaire 3M - 3.77804

3-MONTH KLIbOR FUTURES CLOSING: FEb 27

the February 16 announcement that he was reportedly abducted from his Hong 6M - 4.19542
was missing, before clawing back to sit at Kong hotel room by plainclothes police
around 30 percent down. officers from Beijing. 12M - 4.77060
MONTH OPEN HIGH LOw SETTLE VOL OPEN While yet to recover from that drop, Alibaba founder Jack Ma has also seen
PRICE POSITION
n RINGGIT wATCH
the firm was up 2.1 percent in afternoon his fortune fall by around half to an esti-
MAR-23 - - - 97.23 - - trading on Monday. mated $25 billion after regulators pulled
APR-23 - - - 97.23 - - Chinese authorities have not given any the plug on what would have been the
THE ringgit continued its downtrend this week
JUN-23 - - - 97.23 - -
details on Bao’s detention or the reasons world’s biggest-ever IPO—that of fintech
to close lower Monday as market sentiment
remained weak amid no fresh leads.
for the investigation. giant Ant Group.
SEPT-23 - - - 97.23 - -
At 6 pm, the local note depreciated to
According to financial news outlet A reshuffle of Ant’s shareholding struc-
dEC-23 - - - 97.23 - - Caixin, China Renaissance president Cong ture announced in January saw Ma, who 4.4755/4805 versus the greenback compared to
MAR-24 - - - 97.23 - - Lin was taken into custody last September has since receded from public view, cede last Friday’s closing rate of 4.4335/4370.

China probes mining practices

JUN-24 - - - 97.23 - -
as authorities launched a probe into his control of the megafirm he founded in SPI Asset Management managing director
work at the financial leasing unit of state- 2014. –AFP Stephen Innes said local investors stayed on the
SEPT-24 - - - 97.23 - - sidelines after the greenback saw higher demand
dEC-24 - - - 97.23 - - on strong US bond yields.

in ‘lithium capital of Asia’

MAR-24 - - - 97.23 - - besides, he said, recent comments by Fed-
eral Reserve (Fed) bank of Cleveland leader
JUN-24 - - - 97.23 - - Loretta Mester on the need to hike interest
SEP-25 - - - 97.23 - - rates due to higher inflation data also put pres-
dEC-25 - - - 97.23 - - sure on the ringgit.
“Fed bank of Cleveland leader Loretta
MAR-25 - - - 97.23 - - BEIJING: China has launched an investiga- That makes up about 10 percent of Mester said over the weekend that the Fed will
JUN-25 - - - 97.23 - - tion into suspected illegal mining prac- global lithium supply, according to need to hike rates further due to the ‘hotter’
inflation data.
SEP-26 - - - 97.23 - - tices in the “lithium capital of Asia” Bloomberg—resulting in the area’s
“Recently, the US inflation data, including
dEC-26 - - - 97.23 - -
Yichun, authorities said, an area report- “lithium capital” nickname.
edly responsible for around one tenth of The alleged malpractice includes the the Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index
MAR-26 - - - 97.23 - - and Personal Consumption Expenditures, rose
above expectations,” he told bernama.
the element’s global supply. “chaotic” extraction of lepidolite in the
JUN-26 - - - 97.23 - - A key component of batteries used in mining areas themselves as well as in sur-
On top of that, he said, US-China tension
SEP-27 - - - 97.23 - - electric cars, the price of lithium reached rounding natural areas by locals, domestic was surfacing again and turning investors away
dEC-27 - - - 97.23 - -
new heights last year as demand for media outlet Caijing reported. from Asian investment.
cleaner sources of energy surges. Authorities say unlicensed operations In the meantime, the ringgit was also traded
MAR-27 - - - 97.23 - - China is one the world’s leading pro- in the region have been causing serious lower against a basket of major currencies.
ducers of the metal, and the launch of the problems such as environmental damage The local unit depreciated against the Japan-
TOTAL OPEN INTEREST : NIL CTRS TOTAL TURNOVER : NIL LOTS probe—announced Friday on the local and traffic accidents involving mining ese yen to 3.2816/2855 from 3.2804/2833 at Fri-
government’s WeChat account—could trucks. day’s close and declined versus the Singapore
dollar to 3.3162/3204 from 3.2970/3001 previ-
bURSA MALAySIA dERIVATIVES ExCHANGE: FEb 27
entail widespread mine closures and As part of the pending investigation,
ously.
THE CRUdE PALM OIL FUTURES CLOSING (ALL PRCS ARE IN RM/MT)
knock-on repercussions internationally. the duration of which is so far unclear,
Local officials say Yichun, in southeast- officials will look into violations and adopt It also fell against the euro to 4.7212/7265
from 4.6933/6970 at the end of last week and
dEL OPEN HIGH LOw LAST SETTLE VOLUME OPEN shrank vis-a-vis the british pound to 5.3576/3636
ern Jiangxi province, accounts for as much measures that they hope will promote the
MONTH (RM) (RM) (RM) (RM) POSIITON from 5.3308/3350. – bernama
as 40 percent of China’s domestic reserves “healthy development” of the industry,
of the lithium-rich mineral lepidolite. reported Caijing.
MAR-23 4138 4191 4109 4191 N/A 873 3,410
APR-23 4168 4236 4143 4216 N/A 7,967 34,860
n COCOA n ExCHANGE RATES
MAy-23 4171 4242 4147 4228 N/A 24,604 73,348 dAILy dEALER PURCHASE PRICE OF COCOA ExCHANGE RATES ISSUEd by MALAyAN bANKING bHd: FEb 27
bEANS QUOTEd by THE MALAySIAN COCOA
JUN-23 4135 4222 4130 4210 N/A 5,980 28,267 bOARd ON MONdAy, FEb 27 2023 SELLING bUyING bUyING
TT/Od TT Od
JUL-23 4104 4189 4098 4173 N/A 4,291 24,518 SMC 1 SMC 2 SMC 3 1 US dollar 4.5190 4.3850 4.3750
HIGH LOw HIGH LOw HIGH LOw HIGH LOw
AUG-23 4067 4145 4061 4134 N/A 3,008 14,015 1 Australian dollar 3.0590 2.9370 2.9210
SEP-23 4027 4111 4023 4094 N/A 2319 13,933 TAwAU 155 155 8200 8200 8050 8000 – – 1 brunei dollar 3.3470 3.2500 3.2420
1 Canadian dollar 3.3200 3.2310 3.2190
OCT-23 4012 4080 3999 4066 N/A 1187 5,920 TENOM 150 150 8200 8200 8050 8000 – – 1 Euro 4.7760 4.6220 4.6020
NOV-23 4005 4064 3980 4049 N/A 1567 10,109 MUAR – – – – – – – – 1 New Zealand dollar 2.7990 2.6950 2.6790
1 Papua N Guinea Kina N/A N/A N/A
TOTAL OPEN POSITION : 217,183 CTRS JERANTUT – – – – – – – –
1 Singapore dollar 3.3470 3.2500 3.2420
TOTAL TURN OVER : 52,590 LOTS RAUb – – 8350 8350 8150 8150 – – 1 Sterling Pound 5.4130 5.2410 5.2210
MARKET TONE : HIGHER KUCHING – – 7700 7700 7550 7500 – – 1 Swiss Franc 4.7920 4.6810 4.6660
100 UAE dirham 124.4700 118.0300 117.8300
SARIKEI – – 7700 7700 7550 7500 – –
MPOb PALM OIL PRICES (RM/MT): FEb 27 100 bangladesh Taka 4.4030 4.1310 3.9310
NOTE : PRELIMINARy PRICES UP TO
FEb MAR APR
SIbU – – 7700 7700 7550 7500 – – 100 Chinese Renminbi 65.4100 62.6300 N/A
4.30 P.M. NT – NO TRANSACTIONLOCAL
(LOCAL dELIVEREd) 4,110.00 3,870.50 NT MALAySIA CPO PRICE TRAdEd EASIER dUE 100 danish Krone 65.7700 60.5300 60.3300
PK (Ex-MILL) NT NT NT TO wEAKER SOyAbEAN OIL PRICES n RUbbER 100 Hongkong dollar 58.1900 55.3000 55.1000
CPKO (LOCAL dELIVEREd) NT NT NT ANd bRENT CRUdE OIL PRICES IN THE SMR CLOSING PRICES (SEN/KG): FEb 27 100 Indian Rupee 5.5400 5.2000 5.0000
Rbd P. OIL (FOb) NT NT NT wORLd MARKET. CPO dELIVERy PRICES TONE OF MARKET: QUIETLy STEAdy 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0307 0.0278 0.0228
Rbd P. OLEIN (FOb) NT NT NT TRAdEd bETwEEN RM4,090/TONNE MARCH SELLER’S OFFER PRICE SEN/KG US CENTS/KG 100 Japanese yen 3.3200 3.2160 3.2060
Rbd P. STEARIN (FOb) NT NT NT ANd RM4,140/TONNE. – bERNAMA 100 New Taiwan dollar N/A N/A N/A
SMR CV – 909.00 / 207.55
100 Norwegian Krone 44.7100 41.1100 40.9100
SMR L – 899.00 / 205.25
dAILy FFb REFERENCE PRICE SUMMARy 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.7700 1.6500 1.4500

by REGION (RM/TONNE) FEb 27 SMR 5 – 611.00 / 139.50 100 Philippine Peso N/A N/A N/A
100 Qatar Riyal 124.8700 118.5400 118.3400
dATE NORTH SOUTH CENTRAL EAST COAST SAbAH* SARAwAK* SMR 10 – 601.00 / 137.20
100 Saudi Riyal 121.7800 115.6100 115.4100
GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE SMR 20 – 599.00 / 136.75 100 South Africa Rand 25.4400 22.9700 22.7700
RM/ 1% OER 42.90 43.44 43.32 42.94 38.96 39.55 CENTRIFUGEd LATEx: LOCAL PRICE (ISO 2004) SEN/KILO (wET): 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.2800 1.1600 0.9600
Note : OER - Oil Extraction Rate (Kadar Perahan Minyak) * Sandakan, Lahad datu and Tawau 100 Swedish Krona 44.4400 40.4700 40.2700
NT - No Trade ** Miri and bintulu. SELLERS LATEx IN bULK: 533.50 100 Thai baht 13.5300 11.9900 11.5900
PH - Public Holiday
 PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Rajamouli shoots for Oscar fame
dailyexpress
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
15

Musk calls US media ‘racist’ after Dilbert row

(Left-right)
Harry Shum
WASHINGTON: Billionaire Elon Musk has hit with multiple lawsuits alleging racism
Jr., Quan,
called US media “racist” after multiple and researchers say Twitter has seen a rise in
Stephanie Hsu,
American newspapers announced they hate speech.
Hong, Yeoh,
would stop publishing a popular comic Adams, like Musk, has increasingly
and Jamie Lee
strip whose creator called Black people a stoked controversy with his views on social
Curtis,
hate group. issues. But a video posted on Wednesday –
recipients of the
Musk, who owns electric car company in which Adams referred to Black people as
Outstanding
Tesla and social network Twitter, tweeted a “hate group” – proved to be the last straw
Performance by
Sunday in response to an article about a rant for many “dilbert” publishers.
a Cast in a
by Scott Adams, creator of the long-running “That’s a hate group and I don’t want
Motion Picture
“dilbert” – a satirical take on office life. anything to do with them,” he said.
award for
“For a very long time, US media was racist “Based on the current way things are
“Everything
against non-white people, now they’re racist going, the best advice I would give to white

Everywhere All
against whites & Asians,” Musk wrote on the people is to get the hell away from Black

at Once,” pose
social network, where he has reinstated users people.”

in the press
banned for hate speech. His rant was prompted by a recent poll

room during
“Same thing happened with elite col- by conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports,

the 29th Annual

leges & high schools in America. Maybe they whose results he said showed a slim major-

Screen Actors

'Everything Everywhere'
can try not being racist.” ity of Black respondents agreed with the

Guild Awards.
Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla has been statement “It’s okay to be white.” – AFP

cleans up at SAG awards

L
OS ANGELES: Absurdist sci-fi com-
edy “Everything Everywhere All At
Once” continued its dominance of
this year’s Hollywood award shows by
earning top honours from the Screen
Actors Guild.
The film about a Chinese-American
family undergoing a tax audit who end up
fighting a universe-hopping supervillain
also won best actress for Michelle Yeoh,
best supporting actor for Ke Huy Quan,
and best supporting actress for Jamie Lee
The SAG prizes from the actors’ union
round out a month in which “Everything
Everywhere” has won best film from direc-
tors’ and producers’ groups too, making it
firm favorite for the Oscars next month.
Voted on by more than 120,000 mem-
bers of Hollywood’s acting union, the SAG
awards are an important precursor for the
Academy Awards, whose largest voting
bloc is also actors.
The Oscars will take place this year on
March 12.
has asked for change,” he said.
And Curtis addressed the recent “nepo
baby” controversy, which has called out
children of powerful industry figures and
stars perceived to have received a leg up in
their own careers.
“I know you look at me and think ‘nepo
baby,’ that’s why she’s there, and I totally
get it,” said the daughter of Tony Curtis
and Janet Leigh.
Hancer, poses and holds a painting representing him and his daughter Irmak in
“But the truth of the matter is I’m 64
his apartment in Ankara. (Inset) Hancer holds the hand of his daughter, who
years old and this is just amazing,” said
died in the earthquake in Kahramanmaras, close to its epicentre.

Wave of support for Turkish father

Curtis. Other winners from the mainly Asian Curtis, lifting her SAG statuette to loud
The movie’s 94-year-old patriarch cast of “Everything Everywhere” also applause.
James Hong stole the show at Sunday’s referred to Hollywood’s long struggle with Brendan Fraser, who won best lead

who lost daughter in quake

gala, collecting the night’s final prize of
best cast in a motion picture – the star-
studded ceremony’s equivalent of best
film.
Hong reflected on how Hollywood
once cast white actors with “their eyes
taped up” to play leading Asian roles
because producers thought “the Asians are
not good enough and they are not box
office.”
diversity.
“This isn’t just for me, this is for every
little girl who looks like me,” said Yeoh.
Quan, who after appearing as a child in
1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of
doom” took a long hiatus from acting
because there “were so few opportunities,”
noted he was the first Asian actor to win
his category.
“When I heard this, I quickly realized
actor, was the only performer from a film
other than “Everything Everywhere” to win
a movie prize Sunday.
Fraser, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars
in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits
like “The Mummy,” endured a long fallow ANKARA: A photo of a father holding his father, donated by an artist, hangs in their
period, before being cast as a morbidly daughter’s hand killed in Turkey’s Febru- living room.
obese teacher in “The Whale.” ary 6 earthquake has provoked an out- “I couldn’t let go of her hand. My
In the television sections, “The White pouring of sympathy and support from daughter was sleeping like an angel in her
Lotus” won the top drama prize, and around the world, he told AFP. bed,” he recalled.

‘Some Like It Hot’ producer Mirisch dies aged 101

“But look at us now, huh?” he said, to a
huge ovation.
LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winner Walter
Mirisch (pic), who produced Hol-
lywood classics such as “West
Side Story,” “Some Like It Hot”
and “The Pink Panther,” has died
at age 101 of natural causes, the
Academy said.
Mirisch, whose career
spanned six decades and who was
also a former president of the Acad-
emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
ences, died on Friday in Los Angeles, the
that this moment no longer belongs to
just me. It also belongs to everyone who
organisation said in a statement.
The Academy was “deeply sad-
dened to hear of Walter’s pass-
ing,” said chief executive Bill
Kramer and president Janet
Yang in the statement, hailing
him as a “true visionary.”
“He had a powerful impact on
the film community and the Acad-
emy.... His passion for filmmaking
and the Academy never wavered, and
he remained a dear friend and advisor,”
“Abbott Elementary” was named best com-
edy ensemble. – AFP
they added.
Mirisch, who was born in New York City
on November 8, 1921, was honoured by the
Academy three times: with a Best Picture
Oscar for 1967’s “In the Heat of the Night,”
the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for
his “consistently high quality of motion
picture production,” and the Jean Hersholt
Humanitarian Award.
The Academy called him “one of the
most prolific producers in Hollywood his-
tory.” The Mirisch Company, formed in
1957 with his brothers Harold and Marvin,
produced enduring classics including
“Some Like It Hot” (1959), “The Magnifi-
cent Seven” (1960), “West Side Story”
(1961), “The Great Escape” (1963), “The
Pink Panther” (1963) and “The Thomas
Crown Affair” (1968).
His wife Patricia passed away in 2005,
and he is survived by his three children,
one grandchild, and two great-grandsons.
Around three weeks after the disaster
that killed more then 44,000 people in
Turkey and thousands more in neighbour-
ing Syria, AFP photographer Adem Altan
tracked down Mesut Hancer in the capital
Ankara.
He had moved there from Kahraman-
maras, near the epicentre of the quake.
As well as his daughter, lost under the
ruins of an eight-storey block of flats, “I
lost my mother, my brothers, my nephews
in the quake,” said Hancer.
“But nothing compares to burying a
child. The pain is indescribable.”
The image of Hancer wearing an
orange jacket against the cold and rain
while holding his daughter’s hand emerg-
ing from the rubble, was published on
many newspaper front pages and seen
millions of times online.
It became a symbol of a disaster that
devastated tens of thousands of lives,
drawing special attention to his family.
Now, a businessman has offered the
former baker an administrative job at a TV
channel and given the family an apart-
ment in Ankara.
Meanwhile a painting of Hancer’s
daughter Irmak as an angel alongside her
Hancer was working in his bakery when
the quake hit at 4:17 am (0117 GMT).
Calling home, he found his wife and
three adult children were safe at home in
their one-storey house, although it was
damaged as the earth shook.
But no-one could reach Irmak, the
youngest, who had stayed the night at her
grandmother’s house.
She had planned to spend time with
cousins visiting from Istanbul and Hatay.
Rushing to his mother’s building,
Hancer found the eight-storey block col-
lapsed into a mound of rubble.
In the middle, amid the debris of every-
day life, was his daughter.
Waiting more than a day before any res-
cue team arrived, Hancer and other local
people tried to find their loved ones under
the ruins themselves, even trying – and
failing – to shift concrete blocks by hand.
Unable to recover Irmak’s body, he
remained sat by her side.
“I held her hand, I stroked her hair, I
kissed her cheeks,” he recalls.
Later, he saw Adem Altan taking photos
of the scene.
“Take pictures of my child,” he said in a
quiet, broken voice. – AFP

Ex-husband, in-laws charged with murdering HK model

– AFP

HONG KONG: The ex-husband and two

former in-laws of a Hong Kong model
were charged on Monday with her mur-
der, after police revealed they had found
more body parts during a weekend
search.
Abby Choi, who had appeared in fash-
ion magazines and attracted more than
100,000 followers on Instagram, was
reported missing on Tuesday, the prose-
cutor told the court.
On Saturday, police said that partial
remains had been discovered in the fridge
and soup pots of a seaside house.
After a later examination of materials
seized at the property, police uncovered
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
what they believe to be Choi’s skull, hair
number 1 to 9. These puzzle vary in difficulty and this is an easy one. and several ribs. The 28-year-old’s ex-hus-

QUOTABLE QUOTES

‘Forty is the
(Solution below)
band Alex Kwong, as well as his father
Kwong Kau and brother Anthony Kwong,

solution
were charged with murder on Monday

People watch a screen on a train showing news about Hong Kong

and face up to life in prison.

model and influencer Abby Choi on February 27 in Hong Kong.

Choi’s former mother-in-law, Jenny Li,

old age of
was charged with perverting the course of
justice by destroying evidence.

youth; fifty
The property where police found bod- already unconscious when she arrived,” speedboat.
ily remains was equipped with an electric Chung told reporters on Sunday night. A fifth suspect connected to Choi’s for-
saw and a meat grinder that had been According to police, Choi had finan- mer father-in-law was arrested on Sunday

the youth of
old age’
used to mince human flesh, according to
superintendent Alan Chung.
A forensic examination found a hole at
the back of the skull that could be evi-
dence of a fatal attack.
“We believe the victim had been
cial disputes with her ex-husband and his
family involving a luxury property.
The mother of two had divorced
Kwong and remarried Chris Tam, the
scion of a wealthy Hong Kong family.
Kwong, 28, was arrested on Saturday at
on suspicion of “assisting criminals”.
Chung said all suspects in the case had
been arrested and the force would con-
tinue to search for missing body parts.
Judge Peony Wong denied bail for the
accused on Monday and adjourned the

– Victor Hugo
attacked when she was in the vehicle (that a Hong Kong pier after what police case until May, pending further investiga-
took her to the house) and that she was described as a failed attempt to flee by tions. – AFP
 Rajamouli shoots for Oscar fame
16 People & Places Y OU R LOCAL V OICE TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 dailyexpress

aries Mar 20 - april 18

H
YDER ABAD (India): Indian
director S.S. Rajamouli’s films are
all-singing, all-dancing specta-
cles – and he is now a favourite to secure
the first ever Oscar for an all-Indian film.
His three-hour extrava-
ganza “RRR” is a fic-
tionalised story of
It has smashed box offices in India,
wowed audiences from the United States
to Japan, and is a front runner for the
Best Original Song award at next month’s
Oscars, having already beaten out Taylor
Swift and Rihanna for the same prize at
the Golden Globes.
“When I’m going to a movie, I
introduced the country’s lesser-known
but prolific southern cinema industry to
a worldwide audience.
India’s Hindi-language Bollywood cin-
ema industry has long been known as the
world’s most productive, but interna-
tional film awards beyond the festival cir-
cuit have largely remained the preserve
drama “Slumdog Millionaire”.
Now Rajamouli hopes a statuette for
the dance number “Naatu Naatu” will
pave the way for Indian auteurs to do the
same.
Shot in front of Ukraine’s turquoise
presidential palace – before the war it
features high-energy performances from
Over the past month or so, you’ve avoided
even mentioning certain increasingly tricky
matters. This hasn’t just prevented you wast-
ing time in pointless debates about what’s
wise and what isn’t, it’s enabled you to gather
vital facts from everybody. This, in turn,
ensures when you need to stand your ground,
you’ll be ready.

taurus apr 19 - May 19

two colonial-era would like to see larger-than-life of English-language movies. the two leads as they confront their
revolutionaries, characters, larger-than-life situ- That changed when Bong Joon-ho’s antagonist.
filled with ations, larger-than-life drama,” “Parasite” swept four Oscars in 2020, “We are breaking ground, but I think
large-scale, Rajamouli told AFP. including Best Film and Best director, we are in very, very initial, initial steps,” Recently you faced a range of tricky situa-
visual effects- “And that’s what I like to after decades when the plaudits for said the 49-year-old. tions. While, in some cases, the problem was
laden action make,” he said at his office in Korean cinema were confined to the crit- “If you see (South) Korea, for example, that certain individuals couldn’t make even
simple decisions, the foundation on which the
sequences and the southern city of Hyderabad. ics. the kind of inroads that they have made...
actual arrangements would be based has
musical num- “Nothing holds the heroes The only previous Indian Oscars won we should aspire to do that, all Indian
been unstable. The trick? Accept that, and
bers. back in delivering their action were for English-language films – the film-makers.”
regard plans as more of an experiment than
Rajamouli gestures
sequences.” 1982 British-Indian co-production Rajamouli was born in the southern anything meant to last.
during an inter-
A word-of-mouth hit that “Gandhi” and 2008’s Mumbai-set British state of Karnataka. His father was a
geMini May 20 - Jun 20
view with AFP at
“When I’m going
has seen moviegoers dancing scriptwriter who exposed him to the

the RRR office on

in cinema aisles, Telugu-lan- industry.

the outskirts of
to a movie, I would
guage “RRR” has become His early influences included promi- As an inquisitive Gemini, long ago you learnt

Hyderabad.
one of the highest- nent Telugu directors but he found him-

like to see larger-

that while most questions can be answered
grossing Indian self drawn to epic Hollywood films such swiftly, some require more time. And a few lack
movies ever. as “Ben Hur” and “Braveheart”, and is a

than-life characters,
answers, at least the kind that satisfy you.
It has also fan of Steven Spielberg and James Judging by the current exciting planetary setup,
Cameron.

larger-than-life
developments as thrilling as they are sudden
Rajamouli’s 2015 historical action- could answer several of those, some overnight.

cancer June 21 - Jul 21

drama “Baahubali” – then the most

situations, larger-
expensive film made in India – made him
a household name domestically, leading

than-life drama”
a wave of southern films to the top of the You’ve long intended to tackle certain issues,
multilingual country’s box office. but something or somebody has always dis-

– Rajamouli
The 2017 sequel was well-received, tracted you. Now it’s the reverse. Life is quiet
with both movies among the highest- enough that you’ve time to focus on these. But
grossing of all time in the nation of 1.4 things are calmer, which has you wondering

POPEYE
billion people, cementing Rajamouli’s whether you can just forget it all. Don’t. Deal
reputation as a blockbuster director. with these, and the sooner, the better.

leo Jul 22 - aug 21

He was “pleasantly surprised” by the
buzz around “RRR” in the West, he said,
pointing to what he called a “lack of
maximalist entertainment”.
“There’s a section of audiences who
wanted that, a celebratory kind of
engagement with the cinema.”
despite appearing on Netflix only two
months after it debuted across 1,200 US
theatres in March last year, “RRR” has
become among North America’s highest-
grossing Indian films.
It was “unprecedented” and “a total
outlier”, said analyst david A. Gross of
Franchise Entertainment Research.
Audiences continue to flock to packed
screenings for repeat viewings – a Janu-
Sooner or later you’ll have to review, then dis-
cuss certain tricky matters. While, ordinarily,
you’ve a knack for handling any such issues
swiftly, with the actual foundation on which
they’re based shifting, planning ahead is
tricky. So don’t. Tackle things one day at a
time. It will be far easier.
Virgo aug 23 - sep 22
During periods of change, such as this is, not
only do views of what’s best vary, in certain
cases, those differences can lead to clashes.
The secret? Make it clear that while, inevitably,
plans need to be made, at the moment, they

BLONDIE
ary showing at Hollywood’s historic TCL should be regarded as more of an experiment
Chinese Theatre sold out in 98 seconds. than anything lasting.

liBra sep 23 - oct 22

Rajamouli’s films have been com-
pared to Marvel superhero movies and he
said it would “be an honour” to be asked
to do one – but he worries that a major
studio would want to involve itself in the
production process.
The accolades for “RRR” have also
been accompanied by criticism of per-
ceived troubling undertones in the film,
including the promotion of Hindu
You don’t think of yourself as judgemental
and, mostly, you aren’t. if you disagree with
or dislike what others are doing or believe in,
you’ll generally avoid even mentioning it.
Now, however, you feel you must speak up.
Think carefully before you do. The individual
in question is actually trying to pick a fight.

scorpio oct 23 - nov 21

nationalism and hyper-masculinity.
“RRR” contains Hindu mythology and
nationalist fervour at a time when film-
makers, mostly in Bollywood, have been
repeatedly targeted by Hindu right-
wingers on social media.
Rights campaigners say that under
Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Naren-
This is a period of breakthroughs. True, ini-
tially it doesn’t seem that way. In fact, you’re
wondering if you aren’t ‘giving in’ too often,
and in situations where you’d once have stood
firm. Yet now, you’re recognising how much

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
dra Modi, Bollywood stars are facing you’ve learnt. More important, you’re wonder-
increased pressure – particularly minor- ing where else you’d benefit from giving in.

sagitarius nov 22 - dec 20

ity Muslim actors like Shah Rukh Khan
and Aamir Khan.
Rajamouli grew up in a “deeply reli-
gious” Hindu family but is now an atheist
and believes that “religion essentially is
exploitation”.
He blames criticism of the film on the
polarisation of debate in India that does
not allow for a middle ground.
“Any extreme point of view, I oppose,”
he said.
“I don’t have any kind of hidden
agenda... I make films for people who are
willing to pay their hard-earned money
on the film ticket.
“I like to get them entertained, make
them feel dramatic about the characters,
about the situations, have a good time,
go back and live their lives.” – AFP
Every New Moon is about a fresh perspective.
However, with last week’s having accented the
need to take a fresh approach to certain
arrangements, some longstanding, you’re still
unsure where to begin. While this is unusual for
you, as a quick-thinking fire sign, those recent
insights are now merging into amazing plans.
capricorn dec 21 - Jan 19
The twists and turns you’re facing may seem
like nothing but a nuisance. However, you’ll
soon begin to recognise them as the unex-
pected opportunities that they are. True, often
this means getting involved, if not committing,
while you’re short of facts. Out of character as
it is for you, it’s by far the best option.

aquaris Jan 20 - Feb 17

crossWord
Keep WatcH
You don’t think of it until you’re dealing with
somebody who dislikes making decisions on
their own. As a result, they thrive on situations
ACROSS 25. Fence repairer 4 7. Crossing the Atlantic
1. Life of ____ (carefree existence) 26. Bronco catcher 50. Day before a holiday dominated by the rules and regulations that drive
6. Flat-bottomed open boat 28. Deafening noise 51. Dutch shoe you crazy. Remember this when you’re asked
11. "Shogun" sash 29. Find in a mine 52. "____ go bragh" for details about how certain matters should be
14. Apparently amazed 30. Hole in your head 53. Hairy jungle creatures handled. The individual in question means it.

pisces Feb 18 - Mar 19

15. Country of over 1 billion
16. Car tracking digits (abbr.)
17. Gain experience
20. Doubter's outbursts
21. Like most NBA players
22. Calorie-rich pastry
23. 67.5 degrees, on a compass
24. Retail center
DOWN
1. "Friends" female
34. Bums of documentaries
35. Provider of wide-angle shots
37. One way to get the gravy
38. Former or previous
39. Affectionate utterance
40. Cape ____ (cottage style)
41. Olympic prize
45. Greyhound alternative
solution to today’s
32. Work the bar
33. "The Catcher in the
54. Maryland state flowers
57. Be in pain
58. Model of perfection
59. "Beetle Bailey" character
60. "2001" mainframe Understandably, certain individuals are in a
61. From Oslo, e.g. hurry to organise important arrangements.
62. More likely While you’re a part of their plans, they can
proceed without you. Urgent as things seem,
relax. You’ve a great deal to think about and,
crossWord
the fact, their plans will change several times
before anything can be considered settled.

2. Big lizard
3. Woodworker's machines
4. Classic poetry
5. Japanese currency
6. Twine fiber
7. Bell sound
8. Short poem (var.)
9. "Fee_____ foe furn"
10. Enrich
11. Goes too far
12. Marsh heron
13. "Psst!" follower
18. Airport stat.
19. Billion years
24. Cow sounds
25. Prefix meaning "one
thousandth"
27. Quick cut
28. Attempt to lose weight
31. Prepared Bond's martini
Birthday Today
____"
34. Santa's seat?
35. Gridiron game
36. Mme. Bovary
37. Hom of Africa nation
39. "Rock the____" (The As a compassionate Piscean, you’ll often
Clash hit)
40. Birch tree spike ignore your own needs and ensure those of
42. Make an exit others are looked after. While, at times, that’s
43. Exact retribution admirable, you’re in a cycle of swift, exciting
44. Not as great but demanding change. This doesn’t just mean
46. Legendary elephant eater
4 7. Vicinities you, and the requirements of your life, must
48. Move like a crab come first, you’ll probably have to seek the
49. Coast Guard officer guidance or support of others. Be business-like
(abbr.) about this. T hink things through, then make a
52. You right now, theme-wise
53. " ... and make it fast!" list of what you need from those around you.
55. Tokyo, long ago Then begin asking for their support. Everybody
56. Place with a president will be delighted to do all they can.
dailyexpress Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
MALAYSIA
IN THE SESSIONS COURT
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AT KOTA KINABALU
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by THOMAS BIN JUMPIRA for a certified copy of NT.
Ex-Parte:
Affin Bank Berhad 365 in the district of RANAU on the ground that JUM-
the future and has discharged all its debts and
[Company No. PIRA BIN HARONG is the registered owner thereof and
197501003274 (25046-T)] that the issue document of title has been lost / destroyed.
liabilities (other than those owed to its mem-
a Judgment Creditor In accordance with the provisions of Section 120 of the
Land Ordinance, notice is hereby given that, unless
ber) and elect to be wound up by way of Alter-
BANKRUPTCY NOTICE
within ONE (1) month of the date of publication of this
native Voluntary Winding Up pursuant to
To: Roslan Bin Abd Majid notice good cause be shown to the Collector of Land
Hse No. 4, Revenue refusing this application, the certified copy
Kampung Surati
89600 Papar, Sabah
applied for will, subject to the provisions of the said sec-
tion, be issued. Section 131A of the Labuan Companies Act
TAKE NOTICE that within
Dated at Ranau this 22nd day of February, 2023 1990.
seven (7) days after service of
this Notice on you, excluding
the day of such service you
must pay to Affin Bank
Berhad, the sum of
RM143,089.10 claimed by
them as being the amount due
as at 14th day of December CONSTRUCTION SITE AGENT (1 POST)
2022 on a final Judgment
obtained by them against you
in the Sessions Court at Kota
Requirements:
Kinabalu dated the 10th day of
November 2022 whereon
* Must possess at least a Diploma in Civil Engineering
execution has not been
or equivalent.
stayed, or you must secure or
* Experience Level: 2 years
compound for the said sum to
* Male.
Affin Bank Berhad’s
* Good communication and interpersonal skills.
satisfaction or to the
satisfaction of the Court; or
* Possess Own Transport.
you must satisfy the Court that
you have counter-claim, set-off
Job Descriptions:
or cross demand against them
* Prepare reports & documentation for progress of
which equals or exceeds the
sum claimed by them and
project.
which you could not set up in
* Arrange for inspection with consultant/client/
the action in which the
authorities.
Judgment was obtained.
* Attend all client meetings/zoom meetings.
* Report to HQ on progress & issues at site & coor-
PARTICULARS OF
dinate with sub-Contractors.
AMOUNT CLAIMED
* Able to read construction documents and drawings.

outstanding sum and (1) Judgment sum RM14,009.20

RM2,364.00 costs; and that it (2) Add : Agreed interest at
* Other Benefits: Allowances, Annual Leave, EPF &
has been ordered that service 8.00% per annum
SOCSO Contribution, Annual Medical
of the Writ in the said action on on RM14,009.20
Benefit
you be effected by this from 15.10.2022 to
advertisement. 14.12.2022 (61
* Recruitment: IMMEDIATE
If you desire to defend the said days) RM1,871.90
action you must within 14 (3) Add : Costs RM1,208.00
days from the date of
*Interested candidates please send your cv, resume

publication of this Total outstanding amount as

and state your expected salary to our email address

advertisement, inclusive of the at 14.12.2022 RM148,089.10

below:
day of such publication, enter
Email : vacancynev@gmail.com
an appearance at the Registry This Bankruptcy Notice can be
of the Sessions Court at Kota inspected by you on application
No. Tel (P) : 088 – 212 026

Kinabalu, Sabah. In default of to the Court.

such appearance, Judgment
In Default of Appearance may
be entered against you.
Dated the 28th day of
February 2023
Signed,
Alex Pang & Co.,
Solicitors for the Plaintiff,
Lot 1-4, 2nd Floor, Block A,
Damai Plaza, Phase 1,
Jalan Damai,
88300 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah
Tel: 088 218100
Dated the 28th day of
February 2023.
BY ORDER OF COURT
DEPUTY REGISTRAR
HIGH COURT OF
SABAH AND SARAWAK
KOTA KINABALU
This Notice is inserted by
Messrs Jayasuriya Kah &
Co., Suite No. 208, 2nd Floor,
Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu,
Advocates for the Judgment
Creditor.

SABAH, MALAYSIA
PEJABAT PENOLONG PEMUNGUT HASIL TANAH
PETI SURAT 4, 89600 PAPAR
SIASATAN TANAH PPHT PAPAR
NO. 19 TAHUN 2023
SCHEDULE XXIV (Section 120)
NOTICE OF LOSS OF DOCUMENT OF TITLE
Application having been made to the Collector at PAPAR
by JOSEPHINE BT SEVERINUS @ JOSIE for a certified
copy of NT 023122714 in the district of PAPAR on the
ground that JOSEPHINE BT SEVERINUS @ JOSIE is the
registered owner thereof and that the issue document of
the title has been lost.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 120 of the
Land Ordinance, notice is here by given that, unless within
ONE (1) month of the date of publication of this notice
good cause be shown to the Collector of Land Revenue for
refusing this application, the certified copy applied for will,
subject to the provisions of the said section, be issued.
Dated at Papar this 21 Feb 2023

[PATRICIA FELIX JUMIN @ NUR’AIN

Assistant Collector Land Revenue

NEGERI SABAH, MALAYSIA

DALAM MAHKAMAH RENDAH SYARIAH DI PAPAR
PERMOHONAN NO: 2301-L1112-311-0063
DALAM PERKARA: Harta Pusaka Simati:
ALIUDDIN BIN MD ONON
NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI MENURUT
PERINTAH MAHKAMAH
Kepada: AHLI WARIS SIMATI DAN SESIAPA YANG BERKE-
NAAN
AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa MOHD. FAKHURRAZI BIN ALI-
UDDIN telah memohon kepada Mahkamah ini pada pukul
9.00 pagi pada 16 haribulan MAC tahun 2023 untuk mem-
bahagi harta pusaka simati ALIUDDIN BIN MD ONON atas
alasan dan cara pembahagian yang terkandung dalam Afi-
davit bagi permohonan membahagi harta pusaka oleh MOHD
FAKHURRAZI BIN ALIUDDIN.

Harta Yang Dituntut:

1. GERAN TANAH NO GERAN NT 023204168 BERKELUASAN
100% BAHAGIAN DARIPADA 0.076 HECTARE/S YANG TER-
LETAK DI KG KELANAHAN, PAPAR.
2 SEBUAH KENDERAAN TOYOTA HILUX, NO PENDAFTARAN:
SAA9598F
3. SEBUAH KENDERAAN PROTON PERSONA, NO PENDAF-
TARAN: SAB3263X
4. SEBUAH KENDERAAN PROTON SAGA, NO PENDAFTARAN:
JBN9959
AMBIL PERHATIAN JUGA, jika kamu berhajat menentang per-
mohonan ini atau jika kamu mempunyai kepentingan ke atas
harta-harta simati, kamu atau peguam syarie kamu bolehlah
membuat semakan di mahkamah ini mengenai fakta-fakta
permohonan yang tersebut dan bolehlah selepas itu mem-
failkan di mahkamah ini dan menyampaikan satu salinan
kepada pemohon notis bantahan dan afidavit tidak lebih dari-
pada tiga (3) hari selepas tarikh permohonan ini didengar.
Pada 23 haribulan FEBRUARI tahun 2023
PENOLONG PENDAFTAR
MAHKAMAH RENDAH SYARIAH, PAPAR
Difailkan oleh MOHD. FAKHURRAZI BIN ALIUDDIN yang ala-
mat KAMPUNG KELANAHAN, 89600 PAPAR, SABAH
18 Sport Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 dailyexpress
Property
s
IMMEDIATE VACANCY JAWATAN KOSONG
CPSB STONE QUARRY SDN BHD, KOLOM- LOTS FOR RENT/SALE
BONG • Lesen E
Kg. Kolopis Facing Pan Borneo
1. HR EXECUTIVE • Umur tidak melebihi 45
2. HR & ADMIN CLERK Highway. 5000sf/ Lot. Rental:
• Elaun outstation RM1,500/Lot. Price: RM150K.
3. SITE SUPERVISOR
4. PROJECT MANAGER • Komisen Clement
5. QUANTITY SURVEYOR • SPM / PMR 010-3245011

Jobs
SALARY WILL COMMENSURATE WITH • 2 tahun pengalaman s
QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
FOR INTERESTED APPLICANTS, Tempat: Kilang Perabot, KKIP RENOVATION
SEND YOUR RESUME TO Contact: 088 408555 / 016 262 9378 SITE SUPERVISOR
hq.admin@cpsbgroup.com - Lesen D & GDL
Masa: 8.30am - 5.30pm - With experience
or contact us at 088-421528
Area Penampang
IN THE MATTER OF MASTER FACILITY AGREEMENT AND 1ST IN THE MATTER OF MASTER FACILITY AGREEMENT
Please Call
OR 3RD PARTY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT AND 1ST OR 3RD PARTY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT Australia’s players celebrate after winning the T20 Women’s World Cup.
016 810 5979
BOTH DATED 28.06.2021 BOTH DATED 28.06.2021 -----------------------
BETWEEN BETWEEN JOB VACANCY ADVERTISE:
MAYBANK ISLAMIC BERHAD (Company No. 787435-M) MAYBANK ISLAMIC BERHAD (Company No. 787435-M)
- ASSIGNEE/BANK - ASSIGNEE/BANK
1. WELDER MEN

AND
TING VUI HING [NRIC NO. 730313-12-5491]
- ASSIGNOR/CUSTOMER
[Trading under the name and style of VUI HING ENTERPRISE
(Trading Licence No. TMPR/2021/990)]
AND
TING VUI HING [NRIC NO. 730313-12-5491]
- ASSIGNOR/CUSTOMER
[Trading under the name and style of VUI HING ENTERPRISE
(Trading Licence No. TMPR/2021/990)]
-With experience 5 years above
RM1,800 to RM2,500
-Apprentice and below 5 years
experience RM1,500 to
RM1,800
Australia win Women’s
Penampang Area
PROCLAMATION OF SALE
IN EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS AND POWERS conferred upon the
Assignee/Bank under the Master Facility Agreement and 1st or 3rd
Party Deed of Assignment both dated 28.06.2021, it is hereby pro-
claimed that the said Assignee/Bank with the assistance of the under
PROCLAMATION OF SALE
IN EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS AND POWERS conferred upon the
Assignee/Bank under the Master Facility Agreement and 1st or 3rd
Party Deed of Assignment both dated 28.06.2021, it is hereby pro-
claimed that the said Assignee/Bank with the assistance of the under
Please Call
016 810 5979
-----------------------
AIRCOND TECHNICIAN
T20 WC for sixth time
mentioned auctioneer, WILL SELL THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED mentioned auctioneer, WILL SELL THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED
- With Experience CAPE TOWN: Australia won the Women’s T20 World “Our power play with the ball was excellent,” said
BELOW BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON THE 3RD DAY OF MARCH, BELOW BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON THE 3RD DAY OF MARCH,
- Willing to outstation Cup for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments Lanning.
2023 @ 3:00 P.M at NO. 1-1-6, 1ST FLOOR, BLOCK B, KOLAM 2023 @ 2:30 P.M at NO. 1-1-6, 1ST FLOOR, BLOCK B, KOLAM
Area Penampang
CENTRE PHASE 2, HILLTOP, LUYANG, JALAN LINTAS, 88300 CENTRE PHASE 2, HILLTOP, LUYANG, JALAN LINTAS, 88300 016-8105979
when they beat South Africa by 19 runs in the final at South Africa were never up with the required run
KOTA KINABALU, SABAH KOTA KINABALU, SABAH ----------------------- Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday. rate and were restricted to 137 for six despite opener
PARTICULARS OF PROPERTY:- PARTICULARS OF PROPERTY:- “It’s a very special effort from this group,” said Aus- Laura Wolvaardt hitting 61 off 48 balls.
Type of Property: A parcel of commercial lot located on the ground Type of Property: A parcel of commercial lot located on the ground
VACANCY

and first floor of a 2-storey intermediate shop/office building.
Legal Description: Lot No. 26-0, Ground Floor and Lot No. 26-1,
First Floor, Block C, Sri Alam Perdana Commercial Centre, Papar
both held under Master Block Title No. CL025430353 District of
Papar, Sabah.
Tenure: Assumed to be held under 99 years leasehold interest.
Purchaser: Ting Vui Hing [NRIC No. 730313-12-5491].
Land Area: Approximately 100.65 Square metres (about 1,083.38
square feet)
Developer: Bumi Hebat Construction Sdn Bhd (CO. NO. 781736-
X)
NOTE: Prospective bidders are advised to : (i) inspect the subject
property and check on the issuance of subdivided title (ii) seek inde-
pendent legal advice on all matters in connection with the auction
sale including the Conditions of Sale herein (iii) conduct official
search at the relevant Land Office and/or other relevant authorities
and (iv) make the necessary enquiries with the relevant authorities
as to whether the sale is open to all races or to Malaysian Citizens
who are Bumiputra only and also on the other terms of consent to
the sale herein prior to the auction sale. The Successful Purchaser
shall immediately upon the sale undertake to apply for and obtain
the consent to transfer (if any) from the Developer and/or the Pro-
prietor and/or State Authorities or relevant bodies.
The property will be sold on an “as is where is” basis, subject to the
following reserve price of RINGGIT MALAYSIA SEVEN HUNDRED
AND THIRTEEN THOUSAND (RM713,000.00) ONLY subject to the
Conditions of Sale and by way of an assignment from the above
Assignee/Bank, subject to consent being obtained by the Successful
Purchaser from the Developer and relevant authorities, if any, includ-
ing all terms, conditions, stipulations and covenants which were and
may be imposed by the relevant authority:
All intending bidders are required to deposit 10% of the fixed
reserve price by Bank Draft or Cashier’s Order only in favour of
Maybank Islamic Berhad prior to the sale with the under mentioned
Auctioneer.
Any arrears of maintenance charges, water and electricity bills, insur-
ance, quit rent and assessment (if any) which may be lawfully due
(the Assignee/Bank reserves the right to refuse to pay any sums not
lawfully due and/or those sums that are time-barred) to any relevant
authority or Developer up to the date of successful sale shall be
paid out of the proceeds of sale, provided that the Assignee/Bank is
in receipt of the extracted bills from the Successful Purchaser within
sixty (60) days from the date of the sale. In the event such extracted
bills are not submitted within the stipulated sixty (60) days from the
auction date, any subsequent claims made thereunder, the
Assignee/Bank shall be entitled at their absolute discretion not to
entertain and the same shall be borne by the Successful Purchaser.
The Balance of the Purchase Price is to be settled within ninety
(90) days from the date of auction sale by Bank Draft or
Cashier’s Order drawn in favour of Maybank Islamic Berhad.
Prior to the commencement of the auction sale, all bidders are
required to register with the Auctioneer appointed by the
Assignee/Bank and shall submit the following to the Auctioneer:
(1) an amount equivalent to 10% of the Reserved Price by Bank
Draft or Cashier’s Order in favour of Maybank Islamic Berhad;
(2) Board of Directors resolution or a written authorization where the
bidder is a company or other body recognized by law as capable of
purchasing and owning lands, bidding through an authorized person;
and
(3) Written authorization where the bidder is acting as a proxy.
For further particulars, please contact Messrs Fernandez & Co,
Solicitors for the Assignee/Bank herein whose address is at No. 143,
Jalan Tangki, Dezsons Building, Karamunsing, 88100 Kota Kinabalu
[Reference: VMF/MiB(RCRM,KK)-VHE/9234/SJ-rm], Telephone No
: 088-222450, Fax No : 088-221584] or the under mentioned Auc-
tioneer:
Messrs Mega Auction House
Licensed Auctioneer
13A, Taman Baginda, Jalan Penampang
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel : 017-8511838 / 014-8611838
and first floor of a 2-storey intermediate shop/office building.
Lelaki tralian captain Meg Lanning after her players proved Captain Sune Luus paid tribute to the Australians.
Legal Description: Lot No. 25-0, Ground Floor and Lot No. 25-1,
- Pemasangan Kereta Aksesori superior to a South African team that had the backing “You guys have been inspirational to world cricket
First Floor, Block C, Sri Alam Perdana Commercial Centre, Papar
Perempuan of a near-capacity crowd of about 15,000. for many years,” she said.
both held under Master Block Title No. CL025430353 District of
- Pembantu Kedai Opening batter Beth Mooney was named player of But Luus said the tournament had been a major
Papar, Sabah.
Tel: 088-765068
Tenure: Assumed to be held under 99 years leasehold interest. 011-23232398 the match after making an unbeaten 74 in an Aus- boost for women’s cricket in South Africa, with big
Purchaser: Ting Vui Hing [NRIC No. 730313-12-5491].
tralian total of 156 for six. crowds supporting the home team even after they had
Land Area: Approximately 100.65 Square metres (about 1,083.38 IMMEDIATE VACANCY “I walked off thinking we didn’t have enough runs lost their first two games of the tournament.
square feet) PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO
Developer: Bumi Hebat Construction Sdn Bhd (CO. NO. 781736- CHAIRMAN
but maybe I was a bit hard on myself. It was a really “I think we can be proud of ourselves,” she said. “It’s
X) Requirement:
tough wicket,” she said. very exciting for women’s cricket. We have to keep on
NOTE: Prospective bidders are advised to : (i) inspect the subject
- SPM/Dip./Degree Holder
Mooney said the Australian players were proud of growing. We set a platform and we can’t go back-
property and check on the issuance of subdivided title (ii) seek inde-
- Basic accounting knowledge
their dominance. wards.”
pendent legal advice on all matters in connection with the auction
sale including the Conditions of Sale herein (iii) conduct official - Possess driving license D.
“Other teams around the world are improving. We Luus challenged South African cricket officials and
search at the relevant Land Office and/or other relevant authorities - Available to drive anywhere are being hunted but we want to enjoy it for as long as the government to push for girls’ cricket in schools
and (iv) make the necessary enquiries with the relevant authorities - Salary RM1.6k-RM2.5 we can.” and to improve the club and provincial system, “so we
as to whether the sale is open to all races or to Malaysian Citizens (based on experience)
who are Bumiputra only and also on the other terms of consent to
The defending champions quickly put the pressure can keep knocking on Australia’s door.”
the sale herein prior to the auction sale. The Successful Purchaser Please submit your detailed
on the South African batters who could score only 22 Australia won all their six matches in the tourna-
shall immediately upon the sale undertake to apply for and obtain resume to:
runs for the loss of opener Tazmin Brits in the six-over ment to hammer home their dominance of the for-
the consent to transfer (if any) from the Developer and/or the Pro-
E-mail:
power play. mat. – AFP
prietor and/or State Authorities or relevant bodies.
The property will be sold on an “as is where is” basis, subject to the hrd1.pmsb@gmail.com
following reserve price of RINGGIT MALAYSIA SEVEN HUNDRED Tel: Djokovic says ‘surreal’ Norrie downs
AND THIRTEEN THOUSAND (RM713,000.00) ONLY subject to the 088-386786 / 014-2809786
Conditions of Sale and by way of an assignment from the above Closing Date: 31.03.2023
Assignee/Bank, subject to consent being obtained by the Successful ailing Alcaraz
Purchaser from the Developer and relevant authorities, if any, includ-
ing all terms, conditions, stipulations and covenants which were and
MALAYSIA
to break Graf’s record
may be imposed by the relevant authority:
IN THE HIGH COURT IN
All intending bidders are required to deposit 10% of the fixed SABAH AND SARAWAK dUBAI: Novak djokovic (pic) says break- to win
reserve price by Bank Draft or Cashier’s Order only in favour of AT KOTA KINABALU
IN THE STATE OF SABAH
ing Steffi Graf ’s record of 377 weeks at
Maybank Islamic Berhad prior to the sale with the under mentioned
COMPANIES (WINDING
number one in the rankings on Monday is
Auctioneer.
Any arrears of maintenance charges, water and electricity bills, insur- UP) NO. BKI-28NCC-6/1-
“surreal” and that he is proud to surpass Rio crown
ance, quit rent and assessment (if any) which may be lawfully due 2023 (HC3) one of the sport’s all-time greats.
(the Assignee/Bank reserves the right to refuse to pay any sums not IN THE MATTER OF SEC- RIO dE JANEIRO: Britain’s Cameron Norrie
TION 465(1)(e) & SECTION
The Serb will spend his 378th week at
lawfully due and/or those sums that are time-barred) to any relevant
466(1)(a) OF THE COMPA-
took advantage of an ailing Carlos Alcaraz
authority or Developer up to the date of successful sale shall be
the top of men’s tennis competing in
NIES ACT 2016 AND THE
to win the ATP Tour Rio Open on Sunday.
paid out of the proceeds of sale, provided that the Assignee/Bank is
dubai, where he will play his first tourna-
in receipt of the extracted bills from the Successful Purchaser within RULES UNDER COMPA- ment since capturing a 10th Australian Second seed Norrie came from behind
sixty (60) days from the date of the sale. In the event such extracted NIES (WINDING-UP) RULES to claim the fifth tournament win of his
1972;
Open crown and record-equalling 22nd
bills are not submitted within the stipulated sixty (60) days from the
AND
career, winning 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in 2hrs 40mins.
auction date, any subsequent claims made thereunder, the
Grand Slam title last month.
Assignee/Bank shall be entitled at their absolute discretion not to IN THE MATTER OF FIN- “I still want more achievements,” djokovic told reporters in Norrie’s victory came exactly seven days
entertain and the same shall be borne by the Successful Purchaser. CONSULT (M) SDN. BHD.
after the British world number 13 had lost
(COMPANY NO.:
dubai on Sunday.
The Balance of the Purchase Price is to be settled within ninety to Spain’s second-ranked Alcaraz in the
(90) days from the date of auction sale by Bank Draft or 199801008633 (464760-A)).
“I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really
Cashier’s Order drawn in favour of Maybank Islamic Berhad. BETWEEN
final of the Argentina Open in Buenos
as anybody else.
Prior to the commencement of the auction sale, all bidders are TENAGA NASIONAL “Of course, it’s surreal in a way to be that many weeks Aires.
required to register with the Auctioneer appointed by the BERHAD “It’s so special to win this one, especially
Assignee/Bank and shall submit the following to the Auctioneer: (COMPANY NO.: 200866-
world number one, to match Steffi Graf, who is one of the all-
(1) an amount equivalent to 10% of the Reserved Price by Bank W)
after losing a couple of finals this year,” said
time greats of our sport, both men and women. Just being
Draft or Cashier’s Order in favour of Maybank Islamic Berhad; - PETITIONER
amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m very proud Norrie, who was also beaten in the final in
(2) Board of Directors resolution or a written authorization where the AND of it.” Auckland in January.
bidder is a company or other body recognized by law as capable of FINCONSULT (M) But while Norrie celebrated, Alcaraz was
purchasing and owning lands, bidding through an authorized person; SDN. BHD.
Undefeated in all 12 matches he has contested so far this sea-
and (COMPANY NO.:
son, djokovic says he has been pain-free for the past week, having left with fresh fitness concerns after an
(3) Written authorization where the bidder is acting as a proxy. 199801008633 (464760-A)) recovered from a muscle tear in his left hamstring he had sus- energy-sapping duel that saw him require
For further particulars, please contact Messrs Fernandez & Co, - RESPONDENT
repeated visits from the physio.
Solicitors for the Assignee/Bank herein whose address is at No. 143,
tained in Australia.
Jalan Tangki, Dezsons Building, Karamunsing, 88100 Kota Kinabalu
The 19-year-old, who only returned to
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’m getting closer to a hundred percent. Still not there in
[Reference: VMF/MiB(RCRM,KK)-VHE/9234/SJ-rm], Telephone No OF PETITION
terms of the game itself, how I feel on the court. But the impor- tennis at last week’s tournament in
: 088-222450, Fax No : 088-221584] or the under mentioned Auc- (RULE 24)
Argentina after a four-month injury layoff,
tioneer:
tant thing is that there is no pain. I don’t have a hindrance to the
Messrs Mega Auction House
was clearly struggling with a sore ham-
NOTICE is hereby given that
way I move on the court,” declared the 35-year-old.
Licensed Auctioneer a Petition for the Winding-Up
djokovic will begin his dubai campaign against Czech quali- string during the latter stages of Sunday’s
13A, Taman Baginda, Jalan Penampang
of the above-named Com-
final.
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
fier Tomas Machac on Tuesday, where the likes of daniil
pany by the High Court was,
Tel : 017-8511838 / 014-8611838
He needed heavy strapping on his right
Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray are also
on the 25th day of January thigh midway through the second set,
2023 presented by Tenaga
expected to take the court.
Nasional Berhad. And that
Last year, dubai played host to djokovic’s first event of the when he collapsed from a 3-0 lead to allow
the said Petition is directed to
season after he had been deported from Australia over his vacci- Norrie to take the set and level the match.
be heard before the Court sit- nation status. Alcaraz is due to play at the Mexican
ting at Kota Kinabalu at 9.00 Open in Acapulco next week and after that
o’clock in the forenoon on
A five-time champion in dubai, he was defeated in the quar-
the 9th day of March 2023;
ter-finals by Jiri Vesely. has the Indian Wells Masters looming in
and any creditor or contribu- Murray, who is one week older than djokovic and has been California in early March.
tory of the said Company The former world number one had
desiring to support or oppose
the Serb’s rival since their early teen years, is coming off a stun-
looked to be in control after clinching the
the making of an order on the
ning week in doha, where he battled through four three-setters
said Petition may appear at
before losing to Medvedev in the final. first set with a rasping forehand up the line
the time of hearing by himself It has been a theme for the British former world number one, to break Norrie for the first time in the
or his counsel for that pur- match.
pose; and a copy of the Peti-
who also put on heroic displays at the Australian Open last
tion will be furnished to any
month. He then sprinted into a 3-0 lead with
creditor or contributory of the
“What is happening now this year with his match points saved another quick break of serve in the second
said Company requiring the in literally every match he plays, the amount of hours he spent set and appeared to be building unstop-
same by the undersigned on pable momentum.
payment of the regulated
on the court since the beginning of the year, particularly in Aus-
charge for the same.
tralia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau’ However, Alcaraz was soon struggling
The Petitioner’s address is at because of everything he has gone through with his hip,” said with his sore thigh and Norrie broke twice
Pejabat Setiausaha Syarikat, to take a 4-3 lead. – AFP
Tingkat 2, Ibu Pejabat Tenaga
djokovic of Murray. – AFP
Nasional Berhad, No. 129,
Jobs
s
Jalan Bangsar, 59200 Kuala
Lumpur.
The Petitioner’s Solicitor is
Kirk edges Cole in playoff for
Messrs. Jumahad Julkar-
nain & Ahmadshah of Suite PGA Honda Classic victory
B-04-01, Block B, 4th Floor,
Lot 1, Warisan Square, Kota
Kinabalu, Sabah.
MIAMI: Chris Kirk birdied the first playoff Cole, who is a US tour rookie this season
hole to beat Eric Cole at the Honda Classic on at the age of 34 – and with 56 professional
-Signed-
..............................................
Sunday, ending a near eight-year title wins behind him on the Minor League Golf
MESSRS. JUMAHAD
drought with his fifth US PGA Tour triumph. Tour mini-tour—carded a final-round 67 on
JULKARNAIN & AHMAD-
General
It was an emotional win for the 37-year- the par-70 PGA National course in Palm
s
SHAH
SOLICITOR FOR
old American, whose last victory at Colonial Beach Gardens, Florida, where he joined Kirk
THE PETITIONER
in 2015 was followed by time away from the in finishing with a 72-hole total of 14-under
FORMATION OF
game in 2019 to deal with depression and par 266.
NOTE: Any person who
NEW SDN. BHD.
alcohol misuse. He and Kirk duelled all day and finished
intends to appear on the
One-Stop Services
hearing of the said Petition
Popular Management He took a two-shot lead into the final two strokes in front of third-placed Tyler
must serve on or send by Tel: 234598/260020 round and carded a one-under-par 69, shak- duncan, who carded a 66 for 268.
post to the above-named
ing off a bogey at the 72nd hole with a birdie Kirk got off to a quick start, rolling in a 17-
Petitioner, notice in writing of
11-2, Blk B, Damai IV, KK
when they returned again to 18 for the first foot birdie putt at the opening hole.
his intention so to do. The
-----------------------

notice must state the name

ASIA hole of the playoff. After a bogey at the second he got up and
and address of the person, or,
PLUMBING SERVICE There Kirk spun his approach within a down for birdie from a greenside bunker at
if a firm, the name and
0168877738, foot of the pin while Cole was in a greenside the third and rolled in a 34-foot birdie at the
address of the firm, and must
0178287898 bunker and missed a 10-foot birdie attempt eighth to take a two-shot lead.
be signed by the person or
Ahmad
firm, or his or their solicitor (if
to extend the playoff. Cole had kept in touch with birdies at the
Pakar mengubahsuai rumah,
any) and must be served, or,
“I just have so much to be thankful for,” third, fourth and fifth—where he snaked in a
if posted, must be sent by
buat pagar, gate grill, manhole
Kirk said. “I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful for 70-foot putt. He was in the water for a bogey
post in sufficient time to reach
sumbat, pasang mozek, plas-

the above-named not later

ter siling, pasang water pump,
than twelve o’clock noon of
water heater, paip air, mem-
the 8th day of March 2023.
baiki atap bocor, tandas leak-
ing, paip leaking dan lain-lain
my sobriety. I’m so grateful for my family. I’m at the sixth, but after a birdie at 11 pulled him
so grateful for everyone that’s supported me back within one stroke he grabbed the out-
throughout the past three or four years espe- right lead at the 13th as he rapped in a seven-
cially.” foot birdie putt while Kirk bogeyed. – AFP
dailyexpress
‘Pocket Rocketman’ is back
KUALA LUMPUR:
National track cycling
champion datuk Mohd
Azizulhasni Awang (pic)
has proven that he still
“has fire in his belly” to
create history by present-
ing Malaysia with its first
gold medal at the Paris
2024 Olympic Games next year.
It follows the amazing achievement of
the 2017 world keirin champion who won
the silver medal in the same event at the
International Cycling Union (UCI) Track
Nations Cup held in Jakarta recently.
Local sports observer, datuk dr Pekan
Ramli admitted that he was very excited
and happy when the 35-year-old cyclist
achieved this feat less than a year after
undergoing open heart surgery in April
last year.
What caught Pekan’s attention more
was that Mohd Azizulhasni, dubbed The
Pocket Rocketman, was able to take on
outstanding much younger rider, Harrie
Lavreysen from the Netherlands, who is
the 2022 world champion and the gold
medal winner of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic
Games.
KBS and
ESI foster
unity through
e-sports
KUALA LUMPUR: Fighting in cyber-
space while promoting racial unity.
This was the catchphrase of the
first edition of the #SamaSamaMe-
nang, which was the unity-themed
electronic sports (e-sports) champi-
onship – an initiative by the Ministry
of Youth and Sports(KBS) through
Esports Integrated (ESI) – held at the
ESI Hub in Puchong, Sunday.
Contesting just the PlayerUnk-
nown’s Battleground Mobile
(PUBGM) video game, the organiser
made it more interesting by applying
three components in the game format
to foster unity and positive communi-
cation among participants.
The three components were that
the participants had to utilise the
individual round-robin format for
every level of the game, additional
Peace and development Unity (Padu)
reward points and Fireside Chat inter-
active sessions as a discussion plat-
form on unity and communication.
The competition, which offered a
cumulative prize worth RM3,000, was
participated by 16 competitors of var-
ious races, religions and cultures.
ESI chief executive officer Ahmed
Faris Amir said the competition
aimed to inculcate elements of inclu-
sivity and communication among the
diverse e-sports community in
Malaysia.
“To ensure the effectiveness of such
advocacy programmes, we took the
approach of involving target commu-
nities in the discussion slot so that the
programme’s objectives can be pre-
sented effectively and transparently,”
he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, according to the
statement, Taufik, better known as
Axis or GxSeeNx, emerged as cham-
pion while Mel Gibson (KKxKingsan)
finished second and Joel San (Atlas)
third.
According to its plan, ESI, in col-
laboration with state e-sports associ-
ations and several strategic partners,
aims to hold three editions of the
#SamaSamaMenang, with two more
locations in the north and east coast
zones. – Bernama
Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 Sport 19
“This is a very positive sign because support because I believe that his own
before I had said there were doubts about internal strength, which is the intrinsic
his (Mohd Azizulhasni’s) performance, but motivation factor, is already very strong.
with the success in Jakarta in addition to Support needs to come in terms of what
competing with the world and Olympic can ensure that he achieves an exceptional Ten Hag
champion, it is as if he is back on track. performance in Paris. (centre)
“If before he won in Australia (Austral “The additional support is for example and his
Wheelrace in Melbourne in december 2022) in terms of technology, sports science, assistants
without the world champions, this time bicycles, coaches, comprehensive team celebrate
what has been shown (by him) gives us con- support and also psychologically,” he said. with the
fidence that he is a gold medal prospect in Based on the current world rankings,
League
Paris,” he said when contacted, Monday. Mohd Azizulhasni occupies 46th position
Mohd Azizulhasni, who won the keirin in the keirin event which is his pet event Cup
silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is in 48th position for the sprint, trophy.
and bronze in the same event at the 2016 according to
edition in Rio de Janeiro, had to be satis-
fied with taking home the silver in Jakarta
https://dataride.uci.ch/iframe/Rankings/9/.
The development saw Mohd Azizul-
Ten Hag wants to ‘keep on
after being separated by only 0.024 sec- hasni climb more than 200 and 400 rungs
onds (s) behind Lavreysen in the final last
Saturday.
respectively in the keirin and sprint rank-
ings after being ranked 281st and 479th in dancing’ after first trophy
The 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2019/2020 and October last year following a long break
2021 Sportsman of the Year was then elim- after surgery. LONdON: As Erik ten Hag danced a jubi- me in Amsterdam. We did some dancing
inated in the quarter-finals when compet- A native of dungun, Terengganu, he lant jig on the Wembley pitch after Man- and I hope we can do more in the future,”
ing in the sprint event the next day. was the sole representative of the national chester United’s League Cup final victory Ten Hag said.
Meanwhile, Pekan thinks Mohd Azizul- cycling squad, which included Muham- over Newcastle, it was clear the manager’s Ten Hag has no intention of letting
hasni deserves the same support he got mad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Nurul Izzah romantic ideas about the club had blos- United’s players rest on their laurels as he
when preparing for Tokyo to face the chal- Izzati Mohd Asri and Anis Amira Rosidi, to somed into a full-blown love affair. looks to recreate the club’s dynastic years
lenge in Paris. bring home a medal from the champi- Ten Hag has made a remarkable under Ferguson.
“I see that he needs greater additional onship in Jakarta. – Bernama impact since leaving Ajax to take charge “We have to invest and suffer every day
of United last year and Sunday’s 2-0 win so we can win trophies,” Ten Hag said.
against Newcastle was the latest sign the “It is about glory and honour. If you
Potter admits can’t rely on club are back on track after a turbulent
decade.
Casemiro’s header and an own goal
want to win something you have to do it
because no-one is going to bring you sil-
verware in top football.”
Chelsea board’s support from Sven Botman sealed United’s first
major trophy since 2017, when they won
When he left the comfort of his role at
Ajax last May, Ten Hag knew the challenge
LONdON: Chelsea “I know the responsibility,” said Potter.
the Europa League and League Cup under
Jose Mourinho.
of leading United out of their slump was
fraught with potential pitfalls.
manager Graham “(The results) are not good enough for this But the trophy was only secured after But the chance to manage one of the
Potter (pic) acknowl- club. I’m not happy with them. I take full keeping Newcastle at bay with a gritty sec-
ond half display that underlined how
world’s most iconic clubs was too good to
turn down for a football romantic like Ten
edged he cannot rely responsibility for those results.”
much difference Ten Hag has made. Hag.
on the support of the Chelsea’s new owners have so far
Less than a year ago, United slumped “Maybe it was a risk but I am a little bit
club’s board for remained steadfast in their support of Potter.
to a sixth place finish in the Premier stubborn. I just loved United. When I see
much longer after a But patience must be wearing thin and League under interim boss Ralf Rangnick. the shirt, when I see the fans at Old Traf-
2-0 defeat at Totten- the Blues chairman and co-owner Todd
Revived by the demanding and disci- ford, the legacy from Sir Alex with players
ham on Sunday Boehly was in attendance to watch another plined Ten Hag, United have set the stage known around the world,” he said.
heaped more pres- toothless display from his club at the Tot-
for a potential return to the kind of sus- “We want to do the same. This team
sure on him. tenham Hotspur Stadium. tained success last seen in the Alex Fergu- wants to make its own history, its own
Goals from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane “If results aren’t good enough, which son era. legacy. When the opportunity came I
consolidated Spurs’ place in the Premier they aren’t at the moment, you can’t rely on While Ten Hag rules with an iron fist, thought this is the right opportunity for
League top four as they opened up a four- support forever,” added Potter. as he showed in winning the power strug- me. I wanted to be part of it.”
point lead over fifth-placed Newcastle, “My job is to keep going, to try and gle that forced Cristiano Ronaldo’s depar- Ten Hag’s approval rating among
although the Magpies have two games in change the moment. The players are hurt- ture last year, the dutchman has an United fans was clear to see by the huge
hand. ing. It’s a tough moment for us.” empathetic side that he rarely shows in cheer that greeted him lifting the League
Chelsea remain 10th with their chances of Chelsea have scored only one goal in public. Cup, while Ferguson also gave his blessing
Champions League football next season now their last six games and did not show much That emotion was on display when he to the dutchman when they met for din-
seemingly dependent on an unlikely run to fight for their beleaguered boss after falling joined the celebrations at Wembley, link- ner last week.
win the European Cup for a third time. behind just seconds into the second half. ing arms in a joyous dance with Lisandro “The dinner shows we are good and it
despite splashing over £500 million Neither side hit their stride in a Martinez and Antony, the United players shows he is really involved in the club. We
($600 million) on new players this season, bad-tempered first period, which the who know him better than most after can all learn a lot from what he did for
Potter’s men have now won just twice in 15 visitors were lucky to finish with 11 men. – their time at Ajax. Manchester United. It is an inspiration for
games in all competitions. AFP “We have a history, the two players and all of us,” Ten Hag said. – AFP
Turkish fans in anti-govt
chants in quake anger
ANKARA: Besiktas fans called on the Turkish government to resign
in terrace chants Sunday, throwing hundreds of soft toys onto the
pitch in memory of child victims of the February 6 the earthquake.
The protest, which took place during the match, follows that
of fans from fellow Istanbul club Fenerbahçe at their stadium on
Saturday.
“Government, resign!” was the chant as Besiktas played out a
0-0 draw with Antalyaspor.
Fenerbahce fans voiced similar sentiments following the 7.8
magnitude earthquake that claimed over 44,000 victims in
Turkey.
“Twenty years of lies and cheating, resign,” Fenerbahce fans
chanted during their 4-0 win over Konyaspor.
Opponents of the Turkish government have criticised what
they feel is an inadequate response from the ruling authorities to
the natural disaster.
Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place
on May 14.
Besiktas supporters are reputed to be closer to the opposition
than to Recep Tayyip Edogan’s ruling coalition.
But chants of this kind became rarer after Erdogan cracked
down in the wake of the failed coup against him in 2016.
devlet Bahceli, head of the nationalist MHP party, the junior
partner in Erdogan’s governing coalition, called for authorities to
have matches played behind closed doors if there were more such
chants. – AFP

New Vietnam boss Troussier targets WC spot

HANOI: French coach Philippe Troussier signed a three-
year deal on Monday to lead Vietnam’s football team and
immediately targeted a first World Cup appearance for
his new side.
The 67-year-old, who succeeds South Korea’s Park
Hang-seo, has coached two dozen national and club
teams during his long career.
He led Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2000 and was in
charge of the co-hosts at the 2002 World Cup.
Troussier had a spell in charge of Marseille in 2004-
He became coach of Vietnam’s Under-19s in 2019.
Vietnam, ranked 96th by Fifa, are preparing to play the
2023 Asian Cup in Qatar, with the date of the tournament
still to be confirmed.
But Troussier made it clear he had his sights set higher.
“The expansion to 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup is
an opportunity for Vietnam. This is the ultimate goal we
all aim for,” he said during the signing ceremony, accord-
ing to state media.
Troussier’s contract runs from March 2023 to July 2026,

Bayern reclaim league lead

2005, followed by stints in China and Tunisia. VNExpress said. – AFP

MUNICH (Germany): Birthday boy Jamal Musiala scored his 11th of
the season as Bayern Munich returned to the Bundesliga summit
with a dominant 3-0 home win over Union Berlin on Sunday.
Bayern now top the Bundesliga, tied with Borussia dort-
mund on 46 points.
Union are third, three points behind.
First-half goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Kingsley
Coman and Musiala, on his 20th birthday, put Bayern into a
comfortable position against the overachieving Berliners.
In another positive for Bayern, the champions welcomed
back Sadio Mane who came on as a substitute after an injury
absence of nearly four months.
A pre-match blizzard failed to cool Bayern’s fluency, with the
home side forcing Union into several last-ditch saves in the
opening moments.
Bayern striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting got the home side
on the scoreboard after 31 minutes, heading in a lofted pass
from Kingsley Coman. – AFP
Barca lose to
lowly Almeria
ALMERÍA (Spain): La Liga leaders Barcelona
tumbled to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at
Almeria on Sunday, failing to capitalise on Real
Madrid’s derby draw with Atletico to extend
their advantage.
El Bilal Toure’s fine first half strike split the
teams and earned Almeria their first ever vic-
tory over Barca, inflicting only the second
defeat of the league campaign on the Catalans.
Xavi Hernandez’s side still have a seven-
point lead over champions Madrid, but their
morale took a further blow following their
midweek Europa League exit against Manches-
ter United. Barca face Madrid in a Clasico Copa
del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday at the
Santiago Bernabeu, with their vulnerabilities
starting to show. – AFP

Y OU R LOCAL V OICE I TUE S D AY, FE B RUARY 2 8 , 2 0 2 3
United end six-year trophy drought
LONdON: Manchester United clinched
their first major trophy for six years with a
ruthless 2-0 win against Newcastle in the
League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s side took control by half-
time thanks to Casemiro’s header and a
Sven Botman own goal and held firm
despite Newcastle’s second-half pressure.
United’s first silverware since 2017, when
they won the League Cup and the Europa
League in the Jose Mourinho era, was just
reward for a mature display that underlined
the impressive work done by dutchman Ten
Phoenix B
Hag since he arrived from Ajax last year.
emerge State
youth champs
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Team Phoenix B from
Kota Kinabalu Netball Association won the
inaugural State Youth Netball Champi-
onship at the Tun Adnan Sports Complex
on Sunday.
They defeated SSN Labuan (Labuan
Sports School) 50-20 in the final to take the
title while the third spot went to Phoenix A
who beat Politeknik Kota Kinabalu 29-22 in
the play-off.
The top scorer in the competition was
Norazlina Iswan with 123 points while the
Ching Byn wins Int’l 470 overall title
KOTA KINABALU: Chia Ching Byn won the
International 470 overall title at the 22nd City
day Open Regatta held at the Kinabalu
Yacht Club (KYC) on Sunday.
She and crew member Thomas Kong
took the top prize while in second place was
the pairing of Muhd daniel Iqbal Muham-
mad Samsu and dato’ Chairullah followed
by veteran division winner Leonard Chin
and Josie Joinol in third. The victory was also
Chia and Kong’s second of the year, having
won the club’s Ship’s Bell Trophy in January.
In the ILCA (International Laser Class
Association) 6 category, the overall title was
won by women’s division winner Gabrielle
Marygrace Yong Poquita while men’s divi-
sion winner Mohd Reezmin Ismah had to
settle for second place with Nur Hafiza-
hanani Zailan coming in third.
The top three winners in the ILCA 4 over-
all category were Laurenz Leonardo daim,
Mohammad Syahieradham Raiman and
Zeti Irdina Zainal. Laurenz and Zeti were
Pang Roon-Mei Xing eye consistency as they head to Europe
also winners in the men’s and women’s divi-
KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles
player Teoh Mei Xing feels that her part-
nership with Hoo Pang Roon has reached
about 80 per cent in terms of compatibil-
ity, but the quest for consistency and focus
remains top of the agenda in their bid for
their first title in the Badminton World
Tour (BWF) series this season.
Winner of the 2022 Malaysia Interna-
tional Challenge mixed doubles event
with Pang Roon two months ago, Mei
Xing said the pair need to work harder on
their mental and physical preparation
after confirming their participation in
four straight tournaments in Europe this
year.
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The celebrations that accompanied
United’s sixth League Cup triumph could
be the first of many trophy parades on the
evidence of Ten Hag’s transformative first
season.
“You have to win the first one and that is
what we did today,” Ten Hag said.
“We can get a lot of inspiration from this
and more confidence that we can do it.
“We are still at the start of restoring
Manchester United to where we belong —
winning trophies.”
United remain challengers on three
other fronts, sitting third in the Premier
The winning team pose with Sabana president
Chenderemata Sinteh (fourth right) and other officials.
best player in the tournament went to
Nurirdina Sumaya.
Best attacker was awarded to Norhayati
Norman Abdullah and dayang Nurain
Ahmed Ismail was judged the best
defender while the fairplay trophy went to
A group
photo of
all the
winners
at the 22nd
City Day
Open
Regatta.
sion.
The Optimist Overall’s title was won by
Hafizanah Zailan followed by Muhammad
Aiman Aqeel Mohd Firdaus and Kee
Alaeana Abdullah. Nur Hafizanah also took
the division A title while Ziqri Luqman
Zainal and Muhammad Abqaari Irham
Adam came top in division B and C respec-
tively, and the top three places in the Opti-
mist Novice category went to Andre Martin,
Alexander Chiu Shinka and Macy Mosom
Sikayun.
In the Windsurf category, Abidin Aliak-
bar was the men’s open winner and Tiong
Jia Yi took the women’s title while the closed
title for men went to Mohd Azmi Mohd Kah-
mis and the women’s title went to Marcella
Wilson Villaceran.
Kite Surfing competition was also held
with Jarrow danie Marcus, Mitchell Cini and
Abidin Aliakbar finishing in the top three
places.
A total of 72 sailors took part in the
annual event organised by the club. – GL Oh
Currently ranked 67th in the world,
Pang Roon-Mei Xing will kick off their
European tour with the German Open
from March 7-12, the All-England (March
14-19), Swiss Open (March 21-26) and the
Spain Masters (March 28-April 2).
“We still have room to improve, espe-
cially on-court consistency as I still con-
sider myself lacking experience in mixed
doubles.
“Besides, we (Pang Roon-Mei Xing)
haven’t had many chances to play against
the world’s best pairs. Pang Roon, how-
ever, has been guiding me on strategy play
and so on to acclimatise ourselves faster
to each other’s game,” she said when met
o email: ads@dailyexpress.com.my (Advertising) l editorial@dailyexpress.com.my (News)
League and with an FA Cup fifth round tie
against West Ham on Wednesday followed
by a Europa League last 16 tie against Real
Betis in March.
After 10 years in the wilderness since
Alex Ferguson retired having led them to
their last Premier League title in 2013,
United are finally emerging from one of the
darkest period in the club’s illustrious his-
tory.
United finished a dismal sixth in the Pre-
mier League last season, but Ten Hag has
swiftly masterminded their return to rele-
vance.
team Emerald from Tambunan.
A total of 16 teams took part in the two-
day competition organised by Sabah Net-
ball Association (Sabana) which was
officiated by the Chief Minister’s wife datin
Wai Ching
Seri Juliah Salag on the opening day.
conquers
Scale the
Strat 2023
KUALA LUMPUR:
The country’s num-
ber one tower run-
ner, Soh Wai Ching
(pic) continued his
incredible achieve-
ments when he
topped the race up
the stairs of “Scale
the Strat Tower” in
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA late Sunday night.
What is even sweeter is that, Wai Ching
ran 108 floors involving 1,455 steps (height
260 metres) in six minutes 46 seconds (s),
thus equalling the previous record set by
Mexican tower runner Alexis Trujillo in
2020.
The feat by Wai Ching was also a repeat
of the same achievement he did in Febru-
ary last year, but at that time he finished
the race with a record of 6:57s.
The second and third places were won
by two host athletes, Mark Ewell who fin-
ished the run in 8:42s and Mark Hender-
son with a time of 8:54s.
“I will be back next year to aim for a sub
6:30 minutes!,” said Wai Ching through a
post on the official website. – Bernama
by reporters recently.
The 25-year-old also credited Indone-
sian coach Nova Widianto for working on
their weaknesses and for instilling a sense
of self-belief.
On whether they were ready for their
showdown against compatriots Chen
Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei in the first round of
the German Open, Mei Xing said prepara-
tions were being stepped up although she
believes the match will be a close affair.
“They (Tang Jie-Ee Wei) have weak-
nesses we can exploit but there are also
familiar with ours, and so every time we
step into the court, it is 50-50 between us.
It all depends on our state of readiness
Australia
win
Women’s
T20 WC for
sixth time
It was fitting that Ten Hag’s maiden tro-
phy success with United came after he met
Ferguson for dinner recently and with the
Scot watching from the Wembley stands.
Ending United’s longest trophy drought
for 40 years is no guarantee of future suc-
cess, but the steely Ten Hag appears capable
of thriving in the unrelenting Old Trafford
spotlight.
United co-chairman Avram Glazer,
attending his first game since the Novem-
ber announcement that his family are con-
Klinsmann named S Korea coach
sidering offers for the club, might
reconsider selling up after viewing what
SEOUL: Jurgen Klins-
mann (pic), who
won the World Cup
as a player and led
Germany to the
semi-finals as coach,
has been appointed
head coach of South
Korea, the country’s
football association
said Monday.
The 58-year-old will arrive in Seoul next
week and be in charge for a friendly
against Colombia on March 24, the KFA
said, adding he had a contract until 2026.
The former Germany, Bayern Munich
and United States coach succeeds Paulo
Bento, who took the Koreans to the last 16
of the World Cup in Qatar, where they
were beaten 4-1 by Brazil.
“I am very happy and honoured to be
the head coach of South Korea’s national
football team,” Klinsmann said, according
to a Korea Football Association statement.
“I am well aware that the Korean
national team has been constantly
improving and producing results over a
long period of time,” he said.
He added that he was “honoured to be
following in the footsteps” of former
South Korea coaches, including Guus Hid-
dink and Bento. “We will do our best to
achieve successful results in the upcoming
Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup,” Klins-
mann said.
Ronaldo racks up whopping
South Korea are led on the pitch by
RM1.3m bill at Saudi hotel
KUALA LUMPUR:
Cristiano Ronaldo
(pic) had left his
£250,000 (RM1.3
million) per month
hotel to a luxurious
home in Saudi Ara-
bia.
After leaving
Manchester United,
the Portuguese superstar had been resid-
ing in the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh
with his family.
Ronaldo was reported to be paying
and confidence level,” she added.
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of
Malaysia (BAM) has confirmed that inde-
pendent women’s singles shuttler K. Let-
shanaa will rejoin the governing body
effective March 1.
BAM announced this in a Facebook
post Monday, and stated that it was
delighted to have the 20-year-old Let-
shanaa back with the national team.
“She will surely add depth and
strengthen the women’s singles team. The
Association has been closely monitoring
her progress during her recovery process
and has been impressed with the commit-
ment she has shown. – Bernama
Potter
admits
can’t rely
on Chelsea 20
board’s
support
Man
United’s
players
celebrate
with the
League
Cup
trophy.
could be the start of a golden era.
despite failing to win their first major
trophy since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup,
Newcastle can also expect to feature in
more showpiece occasions soon.
Newcastle have been revitalised since
their takeover by a Saudi-funded consor-
tium in 2021 and they competed gamely in
their first cup final for 24 years.
“We played really well between both
boxes. I can’t fault the players’ efforts, but
we didn’t defend the free-kick well enough
for the first goal. That’s what we will
regret,” Howe said. – AFP
skipper and forward Son Heung-min.
Klinsmann had a long and decorated
career as a striker, playing for clubs such
as Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and
Bayern Munich.
He scored 47 goals in 108 appearances
for Germany and won the World Cup with
them in 1990.
In 2004, Klinsmann succeeded former
strike partner Rudi Voeller as coach of the
German national team, his first position in
management. He led Germany to third
place in the 2006 World Cup on home soil,
before taking over at Bayern and then the
United States.
Klinsmann led the US team to the 2014
World Cup, where they lost 1-0 against
eventual victors Germany, a side which
included several players he had coached in
2006.
After being fired as US coach in 2016, he
largely avoided top coaching positions,
other than a brief, ten-week stint in charge
of Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in the
2019-20 season.
Klinsmann has remained popular in
Germany. He appeared frequently in the
German football media and is often touted
as a potential replacement for high-profile
coaching vacancies.
Klinsmann caused rare controversy at
the 2022 World Cup when he suggested
Iran’s “dirty” tactics were “just part of their
culture”. He later apologised and prom-
ised to contact then-Iran coach Carlos
Quieroz directly. – AFP
£250,000 monthly for 17 rooms at the
hotel for also his family and his
entourage.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner now
plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on
a reportedly £177 million per year con-
tract.
Ronaldo, 37, is said to be now living in
an exclusive and well-guarded Saudi res-
idential area near shops, restaurants and
other amenities.
It is learnt that CR7 had been looking
at residing in Al Muhammadiyah, a high
end area in Saudi Arabia, and Al Nakheel,
which has top schools for his children.
Known for his discipline and diet,
Ronaldo’s presence is said to have led to
Al Nassr players changing their menu.
Club nutritionist Jose Blesa told Ideal:
“Cristiano helps me a lot, because we can
no longer teach him anything, but he cre-
ates a school around him.
“The rest of the players do what he
does because everything he does is won-
derful to improve his performance.
“Since he has been here, all the players
have trained more intensely and followed
a stricter diet.
“I have not seen a club like this in
which the players improve practically 90
per cent in their body composition every
time I see them: they have less fat, more
muscle and they do all the exercises at
their fingertips. It is a luxury to work
there.” – New Straits Times

Kenaikan gaji penjawat awam boleh sebabkan defisit tinggi: Anwar
Pembeli PR1MA Ranggu dapat
kunci rumah sebelum Aidilfitri > 2
PUTRAJAYA: Kerajaan tidak mencadan-
gkan kenaikan gaji penjawat awam
dalam Belanjawan 2023 kerana ia boleh
menyebabkan defisit tinggi, kata Per-
dana Menteri datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar yang juga Menteri Kewangan
berkata defisit tinggi boleh mengu-
rangkan keyakinan pelabur terhadap
negara kerana mereka tidak yakin ada
Nusantara, Kalimantan
tekad politik untuk mengurus negara
Persiap pembangunan sempadan,
teroka peluang niaga: Fadillah
KUALA LUMPUR:
Pemindahan ibu
negara Indonesia
ke Kalimantan, yang
berhampiran den-
gan Sabah dan
Sarawak, memer-
lukan dua negeri itu
‘mempersiapkan
diri’ terutamanya dari aspek pembangu-
nan sempadan dan meneroka jalinan
Business-to-Business (B2B) antara kedua-
dua negara.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri datuk Seri
Fadillah Yusof (gambar) berkata antara
aspek pembangunan sempadan yang akan
diberi tumpuan ialah penambahbaikan
Kompleks Kastam, Imigresen dan Kuarantin
(CIQ) di sepanjang sempadan utama antara
Sabah, Sarawak dan Kalimantan, susulan
pembangunan Nusantara, ibu negara
baharu Indonesia di Kalimantan Timur.
“Pembangunan bandar-bandar di
sempadan Kalimantan, Sabah dan
Sarawak perlu dipercepatkan. Ini teruta-
manya untuk tambah baik CIQ , jalan
menuju ke CIQ di sempadan-sempadan
utama antara Sabah, Sarawak dan Kali-
mantan,” katanya dalam temu bual khas
dengan Bernama baru-baru ini.
Kementerian Kewangan sebelum ini
meluluskan peruntukan tambahan RM1
bilion bagi projek menaik taraf dan
membina infrastruktur yang lebih baik di
sepanjang sempadan Sarawak dan
Sabah, terdiri daripada 1,881km yang
memisahkan Sarawak dan Sabah di
Malaysia dan wilayah Kalimantan di
Indonesia.
Fadillah yang juga Menteri Perladan-
gan dan Komoditi berkata aspek lain
yang turut diberi tumpuan ialah bagi
membina dan meneroka jalinan B2B agar
interaksi ekonomi antara sempadan
dapat diwujudkan bagi memenuhi
keperluan kedua-dua negara.
Beliau berkata misalnya, disebabkan
Kementerian hasrat teroka pasaran
hubungan baik, Sarawak yang
telah mengeksport tenaga elektrik ke
pelancongan AS, Australia dan India
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU:
Kementerian Pelan-
congan, Kebu-
dayaan dan Alam
Sekitar berhasrat
untuk meneroka
pasaran pelancon-
gan Amerika, Australia dan India selain
pasaran sedia ada, Eropah
“Kami secara tradisinya melihat ke
dalam pasaran Eropah, London dan Jer-
man, tetapi tahun ini, kami berhasrat
untuk melihat ke Los Angeles di AS,
Australia dan India, yang pantas men-
jadi pasaran pelancongan penting,”
kata Menterinya, datuk Christina Liew
(gambar).
Beliau berkata terdapat banyak
perkara yang perlu dilakukan, terma-
suk menyasarkan untuk memban-
gunkan perniagaan pelancongan
Sabah dan membawa lebih ramai
pelancong, semasa lawatan rasminya
selama seminggu ke Jerman dan Lon-
don minggu depan.
selasa, 28 FeBruari, 2023 / 7 syaaBan, 1444H
Jasa warga emas dihargai > 3
dengan baik.
“Apa masalah kita (sekarang ialah),
hutang RM1.5 trilion dan defisit
(sekarang) 5.6 peratus dan kalau tam-
bah gaji, defisit jadi 6.5 peratus. Tiada
orang datang lagi melabur ke negara
kerana dia tidak yakin ada kekuatan
tekad politik untuk urus negara dengan
baik,” kata beliau kepada media selepas
menghadiri Forum Antarabangsa: Pen-
Kalimantan Barat sejak beberapa tahun
lepas, telah diberi peluang untuk terlibat
membina empangan hidroelektrik di
negara berkenaan.
“Indonesia berhasrat bina kuasa hidro,
empat di Kalimantan dan satu pakej itu
sekarang ini sudah dipersetujui akan
diberikan kepada Sarawak. Sarawak Energy
akan jadi pelaksana sebab pengalaman kita
membina empat empangan hidroelektrik
di Sarawak,” katanya.
Mengulas lanjut, Fadillah berkata
menerusi lawatannya ke Indonesia,
negara pengeluar minyak sawit terbesar
dunia baru-baru ini, antara perbincan-
gan yang difokuskan ialah peluang bagi
meneroka industri huluan dan hiliran
terutamanya kelapa sawit antara kedua-
dua negara.
“Kalimantan merupakan kawasan
yang paling banyak ladang sebab tanah-
nya besar, jadi ini peluang termasuklah
nanti bukan sahaja hiliran tapi juga
huluan dan bagaimana kita nak
perkukuhkan hubungan dua negara
dalam konteks ini termasuklah logistik
yang sedang kita perincikan
dengan Indonesia,” katanya.
Sementara itu, beliau berkata Malaysia
dan Indonesia mungkin sama-sama boleh
merancang untuk membangunkan laluan
kereta api di sempadan Sarawak dan Kali-
mantan, bagi mengangkut barangan
dari Kalimantan ke Bintulu, menggu-
nakan kemudahan Pelabuhan Bintulu.
“Mungkin Kerajaan Persekutuan boleh
bantu Kerajaan Sarawak untuk berunding
dengan pihak Indonesia untuk menyedi-
akan jalan kereta api untuk kemudahan
mengangkut barangan dari Kalimantan
pergi ke Pelabuhan Bintulu, menggu-
nakan kemudahan Pelabuhan Bintulu.
“Sebab kalau ikut jaringan, jalan laut
agak jauh, jadi itu boleh memudahkan
Indonesia untuk eksport sebab Kaliman-
tan banyak sumber, jadi kalau kita dapat
manfaatkan..boleh dibangunkan
secara bersama dengan Indonesia,”
katanya. – Bernama
Christina berkata demikian selepas
merasmikan pelancaran buku Mejar
John Tulloch “The Borneo Graveyard,
1941 – 1945” di Hotel Hyatt Regency, di
sini, Isnin.
Beliau turut berkata bahawa dia
akan bertemu dengan Mayor datuk
Noorliza Awang Alip mengenai pelan
induk pengindahan bandaraya itu ker-
ana ia berfungsi sebagai pintu masuk
ke Sabah.
Ia akan menjadi satu pembaharuan
yang ketara dan beliau menggesa pihak
berkuasa berkaitan untuk mula meran-
cang perkara itu, tahun ini.
“Terdapat banyak perkara yang
perlu kita tangani dari segi titik panas,
kebersihan dan perancangan,” tambah-
nya.
“Kami telah memulakan mesyuarat,
dan apa yang saya faham, mereka telah
menyiapkan draf yang kami bin-
cangkan dua minggu lalu. Mereka lam-
bat laun akan datang untuk mereka
bentuk draf itu,” katanya.
Lihat muka 2
JKR rancang bina, turap
semula jalan di Beaufort > 4
dekatan Madani Mendepani Cabaran
Islamofobia, di sini pada Isnin.
Anwar mengulas kenyataan Presiden
Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja di
dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs)
datuk Adnan Mat yang berpandangan
tiada sebarang komitmen diberikan
kerajaan untuk menilai semula sistem
saraan baharu perkhidmatan awam
melalui model gaji dan upah dalam
Adun Petagas keluar
AWANG Ahmad dan lain-lain pada sidang media itu.
Warisan, sertai Gagasan
Ricardo Unto
KOTA KINABALU: Adun Parti Warisan
(Warisan) di Petagas, datuk Awang
Ahmad Sah Sahari mengumumkan
keputusannya untuk meninggalkan
parti itu dan menyertai Parti Gagasan
Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) diket-
uai Ketua Menteri, datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor.
“Saya telah memikirkan perkara ini
selama tiga bulan sebelum saya memu-
tuskan untuk meninggalkan Parti
Warisan,” katanya dalam sidang media,
di sini, Isnin.
“dan saya mendengar suara para
pemimpin di bahagian saya. Jadi, saya
menelefon mereka termasuk mereka
yang tidak mahu meninggalkan
Warisan untuk berbincang.
“Tidak ada keraguan dalam keputu-
san saya kerana saya tidak melakukan-
nya sendiri… Saya boleh katakan
semua pemimpin bahagian sebulat
suara menyokong peralihan itu.”
Untuk tujuan ini, beliau mengang-
gap Petagas Warisan telah terkubur.
Beliau berkata, sukar untuk beliau
meninggalkan Warisan, tetapi “saya
mesti mengambil kira sentimen rakyat
dan pemikiran kepimpinan bahagian
mengenai situasi kami.”
“Apa yang lebih penting ialah pen-
Kanak-kanak, 12, maut jatuh dari tingkap hotel
gundi saya kerana mereka yang men-
KOTA KINABALU: Seorang kanak-
kanak lelaki berusia 12 tahun maut
apabila terjatuh dari tingkap di
tingkat 14 sebuah hotel di Bandaraya
Kota Kinabalu di sini, pagi Isnin.
Jurucakap Pusat Gerakan Operasi,
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat
Malaysia (JBPM) Sabah ketika
dihubungi memberitahu siasatan awal
mendapati mangsa jatuh dari tingkat
Michelle Yeoh menang lagi > 6
Belanjawan 2023.
Anwar meminta Cuepacs supaya
bersabar kerana keutamaan kerajaan
ketika ini adalah membantu rakyat yang
lebih miskin.
“Jadi sabar sekejap, hasil banyak cuba
dicurahkan. Apakah ia tidak penting
untuk selamatkan miskin tegar yang
lebih teruk daripada pekerja sedia ada,”
katanya. – Bernama
gundi saya dan memberikan kemenan-
gan kepada saya,” katanya.
Sebagai wakil rakyat, katanya, beliau
perlu mengambil tindakan praktikal.
“Pada masa sama, Ketua Menteri
adalah seorang pemimpin yang baik.
Oleh itu, ini adalah keputusan yang
mesti saya buat.”
Beliau mendedahkan bahawa dia
bertemu Hajiji dua kali dengan yang
terakhir Jumaat lepas.
“Semasa pertemuan itu, saya tidak
bertanya kepadanya berapa banyak
wang yang dia boleh berikan kepada
saya, atau jawatan apa yang boleh dia
tawarkan kepada saya.
“Saya hanya bertanya kepadanya
apakah rancangannya untuk Sabah,
dan saya berpuas hati dengan jawapan-
nya. Selepas itu, saya mengadakan
perbincangan lanjut dengan ketua
bahagian,” katanya.
Beliau juga berterima kasih kepada
penyokongnya serta presiden Warisan
datuk Seri Shafie Apdal “kerana mele-
takkan saya sebagai calon pilihan raya.”
“Keputusan saya dibuat demi
kepentingan orang dalam fikiran saya.”
Awang Ahmad juga berkata beliau
berada di Kuala Lumpur kira-kira 10
hari lalu bersama pemimpin Warisan
lain, termasuk Shafie.
Lihat muka 2
14 ke kawasan beranda di tingkat lima
hotel tersebut.
Menurutnya pihak JBPM menerima
panggilan mengenai kejadian itu pada
6.44 pagi sebelum tujuh anggota
dari Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat Kota
Kinabalu bersama jentera ke tempat
kejadian bagi memberikan bantuan.
“Pasukan Bomba menjalankan
operasi membawa turun mangsa ke
WAKTU SOLAT
Subuh Zohor Asar Maghrib Isyak
KK/Pantai Barat 5.21 12.32 3.49 6.31 7.41
Sandakan Timur 5.13 12.24 3.41 6.24 7.33
Sandakan Barat 5.17 12.28 3.45 6.28 7.37
Tawau Timur 5.10 12.21 3.38 6.21 7.30
Tawau Barat 5.13 12.25 3.41 6.25 7.34
Kudat 5.18 12.28 3.45 6.27 7.36
Pedalaman Atas 5.19 12.30 3.46 6.29 7.39
Pedalaman Bawah 5.22 12.33 3.49 6.32 7.42
RM67j dilulus
untuk naik taraf
3.4km jalan Lok
Kawi-Kinarut
Hayati Dzulkifli
PAPAR: Kerajaan
Persekutuan
meluluskan pro-
jek bernilai RM67
juta untuk
menaik taraf jalan
sepanjang 3.4km
dari bulatan Lok
Kawi Heights ke Sungai Kinarut
berhadapan Borneo Paradise Hotel,
yang dijangka dapat mengurangkan
masalah kesesakan lalu lintas di
kawasan itu.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri
(Hal Ehwal Sabah dan Sarawak dan
Tugas-Tugas Khas) datuk Armizan
Mohd Ali (gambar), yang
mendedahkan perkara itu Ahad lepas,
berkata projek itu adalah sebahagian
daripada projek menaik taraf jalan Lok
Kawi-Pengalat, Papar bernilai RM700
juta yang dibatalkan oleh kerajaan ter-
dahulu pada 2018.
Katanya, beliau berjaya meyakinkan
Menteri Kewangan, Menteri Ekonomi
dan Menteri Kerja Raya untuk
mengembalikan semula projek itu,
tetapi dilaksanakan secara berper-
ingkat.
“Fasa satu projek itu akan meli-
batkan kerja menaik taraf jalan
dua lorong dua hala dari bulatan Lok
Kawi Heights ke hotel itu kepada empat
lorong dua hala.
“Projek ini penting dan menjadi has-
rat saya seperti yang diamanatkan oleh
masyarakat Papar dan pemimpin ter-
dahulu seperti datuk Seri Abdul Rahim
Ismail, datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid
Shirlin dan datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan
Bahadar.
“Saya dimaklumkan pada tahun ini
bahawa projek itu telah dipulihkan
tetapi akan dijalankan secara berper-
ingkat, dengan fasa pertama untuk
menaik taraf sehingga 3.4km,” katanya
kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan
majlis berkhatan beramai-ramai
kepada 125 kanak-kanak dari Pantai
Manis, di sini.
Acara tahunan itu dianjurkan oleh
Yayasan Murni dan pejabat MP Papar
bersama Persatuan Pegawai Kesihatan
Papar.
Armizan, yang juga ahli parlimen
Papar, berkata kerja menaik taraf jalan
sepanjang 3.4km itu akan menyele-
saikan masalah kesesakan yang dialami
oleh pemandu terutama pada waktu
puncak.
“Bajet awal telah diluluskan untuk
kerja awal termasuk mereka bentuk
semula laluan dan apabila ini siap
tahun ini, bajet penuh RM67 juta akan
diberikan tahun depan untuk memu-
lakan projek itu,” katanya.
Armizan berkata satu lagi projek
pembangunan yang dibatalkan pada
2018 oleh kerajaan terdahulu ialah
cadangan Kompleks Sukan Papar di
Beringgis.
Beliau berkata projek itu dicadan-
gkan kerana Papar merupakan satu-
satunya daerah yang tidak mempunyai
kompleks sukan
“Saya telah memajukan perkara ini
kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan Han-
nah Yeoh supaya projek Kompleks
Sukan Papar dapat diutamakan,” tam-
bahnya.
bawah. Mangsa disahkan meninggal
dunia di tempat kejadian oleh pihak
Kementerian Kesihatan.
“Seterusnya diserahkan kepada
pihak polis untuk tindakan selanjut-
nya. Operasi ditamatkan pada 7.53
pagi,” katanya.
Katanya identiti mangsa masih
dalam proses untuk dikenal pasti. –
Bernama
 2 Tempatan
Pembeli PR1MA Ranggu dapat
kunci rumah sebelum Aidilfitri
Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: Sekitar 1, 300 pembeli unit rumah
di Taman PR1MA Ranggu yang sebelum ini
berdepan isu Sijil Menduduki (OC)
dijangka menerima kunci rumah sebelum
Hari Raya Aidilfitri tahun ini, kata Pem-
bantu Menteri kepada Ketua Menteri,
datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
Jangkaan itu dibuat susulan penyera-
han Sijil Layak Menduduki (OC) oleh
pihak Majlis Perbandaran Tawau (MPT)
kepada wakil pemaju – syarikat Prinsip
Hasil Sdn Bhd (PHSB) – di Bilik Gerakan
MPT, pada Isnin.
OC itu disampaikan presiden MPT,
Joseph Pang kepada wakil pemaju, Rifkiy
Maring yang bertindak sebagai konsultan
pengurusan (Construction Management
Consultant - CMC), disaksikan Nizam dan
Adun Balung, datuk Hamild Awang serta
pemilik PHSB, Rahim Larry Koh.
Menurut Nizam, majlis penyerahan OC
itu dilihat dapat memberi kelegaan
kepada para pembeli rumah yang resah
kerana telah mula menjelaskan bayaran
ansuran rumah menerusi potongan gaji,
namun, masih belum dapat mendiami
unit masing-masing.
Pada masa sama, beliau berharap pihak
pemaju akan terus bertanggungjawab
untuk memastikan segala kerosakan kecil
termasuk jalan raya, lampu dan isu-isu
teknikal dapat diperbaiki.
“Perkara ini amat penting bagi memas-
tikan tidak timbul isu atau aduan dari-
pada para pembeli sehingga
menyusahkan semua pihak, ”katanya
kepada media selepas majlis penyerahan
OC Taman PR1MA Ranggu yang mula dib-
ina pada 2019.
Mengulas lanjut, Nizam yang juga
Adun Apas berkata, pihak jawatankuasa
bertindak pembeli perumahan itu ada
bertemu beliau semasa pembeli terbabit
mengadakan demonstrasi aman pada Pil-
ihan Raya Umum (PRU) lalu yang mem-
inta pemimpin Tawau membantu
menyelesaikan isu.
Arthur harap k’jaan negeri setuju
“Pada November lepas, saya serta YB
Sook dinaik taraf daerah penuh
Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Timbalan
Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan
Inovasi, datuk Arthur Joseph
Kurup (gambar), berharap
kerajaan negeri bersetuju
untuk menaik taraf daerah
Kecil Sook sebagai daerah penuh.
“Saya berharap Kabinet Negeri dapat
memberi pertimbangan sewajarnya dan
meluluskan saranan untuk menaik taraf
daerah Kecil Sook sebagai daerah penuh.
“Saya percaya sekiranya perkara ini
dapat direalisasikan, ia akan memudahkan
lagi perancangan dan pelaksanaan pem-
bangunan untuk kesejahteraan rakyat di
kawasan Parlimen Pensiangan serta
menyumbang kepada pembangunan
ekonomi dan kesejahteraan negeri Sabah,”
katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, Isnin.
Arthur turut mengalu-alukan dapatan
kajian yang dibentangkan Institut Kajian
Pembangunan (IdS) Sabah yang mengesy-
orkan agar daerah Kecil Sook dinaik taraf
kepada daerah penuh.
Katanya, Mukim Sook sememangnya
dekat di hati dan sejarah penciptaan
mukim itu merupakan satu perjuangan
yang disedari pada 1989 oleh bapanya, Tan
Sri Joseph Kurup untuk memberikan
perkhidmatan yang terbaik kepada
masyarakat sekitar di kawasan luar bandar
seperti Mukim Sook, Tulid, Lanas dan
dalit.
“Sekarang sebagai Ahli Parlimen Pen-
siangan yang turut menjaga Mukim Sook,
menjadi tekad saya untuk memper-
juangkan mukim ini menjadi daerah
penuh demi menjamin pembangunan dan
kesejahteraan serta kebajikan penduduk
di kawasan Sook mendapat perhatian yang
lebih tertumpu,” katanya.
Arthur berkata, antara faktor yang
diberi perhatian khusus dalam kajian yang
dibentangkan IdS Sabah ialah kawasan
Sook mempunyai bilangan penduduk dan
kawasan penempatan yang semakin
meningkat.
Katanya, faktor ini merupakan bebanan
kerja bagi daerah Keningau dan secara
tidak langsung menimbulkan risiko
kepada penyampaian perkhidmatan
Banjir kilat di Lahad Datu
berkualiti.
“Bagi membolehkan pentadbiran dan
Azmie Lim
LAHAd dATU: Hujan lebat sejak pagi Isnin
mengakibatkan banjir kilat di beberapa
kawasan di daerah ini.
Pegawai Angkatan Pertahanan Awam
(APM) Lahad datu, Lt. (PA) Asby Mohd
Anwar berkata, antara kawasan yang
terjejas ialah Batu 1, Batu 5, Kampung
Cocos, Pan Borneo Bypass dan beberapa
kawasan Segama, Singgamata serta Jalan
Silabukan.
Asby berkata, berikutan hujan yang
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
JOSEPH (kedua dari kanan) menyerahkan OC Taman PR1MA Ranggu
kepada Rifkiy, disaksikan Nizam, Hamild, Rahim serta yang lain.
Hamild memberi komitmen untuk mem-
bantu mereka supaya dapat memasuki
rumah sebelum Hari Raya nanti dan hari
ini terbukti (isu selesai) apabila OC yang
sangat diharapkan pembeli, menjadi
kenyataan dengan penyerahan dokumen
itu,” katanya.
Beliau turut menzahirkan penghar-
gaan kepada MPT selaku pihak berkuasa
tempatan yang bertanggungjawab
memastikan keadaan perumahan dalam
keadaan baik sebelum mengeluarkan OC.
Katanya, OC tersebut hanya dikelu-
arkan MPT selepas pihak pemaju
memenuhi segala syarat dan peraturan
ditetapkan untuk melindungi para pem-
beli rumah serta mereka berpuas hati den-
gan keadaan rumah yang dibina.
Sementara itu, Rahim berkata, pihaknya
akan memastikan semua perkara dan isu-
isu berbangkit dalam keadaan baik
sebelum proses penyerahan kunci rumah
kepada para pembeli dilakukan dalam dua
atau tiga minggu lagi.
Menurutnya, projek tersebut meru-
pakan inisiatif bekas Adun Apas, Allah-
yarham datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan
penyampaian perkhidmatan lebih fokus,
daerah Kecil Sook perlu dinaik taraf
kepada daerah penuh supaya Pegawai
daerah mempunyai kuasa penuh untuk
membuat keputusan rasmi.
“Pada masa ini terdapat 22 agensi kera-
jaan yang beroperasi di daerah Kecil Sook
dan ini akan bertambah dengan keperluan
penduduk serta urusan pentadbiran di
sini,” katanya.
Beliau memberitahu Sook mempunyai
potensi ekonomi yang sangat luas dari-
pada pelbagai sektor termasuk perladan-
gan dan pertanian.
Menurutnya, kini daerah Kecil Sook
menyumbang sekitar RM700 juta setahun
kepada ekonomi dan ini akan meningkat
dengan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang
berlaku.
Beliau berkata, kedudukan strategik
kawasan Sook yang berada di laluan utama
projek pembangunan di kawasan Parli-
men Pensiangan seperti jalan Sinaron ke
Linayukan, Tongod dan juga laluan ke
sempadan Kalimantan di Pensiangan akan
membuka lebih banyak peluang dan
limpahan ekonomi di kawasan itu.
Sehubungan itu, katanya, Kerajaan
perlu menyediakan pentadbiran kukuh
yang dapat merealisasikan potensi
ekonomi di kawasan Sook.
“Pembangunan di sekitar kawasan Sook
sedang giat dijalankan dan ini termasuk
pembangunan infrastruktur yang telah
diusahakan sebelum ini seperti kemuda-
han pendidikan sekolah rendah dan
menengah, balai bomba, pembinaan ste-
sen janakuasa Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd
(SESB) di pekan Sook dan yang lain.
“Aktiviti pembangunan yang meng-
galakkan ketika ini turut menyokong
daerah Kecil Sook untuk dinaik taraf
kepada daerah penuh. Pekan Sook juga
harus menjadi pusat pentadbiran utama
daerah ini pada masa hadapan,” katanya.
Arthur berkata, itu antara faktor yang
diambil kira dalam kajian IdS Sabah dan
keputusan menunjukkan daerah Kecil
Sook kini lebih layak untuk dinaik taraf
kepada daerah penuh.
Menurutnya, tinjauan IdS Sabah juga
mendapati majoriti penduduk Mukim
Sook menyokong Sook dinaik taraf kepada
daerah penuh.
turun tanpa henti, dia telah menghantar
anggotanya untuk memantau keadaan di
kawasan berisiko banjir dan air mula naik
kira-kira jam 5.30 petang.
“Kami akan terus memantau keadaan
dan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya jika
keadaan bertambah buruk,” katanya
kepada Harian Ekspres.
Asby mengingatkan orang ramai di
kawasan rendah supaya sentiasa bersiap
sedia untuk menghadapi sebarang kemu-
ngkinan.
serta kepimpinan terdahulu yang
mahukan sebuah perumahan mampu
milik dan murah tetapi berkualiti dapat
diwujudkan untuk penduduk tempatan
daerah ini.
Pihaknya gembira kerana isu berkaitan
Taman PR1MA Ranggu akhirnya dapat dis-
elesaikan atas komitmen semua pihak,
khususnya Nizam, Hamild dan Joseph
serta pihak-pihak berkaitan lain.
Beliau berharap, para pembeli unit
rumah tersebut akan gembira tinggal di
perumahan itu dan menikmati kualiti
hidup lebih baik.
Sebelum ini, pembeli unit rumah
terbabit yang majoriti kakitangan kera-
jaan dan pesara kerajaan, mengadakan
dua siri demonstrasi aman kerana
tertekan kerana belum dapat mendiami
unit-unit yang mereka dibeli kerana MPT
belum mengeluarkan OC.
Mereka juga tertekan kerana ada pem-
beli telah mula dipotong gaji untuk mem-
bayar balik pinjaman bank sejak 2017 dan
membayar sewa rumah yang diduduki
menyebabkan kos perbelanjaan keluarga
Esscom
meningkat.
tahan 14
warga
Filipina di
Semporna
LAHAd dATU: Kawasan Keselamatan
Khas Pantai Timur Sabah (Esscom) mena-
han 14 warga Filipina daripada 1,555 indi-
vidu yang diperiksa dalam tujuh hari
Operasi Bersepadu sejak 20 Februari
lepas di Semporna, kata Komandernya
datuk Hamzah Ahmad.
Beliau berkata sepanjang tempoh itu
102 individu ditahan bagi tujuan doku-
mentasi dan kemudian 14 warga Filipina
berumur antara 17 hingga 47 tahun dita-
han atas kesalahan di bawah Akta Imi-
gresen 1959/63 (Pindaan 2002),
Peraturan-Peraturan Imigresen 1963 dan
Akta Pasport 1966.
“Sebanyak 440 rumah termasuk pon-
dohan (pondok kecil) diperiksa di 11
lokasi antaranya Pulau Bum Bum serta
gugusan Pulau Bodgaya dan Bohey
dulang oleh Bahagian Penguat kuasa
Pejabat daerah Semporna, Majlis
daerah Semporna dan Jabatan Tenaga
Kerja.
Pemotongan sambungan haram elek-
trik rampasan 110 kilogram kabel elek-
trik turut dilakukan pihak Sabah
Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) selain pen-
guatkuasaan saman dan kompaun oleh
majlis daerah, di samping 316 kenderaan
diperiksa dengan 76 keping saman lalu
lintas dikeluarkan,” katanya dalam satu
kenyataan di sini pada Isnin.
Hamzah dalam pada itu berkata Ess-
com mempergiatkan usaha bagi memas-
tikan persekitaran sejagat Zon Selamat
Timur Sabah (Esszone) selamat dan ter-
jamin.
Sementara itu beliau berharap
masyarakat dapat menyalurkan
maklumat membabitkan sebarang
insiden dalam kawasan Esszone dengan
menghubungi Pusat Operasi Esscom di
talian 089-863181 atau melalui
aplikasi WhatsApp 011-63311072. –
Bernama
SALAH satu kawasan
yang dilanda banjir kilat.
Kos bahan api, cabaran infrastruktur
tentukan kadar tarif elektrik di Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR: Kadar tarif elektrik di
Sabah akan bergantung kepada faktor kos
bahan api dan cabaran infrastruktur pem-
bangunan bekalan elektrik di negeri itu,
kata Menteri Sumber Asli, Alam Sekitar
dan Perubahan Iklim, Nik Nazmi Nik
Ahmad.
Beliau berkata ketika ini, adalah agak
mustahil bagi kerajaan Persekutuan,
mahu pun kerajaan negeri memberi
sebarang jaminan berhubung kadar tarif
berkenaan, setelah proses penyerahan
kuasa kawal selia pembekalan elektrik
kepada negeri itu selesai kelak.
“Pembangunan bekalan elektrik di
Sabah yang sebagaimana kita tahu berde-
pan cabaran khususnya di Pantai Timur
kerana tidak mempunyai infrastruktur
sumber tenaga bahan api sebagaimana
ada di Pantai Barat Sabah,” katanya ketika
menjawab soalan tambahan datuk Ali
Biju (PN-Saratok) di dewan Rakyat pada
Isnin.
Ali ingin tahu langkah-langkah diam-
bil kerajaan untuk memastikan pengguna
elektrik di Sabah tidak akan
dikenakan tarif lebih tinggi dan terbeban
akibat penyerahan kawal selia elektrik
Sabah keempat tertinggi
tersebut dan jaminan kerajaan untuk
terus membantu pengguna di negeri itu.
pembalakan haram tahun lepas
SEBANYAK 90 kes pembalakan haram
telah direkodkan di seluruh negara pada
2022 dengan Sarawak mencatatkan jum-
lah tertinggi iaitu 60 kes, dewan Rakyat
diberitahu.
Menteri Sumber Asli, Alam Sekitar dan
Perubahan Iklim Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
berkata 11 kes lagi telah direkodkan di
Perak, diikuti Kelantan (10 kes), Sabah
(empat kes), Selangor (dua kes) serta
masing-masing satu kes di Johor, Negeri
Sembilan dan Pahang.
“Penjenayah yang melakukan kesala-
han tersebut telah didakwa di bawah
Akta Perhutanan Negara 1984 (Akta 313)
di Semenanjung Malaysia, Ordinan
Hutan 2015 (Bab 71) di Sarawak dan
Enakmen Hutan 1968 (Sabah No. 2 Tahun
1968) di Sabah,” katanya pada sesi soal
jawab.
Beliau menjawab soalan Che Alias
Hamid (PN-Kemaman) yang ingin tahu
kadar kes pembalakan haram di setiap
negeri sejak 2022 serta keberkesanan
penggunaan teknologi baharu seperti
dron dapat mengurangkan aktiviti pem-
balakan haram.
dalam pada itu, Nik Nazmi berkata
Ahli Parlimen Kapar mohon maaf
Kementerian Sumber Asli, Alam Sekitar
dan Perubahan Iklim (NRECC) melalui
AHLI Parlimen Kapar dr Halimah Ali pada
Isnin memohon maaf berikutan keny-
ataan beliau berhubung Menu Rahmah di
dewan Rakyat sebelum ini mengelirukan
dan disalah erti.
Beliau yang juga Ahli Parlimen daripada
Perikatan Nasional mencuri tumpuan apa-
bila menyampaikan pernyataan maaf
dalam bentuk gurindam sebelum sesi per-
bahasan Rang Undang-undang Perbekalan
2023 bermula.
“Kalau ada jarum peniti, jangan disim-
pan di dalam peti, andai ada ucapan dis-
alah erti, saya menyusun 10 jari, niat di
‘Perlu bertemu semua sektor
hati suara rakyat saya juarai, semak
berkaitan tentukan sasaran ketibaan’
Dari muka depan
Bagi ketibaan pelancong yang disas-
arkan, Christina berkata beliau tidak boleh
memberikan bilangan ketibaan pelancong
yang disasarkan sehingga beliau bertemu
dengan semua sektor berkaitan.
“Setakat ini, saya telah berjumpa Muz-
ium Sabah, Jabatan Hidupan Liar, Lembaga
Pelancongan Sabah (STB), dan Jabatan Per-
lindungan Alam Sekitar untuk memahami
isu tersebut.
“Selepas kami mendapat segala-galanya,
kami akan mula merancang. Perancangan
untuk mengindahkan Kota Kinabalu telah
pun bermula,” katanya.
Wira Warisan nyata
Beliau menambah bahawa penyambun-
gan semula penerbangan antarabangsa
AirAsia dari Shenzhen dan Guangzhou ke
hasrat keluar parti
Dari muka depan
“Bagaimanapun, saya tidak bercakap
mengenai keluar parti kerana saya belum
membuat keputusan lagi pada masa itu,”
katanya.
Bagi Petagas, katanya, pihaknya telah
mengupah beberapa kontraktor dan
jurutera untuk mengkaji projek bagi
menyelesaikan masalah banjir di kawasan
itu.
dalam sidang media itu, beberapa
pemimpin Wira Warisan turut menyatakan
hasrat untuk keluar parti termasuk Tim-
balan Ketua Wira Ismail Sabran.
Awang Ahmad adalah Bendahari Agung
Warisan dan ketua parti itu di Putatan.
harianekspres
Bagaimanapun Nik Nazmi berkata,
ketika ini, kerajaan Persekutuan sudah
pun memberi subsidi yang besar untuk
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), misal-
nya pada 2021 sebanyak RM711 juta, yang
merangkumi RM368 juta untuk subsidi
bahan api, subsidi solar (RM310 juta) dan
subsidi sokongan tarif sebanyak RM32.4
juta.
Bantuan kewangan itu, membolehkan
SESB mengekalkan tarif asas di Sabah
pada kadar 34.52 sen/kWj, satu tarif yang
rendah berbanding Semenanjung,
katanya. Pada 20 Jan lepas, Perdana
Menteri datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
mengumumkan penyerahan kuasa kawal
selia pembekalan elektrik negeri Sabah
kepada Kerajaan Negeri Sabah ditetapkan
pada 1 Januari 2024. – Bernama
Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung
Malaysia (JPSM), Jabatan Perhutanan
Sabah dan Jabatan Hutan Sarawak turut
mengambil pendekatan penggunaan
beberapa teknologi bagi mengatasi
masalah pembalakan haram.
Beliau berkata teknologi itu antaranya
adalah sistem Forest Monitoring using
Remote Sensing (FMRS) di Semenanjung,
sistem Continuous Monitoring of Surveil-
lance (COMOS) di Sarawak serta sistem
aplikasi iForSabah di Sabah dalam aspek
pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan hutan
di negara ini.
“Sistem ini menggunakan teknologi
Geographic Information System (GIS), pen-
deriaan jarak jauh dan imej satelit beres-
olusi tinggi yang boleh mengesan
sebarang perubahan dalam kawasan
Hutan Simpanan Kekal (HSK).
“Sistem ini membantu pasukan ron-
daan dan operasi penguatkuasaan untuk
membanteras aktiviti kesalahan hutan di
lapangan dengan maklumat lokasi yang
lebih spesifik.
“Selain itu, teknologi seperti dron juga
digunakan bagi membantu memban-
teras jenayah hutan melalui pemantauan
udara di lokasi-lokasi tertentu,” katanya.
– Bernama
imbang kerajaan Madani, biar integriti,
bukankah itu peranan hakiki.
“Selaku wakil rakyat, suara rakyat yang
diwakili, sudi kiranya rujuk penyata rasmi
muka surat 134 hingga 137 pada 14 Febru-
ari,” katanya. dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-
Bandar Kuching) sebelum ini
membangkitkan isu berkenaan mengikut
Peraturan Mesyuarat 36 (12), susulan
kenyataan yang dibuat Halimah pada 14
Feb lepas ketika membahaskan Usul Men-
junjung Kasih Titah diraja yang men-
gaitkan Menu Rahmah dengan beberapa
penyakit terutamanya kanser, autoim-
mune (diseases) dan autisme. – Bernama
Kota Kinabalu masing-masing pada 2 dan
3 Mac, akan berjalan mengikut perancan-
gan.
“Kami akan pergi ke China dengan STB
untuk bertemu dengan syarikat penerban-
gan utama di sana, termasuk Shanghai Air-
lines, Spring Airlines, Xiamen Airlines;
semua ini datang dalam penerbangan
persendirian dari China,” katanya.
Beliau juga menyokong idea penerban-
gan sewa khas dari bandar-bandar per-
ingkat kedua di China yang mencadangkan
Persatuan Ejen Pelancongan dan Pelancon-
gan Sabah (Satta).
“Kami terbuka asalkan semuanya
mematuhi undang-undang. Antara lain,
kami sendiri perlu menaik taraf kemuda-
han termasuk lapangan terbang,” katanya.
Pengumumannya dibuat tiga minggu
selepas Adun Kunak Norazlinah Arif,
Mohammad Mohamarin dari Banggi dan
Ben Chong dari Tanjong Kapor mengu-
mumkan keputusan mereka untuk
meninggalkan parti.
Sehingga kini, Warisan telah kehilangan
10 Adun, dan parti itu kini mempunyai 15
Adun dari 79 kerusi dewan Undangan
Negeri.
Sementara itu, pada sidang media yang
sama, Ketua PBRS Tanjung Aru Noran Addy
Sukiran mengumumkan bahawa seluruh
bahagian telah memutuskan untuk keluar
parti dan memberi sokongan kepada
Gagasan Rakyat dan Kerajaan Negeri.
harianekspres
Jasa warga emas dihargai
MASIDI (tengah), Jimmy dan yang lain memotong
kek sempena sambutan Hari Warga Emas.
Clarence Dol
RANAU: Warga emas harus sentiasa dihor-
mati sebagai sebahagian penting dari-
pada masyarakat, memandangkan
pengalaman luas mereka dalam kehidu-
pan serta jasa mereka dalam membina
masyarakat masa lalu.
Menteri Kewangan Sabah, datuk Seri
Masidi Manjun berkata rakyat Malaysia
hari ini dapat menikmati kemakmuran
masa kini, berkat keputusan dan kebijak-
sanaan mereka yang kini merupakan
warga emas.
“Sehubungan itu, adalah penting
untuk kita sentiasa mengingati dan meng-
hargai warga emas yang banyak berjasa
kepada kita semua sama ada dalam per-
satuan, keluarga dan masyarakat,”
katanya.
Menurut Masidi, sambutan Hari Warga
Emas merupakan satu lagi cara untuk
menghargai ibu bapa yang telah banyak
berkorban untuk membesarkan anak-
anak mereka, memberi mereka pen-
didikan dan juga menjadikan mereka
insan berguna kepada keluarga dan
masyarakat sekeliling.
di Ranau, beliau berkata Persatuan
Hakka Ranau adalah antara kumpulan
yang sentiasa menyambut Hari Warga
Terlalu ramai belia muflis
GABUNGAN Persatuan-Persatuan Peng-
guna Malaysia (Fomca) amat menghargai
usaha Menteri Belia dan Sukan Hannah
Yeoh dalam mengetengah dan komited
untuk menyelesaikan isu kemuflisan
belia. Fomca sudah lama menyokong
keperluan pemerkasaan kewangan
dalam kalangan belia negara.
Antara 2018 dan 2022, daripada 48,791
individu yang diisytiharkan muflis, 22
peratus berumur di bawah 34 tahun man-
akala 37.5 peratus berumur antara 35 dan
44 tahun; secara keseluruhannya 57.5 per-
atus muflis berada di bawah usia 44
tahun – satu isu yang amat membim-
bangkan.
Namun, mungkin itu bukan masanya
kita harus mula menangani kemuflisan
belia.
Sebelum diisytiharkan muflis,
sebelum dibelenggu hutang, terdapat
satu lagi agensi yang boleh digunakan
oleh pengguna untuk mendapatkan ban-
tuan: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan
Hutang (AKPK) yang menyediakan
perkhidmatan kaunseling kewangan dan
pengurusan hutang.
Pada 2022, menurut data AKPK, dari-
pada 382,761 pengguna yang menyertai
program pengurusan hutangnya, 210,409
– atau 55.1 peratus – berumur antara 20
dan 40 tahun. Ini sudah tentu membim-
bangkan kerana ramai golongan muda
menghadapi masalah kewangan begitu
serius sehingga mereka memerlukan
bantuan AKPK untuk menangani situasi
hutang mereka. Sekali lagi, ini mungkin
bukan tempat untuk bermula.
Kita mesti melihat dahulu bagaimana
keadaan belia kita dari segi tingkah laku
dan kecelikan kewangan. Pusat Kewan-
gan Asia (AFC) menjalankan tinjauan
dalam kalangan mereka yang berumur
20 hingga 33 tahun dan mendapati
perkara berikut:
l 75 peratus responden mempunyai
sekurang-kurangnya satu hutang jangka
panjang manakala 37 peratus mempun-
yai lebih daripada satu hutang jangka
panjang;
l Untuk mengimbangi hutang ini,
responden bergantung pada peminja-
man kos tinggi dengan 38 peratus
mengambil pinjaman peribadi dan 47
peratus terlibat dalam peminjaman kad
kredit yang mahal;
l 40 peratus melaporkan berbelanja
lebih daripada apa yang mereka mampu;
l Apa yang mengejutkan, 70 peratus
responden melaporkan mereka hidup di
luar kemampuan mereka.
Kajian oleh Pusat Penyelidikan dan
Sumber Pengguna mengenai tingkah
laku kewangan belia mendapati bahawa
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
Emas setiap tahun, dan ini perlu dicontohi
oleh golongan lain.
Masidi yang juga Adun Karanaan
berkata demikian ketika berucap meras-
mikan Hari Warga Emas Hakka Ranau dan
Jamuan Makan Malam yang diadakan di
dewan Hakka Ranau pada Ahad.
Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan
Hakka Ranau, datuk Jimmy Tham Yuk
Leong berkata, acara itu bertujuan
mengiktiraf dan menghargai jasa warga
emas dalam menjadikan generasi
sekarang lebih matang dan menikmati
kehidupan lebih baik.
dalam majlis itu, Masidi turut mengu-
mumkan dan memperuntukkan
RM10,000 kepada persatuan itu sambil
menjanjikan perbincangan lanjut dengan
persatuan berkenaan hasrat mereka untuk
memasang lif di bangunan Hakka Ranau
untuk manfaat warga emas.
Beliau dan Jimmy turut mengagihkan
angpau kepada kira-kira 50 warga emas
pada majlis itu.
Turut hadir Adun dilantik, datuk
Amisah Yassin; Ketua Pemuda Parti Soli-
dariti Sabah Tanah Airku (StarSabah),
Kong Soon Choi; UPPM Paginatan, Hisya-
muddin Harun, dan Penolong Pegawai
daerah, Hasinin Kinsim.
47 peratus pekerja muda terlalu banyak
berhutang.
Satu lagi kajian ke atas pekerja muda
berumur 20 hingga 40 yang tinggal di
kawasan perumahan awam,
mendedahkan bahawa:
l 88.9 peratus membuat pembayaran
bil lewat;
l 48.9 peratus dilaporkan perlu mem-
injam wang untuk membeli barangan
asas;
l 61.1peratus tidak mempunyai wang
yang cukup untuk ubat-ubatan;
l 19.4 peratus menghadapi prosedur
muflis.
Menariknya, kajian AFC juga men-
eroka hubungan antara pengetahuan
kewangan dan jumlah perbelanjaan. Ia
mendapati bahawa mereka yang keku-
rangan pengetahuan kewangan membe-
lanjakan 84 peratus daripada
pendapatan mereka dan menyimpan
atau melabur selebihnya, manakala
mereka yang mempunyai pengetahuan
kewangan baik hanya membelanjakan 64
peratus daripada pendapatan mereka
dan menyimpan atau melabur selebih-
nya. Malah, terdapat penyelidikan cukup
banyak yang menyokong fakta bahawa
terdapat korelasi kukuh antara penge-
tahuan kewangan dan tingkah laku
kewangan yang berhemat.
Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12 (2021-2025)
mengiktiraf bahawa kuasa beli rendah,
kos sara hidup tinggi, kekurangan perlin-
dungan sosial dan pendidikan kewangan
yang rendah mempunyai kesan negatif
yang kuat terhadap kesejahteraan rakyat.
Ia juga mengiktiraf bahawa penguru-
san kewangan yang lemah dalam kalan-
gan sesetengah rakyat Malaysia
disebabkan oleh kekurangan celik
kewangan dan gaya hidup melebihi
kemampuan menghalang mereka dari-
pada membuat keputusan kewangan
yang baik dan mendedahkan mereka
kepada masalah kewangan serius dan
penipuan.
Kami mencadangkan agar menteri
memberi tumpuan kepada usaha
meningkatkan celik kewangan dalam
kalangan belia di seluruh negara. Pro-
gram celik kewangan yang berkesan dan
berasaskan bukti pastinya akan mem-
bawa kepada pengurusan kewangan
lebih baik dan, dengan itu, kepada
kewangan dan kesejahteraan keselu-
ruhan – serta mengurangkan kes kemu-
flisan, malah keperluan untuk bantuan
AKPK.
Paul Selva Raj
Setiausaha Agung
Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan
Kerajaan perlu pertimbang
keunikan Sabah: MNC
KOTA KINABALU: Kongres
Momogun Nasional (MNC)
menyokong penuh Belan-
jawan Negara 2023 yang
dibentangkan Perdana
Menteri merangkap
Menteri Kewangan datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada 24 Feb lepas.
MNC menyifatkannya sebagai pelan tin-
dakan strategik yang proaktif, berpaksikan
perniagaan dan rakyat, berkonsepkan kese-
jahteraan dan kemakmuran negara sebagai
terasnya.
Presiden MNC Tan Sri Wences Angang
(gambar) berkata Belanjawan 2023
meliputi setiap sektor dan komuniti, dan
benar-benar mencerminkan tema Malaysia
Madani.
“MNC juga memuji inisiatif Perdana
Menteri untuk memberi penekanan khusus
kepada keperluan infrastruktur Sabah den-
gan peruntukan RM6.5 bilion untuk pem-
bangunan infrastruktur di wilayah ini.
“Ini sememangnya satu peruntukan
yang sangat ditunggu-tunggu dan dialu-
alukan untuk pembinaan, penyeleng-
garaan dan penaiktarafan sistematik
infrastruktur serta kemudahan di Sabah
bagi memastikan landskap infrastruktur
kita setanding dengan seluruh Malaysia.
“MNC yakin inisiatif kerajaan menyedi-
akan sokongan berterusan kepada perusa-
haan mikro, kecil dan sederhana (PMKS),
benteng ekonomi negara, dengan RM1.7
bilion diperuntukkan untuk pembangu-
nan PKS pada 2023, khususnya dalam aspek
seperti peningkatan kapasiti dan pendigi-
talan untuk perniagaan.
“Kerangka sokongan ini merupakan
KPKM teruskan
petanda baik untuk pemupukan, pengem-
subsidi telur
ayam hingga Jun
PUTRAJAYA: Kementerian Pertanian dan
Keterjaminan Makanan (KPKM) akan
meneruskan penyediaan subsidi bagi telur
ayam sehingga Jun 2023 melibatkan kos
sebanyak RM1.28 bilion.
KPKM dalam kenyataan Isnin memak-
lumkan, kerajaan melalui mesyuarat
Jemaah Menteri mencapai kata sepakat
untuk meneruskan penyediaan subsidi
bagi telur ayam itu pada 17 Feb lepas.
“Langkah ini diambil demi memas-
tikan bekalan telur ayam dalam negara
kekal stabil, sementara kajian mengenai
mekanisme dan dasar penyaluran subsidi
secara bersasar dapat dimuktamadkan
dalam tempoh masa terdekat,” menurut
kenyataan itu. Menurut KPKM, keperluan
untuk membawa masuk telur ayam dari
luar negara juga akan dikaji semula sete-
lah bekalan telur ayam kembali stabil.
“Inisiatif membawa masuk telur ayam
dari sumber luar merupakan langkah
sementara bagi memastikan bekalan telur
ayam dalam negara kekal stabil dan tidak
terputus,” katanya.
KPKM berkata pihaknya sentiasa
memantau keperluan bekalan telur ayam
dalam pasaran, dan terus berusaha den-
gan pelbagai pendekatan bagi menjamin
PBPM Lahad Datu komited jaga kebajikan ahli
bekalan telur ayam dalam negara stabil
seperti sedia kala. – Bernama
Azmie Lim
LAHAd dATU: Persatuan Bekas Polis
Malaysia (PBPM) Lahad datu komited
dalam memastikan kebajikan ahli-
ahlinya terus terjaga.
Ketua Cawangan PBPM Lahad datu,
Ismail Md dahan berkata, pelbagai usaha
telah dijalankan oleh pihak persatuan
dalam mencapai matlamat ini.
Katanya, meskipun tidak menerima
apa-apa bantuan khusus daripada pihak
kerajaan, ahli-ahli terus giat
menjalankan inisiatif sendiri serta men-
dapatkan sumbangan bagi mengger-
akkan aktiviti-aktiviti kebajikan dan
sosial.
“Kami berharap agar pihak kerajaan
dan pemimpin dapat memberikan perha-
tian sewajarnya kepada persatuan kami
agar lebih banyak dapat kami lakukan
300 sertai Gerak Rahmah Jom Sihat di Kuala Penyu
untuk kebajikan ahli-ahli kami,” katanya
semasa ucapannya dalam Mesyuarat
Khamis Ahmad
KUALA PENYU: Kira-kira 300 orang pen-
duduk dari Kampung Palu-Palu, Kg Ila-
nun, Kg Kitang dan Kg Purun, dekat sini,
hadir ke Program Gerak Rahmah Jom
Sihat anjuran Komuniti Rukun Tetangga
(KRT) Kg Palu-Palu, Sabtu lalu.
Pengerusi Penganjur merangkap
Pengerusi KRT Kg Palu-Palu, Halimah Hj
Ag Kanak berkata, sempena program itu
pihaknya mengadakan aktiviti senamro-
bik, ceramah kesihatan, pameran dan
pemeriksaan kesihatan, Larian 10,000
langkah dan acara berbasikal Fun Rider.
“Program dianjur untuk memupuk
kesedaran kepentingan kesihatan,
meningkatkan semangat cintakan kesi-
bangan dan kejayaan perniagaan dan
keusahawanan tempatan berskala kecil,”
katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada Isnin.
Untuk merealisasikan objektif Malaysia
Madani serta semangat Perjanjian Malaysia
1963 (MA63), Wences mengulangi keper-
luan untuk Kerajaan Persekutuan memper-
timbangkan keperluan Sabah yang unik
dan berbeza apabila memperuntukkan
dana di mana konsep satu saiz-sesuai-
semua pasti tidak berlaku.
“dari segi keluasan tanah, Sabah setara
dengan kira-kira 60 peratus Semenanjung
Malaysia dengan 11 negerinya, namun kual-
iti dan tahap infrastruktur jauh lebih rendah
di Malaysia Timur dengan beban tambahan
kos sara hidup yang lebih tinggi,” katanya.
Wences mencadangkan peruntukan
bajet tahunan untuk Sabah harus dis-
alurkan terus kepada Kerajaan Negeri bagi
memastikan negeri menerima jumlah
penuh yang diperuntukkan.
“Keadaan sekarang ini memerlukan
sebarang jumlah tidak dibelanjakan dalam
peruntukan Belanjawan tahunan untuk
Sabah, dikembalikan kepada Kerajaan
Persekutuan, bermakna hanya 60 peratus
hingga 70 peratus daripada peruntukan
digunakan sepenuhnya setiap tahun,”
Belanjawan 2023 pacu kemajuan
katanya.
negeri: Persatuan Pengguna
Noor Zafira Zayn
KOTA KINABALU: Persat-
uan Pengguna Bijak Pan-
tai Barat Sabah optimis
proses pembangunan
dan kemajuan Sabah dan
Sarawak mampu dipacu
dengan lebih berkesan, dengan perun-
tukan besar RM6.5 bilion dan RM5.6 bilion
melalui pembentangan Belanjawan 2023.
Presidennya, david Chan berkata,
pengumuman Perdana Menteri datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim pada Jumaat lalu mampu
memberi manfaat besar kepada rakyat
kedua-dua negeri.
Menurut beliau, adalah diharapkan
dengan peruntukan berkenaan dapat
merapatkan lagi jurang perbezaan kema-
juan antara Semenanjung dengan Sabah
dan Sarawak.
“Apa yang penting melalui Belanjawan
2023 adalah proses membela nasib rakyat
dengan menaik taraf pelbagai kemuda-
han dan prasarana asas seperti jalan raya,
bekalan elektrik, air bersih dan capaian
internet.
“Kita harap peruntukan besar ini
mampu melonjakkan lagi kemajuan
negeri sekali gus membolehkan aktiviti
ekonomi khususnya di kawasan luar ban-
dar menjadi lebih rancak,” katanya.
Beliau turut mengalu-alukan perun-
tukan yang akan digunakan bagi mem-
Agung PBPM Lahad datu ke-3.
Mesyuarat berkenaan dirasmikan oleh
Kassim Sulaiman yang mewakili Tim-
balan Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi, datuk
Mohd Yusof Apdal.
“dalam usaha untuk kekal relevan
dalam memberi khidmat kepada ahli
persatuan dan masyarakat, pihak PBPM
Lahad datu berharap agar ahlinya dapat
dilibatkan dalam pengurusan dan pem-
bangunan daerah.
“Ahli persatuan yang sememangnya
mempunyai pengalaman dalam berkhid-
mat untuk masyarakat seharusnya
diberikan peluang untuk berkhidmat
sebagai kaunselor dalam Majlis daerah,”
katanya.
Jelasnya, integriti serta khidmat
kepada masyarakat ketika menjadi
anggota polis sebelum ini merupakan
satu kelebihan buat ahli-ahli persatuan.
dalam aspek pembangunan dan aktiv-
Halimah dan Timbalannya Abd
Wahid bergambar kenangan
bersama peserta acara Larian 10,000
Langkah sebelum dilepaskan.
hatan diri, serta meningkatkan semangat
perpaduan dan kesejahteraan komuniti,”
katanya.
Tempatan 3
Menurutnya, ia juga amat perlu untuk
Kerajaan Persekutuan menyediakan
langkah-langkah lebih langsung dan nyata
bagi menangani isu-isu jurang ekonomi
dan sosial yang berlarutan antara Seme-
nanjung Malaysia dan Sabah.
Ini termasuk jurang harga dan kos sara
hidup, perbezaan kualiti dan tahap infra-
struktur serta kemudahan, kadar kemiski-
nan yang teruk terutamanya di luar bandar
Sabah, kekurangan peluang dan prospek
pekerjaan yang menjurus kepada kadar
pengangguran tinggi dalam kalangan
belia tempatan, serta nasib golongan B40
di Sabah.
“Bantuan berterusan mesti disalurkan
kepada orang asal Sabah dari segi memper-
tingkat dan menaik taraf produktiviti serta
kualiti hidup mereka.
“Lebih banyak boleh dilakukan untuk
meningkatkan lagi kehidupan dan mata
pencarian mereka seperti memastikan
akses lebih baik kepada pendidikan tinggi,
dan menyediakan lebih banyak peluang
untuk mengambil bahagian dalam pembe-
lajaran dan pendidikan berasaskan TVET
bagi membangun dan memupuk kemahi-
ran insaniah dan kemahiran vokasional,
seiring dengan serangan pantas teknologi
dan pendigitalan.
“Sehubungan itu, selaras dengan
Malaysia Madani dan keperluan untuk
membantu orang asal, MNC menggesa
peruntukan khas sebanyak RM20 juta dari-
pada Kerajaan Persekutuan untuk pelak-
sanaan program dan inisiatif
pembangunan untuk memberi manfaat
kepada masyarakat Momogun yang terdiri
daripada subkumpulan dusunik, Murutik
dan Paitanik,” katanya.
bangunkan bandar-bandar bersempadan
dengan Kalimantan, Indonesia seperti Kal-
abakan di Sabah, serta Ba’kelalan di
Sarawak dengan kos RM1 bilion.
“Bandar-bandar bersempadan ini akan
menjadi pintu masuk kepada rakyat
Indonesia, khususnya selepas perpinda-
han ibu negara Indonesia ke Kalimantan.
“dengan adanya kemudahan prasarana
lengkap dan kemudahan bersesuaian
pasti memajukan bandar-bandar sem-
padan sekali gus membuka peluang
pekerjaan dan ekonomi penduduk setem-
pat,” katanya.
david berkata, kerajaan juga diharap
menyediakan sebahagian peruntukan bagi
menambah sumber makanan serta
mengekang harga barang daripada terus
meningkat. Katanya, rakyat hari ini
tertekan dengan harga barangan makanan
dan perkhidmatan yang terus meningkat.
“Seharusnya ada disediakan pelan tin-
dakan jangka panjang dan jangka pendek
bagi menangani isu berkenaan.
“Kita menerima baik inisiatif yang dise-
diakan oleh kerajaan melalui Belanjawan
2023, khususnya bagi membantu golon-
gan petani, pekebun getah, belia, wanita
dan usahawan PMKS.
“Kita berharap golongan sasar ini
memanfaatkan sebaik mungkin bantuan
yang diberikan dan ia diagihkan kepada
sasaran yang sepatutnya,” ujar beliau.
iti-aktiviti yang digerakkan oleh persat-
uan, Ismail berharap pihak kerajaan serta
pemimpin dapat membantu dengan
memberi peluang untuk persatuan men-
dapatkan tapak niaga.
“dengan ini, ahli-ahli persatuan mem-
punyai sumber pendapatan dan dapat
meneruskan usaha kita untuk mengger-
akkan program yang boleh menjaga
kebajikan ahli-ahli kita serta membantu
masyarakat yang memerlukan.
“Kami berharap agar usaha kami
untuk menyampaikan matlamat persat-
uan, terutamanya dalam memperkasakan
bekas anggota polis dan membantu
mereka dalam kebajikan akan menerima
penglibatan serta sokongan dari semua
pihak,” tambahnya.
Turut hadir Pengerusi PBPM Sabah,
datuk Awang Kassim Awang Gemok dan
Pegawai daerah Lahad datu, Firuz
Idzualdeen Mohd dzul.
Majlis dirasmikan oleh Pegawai Jabatan
Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional
(JPNIN) Zon Pedalaman Bawah, Jamalud-
din Abdul Rahman yang mewakili Tim-
balan Menteri Perladangan dan Komoditi
merangkap Ahli Parlimen Beaufort, datuk
Aminah Aching.
Halimah memberitahu, Program Gerak
Rahmah Jom Sihat merupakan program di
bawah JPNIN dan sebahagian daripada
aktiviti untuk melahirkan masyarakat
yang sihat dan cergas.
Beliau turut merakamkan penghar-
gaan dan terima kasih kepada Jamalud-
din, Pejabat Kesihatan daerah Kuala
Penyu, dan semua yang terlibat men-
jayakan serta memeriahkan majlis itu.
 4 Tempatan S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3 harianekspres
Penganggur lupus barang curi, gagal tunjuk MyKad didenda
Penagih syabu Jo Ann Mool
KOTA KINABALU: Seorang penganggur
didenda sejumlah RM2,500 pada Isnin
Inanam.
Inspektor Kelvan Elson Maik, yang
mengendalikan pendakwaan, memberi-
tahu mahkamah bahawa Jufaiz, yang
memandu dalam keadaan mabuk.
Raimon Seminggu, 36, dan Chai Shen
Wee, 28, mengaku bersalah secara berasin-
gan kepada tuduhan terhadap mereka.
atas dua pertuduhan melupuskan barang

dijel 5 tahun
Cynthia D Baga
KOTA KINABALU: Seorang lelaki dijatuhi
hukuman penjara lima tahun dan dua
bulan, serta dikenakan satu sebatan ker-
ana mengambil syabu secara berulang.
Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Elsie Primus
menjatuhkan hukuman itu kepada Faijal
Maidin selepas dia mengaku bersalah
kepada pertuduhan terhadapnya, pada
Isnin.
dia didapati mengambil dadah itu
selepas air kencingnya disahkan positif
dadah di balai polis di sini pada 17 Mac
2022, dan dia mempunyai beberapa rekod
selama tiga tahun.
Sementara itu, empat pendatang tanpa
izin masing-masing dipenjara empat
bulan kerana memasuki negeri ini secara
haram.
Kokoi Muhammad, Mohd Gabi Jefri,
Kalim Ahailin dan Hafiruddin Jupri, men-
gaku bersalah secara berasingan di hadapan
Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Azreena Aziz.
curi dan gagal mengemukakan MyKad-
nya kepada polis.
AgKu Jufaiz Abd Gani, 23, mengaku
bersalah di hadapan Majistret Lovely
Natasha Charles atas tuduhan melakukan
kesalahan itu.
Bagi pertuduhan pertama, Jufaiz diper-
intah membayar denda RM2,000 atau pen-
jara dua bulan kerana membantu
melupuskan dua raket badminton yang
dicuri, bernilai RM1,498 milik Hurricane
Sports Enterprise pada Februari tahun ini di
hadapan Harapan Menang Sdn Bhd di sini.
Mahkamah mendengar daripada pihak
pendakwaan bahawa Jufaiz menjual raket
itu kepada seorang pekerja kedai.
Bagi pertuduhan kedua, Jufaiz didenda
RM500 atau penjara dua minggu kerana
gagal mengemukakan dokumen penge-
sebelum itu diserahkan kepada polis atas
kesalahan lain, gagal menunjukkan
MyKad-nya apabila ditanya polis.
Jufaiz mendakwa dia tidak membawa
dokumen itu bersamanya.
Peguam Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence,
yang mewakili Jufaiz, meminta hukuman
ringan.
Pertuduhan pertama mengikut
Seksyen 414 Kanun Keseksaan membawa
hukuman penjara sehingga tujuh tahun
atau denda, atau kedua-duanya, jika sabit
kesalahan, manakala pertuduhan kedua,
mengikut Seksyen 25(1)(n) Peraturan-Per-
aturan Pendaftaran Negara 1990 mempe-
runtukkan hukuman penjara sehingga
tiga tahun atau denda atau kedua-duanya
sekali, jika sabit kesalahan.
dalam kes lain, dua pemandu masing-
Raimon mengaku melakukan kesala-
han itu pada jam 12.55 pagi, 15 Sept 2022 di
Jalan Pintas, Kopungit di sini.
Chai mengaku bersalah atas kesalahan
itu yang dilakukan pada jam 2.45 pagi
pada 28 Jan tahun ini di KM1 Jalan Tuaran.
Pertuduhan mengikut Seksyen 45A(1)
Akta Pengangkutan Jalan (Pindaan) 2020
itu memperuntukkan hukuman penjara
sehingga dua tahun dan denda antara
RM10,000 dan RM30,000, serta hilang
kelayakan daripada memegang atau men-
dapatkan lesen memandu untuk tempoh
tidak kurang daripada dua tahun dari
tarikh sabitan.
Mahkamah juga memerintahkan lesen
memandu Raimon dan Chai digantung
selama dua tahun.
Terdahulu, pegawai pendakwa trafik

Rayuan Najib serba tidak

sabitan untuk kesalahan sama. Mereka ditahan di kawasan bandaraya nalan diri ketika diperiksa polis pada jam masing dipenjara sehari dan didenda Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mokhtar men-

Seludup diesel:
Kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 15(1)(a) selepas gagal mengemukakan dokumen 2.30 petang 11 Feb tahun ini di tepi jalan di RM10,000 atau tiga bulan penjara kerana gendalikan pendakwaan.
Akta dadah Berbahaya (ddA) 1952 itu pengenalan diri kepada polis.

menjadi selepas tukar peguam

boleh dihukum di bawah Seksyen Mereka diperintahkan menjalani huku-

Tiga warga
39C(1)(b) ddA 1952. man penjara dari tarikh mereka
Mahkamah memerintahkan Faijal ditangkap.

Thailand didenda
menjalani hukuman penjara itu dari Selepas hukuman penjara mereka sele-
tarikh dia ditangkap. sai, kesemua pendatang tanpa izin diper-

RM30,000
Selepas menjalani hukuman itu, intah dirujuk ke Jabatan Imigresen untuk

Pekerja ladang hina Agong

mahkamah turut memerintahkan Faijal
diletakkan di bawah pengawasan polis
data biometrik mereka direkodkan
PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan di
sebelum dihantar pulang.
sini pada Isnin diberitahu rayuan datuk
Seri Najib Tun Razak ke atas keputusan per-
Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali dalam May-
bank Bhd sebelum ini, pihak pendakwaan
berkata ia bukanlah satu rahsia dan per-

di Facebook didenda RM6,500

KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pekerja kebun
kelapa sawit didenda RM6,500 oleh
Mahkamah Sesyen di sini pada Isnin kerana
membuat penghantaran komunikasi jelik
membabitkan Yang di-Pertuan Agong di
laman Facebook miliknya, disember tahun
lepas.
Hakim Nor Hasniah Ab Razak men-
jatuhkan hukuman itu ke atas Muhammad
Hanis Nordin, 34, selaku Orang Kena Saman
(OKS), yang mengaku bersalah membuat
dan memulakan penghantaran komunikasi
bersifat jelik menggunakan laman profil
Facebook ‘As Bul’ dengan niat untuk
menyakiti hati orang lain pada 3.23 pagi, 10
dis tahun lepas.
Hantaran itu kemudian dilihat di Peja-
bat Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial
Bukit Aman di sini pada 8.18 malam, 13 dis
2022.
Pertuduhan dikemukakan mengikut
Seksyen 233 (1) (a) Akta Komunikasi dan
Multimedia 1998 dan boleh dihukum
mengikut Seksyen 233 (3) akta sama yang
membawa hukuman denda maksimum
RM50,000 atau penjara hingga setahun
atau kedua-duanya dan boleh didenda
selanjutnya RM1,000 bagi setiap hari
kesalahan itu diteruskan selepas sabitan.
Mahkamah turut memerintahkan
Muhammad Hanis dipenjara enam bulan
jika gagal membayar denda.
Ketika rayuan, Muhammad Hanis yang
tidak diwakili peguam memohon denda
dikurangkan dengan alasan dia insaf dan
menyesal dengan perbuatannya serta ber-
janji tidak akan mengulangi kesalahan
sama. Saya tiada niat untuk menyinggung
perasaan mana-mana pihak. Saya hanya
bekerja di kebun kelapa sawit milik kelu-
arga saya,” katanya.
Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Nurilya Ellyna
Nur Azmal bagaimanapun memohon
hukuman setimpal supaya memberi penga-
jaran kepada tertuduh dan masyarakat. –
Bernama
KANGAR: Tiga lelaki warga Thailand mas-
ing-masing didenda RM30,000 oleh
Mahkamah Sesyen di sini pada Isnin,
selepas mengaku bersalah menyeludup
keluar bahan api bersubsidi diesel di Kom-
pleks Imigresen, Kastam dan Kuarantin
(ICQ) Padang Besar, pada November tahun
lepas.
Hakim Musyiri Peet menjatuhkan
hukuman itu ke atas Theerapong Wongyai,
26, Anan Pusu, 29, dan Amnuaprasit Chai-
wichit, 43, dan memerintahkan mereka
menjalani hukuman penjara 18 bulan seki-
ranya gagal membayar denda itu.
Pada 29 Nov tahun lepas, Theerapong
dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas per-
tuduhan memasukkan 69 liter minyak
diesel ke dalam tangki kenderaan jenis
Nissan Navara dengan tujuan membawa
keluar bahan kawalan itu ke Thailand sek-
itar 11.30 pagi pada 26 Nov 2022.
Sementara Anan dituduh cuba mem-
bawa keluar 70 liter diesel menggunakan
kenderaan Toyota Hilux Vigo pada 12.45
tengah hari, 25 Nov dan Amnuaprasit
dituduh cuba membawa keluar 41 liter
diesel menggunakan kenderaan Ford
Ranger pada 11.40 pagi, 26 Nov. – Bernama
bicaraan SRC International Sdn Bhd serba
tidak menjadi setelah beliau menukar
peguam mewakilinya tahun lepas.
Timbalan Pendakwa Raya (TPR) datuk
V Sithambaram merujuk kepada per-
tukaran peguam daripada Shafee & Co
kepada pasukan guaman baharu terdiri
daripada datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik dan
Tetuan Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew &
Partners (ZIST).
“Mengapa Najib yang diwakili Tan Sri
Muhammad Shafee Abdullah dalam kes
SRC International dari peringkat
Mahkamah Tinggi pada 2018 dan hanya
menukar peguam pada 2022 sebelum pen-
dengaran rayuan di Mahkamah Perseku-
tuan, Ogos tahun lepas.
“Jika tidak kerana pertukaran peguam
ini, saya tidak fikir semakan ini akan
dibawa ke mahkamah hari ini. Sementara
tertuduh berhak memilih peguam,
peguam perlu bersedia untuk bertindak
dan sanggup melakukannya pada hari
ditetapkan. Sebenarnya mereka tidak
mahu untuk meneruskan kes ini, kerana
itulah mereka mahukan penangguhan
ini,” katanya.
Menyentuh kedudukan Hakim datuk
anan Mohd Nazlan dalam bank itu adalah
tidak relevan dengan kes Najib berkaitan
SRC International.
“Ia sudah tentunya bukan suatu isu
dalam semakan ini,” kata pihak pendak-
waan.
Sementara itu, Muhammad Shafee
berkata ia adalah kali pertama pertukaran
peguam berlaku dalam kes Najib dan ia
dilakukan dengan niat baik.
Beliau berkata, bahkan pertukaran
peguam itu kerana mahkamah tempatan
tidak membenarkan Peguam diraja
Jonathan Laidlaw dari United Kingdom
untuk diterima masuk sebagai peguam
cara dan peguam bela bagi mewakili
Najib dalam rayuan terakhirnya.
“Justeru, tiada agenda untuk mengatur
penangguhan,” kata peguam veteran itu.
Kedua-dua mereka berhujah di hada-
pan Hakim Besar Sabah dan Sarawak
datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli, yang mem-
pengerusikan panel lima hakim terdiri
daripada Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan
datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, datuk
Rhodzariah Bujang dan datuk Nordin
Hassan serta Hakim Mahkamah Rayuan
datuk Abu Bakar Jais. – Bernama

JKR rancang bina, turap

semula jalan di Beaufort
% JABATAN Kerja Raya (JKR) merancang
untuk menjalankan kerja-kerja penam-
bahbaikan ke atas sebahagian Jalan Mon-
tenior, di Beaufort susulan aduan
kerosakan laluan itu.
Jurucakap pejabat cawangan JKR di
daerah itu berkata ia mahu untuk “mem-
bina dan menurap semula” jalan itu.
“Berdasarkan pemeriksaan terhadap
jalan itu, kami telah menentukan bahawa
ini akan memerlukan kerja agak banyak,”
katanya.
“Kami telah mendapat peruntukan
daripada ibu pejabat kami untuk mem-
baik pulih jalan itu.”
dia berkata kerja pembaikan ini akan
dilaksanakan sebaik sahaja ia menerima
dana untuk berbuat demikian.
“Sementara itu, batu kerikil telah
dituangkan ke atas bahagian-bahagian
rosak untuk memberi sedikit kelegaan
kepada pemandu. Itu saja yang kami boleh
lakukan buat masa ini.”
Jurucakap itu menjawab maklum balas
daripada penduduk luar bandar yang ting-
gal di Kg Helogelat dan kawasan Monte-
nior Beaufort mengenai banyak lubang
jalan yang terbentuk di laluan itu.
Mereka bimbang kemalangan teruk
boleh berlaku pada bila-bila masa, teruta-
manya jika pemandu hilang kawalan
kenderaannya ketika cuba mengelak baha-
gian Jalan Montenior yang rosak.
Seorang penunggang motosikal mudah
tercampak dari jenteranya, jika dia tidak
berhati-hati, menurut mereka.
dua pengguna jalan yang tidak berpuas
hati memberikan Hotline lokasi lubang-
lubang itu. Maklumat ini diserahkan
kepada Jabatan.
Ketika ditanya mengenai jadual penye-
lenggaraan Jalan Montenior, jurucakap itu
berkata kerja ini terletak di bawah bidang
kuasa syarikat konsesi kerajaan.
“Syarikat yang menjaga bahagian jalan
yang dilaporkan oleh pengadu, bukan lagi
di bawah Jabatan dan kami masih
menunggu maklum balas daripada ibu
pejabat kami mengenai pihak yang akan
mengambil alih,” katanya pada 27 Febru-
ari.
dia berkata kontrak bekas pemegang
konsesi itu tamat pada Januari.
“Buat masa ini, pekerja kami akan dim-
inta untuk menampal bahagian yang
rosak dan meratakannya secara manual
selepas itu.”
dia berkata Jabatan akan
meningkatkan usaha untuk menjaga
bahagian jalan itu sehingga penyelesaian
lebih kekal dapat dirancang.
“Sebaik dana yang diperlukan tersedia,
kami akan menampal bahagian terjejas
dengan asfalt dan meratakannya.”
JAYMIE dari Beaufort berkata dia mula
menyedari kerosakan di bahagian Jalan
Montenior pada disember.
Seorang penunggang motosikal, yang
tinggal di kampungnya, mengalami
kemalangan pada penghujung bulan itu
kerana permukaan jalan yang tidak rata,
menurutnya.
“Tayar hadapan motosikal rakan saya
terlanggar lubang jalan dan menyebabkan
dia hilang kawalan,” katanya.
“dia tercampak dari motosikalnya, yang
kemudian terbalik sebelum terhenti.
“Mujurlah, tiada kenderaan lain di jalan
pada masa itu, jika tidak dia mungkin
sudah digilis.”
Bagaimanapun, Jaymie berkata,
penunggang itu terseliuh pergelangan
tangan dan tapak tangannya tercalar
teruk.
“Selain itu, dia mendapati tayar hada-
pan motosikalnya pecah.”
Katanya, dia sendiri menceritakan
kemalangan rakannya itu kepada pegawai
di cawangan Jabatan di Beaufort.
“Mereka memberi jaminan kepada saya,
pada masa itu, bahawa tindakan akan
diambil, apabila saya bertanya sama ada
kerosakan itu dapat ditangani secepat
mungkin.”
Jaymie berkata kakitangan ini gagal
menunaikan janji mereka kerana banyak
lubang jalan itu telah menjadi lebih dalam
dan lebar sejak itu.
dia merayu kepada agensi itu supaya
JURUTEKNIK JKR mencedok batu kerikil, yang akan dicurahkan
memperbaiki keadaan jalan sebelum
ke atas lubang-lubang seperti ini di Jalan Montenior.
kemalangan teruk berlaku.
“Rakan saya selamat, walaupun men-
galami kecederaan. Orang lain mungkin termasuk Kg Helogelat. masyarakat tempatan ini sudah serik
tidak begitu bernasib baik dan boleh kehi- “Mereka yang tinggal di kawasan ini menunggu pihak berkuasa membaik pulih
langan nyawa. bergantung kepada jalan itu untuk men- jalan tersebut.
“Saya harap Jabatan tidak menunggu gangkut buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran “Mereka telah mengambil mana-mana
perkara ini berlaku sebelum bertindak yang mereka tanam ke pekan,” katanya. saki-baki bahan binaan yang mereka
untuk melakukan pembaikan sewajarnya.” “Mereka menggunakan laluan ini temui dan menggunakan bahan-bahan ini
Seorang lagi penduduk Beaufort, untuk menghantar anak-anak mereka ke untuk mengisi lubang-lubang itu.
JOHANNA, berkata terdapat beberapa sekolah.” “Ini telah berlaku sekali atau dua kali
kampung berhampiran Jalan Montenior, Johanna berkata sebahagian sejak beberapa bulan lalu.” (SS)

BAHAGIAN rosak di jalan itu membimbangkan pemandu ADA pemandu menutup lubang SEORANG penduduk Beaufort tercampak dari motosikalnya apabila terlanggar
di sekitar kawasan Montenior dan di Kg Helogelat. dengan saki-baki bahan binaan. lubang. (Gambar kecil) Tayar depannya pecah akibat impak itu.
harianekspres
Kebocoran makmal mungkin punca Covid-19: Jabatan Tenaga AS
WASHINGTON: Jabatan Tenaga Amerika
Syarikat (AS) dipetik media melaporkan
pandemik Covid-19 kemungkinan
berpunca daripada kebocoran makmal di
China walaupun perisikan Amerika
Syarikat (AS) tetap berbelah bahagi men-
genai isu itu.
dapatan itu - dinyatakan dalam lapo-
ran sulit oleh Pengarah Perisikan
Kebangsaan Avril Haines, menurut The
Wall Street Journal - melaporkan perali-
han pandangan oleh Jabatan Tenaga, yang
sebelum ini mengatakan ia tidak mem-
buat keputusan bagaimana virus itu
Korban tanah
runtuh di Brazil
cecah 65
SAO PAULO: Angka kematian akibat ban-
jir dan tanah runtuh di Sao Paulo Brazil,
meningkat kepada 65 nyawa setakat ini,
lapor Xinhua memetik pihak berkuasa
tempatan pada Ahad.
Mangsa maut termasuk 19 kanak-
kanak, menurut kerajaan negeri dalam
satu kenyataan.
Pasukan tentera, bomba, sukarelawan
dan anggota penyelamat masih men-
jalankan operasi mencari dan menyela-
mat bagi mengeluarkan mayat dan
menjejaki mereka yang masih hilang.
Kebanyakan mangsa tinggal di
kawasan berisiko tinggi di lereng pergu-
nungan Sierra de Mar, berhampiran
Barra do Sahy, di Sao Sebastiao.
Kira-kira 2,440 penduduk yang hilang
tempat tinggal terpaksa dipindahkan
ekoran risiko kejadian tanah runtuh.
Pada Ahad, jalan raya telah dibuka
semula selepas ditutup akibat tanah
runtuh dan kerosakan akibat ribut.
Bagaimanapun, lebuh raya yang
menghubungkan Mogi da Cruzes den-
gan Bertioga akan ditutup selama enam
bulan kerana sistem perparitannya ter-
jejas.
Pada 19 Februari, Bertioga,
Caraguatatuba, Guaruja, Ilhabela, Sao
Sebastiao dan Ubatuba dilanda hujan
lebat dalam tempoh masa kurang 24
jam.
dianggarkan sekitar 4 juta rakyat
Brazil tinggal di 14,000 kawasan yang
berisiko dilanda bencana alam, menurut
data Kementerian Integrasi dan Pem-
bangunan Wilayah Brazil. – Bernama
Indonesia, Jepun
kukuhkan k’sama
sektor automotif
JAKARTA: Indonesia dan Jepun mem-
perkukuh kerjasama dalam sektor pembu-
atan kenderaan elektrik (EV), bahan api
neutral karbon dan biofuel bagi
meningkatkan industri automotifnya.
Menurut kenyataan Kementerian
Perindustrian Indonesia, usaha itu juga
selaras dengan sasaran kerajaan untuk
mengurangkan tahap pelepasan gas
rumah hijau hampir 32 peratus menjelang
2030.
“Sebagai antara negara terbaik dalam
industri automotif dunia, kami percaya
kerjasama dengan Jepun dapat
menyokong usaha kami ke arah mencapai
neutral karbon,” kata pengarah elektronik
dan jentera kementerian itu Taufiek
Bawazier.
Semasa dialog Automotif Indonesia-
Jepun keempat yang diadakan di sini
baru-baru ini, Taufiek berkongsi gam-
Penerbangan Lion Air batal selepas
penumpang buka pintu kecemasan
JAKARTA: Penerbangan Lion Air JT 697 ter-
paksa dibatalkan selepas pintu kecemasan
dibuka penumpang ketika pesawat
sedang bersedia untuk berlepas dari lan-
dasan Lapangan Terbang El Tari Kupang di
Nusa Tenggara Timur, Ahad lepas.
Maklumat itu disahkan Pegawai Per-
hubungan Awam Lapangan Terbang El
Tari Kupang, devi Budihandayani, ketika
dihubungi Kompas.com.
“Benar, kejadian berlaku awal pagi dan
penerbangan itu dibatalkan kerana pintu
kecemasan pesawat dibuka oleh
penumpang ketika mereka akan berlepas
dari Kupang menuju ke Surabaya.
“Semua penumpang berlari turun dari
dan mereka sudah dibawa ke terminal
lapangan terbang,” katanya.
Menurut devi, siasatan mendapati
insiden tersebut berpunca daripada tele-
fon pintar milik salah seorang
penumpang yang mengeluarkan asap
semasa dalam pesawat hingga mence-
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
muncul.
Individu yang membaca laporan sulit
itu dipetik dalam The Wall Street Journal
dan The New York Times berkata, jabatan
itu membuat pertimbangannya dengan
“keyakinan rendah” menunjukkan
bagaimana agensi berbeza tidak sehaluan
mengenai asal usul Covid-19 dan wabak
yang melanda dunia awal 2020.
Kesimpulannya, yang dilaporkan hasil
risikan baharu, penting kerana jabatan itu
menyelia rangkaian makmal nasional, ter-
masuk beberapa yang melakukan penye-
lidikan biologi lanjutan.
Pendatang Israel mengamuk,
bakar kereta dan rumah
BAITULMAQdIS: Puluhan pendatang Israel
mengamuk dengan membakar kereta dan
rumah di utara Tebing Barat, susulan pen-
datang Yahudi dibunuh oleh seorang lelaki
warga Palestin.
Pakar perubatan Palestin berkata, seorang
lelaki terbunuh manakala empat lagi cedera
parah dalam keganasan paling teruk yang
dilakukan oleh pendatang berkenaan sejak
beberapa dekad.
Tembakan maut dan amukan yang berlaku
tengah malam itu menimbulkan keraguan
mengenai pengisytiharan oleh Jordan, Israel
dan Palestin berjanji untuk tidak melakukan
keganasan selama setahun.
Media Palestin berkata, dalam kejadian itu
sebanyak 30 rumah dan kereta dibakar. Gam-
bar dan video yang dipaparkan di media sosial
menunjukan kebakaran besar itu mem-
babitkan seluruh bandar Hawara.
dalam satu video, sekumpulan pendatang
Israel sedang berdoa itu berdiri sambil mere-
nung sebuah bangunan yang terbakar.
Sebelum ini, seorang menteri Kabinet dan
pemimpin peneroka Israel turut menyeru
supaya Israel menyerang ‘tanpa belas kasihan’.
Kementerian Kesihatan Palestin berkata,
seorang lelaki berusia 37 tahun terbunuh aki-
bat terkena tembakan oleh Israel.
Perkhidmatan perubatan Bulan Sabit
Merah Palestin berkata, dua lagi individu ced-
era ditembak, manakala seorang ditikam den-
gan seorang lagi dipukul dengan batang besi.
Kira-kira 95 lagi mangsa kini sedang
dirawat kerana terhidu gas pemedih mata.
Presiden Palestin, Mahmoud Abbas
mengutuk dan menyifatkan kejadian itu seba-
gai ‘tindakan pengganas yang dilakukan oleh
pendatang di bawah perlindungan pasukan
keselamatan,” katanya.
baran keseluruhan industri automotif
negara, matlamat pembangunan EV dan
industri bateri.
Wakil Kementerian Ekonomi, Perda-
gangan dan Industri Jepun (METI) dan
pengeluar kereta Jepun turut menghadiri
sesi dialog itu.
Sementara itu, Enomoto Masato,
pengerusi Asia Experts Group di Japan
Automotive Manufacturers’ Association
Asia mencadangkan ‘pendekatan pelbagai
laluan’ untuk mencapai ‘pelepasan karbon
sifar’ di Indonesia.
data Persekutuan Automotif Asean
(AAF) memaparkan jualan kereta Indone-
sia pada 2022 berjumlah 1,048,000 unit
berbanding 887,202 unit pada 2021.
dari segi pembuatan kereta, negara
mencatatkan pertumbuhan 31 peratus
iaitu 1,470,146 unit berbanding 1,121,967
unit pada 2021. – Bernama
tuskan panik.
Mereka yang duduk berhampiran
kemudian terus bertindak membuka
pintu kecemasan dan bergegas keluar dari
pesawat.
“Salah seorang penumpang tiba-tiba
menyedari telefon pintarnya yang disim-
pan di dalam poketnya terasa panas dan
mengeluarkan asap. Kerana panik,
penumpang itu terus melemparkan tele-
fonnya ke lantai kabin.
“Tindakan itu menyebabkan penggera
pengesanan asap berbunyi sehingga
penumpang yang berada dekat dengan
pintu kecemasan terkejut dan terus mem-
bukanya. Penumpang-penumpang lain
yang cemas kemudian berpusu-pusu
turun dari pesawat dan berlari ke arah ter-
minal lapangan terbang,” kata devi.
Menurut devi, tiada penumpang atau
anak kapal yang cedera dalam insiden itu
dan pihaknya sudah menjadualkan sem-
ula penerbangan tersebut. – Agensi
Jabatan itu kini menyertai Biro Penyi-
asatan Persekutuan kerana percaya wabak
yang menyebabkan kematian hampir
tujuh juta individu berpunca akibat insi-
den di makmal China.
Empat agensi perisikan AS percaya
Covid-19 berlaku melalui penularan sem-
ula jadi, manakala dua lagi masih belum
membuat keputusan, lapor The Wall
Street Journal.
Penasihat Keselamatan Negara Rumah
Putih Jake Sullivan menegaskan pelbagai
pandangan mengenai perkara itu kekal.
“Buat masa ini, tiada jawapan mukta-
SEORANG lelaki berjalan lalu kereta-kereta yang dibakar di Huwara, dekat Nablus,
selepas pendatang Israel mengamuk. – Gambar AFP
“Kerajaan Israel perlu bertanggungjawab
sepenuhnya,” tambahnya.
Kesatuan Eropah berkata, semua pihak serangan didakwa dicetuskan oleh rakyat
berkuasa perlu campur tangan untuk Palestin.
menghentikan keganasan yang tidak berkesu-
dahan itu.
duta United Kingdom ke Israel, Neil eroka bertindak membakar kediaman mereka
Wigon, berkata “Israel harus menangani bagi membalas dendam.
keganasan pendatang dengan mereka yang
bertanggungjawab dibawa ke muka pengadi- dibuat oleh Jordan untuk membincangkan
lan”.
Ketika video keganasan muncul di rancan- wilayah yang diduduki itu dan beberapa hari
gan berita, Perdana Menteri Israel, Benjamin selepas tentera Israel melancarkan serangan
Netanyahu merayu supaya bertenang, serta paling dahsyat di Tebing Barat dalam tempoh
menggesa tidak melakukan sebarang hampir 20 tahun, yang menyebabkan 11 rakyat
keganasan.
Kucing putih
jadi mas
kahwin
JAKARTA: Seorang pengantin lelaki
menyerahkan sejumlah wang tunai
dan seekor kucing putih sebagai
mas kahwin semasa menikahi
wanita pilihannya dalam satu
majlis perkahwinan di Indonesia,
lapor portal berita SuaraJatim,
Sabtu lalu.
Video pemberian unik kucing
putih itu disiarkan dalam akaun
TikTok @horeamisme dan terdengar
suara si bapa pengantin perempaun
menyatakan kalimat ijab kabul.
“Bapak nikahkan dan kawinkan
anakanda kepada puteri bapak kan-
dung yang bernama Syifa Salma
Jatun Aini dengan mas kawin wang
dan kucing dibayar tunai,” kata
bapa mempelai wanita.
dalam video selanjutnya, kucing
berwarna putih itu dimasukkan ke
dalam kurungan kecil berwarna
sama dengan haiwan tersebut dan
si pengantin perempuan gembira
apabila menerimanya.
Pada majlis tersebut juga, pen-
gantin perempuan menyarungkan
pakaian berwarna putih dan hiasan
kepala Sunda, manakala pengantin
lelaki memakai songkok dan paka-
ian sama warna dengan persalinan
isterinya.
Penggunaan mahar itu menda-
pat banyak komen daripada netizen
dan menurut laporan portal berita
Liputan6, akaun TikTok itu menda-
pat lebih 10,000 tanda suka dan
lebih 100 komen. – Agensi
Kemaluan lelaki cedera gara-gara ‘ajak bersama’
JAKARTA: Betapa mengerikan apabila
seorang wanita berusia 28 tahun dari
daerah Tapanuli Selatan, Sumatera
Utara, bertindak mencederakan
kemaluan kenalan lelakinya dengan
senjata tajam iaitu keris.
Portal Kompas melaporkan, wanita
itu bagaimanapun sudah ditahan polis.
Hasil siasatan polis mendapati sus-
pek dan mangsa adalah individu yang
‘main kayu tiga’ walau masing-masing
sudah mempunyai pasangan.
Suspek dipercayai mencederakan
mangsa kerana lelaki itu mengajaknya
mad ada dalam komuniti perisikan men-
genai soalan ini,” katanya kepada CNN.
Pada pertengahan Februari, Per-
tubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) ber-
janji untuk melakukan segalanya
sehingga dapat jawapan mengenai asal
usul Covid-19 dan menafikan laporan
yang mencadangkan agensinya mening-
galkan siasatannya.
Sementara itu, komuniti saintifik meli-
hat ada kepentingan untuk menentukan
asal-usul wabak bagi memerangi dengan
lebih baik atau mencegah yang seterus-
nya. – AFP
Ahad lalu, dua warga Israel yang tinggal di
penempatan di Tebing Barat terbunuh dalam
dalam insiden itu, seorang lelaki Palestin
turut terbunuh manakala kumpulan pen-
Ia berlaku di tengah-tengah rundingan
keganasan yang semakin memburuk di
Palestin terbunuh di bandar utara Nablus. –
AP/AFP
LEO (kiri), dan Timbalan Ketua Pesuruhjaya Polis, Putu Diah Kurniawandari
(kanan) mengetuai sidang media mengenai kes itu.
Pelancong pesan kokain ditahan
BAdUNG: Seorang pemandu teksi motosikal
dalam talian atau dipanggil ‘ojol’, mengga-
galkan penghantaran dadah jenis kokain
yang dipesan oleh seorang pelancong warga
India yang bercuti di Bali, Sabtu lepas.
Ketua Polis Badung, Leo dedy deFretes
berkata, warga India itu berjaya ditahan
bersama dengan kokain seberat 1.8 gram di
Jalan Pantai Brawa di Kampung Tibubeneng
di daerah Kuta Utara.
Pendedahan bermula apabila pemandu
teksi motosikal berkenaan mengesyaki sesu-
atu mencurigakan pada pakej yang akan
dibawa ke tempat letak kereta kawasan
hiburan malam itu, dan segera membuat
laporan polis.
“Pegawai polis trafik bersama pemandu
berkenaan kemudian membawa pakej itu ke
Balai Polis Kuta Utara untuk membuat
untuk melakukan hubungan seks.
Wanita itu menolak permintaan
lelaki itu dan menyebabkan kenalan-
nya itu mengancam untuk menye-
barkan video mereka melakukan
perbuatan tidak senonoh.
Ketua Polis Sibolga Taryono Raharja
berkata, kejadian berlaku di sebuah
hotel dekat Jalan Horas, Sibolga Sam-
bas, Sibolga, pada Sabtu lalu.
Ia selepas polis menerima laporan
pada jam 7.30 malam.
Sejurus menerima aduan, polis
bergegas ke lokasi kejadian dan mene-
Dunia 5
Pembunuhan
model HK: 4
individu didakwa
HONG KONG: Empat individu yang didakwa
berhubung pembunuhan model terkenal,
Abby Choi, 28, hadir di mahkamah pada
Isnin selepas polis menemui bahagian badan
mangsa di sebuah rumah yang terletak di
sebuah perkampungan di pinggir bandar
raya berkenaan.
Polis Hong Kong semalam berkata,
mereka mendakwa tiga lelaki berumur
dalam lingkungan 28 hingga 65 tahun atas
dakwaan membunuh dan seorang wanita
berusia 63 tahun, atas satu pertuduhan ker-
ana menghalang kes itu.
Menurut polis, mereka yang didakwa
membunuh model itu termasuk bekas
suaminya, Alex Kwong, bekas abang ipar dan
bekas bapa mentuanya.
Pembunuhan pempengaruh tempatan
itu yang baru-baru ini menghiasi muka
depan majalah fesyen digital, L’Officiel
Monaco, telah mendapat liputan meluas di
pelbagai akhbar selepas beliau dilaporkan
hilang sejak Selasa lalu.
Polis menemui beberapa bahagian
badannya di rumah tiga tingkat di kawasan
pedalaman Tai Po minggu lalu.
Menurut satu kenyataan, pihak polis
turut menemui alat penghiris daging dan
gergaji elektrik di tempat kejadian. – Reuters
Lebih 60 maut
kapal migran
karam
di Itali
ROM: Lebih 60 orang maut, termasuk 11
kanak-kanak dan seorang bayi baru lahir,
apabila bot membawa pendatang haram
merempuh batu berdekatan pantai selatan
Itali awal Ahad, menurut pihak berkuasa.
Bot itu, yang belayar dari Turkiye dan mem-
bawa pendatang haram dari Afghanistan, Iran
serta beberapa negara lain, karam di laut yang
bergelora sebelum waktu subuh berhampiran
Steccato di Cutro, iaitu sebuah pusat perangi-
nan tepi laut di pantai timur Calabria.
Menteri Ehwal dalam Negeri Matteo Piante-
dosi, yang melawat tempat kejadian, berkata
antara 20 hingga 30 orang masih hilang.
Mangsa terselamat berkata, bot terbabit
membawa sekitar 150 hingga 200 pendatang
haram. – Reuters
pemeriksaan. Selepas dibuka, pakej didapati
mengandungi kotak makanan ringan dan
kotak kopi segera yang berisi tiga klip plas-
tik dadah jenis kokain,” jelas Leo.
Pegawai polis segera mencari individu
yang memesan pakej tersebut ke alamat des-
tinasi dan pelancong asing itu kemudian
ditangkap di lokasi berkenaan.
Menurut Leo, lelaki warganegara India
itu datang ke Bali bersama keluarganya
untuk bercuti dan polis masih menjalankan
siasatan berhubung kes pesanan dadah
tersebut.
“Kami akan terus menyiasat dan menda-
patkan keterangan saksi-saksi sedia ada
selain menjalankan analisis masyarakat. Jika
disabit kesalahan, suspek bakal berdepan
hukuman penjara maksimum selama 12
tahun. – Agensi
mukan mangsa terbaring di atas tilam
dan dalam keadaan berlumuran darah.
“Kami dapati ada seorang lelaki
yang cedera pada alat sulitnya,”
katanya
Beliau berkata, mangsa kemudian
dibawa ke Hospital Mitra Medika untuk
mendapatkan rawatan.
“Mangsa dibawa ke hospital untuk
rawatan, manakala suspek ditahan
untuk siasatan lanjut.
“difahamkan, kedua-duanya ada
pasangan masing-masing,” katanya. –
Agensi
 Finas mahu lebih cakna dalam proses agihan peruntukan RM102 juta
6 Hiburan
BELANJAWAN 2023 yang menyaksikan
dana Kandungan digital (dKd) bernilai
RM102 juta disalurkan kerajaan bagi
mendukung usaha penggiat seni kreatif
mengangkat sektor seni dan budaya
tempatan, disambut gembira penggiat
industri kreatif.
Bagaimanapun, sebagai agensi
menyalurkan dKd kepada penerima
layak, Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem
Nasional (Finas) mahu lebih cakna
dalam proses agihan kali ini, rentetan
pendedahan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit
Negara (LKAN) 2021 yang mendapati
dKd bernilai RM4 juta disalurkan kepada
syarikat yang ada kepentingan dengan
ahli perbadanan terbabit.
Michelle Yeoh menang lagi
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Finas,
Prof dr Md Nasir Ibrahim, berkata sebagai
badan induk, pihaknya akan lebih cakna
dalam menangani isu ketirisan dana
P MICHELLE Yeoh
ELAKON kelahiran Malaysia yang
mencipta nama di Hollywood, Tan
Sri Michelle Yeoh, 60, melakar
kejayaan indah dalam kariernya apabila
memenangi trofi Pelakon Wanita Terbaik
di Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards
2023, pada Isnin.
Kejayaan itu sekali gus menjadikan
Yeoh sebagai pelakon wanita Asia
pertama yang membawa pulang trofi di
SAG Awards.
Yeoh memenangi kategori itu
menerusi filem Everything Everywhere All
at Once yang mengisahkan pemilik kedai
dobi berketurunan Cina-Amerika
terpaksa bergelut untuk menyelesaikan
masalah cukai dihadapi.
Beliau yang terharu dengan
kemenangan itu berkata, dia sangat
gembira dan teruja kerana tidak
menyangka akan menang lagi seterusnya
membawa pulang anugerah berprestij itu.
“Ini bukan untuk saya saja. Ini untuk
setiap gadis kecil yang kelihatan seperti
saya. Terima kasih kerana memberikan
saya penghargaan,” katanya turut
menitiskan air mata gembira.
Ini adalah kemenangan ketiga Yeoh
tahun ini selepas menang anugerah
Meerqeen tangguh
ke Indonesia demi
Melur Untuk Firdaus
DEMI dedikasinya terhadap drama Melur
Untuk Firdaus musim kedua, pelakon
Meerqeen (gambar) sanggup menolak
beberapa tawaran filem di Indonesia.
Bukan hendak menolak peluang,
Meerqeen, 22, menjelaskan tindakannya
itu kerana rasa cintanya terhadap watak
Firdaus dalam drama arahan Zamri
Zakaria tersebut.
“Kedengaran agak gila tolak dan
tangguh beberapa tawaran di Indonesia
tetapi fokus ketika ini ialah Melur Untuk
Firdaus 2. Bagi saya, tiada sesiapa yang
boleh ganti pelakon untuk watak Firdaus
selain saya,” katanya pada Anugerah
Gempak Most Wanted di Shah Alam,
Ahad lalu.
Tambah bekas finalis Hero Remaja
2020 itu, selain rasa cinta terhadap
watak, jadual yang bertindih dengan
tawaran lain juga adalah salah satu
faktor terpaksa menangguh impian
untuk bergelar bintang filem di
Indonesia.
Katanya, terdapat juga produksi
menangguh projek filem bagi menanti
waktu yang sesuai untuk dia terbang ke
negara jiran.
“Ya, jadual bertindih tetapi sekiranya
masih diberikan peluang, rezeki dan
masa, Insya-Allah saya akan tetap
melebarkan sayap di sana. Konsep di
Indonesia, jika mereka hendak pelakon
itu, mereka pasti tetap akan
mendapatkannya dan sanggup
menunggu.
“Apa pun, keutamaan saya tetap di
Malaysia dan membolosi industri
hiburan di sana pastinya bukan impian
saya sahaja tetapi semua pelakon tanah
air lain,” ujarnya.
Sebelum ini, pemilik nama penuh
Muhammad Shameer Shauqeen Shaiful
Izam itu pernah membintangi drama
terbitan Indonesia berjudul Modus
Operandi yang turut dibintangi Krito
Immanuel, Yusuf, Mahardika, diandra
Agatha dan Maudy Effrosina. – Kosmo!
Online
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
susulan peruntukan dKd bernilai RM102
juta diumumkan Perdana Menteri, datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada Belanjawan 2023.
“Mengenai isu ketirisan dKd yang
disebut dalam LKAN 2021, saya tidak boleh
beri komen kerana buat masa ini, Finas
masih meneliti kronologi perkara itu.
“Pada masa sama, kami mahu lihat
dokumen berkaitan, termasuk
mendengar rakaman audio yang dibuat
ketika mesyuarat berlangsung. Jadi, ini
mengambil masa sebelum kami dapat
mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan,”
katanya.
Baru-baru ini, BH Online melaporkan
LKAN 2021 Siri 2 mendapati penyaluran
dKd berjumlah RM4 juta kepada syarikat
yang mempunyai kepentingan dengan
ahli perbadanan.
Laporan itu menyebut, semakan audit
mendapati dKd RM4 juta disalurkan
Pelakon Wanita Terbaik di National
Board Review Awards dan Golden Globes.
Selain Yeoh, calon hebat lain yang
bersaing dengannya untuk kategori itu
ialah Cate Blanchett menerusi filem Tár,
Viola Davis (The Woman King), Ana de
Armas (Blonde) dan danielle deadwyler
(Till).
Apa yang menarik, nama Yeoh kini
disebut-sebut mempunyai peluang besar
dan cerah untuk dinobatkan sebagai
Pelakon Filem Wanita Terbaik di Oscar
atau Academy Awards, bulan depan.
Pada acara SAG Awards 2023 itu, Yeoh
berjalan di karpet merah dengan
menggayakan gaun rona hitam
Schiaparelli Haute Couture yang elegan
dengan sulaman labuci kuning di
sepanjang gaun itu.
Selain itu, filem Everything Everywhere
All at Once turut memecah rekod SAG
Awards apabila memenangi empat
kategori utama.
Selain Pelakon Wanita Terbaik, ia
turut menang kategori Filem Terbaik,
Pelakon Pembantu Lelaki Terbaik (Ke
Huy Quan) dan Pelakon Pembantu
Ebby mahu terus bekerja selagi ada kudrat
Wanita Terbaik (Jamie Lee Curtis). –
Agensi
PELAWAK Ebby Yus, 57, (gambar)
yang dibenarkan pulang ke rumah
selepas menjalani rawatan di hospital
pada 7 Februari lalu akibat
masalah buah pinggang,
mahu terus bekerja selagi
kudrat ada.
Ebby yang menjalani
rawatan lebih seminggu
hingga dimasukkan ke unit
rawatan rapi (ICU), Hospital
Kuala Lumpur (HKL) selama
tiga hari, tidak mahu terlalu
selesa dengan bantuan insan
prihatin. Sebaliknya, Ebby lebih
mengalu-alukan sumbangan dalam
bentuk tawaran kerja.
“Prinsip saya mahu bekerja daripada
terima sumbangan. Saya tidak mahu
terlalu leka dengan bantuan sedangkan
masih ada kudrat untuk bekerja.
Sebelum ini, sebuah stesen televisyen
(TV) pernah hubungi untuk beri
bantuan, namun, saya tolak dan minta
digantikan dengan peluang kerja.
“Saya tidak mahu naik ‘lemak’
dengan sumbangan, padahal saya
sudah diberi kekuatan oleh Allah untuk
Tom Cruise tolak bawa watak Tony Stark
bekerja. Jadi, saya tidak mahu menjadi
orang yang meminta-minta,” katanya.
NAMA pelakon Tom Cruise (gambar)
dicanang sebagai pengganti kepada
aktor Robert downey Jr untuk
memegang watak terkenal Tony Stark
atau Iron Man oleh Marvel Cinematic
Universe.
Bahkan pelakon berusia 60 tahun itu
sempat dikhabarkan akan muncul
sebagai Iron Man versi jahat menerusi
filem Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of
Madness.
Erra Fazira tiada perancangan jadi penyampai radio sepenuh masa
Meskipun khabar angin tersebut
disangkal Cruise sebagai tidak benar,
kepada enam syarikat yang mempunyai
kepentingan antaranya milik isteri dan
anak ahli lembaga pengarah Finas.
Md Nasir berkata, Finas memberi
penekanan kepada dua aspek dalam isu
agihan dKd selepas Belanjawan 2023
iaitu membetulkan dan mencegah.
“Kami akan perbetul kesilapan yang
pernah berlaku sebelum ini
berpandukan kepada akta, garis
panduan dan peraturan sedia ada. Kami
juga perketatkan (prosedur) agar
sebarang ketirisan (dalam agihan dana)
dapat dielak.
“Kedua, kami akan ambil langkah
pencegahan iaitu dengan menghalang
perkara itu (ketirisan) berlaku dan akan
memastikan semuanya (proses agihan
dana) dipantau dengan baik dari awal
hingga akhir,” katanya.
Md Nasir berkata, sebagai langkah
bersama trofi
kemenangan. –
Gambar AFP
Terdahulu, Ebby yang tampak sedikit
uzur, dikunjungi Menteri Komunikasi
dan digital, Fahmi Fadzil yang
meluangkan hampir setengah jam
bertanya khabarnya.
Ebby berterima kasih kepada
Fahmi atas kesudian berkunjung
ke kediamannya.
Ebby atau nama sebenar,
Muhammad Yunus Abdul Rashid
tidak menyangka tokoh disegani
seperti Fahmi sanggup
meluangkan waktu untuk bertanya
khabar.
“Saya tidak tahu menteri yang
datang untuk menyampaikan
sumbangan kerana dimaklumkan,
wakil Finas yang mahu menziarah.
Bagaimanapun, saya amat berbesar hati.
Apakah yang beliau pandang pada saya,
sedangkan, saya hanyalah insan kerdil.
“Alhamdulillah, saya amat bersyukur
apabila ramai yang menunjukkan
keprihatinan. Cuma saya tidak mahu
minta banyak, sebenarnya, apa yang
lebih hebat dan besar adalah doa
sahaja,” katanya.
Ebby berkata, beliau sudah kembali
bekerja dalam program Sepahtu
Reunion, beberapa hari selepas keluar
namun peminatnya masih berharap dia
diberi peluang untuk menjadi pengganti
kepada downey Jr. sebagai Iron Man
dalam salah satu filem keluaran
Marvel Studios akan datang.
dalam satu temu bual
bersama Phase Zero, Cruise yang
popular menerusi filem Top Gun
mengakui bahawa dia tidak
mahu memegang watak Tony
Stark atau dalam erti kata lain
menggantikan tempat downey Jr.
menerusi filem tersebut.
KEMUNCULAN Erra Fazira (gambar)
sebagai penyampai radio atau dJ di
slot duo Sinar, stesen radio Sinar FM
sejak 7 Februari lalu hanya sementara
saja.
Erra atau nama sebenar, Fazira Wan
Chek, 49, berkata, dia semakin seronok
dan jatuh cinta menjadi penyampai
radio dan pada masa sama dapat
bergandingan dengan penyampai radio
berpengalaman.
“Sebab itu saya bersetuju untuk
menggalas tanggungjawab ini selama
enam minggu,” katanya ketika ditemui di
majlis pelantikannya sebagai duta
jenama Captain dolphin di sebuah hotel,
di Kuala Lumpur.
dalam slot itu, Erra berganding
dengan Faliq Hikyle dan Hefny Sahad
yang lebih efisien untuk menangani
masalah ketirisan dKd, FINAS
bekerjasama dengan beberapa pihak
berkepentingan untuk menggubal garis
panduan baharu.
“Sekarang sudah ada garis panduan
baharu yang membabitkan (input)
daripada peguam Finas, pemain industri
dan wakil Kementerian Komunikasi dan
digital termasuk ahli Finas dalam
membentuk garis panduan lebih jelas
dan terperinci.
“Ini dapat melindungi kerajaan dan
penerima dana. Tatacara yang lebih jelas
itu diharap dapat menghalang daripada
berlakunya ketirisan dana selepas ini,”
katanya.
Pada masa sama, Md Nasir berkata,
jawatankuasa khas ditubuhkan bagi
membantu proses semak dan imbang,
terutama daripada sudut agihan dana.
dari hospital.
Tambah Ebby, biarpun syarikat
produksi melarangnya daripada
bekerja, beliau enggan menyusahkan
pihak terbabit.
“Saya tidak mahu menyusahkan
syarikat produksi. Selagi masih mampu
bekerja, saya teruskan.
“Cuma saya terpaksa tolak pelawaan
program ke Jepun kerana tidak mahu
menyusahkan syarikat produksi
terbabit dan rakan-rakan andai berlaku
perkara tidak diingini,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Ebby akan
mengetahui keputusan ujian darah,
bulan depan, bagi memastikan apakah
dia memerlukan rawatan dialisis atau
tidak.
“Saya akan berjumpa doktor bulan
depan. Nanti, barulah saya tahu tahap
kesihatan saya. Jika perlu jalani rawatan
dialisis, Fahmi beritahu, beliau mahu
bantu mempercepatkan proses
pemasangan tapak bagi rawatan dialisis
pada tangan,” katanya.
Ebby yang sebelum ini dikejarkan ke
hospital selepas sukar bernafas,
mengalami masalah buah pinggang,
kencing manis, masalah saraf, darah
tinggi, jantung dan prostat. – BH Online
“Saya amat mengagumi downey Jr.
dan tidak mahu menggantikan
tempatnya sebagai Tony Stark.
Karakter itu sudah sebati dengan
dirinya dan tidak boleh
dibawakan oleh pelakon lain,”
ujar Cruise.
Jawapan yang diberikan
Cruise jelas menunjukkan
bahawa dia sebenarnya tidak
berminat untuk memegang
watak terkenal itu, apatah lagi
menggantikan posisi downey Jr.
setiap Isnin hingga Jumaat bermula jam
3 hingga 7 petang.
Bercerita mengenai kerjaya sebagai
penyampai radio, Erra berkata, ia
mencabar dan memberi kepuasan
kepada dirinya.
“Saya seorang yang ‘introvert’ dan
tidak banyak bercakap. Tugas sebagai
penyampai radio memerlukan saya
banyak bercakap, kongsi idea dan secara
spontan.
“Saya juga tak selesa menjadi pendiam
dan pemalu sekali gus ia mencabar saya
sebagai penyampai radio untuk menjadi
lebih berani,” katanya.
Pada masa sama, kata Erra, dia juga
meminta tip daripada penyampai radio
berpengalaman seperti Linda Onn dan
Halim Othman.
harianekspres
“Kami ada jawatankuasa yang
dianggotai individu berbeza agar dapat
membuat semak imbang sewajarnya.
dengan cara ini, tidak ada pihak yang
boleh mendominasi mana-mana
keputusan untuk pemberian dKd,”
katanya.
Ketika membentangkan Belanjawan
2023, Jumaat lalu, Anwar mengumumkan
peruntukan RM127 juta bagi
menyemarakkan industri kreatif, seni
dan budaya.
daripada jumlah itu, kerajaan
memperuntukkan dKd bernilai RM102
juta bagi mendukung usaha penggiat
seni kreatif mengangkat sektor seni dan
budaya tempatan.
Kerajaan menyediakan dana RM25
juta bagi menyemarak kegiatan
kebudayaan dan kesenian di peringkat
Penganjur Oscar
komuniti. – BH Online
tubuh pasukan
krisis elak insiden
tidak dijangka
PENGANJUR Anugerah Akademi (Oscar)
Ke-95 yang bakal berlangsung di dolby
Theatre, Los Angeles, Amerika Syarikat (AS)
bulan depan, menubuhkan pasukan krisis
bagi menangani insiden tidak dijangka
susulan kontroversi aktor Hollywood, Will
Smith melempang Chris Rock di pentas
acara berprestij itu, tahun lalu.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO),
Akademi Filem Seni dan Sains (AMPAS),
Bill Kramer, berkata pasukan krisis itu
sedia berdepan apa sahaja kemungkinan
pada malam gilang-gemilang Oscar yang
akan dikendalikan Jimmy Kimmel pada
12 Mac depan.
dalam wawancara bersama majalah
Time, Kramer berkata, insiden Smith
melempang Rock di pentas Oscar, tahun
lalu membuka minda penganjur
terhadap banyak perkara, lapor agensi.
“Kami ada pasukan krisis, sesuatu
yang tidak pernah kami buat sebelum ini
dan banyak perancangan lain turut
disediakan,” katanya.
Pada 28 Mac tahun lalu, tindakan
Smith melempang Rock di pentas edisi
ke-94 Oscar, mengejutkan penonton di
dolby Theatre dan seluruh dunia yang
menyaksikan siaran langsung anugerah
berprestij itu.
Insiden berlaku ketika Rock yang
menjadi penyampai bagi kategori
dokumentari Terbaik, membuat lawak
yang kurang disenangi mengenai
penampilan isteri Smith, Jada Pinkett
Smith yang berimej botak dengan
menyamakannya seperti watak G.I Jane
lakonan demi Moore.
Secara tiba-tiba, Smith yang juga calon
Oscar, naik ke pentas lalu melempang
Rock yang terkejut dan terpinga-pinga
dengan aksi pelakon dan penerbit itu.
Sebaik menampar Rock, Smith
kembali ke tempat duduk dan menjerit
ke arah Rock meminta agar nama
isterinya yang menghidap penyakit
alopecia yang mengakibatkan keguguran
rambut, tidak disebut.
Berikutan insiden itu, Smith
memohon maaf secara terbuka kepada
Rock menerusi hantaran di Instagram
(IG), sehari selepas insiden itu. Akhir
Julai tahun lalu, Smith sekali lagi
dilaporkan memohon maaf kepada Rock
atas perlakuannya.
Smith menyatakan permohonan maaf
itu melalui video diberi judul ‘It’s been a
minute’ yang dimuat naik di saluran
YouTube rasminya.
Akibat perlakuannya, Smith
dilaporkan dilarang menghadiri Oscar
dan semua acara anjuran AMPAS bagi
tempoh 10 tahun.
Kramer yang dilantik CEO AMPAS
pada Julai lalu berkata, pasukan krisis
berkebolehan bertindak dengan sangat
cepat andai sebarang insiden berlaku.
Kramer berkata, penganjur juga
mempunyai alasan kukuh untuk
memilih Kimmel sebagai hos.
“Itulah sebabnya anda mahu
seseorang seperti Jimmy Kimmel di
pentas yang mana individu biasa
berurusan dengan siaran langsung.
Semuanya tidak selalu berjalan seperti
dirancang. Jadi, anda perlukan hos yang
boleh menguruskan detik itu,” katanya,
lapor agensi. – Agensi
Sementara itu, ketika ditanya sama
ada dia merancang untuk menjadi
penyampai radio sepenuh masa, Erra
berkata, dia belum lagi ada perancangan
ke arah itu.
“Pihak Sinar FM ada menawarkan saya
kontrak selama setahun kerana
mendapat maklum balas yang bagus
daripada pendengar sebelum ini tapi
saya belum bersedia untuk menerima
tawaran terbabit kerana ada komitmen
lain,” katanya.
dalam laporan sebelum ini,
pelakon, penyanyi dan pengacara itu
pernah menimba pengalaman
mengendalikan segmen pagi di Sinar
FM bersama Angah, Jepp dan Rahim
selama sebulan pada April tahun lalu. –
Harian Metro

harianekspres
E
MPAT belas tahun selepas
diperkenalkan pada 2009, Pusat
GENIUS@Pintar Negara (PGPN)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
kekal komited dalam meneruskan usaha
mencari pelajar pintar dan berbakat di
seluruh negara bagi melahirkan modal
insan bernilai tinggi untuk meneruskan
pembangunan negara.
Menerusi usaha yang dilakukan
dengan kerjasama Kementerian
Pendidikan Malaysia, PGPN UKM
mengenal pasti anak-anak pintar berusia
lapan hingga 15 tahun di seluruh negara
bagi mengikuti program pintar dan
berbakat di Kolej GENIUS@Pintar Negara
(KGPN) di UKM; Kolej GENIUS Insan,
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri
Sembilan dan Akademi Sains Pendang,
Kedah.
Inisiatif ini bermula selepas UKM
menerima mandat daripada jemaah
menteri pada 2008 agar universiti ini
merancang, melaksana serta memantau
program pendidikan pelajar pintar dan
berbakat di seluruh negara.
Untuk menyertai program ini, seorang
pelajar harus mempunyai skor
kecerdasan intelek (IQ) sekurang-
kurangnya 130 dan umur mental
melebihi tiga tahun berbanding umur
biologi.
“Contohnya, umur biologi pelajar
adalah 11 tahun, umur mental atau
akalnya minimum 14 tahun,” jelas
Pengarah PGPN UKM Prof Madya dr
Rorlinda Yusof kepada Bernama.
Pelajar pintar aset negara
Beliau yang telah 10 tahun menjadi
pendidik, pentadbir dan kini menerajui
pusat itu, berkata program tersebut
berpegang pada falsafah pelajar pintar
adalah aset negara yang perlu dipelihara
dan diasah bakatnya semaksimum
mungkin bagi menyerlahkan potensi
sebenar mereka ke arah menjadi
pemenang anugerah nobel pada masa
depan untuk negara.
Jelasnya, program pendidikan pintar
yang distrukturkan dengan kurikulum
mencabar, terkehadapan dan holistik itu
bertujuan membentuk kemenjadian bakat
pintar yang bakal menyumbang sebagai
pemimpin dunia dalam bidang kepakaran
masing-masing, khususnya Sains,
Matematik, Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi
(STEM) dan penyelidikan, sebagai pemikir
dan pereka cipta yang menghayati nilai
kemanusiaan yang tinggi.
“Hasil daripada kurikulum
pendidikan pintar dan berbakat yang
dijalankan di KGPN ini, pelajar- pelajar
telah berjaya mendapat tawaran
pengajian terus ke tahun satu di
universiti-universiti terkemuka di dunia
Sukan
Mbappe capai 200
gol bersama PSG
PARIS: Kylian Mbappe mencapai 200
bersama Paris Saint-Germain dan menjadi
penjaring terbanyak bersama kelab
apabila dia meledak dua gol dalam
kemenangan 3-0 ke atas pencabar Ligue 1,
Marseille, pada awal pagi Isnin.
Mbappe menjaringkan kedua-dua
golnya di Velodrome hasil umpanan Lionel
Messi dan di antaranya dia membantu
bintang Argentina itu menjaringkan satu
lagi gol PSG yang kini melebarkan jurang
kepada lapan mata di puncak liga.
Ia adalah keputusan dan persembahan
yang akan melenyapkan keraguan
mengenai pasukan itu, yang menampilkan
prestasi buruk sejak beberapa minggu lalu.
Mbappe mencapai 200 gol untuk PSG
dalam kurang daripada 250 penampilan
sejak dia berpindah dari Monaco pada
2017.
Pemain 24 tahun itu kini menyamai
rekod bekas rakan sepasukan, Edinson
Cavani sebagai penjaring terbanyak kelab
itu.
“dia amat pantas tetapi ia bukan saja
berkenaan kakinya – kelajuannya ketika
dia melakukan sesuatu amat luar biasa,”
kata jurulatih PSG, Christophe Galtier
memberitahu Amazon Prime.
“Pemain-pemain sepertinya jelas sekali
dimotivasikan oleh statistik dan rekod.
Malam ini dia menyamai rekod cemerlang
Edinson Cavani dan dia pasti akan
mengatasinya.”
Mbappe kini mendahului senarai
penjaring Ligue 1 musim ini dengan 17 gol
dan dia sudah mengumpul 29 gol
daripada 29 perlawanan dalam semua
pertandingan sejak kempen bermula.
Sementara itu Messi, mengumpul 12 gol
Justin raih gelaran di Cabaran Antarabangsa Uganda
liga musim ini dan membantu 12 lagi,
dengan PSG tidak terasa kehilangan
KUALA LUMPUR: Bintang badminton
dalam pembikinan Justin Hoh mencipta
sensasi meraih gelaran juara keempatnya,
selepas muncul johan dalam acara
perseorangan lelaki Kejohanan Cabaran
Antarabangsa Uganda 2023, pada Ahad
lalu.
Pada aksi final berlangsung di Arena
MTN Kampala itu, Justin yang mula
Pelajar pintar PGPN UKM aset
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
negara yang perlu dipertahan
dalam bidang yang dicenderungi oleh
pelajar pintar ini,” katanya.
Menurut Rorlinda, kira-kira 25 peratus
alumni KGPN UKM berjaya melanjutkan
pengajian di universiti terkemuka dunia
sejak penubuhannya, manakala baki 75
peratus menyambung pendidikan di
universiti awam tempatan, khususnya
UKM, dalam pelbagai bidang STEM dan
sains sosial.
“Antara universiti luar negara yang
menempatkan pelajar kolej ini ialah
Johns Hopkins University, Oxford
University, University of Cambridge,
Cornell University, Brown University,
University of Chicago, University of
California, Los Angeles atau UCLA serta
beberapa universiti terkemuka dunia
yang lain,” katanya.
Menurut beliau, sejak penerimaan
kohort pertama pada 2011, program itu
telah melahirkan 1,446 pelajar pintar
setakat 2022.
Mengenai pemilihan pelajar, beliau
berkata ibu bapa yang mempunyai anak
pintar dan berbakat boleh mengintai
peluang mengikuti program pintar
tersebut dengan mendaftarkan anak
mereka secara berkelompok melalui
sekolah masing-masing di laman web
http://ukm1.geniuspintar.ukm.my
Mereka yang terpilih akan melalui
Ujian Saringan UKM1, UKM2 yang
merupakan ujian IQ dan Ujian UKM3
yang melibatkan sesi temu bual dan
ujian kompetensi STEM serta pelbagai
ujian psikologi yang perlu diambil
semasa mengikuti Program Pengayaan
Cuti Sekolah (PPCS).
Iktiraf sijil pendidikan pintar Pusat
GENIUS@Pintar Negara
dalam pada itu, Rorlinda menjelaskan
pelajar pintar dan berbakat sebenarnya
memerlukan pengukuran
kecemerlangan yang berbeza
berbanding pelajar aliran perdana.
Menurutnya, sepertimana pelajar
berkeperluan khas, vokasional atau
aliran agama yang menduduki
peperiksaan kebangsaan mengikut
kecenderungan mereka, pelajar pintar
juga memerlukan pensijilan khusus
kerana mereka adalah pelajar
PENYERANG PSG, Kylian Mbappe mengawal
bola semasa perlawanan tersebut. – Gambar AFP
Neymar yang mengalami kecederaan buku
lali ketika aksi menentang Lille minggu
lalu.
Monaco kekal dua mata di belakang
Marseille di tangga ketiga selepas tewas 3-
0 di laman sendiri menentang Nice dalam
perlawanan lebih awal.
Penyerang Nigeria, Terem Moffi
meledak dua kali untuk Nice sebelum
membantu Khephren Thuram
menjaringkan gol ketiga.
Nice masih belum tewas sejak didier
digard, 36, menggantikan Lucien Favre
yang dipecat sebagai jurulatih bulan lalu,
dengan enam kemenangan dan dua seri
disenaraikan dalam skuad senior
November lepas, mudah menewaskan
pemain ranking ke-396 dari India, Kanishq
M dengan keputusan 21-8, 21-12.
Kejayaan tersebut sekali gus
menyaksikan pemain berusia 18 tahun di
ranking ke-111 dunia itu menambah
koleksi kejuaraan dalam karier seniornya,
selepas menjuarai Bonn International
ANTARA pelajar PGPN UKM. – fotoBERNAMA
berkebolehan tinggi dalam bidang yang
khusus.
“Sebagai contoh, Sijil Vokasional
Malaysia (SVM) dan Sijil Tinggi Agama
Malaysia (STAM) yang diiktiraf sijilnya,
demikian juga dengan pelajar pintar dan
berbakat. Mereka memerlukan sijil yang
diiktiraf bagi menyokong
kesinambungan pembelajaran mereka ke
peringkat yang lebih tinggi.
“Ini sejajar dengan konsep
‘pendidikan untuk semua’ yang
terkandung dalam dasar Pendidikan
Kebangsaan, juga kesedaran kita sebagai
pendidik dalam menghayati konsep No
one- size-fits-all,” katanya yang turut
menegaskan keperluan institusi
pendidikan tempatan di pelbagai
peringkat untuk menyediakan sokongan
pendidikan bagi memenuhi keperluan
pelajar pintar dan berbakat.
“Jika negara luar mengiktiraf bakat
kepintaran pelajar pintar negara ini,
mengapa tidak kita?” soalnya.
Mengulas lebih lanjut tentang hal itu,
beliau berkata pada masa ini, pelajar
KGPN UKM perlu mencatat
kecemerlangan dalam Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM) seperti pelajar arus
perdana bagi membolehkan mereka
menerima penajaan untuk menyambung
pendidikan di luar negara.
“Mereka juga perlu menjalani
program persediaan sebelum
melanjutkan pengajian sama seperti
dalam lapan perlawanan.
Kekalahan Monaco itu hadir hanya tiga
hari selepas mereka disingkirkan dari
saingan Liga Europa menerusi penalti oleh
Bayer Leverkusen dan mengekalkan
mereka di tangga ketiga tetapi berada di
atas Lens hanya kerana perbezaan gol.
di tempat lain, gol Jeremy doku
memberikan kemenangan 1-0 kepada
Rennes menentang Nantes, untuk kembali
memintas Lille di tangga kelima.
Reims, yang dibimbing pengendali
kelahiran Belgium, Will Still, kini tidak
tewas dalam 17 perlawanan liga selepas
menewaskan Toulouse 3-0. – AFP
2022 di Jerman, Terbuka Croatia pada Jun
lepas serta Cabaran Antarabangsa
Malaysia di Ipoh, Perak pada disember
lepas.
Sementara itu, dalam aksi
perseorangan wanita, K Letshanaa turut
melakar kejayaan selepas mengatasi
pemain Turkiye, Neslihan Yigit 21-11, 21-8.
– Bernama
pelajar lepasan SPM dalam arus perdana,
walaupun telah ditawarkan terus ke
tahun satu di universiti luar negara.
Kebanyakan tajaan biasiswa masih
meletakkan syarat SPM cemerlang
sebagai kriteria utama dan ini menjadi
kekangan bagi mereka,” ujarnya.
Beliau yang berulang kali menekankan
keperluan aspek sokongan penajaan bagi
membuka laluan akademik pelajar
pintar, berkata sudah tiba masa untuk
pihak industri dan juga institusi yang
memberi tajaan melihat kepada bakat
pintar negara dengan menimbangkan
kelayakan menerusi Sijil Pendidikan
Pintar yang mengukur kepintaran dan
bakat sebenar pelajar-pelajar ini.
“Kami sedang dan akan terus
berusaha segigihnya untuk membantu
mencarikan penajaan untuk pelajar-
pelajar pintar negara yang telah berjaya
mendapat tawaran ke universiti luar
negara walaupun mereka belum lagi
menamatkan peperiksaan SPM tahun
ini,” katanya.
Perluas tajaan untuk pelajar pintar
di samping itu, Rorlinda bersyukur
kerana setakat ini Maybank Group
Scholarship Programme (MGSP), Yayasan
Gamuda dan MyBrainSc Kementerian
Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) bersedia
menawarkan tajaan atau biasiswa
dengan keluwesan syarat yang sesuai
dengan pelajar pintar dan berbakat,
Barcelona tewas di tangan Almeria
La Liga
ALMERIA, Sepanyol: Pendahulu La Liga,
Barcelona dikejutkan dengan kekalahan 1-
0 di Almeria pada awal pagi Isnin, sekali
gus gagal memanfaatkan peluang
melebarkan jurang ke atas pesaing
terdekat, Real Madrid yang diikat Atletico.
Jaringan El Bilal Toure pada babak
pertama memberikan Almeria
kemenangan pertama ke atas Barca, dan
kekalahan kedua skuad Catalan itu dalam
saingan liga musim ini.
Skuad kendalian Xavi Hernandez
masih mendahului tujuh mata di depan
juara bertahan, Madrid, tetapi ia
tamparan hebat buat gergasi Sepanyol itu
selepas tersingkir daripada Liga Europa di
tangan Manchester United minggu lalu.
Barca akan berdepan Madrid di
separuh akhir Piala Raja Sepanyol di
Santiago Bernabeu pada Khamis ini.
Kemenangan ke atas Almeria akan
mengukuhkan kedudukan Barca di
puncak liga, dalam usaha mereka
memburu gelaran La Liga pertama sejak
2019, namun mereka gagal memanfaatkan
keputusan seri 1-1 Madrid.
Los Blancos kendalian Carlo Ancelotti
menewaskan Barcelona dalam saingan
liga pada Oktober lalu untuk kekalahan
pertama mereka dan Almeria
menamatkan deretan 13 perlawanan
tanpa kalah mereka.
“Saya sangat marah kerana saya rasa kami
bermain permainan paling buruk musim
KBS, ESI pupuk perpaduan,
ini,” kata Xavi memberitahu Movistar.
“Pada babak pertama, kami gagal
komunikasi positif melalui e-sukan
KUALA LUMPUR: Bertarung di alam maya
sambil memupuk perpaduan kaum.
Ia merujuk edisi pertama
#SamaSamaMenang iaitu kejohanan sukan
elektronik atau e-sukan bertemakan
perpaduan yang merupakan inisiatif
Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) menerusi
Esports Integrated (ESI) berlangsung di ESI
Hub di Puchong Ahad lalu.
Mempertandingkan hanya permainan
video PlayerUnknown’s Battleground
Mobile (PUBGM), penganjur menjadikan ia
lebih menarik apabila menerapkan tiga
komponen dalam format permainan bagi
membawa misi perpaduan serta
komunikasi yang positif sesama peserta.
Tiga komponen itu ialah peserta perlu
menggunakan format round-robin
individu bagi setiap peringkat permainan,
mata ganjaran tambahan Peace and
development Unity (PAdU) dan sesi
Rencana 7
sama ada berdasarkan Sijil
GENIUS@Pintar High School diploma
(HSd) atau ujian bakat ilmiah (Scholastic
Aptitude Test - SAT).
Tambah beliau, penajaan dari dalam
negara untuk pelajar pintar amat
penting bagi memastikan mereka
kembali dan berkhidmat di Malaysia
selepas tamat pengajian.
“Kita perlu pastikan aset pintar negara
yang dibina dari kecil ini berkhidmat
dalam negara dengan menawarkan
mereka biasiswa, kerana disebabkan
mereka mahu pendidikan terbaik,
mereka akan terima sebarang bantuan
kewangan daripada institusi asing
termasuk geran universiti untuk
menyambung pengajian mereka.
“Apabila mereka menerima tawaran-
tawaran penajaan luar begini, maka kita
perlu bersedia untuk kehilangan bakat-
bakat ini kerana mereka akan
menyambung bekerja di luar negara
memandangkan tiada ikatan perjanjian
untuk mereka kembali berkhidmat
dalam negara,” katanya, menambah ini
merupakan satu kerugian besar dalam
konteks pelaburan modal insan negara.
Ulas beliau, negara pernah
mengalami “ketirisan bakat” dalam
kalangan pelajar pintar pada era 1980-an
hingga 1990-an kerana tidak ada
program pendidikan pintar yang
berstruktur untuk menyokong keperluan
pendidikan pelajar kognisi tinggi.
Ini juga katanya adalah penyebab
pewujudan program pendidikan pintar
dan berbakat di UKM, selain berjaya
mengekang penghijrahan pelajar
tempatan ke negara jiran.
“Namun kini, setelah negara berjaya
membentuk dan menghasilkan
kemenjadian holistik pelajar pintar
mengikut acuan negara berlandaskan
Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan,
sehingga kepintaran mereka diiktiraf
dan berjaya mendapat tawaran tempat
pengajian di universiti terkemuka dunia,
isu pembiayaan pengajian masih belum
dapat diselesaikan, dan tidak mustahil
negara akan kehilangan bakat-bakat
yang telah dipupuk dan diasah
kepintarannya kepada negara-negara
lain,” katanya. – Bernama
menguasai bola, kurang intensiti,
kelajuan, pada hari kami sepatutnya tidak
boleh melakukan kesilapan. Kami tidak
menunjukkan kemahuan untuk menang.
di babak kedua ada peningkatan, tetapi
mereka bertahan dengan baik.”
dalam aksi di Stadium Power Horse,
tuan rumah yang memulakan permainan
di tangga ke-19 liga selepas merakam
hanya satu kemenangan dalam lapan
perlawanan liga sebelum itu, menguasai
babak pertama dan mendahulu
permainan menerusi Toure.
Pemain Mali itu menghantar bola
kepada Luis Suarez, yang kemudian
membuat umpanan kepadanya untuk gol
tunggal permainan.
Ia adalah gol liga kelapan yang
membolosi gawang Barca musim ini,
dengan Marc-Andre ter Stegen gagal
menambah catatan tanpa bolos yang kini
sudah mencecah 17 perlawanan.
Penjaga gol itu berkata Barcelona akan
pulih menjelang perlawanan menentang
Madrid.
“Ia satu kekalahan, ia sentiasa
menyakitkan, ia tidak pernah tiba pada
saat yang baik, tetapi kami akan
menenangkan diri kami,” kata Ter Stegen.
“Ia penting untuk mengecas bateri
kami untuk perlawanan Khamis ini. Kami
tidak sabar dan kami akan mencapai apa
yang kami mahukan.”
Sementara itu, Almeria kini melonjak
ke tangga ke-15, dua mata di atas zon
penyingkiran. – AFP
interaktif Fireside Chat sebagai platform
perbincangan mengenai perpaduan dan
komunikasi.
Pertandingan yang menawarkan hadiah
terkumpul bernilai RM3,000 itu disertai
keseluruhan 16 peserta terdiri daripada
berbilang etnik, agama dan budaya.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ESI Ahmed Faris
Amir berkata pertandingan itu bertujuan
menyuntik elemen keterangkuman dan
komunikasi positif dalam kalangan
komuniti e-sukan Malaysia yang berbilang
kaum.
“Bagi memastikan keberkesanan
program advokasi seumpama ini, kami
mengambil pendekatan dengan
melibatkan komuniti sasaran dalam slot
diskusi santai supaya objektif program
dapat disampaikan secara efektif dan telus,”
katanya dalam kenyataan pada Isnin. –
Bernama
 SUKAN
‘Pocket Rocketman’ sudah kembali
KUALA LUMPUR: Jaguh berbasikal trek
negara datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang
telah membuktikan semangatnya
masih membara untuk mencipta
sejarah menghadiahkan pingat emas
sulung Malaysia di Sukan Olimpik Paris
2024 tahun hadapan.
Ia susulan pencapaian menakjubkan
juara dunia 2017 menerusi acara keirin
itu memenangi pingat perak acara
sama pada Kejohanan Piala Negara-
Negara Kesatuan Berbasikal
Antarabangsa (UCI) yang berlangsung
di Jakarta, Indonesia baru-baru ini.
Pemerhati sukan tempatan, datuk dr
Pekan Ramli mengakui sangat teruja
dan gembira apabila atlet berusia 35
tahun itu meraih kejayaan tersebut
kurang daripada setahun selepas
Letshanaa kembali
melalui pembedahan jantung terbuka
sertai BAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Persatuan Badminton
Malaysia (BAM) mengesahkan pemain
perseorangan wanita K. Letshanaa
kembali menyertai badan induk sukan
itu berkuat kuasa 1 Mac ini.
BAM melalui hantaran di Facebook
rasminya pada Isnin memaklumkan,
pihaknya amat berbesar hati dengan
keputusan dibuat pemain berpotensi
berusia 20 tahun itu untuk kembali
bersama skuad kebangsaan.
“Sudah pasti, beliau akan
menambah dan memperkuatkan
pasukan perseorangan wanita.
Persatuan telah memantau dengan
teliti kemajuan ketika proses
pemulihan dan kagum dengan
komitmen ditunjukkan.
“BAM akan bekerjasama dan
membantu dalam pembangunan serta
kemajuannya,” menurut kenyataan itu.
Letshanaa dilaporkan
meninggalkan pasukan kebangsaan
pada Februari tahun lepas, susulan
kecederaan belakang dialaminya.
Ahad lalu, Letshanaa meraih
kejuaraan pertamanya musim ini
selepas muncul juara perseorangan
wanita pada kejohanan badminton
Mei Xing mahu
Antarabangsa Uganda. – Bernama
kekal konsisten
bersama Pang Roon
KUALA LUMPUR: Pemain beregu
campuran Teoh Mei Xing mengakui
tahap keserasian bersama Hoo Pang
Roon yang digandingkan bersama
sejak tiga bulan lepas semakin
meningkat.
Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata
persediaan rapi dari segi fizikal dan
mental perlu ditingkatkan selepas
gandingan itu mengesahkan
penyertaan dalam empat kejohanan
berturut-turut di Eropah.
Mei Xing berkata, beliau dan Pang
Roon juga perlu fokus dan konsisten
dalam setiap siri kejohanan Jelajah
dunia Persekutuan Badminton dunia
(BWF) dalam misi memburu gelaran
pertama musim ini.
Pang Roon-Mei Xing yang
menghuni ranking ke-67 dunia, akan
membuka tirai kejohanan Eropah
bermula dengan Terbuka Jerman dari
7 hingga 12 Mac, Seluruh England (14-
19 Mac), Terbuka Switzerland (21-26
Mac), Masters Sepanyol (28 Mac-2
April).
“Saya rasa setakat ini tahap
keserasian kami berdua sudah
mencecah 80 peratus, namun saya
akui masih ada ruang untuk kami
perbaiki terutamanya konsisten ketika
dalam gelanggang memandangkan
pengalaman saya dalam beregu
campuran masih kurang.
“Lagipun kami berdua (Pang Roon-
Mei Xing) masih belum banyak
peluang untuk bermain dengan
gandingan campuran terbaik di dunia.
Namun, Pang Roon banyak
membimbing saya dengan mengajar
cara menukar strategi dengan lebih
cepat supaya kedua-dua berasa lebih
selesa ketika berada dalam
gelanggang,” katanya ketika ditemui
pemberita baru-baru ini.
Pemain berusia 25 tahun itu
mengakui sentuhan jurulatih dari
Indonesia, Nova Widianto banyak
membantu mereka memperbaiki
kelemahan dalam setiap perlawanan
selain sering menasihati mereka
untuk mempunyai kepercayaan dan
keyakinan tinggi terhadap pasangan
ketika berdepan lawan. – Bernama
harianekspres
S U AR A TE MP ATAN AND A I S E LAS A, 2 8 FE B RUARI , 2 0 2 3
pada April tahun lepas.
Apa yang lebih menarik perhatian
Pekan ialah Mohd Azizulhasni yang
diberi julukan The Pocket Rocketman
berjaya menyaingi kehebatan pelumba
yang jauh lebih muda, Harrie Lavreysen
dari Belanda iaitu juara dunia 2022 dan
pemenang emas Sukan Olimpik Tokyo
2020.
“Ini satu petanda yang sangat positif
kerana sebelum ini saya katakan ada
rasa was-was dengan prestasi beliau
(Mohd Azizulhasni), tapi dengan
kejayaan di Jakarta tambahan pula
bersaing dengan juara dunia dan
Olimpik seolah-olah beliau sudah
kembali ke prestasi sebenar.
“Kalau sebelum ini beliau menang di
Australia (Austral Wheelrace di
Pheonix B juara Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja
Melbourne pada disember 2022) tanpa
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Pasukan Pheonix B
dari Persatuan Bola Jaring Kota
Kinabalu menjuarai Kejohanan Bola
Jaring Remaja Negeri yang julung kali
diadakan di Kompleks Sukan Tun
Adnan pada Ahad lalu.
Mereka menewaskan SSN Labuan
(Sekolah Sukan Labuan) 50-20 di final
untuk merangkul kejuaraan,
sementara tempat ketiga dimenangi
oleh Pheonix A yang menewaskan
Politeknik Kota Kinabalu 29-22 pada
perlawanan ‘play-off’.
Penjaring terbanyak kejohanan itu
ialah Norazlina Iswan dengan 123
mata sementara pemain terbaik
kejohanan disandang oleh Nurirdina
Sumaya.
Penyerang terbaik dianugerahkan
kepada Norhayati Norman Abdullah
dan dayang Nurain Ahmed Ismail
dipilih sebagai pertahanan terbaik
Ten Hag mahu Man Utd teruskan kejayaan
manakala trofi ‘fairplay’ diberikan
LONdON: Erik ten Hag menggesa
Manchester United menggunakan
kemenangan di final Piala Liga ke atas
Newcastle sebagai batu loncatan untuk
meneruskan kejayaan.
United merangkul trofi pertama
mereka dalam tempoh enam tahun
selepas tandukan Casemiro dan gol
sendiri Sven Botman mengesahkan
kemenangan 2-0 di Wembley, pada awal
pagi Isnin.
Musim pertama Ten Hag sebagai
pengendali United ternyata berjaya
mengubah kelab yang sedang bergelut
itu sejak dia tiba dari Ajax tahun lalu.
Pengendali dari Belanda itu membawa
United ke tangga ketiga Liga Perdana
Inggeris, dan kekal dalam pemburuan
Piala FA serta Liga Europa musim ini.
Persembahan mantap United
menentang Newcastle, yang terdesak
menamatkan kemarau 54 tahun untuk
memenangi trofi, menunjukkan impak
Wai Ching teruskan pencapaian luar biasa di Las Vegas
dibawa Ten Hag.
Tetapi Ten Hag tiada hasrat untuk
KUALA LUMPUR: Pelari menara nombor
satu negara, Soh Wai Ching meneruskan
pencapaian luar biasanya apabila
mengungguli perlumbaan menaiki anak
tangga bangunan menara Scale the Strat
Chia Ching Byn ungguli Regata Terbuka Hari Bandaraya ke-22
di Las Vegas, Nevada, Amerika Syarikat
lewat malam Ahad lalu.
GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Chia Ching Byn
memenangi gelaran International 470
keseluruhan pada Regata Terbuka Hari
Bandaraya ke-22 yang diadakan di Kelab
Perahu Layar Kinabalu (KYC) pada Ahad
lalu.
dia bersama kru, Thomas Kong,
memenangi hadiah utama, manakala di
tempat kedua ialah gandingan Muhd
daniel Iqbal Muhammad Samsu dan dato’
Chairullah, disusuli pemenang bahagian
veteran, Leonard Chin dan Josie Joinol di
tempat ketiga.
Ia merupakan kemenangan Chia dan
Kong yang kedua tahun ini, selepas turut
memenangi trofi Ship’s Bell kelab itu pada
Januari lalu.
dalam kategori ILCA (International
Laser Class Association) 6, gelaran
keseluruhan dimenangi oleh pemenang
bahagian wanita Gabrielle Marygrace
Yong Poquita, manakala pemenang
bahagian lelaki Mohd Reezmin Ismah
terpaksa berpuas hati di tempat kedua,
dengan Nur Hafizahanani Zailan di
jaguh-jaguh dunia, kali ini apa yang
ditunjukkan memberi kita keyakinan
beliau berpotensi dan wajar menjadi
sandaran emas di Paris,” katanya ketika
dihubungi Bernama, pada Isnin.
Mohd Azizulhasni yang merangkul
pingat perak keirin pada Olimpik Tokyo
2020 dan gangsa dalam acara sama
pada edisi 2016 di Rio de Janeiro
terpaksa berpuas hati membawa
pulang perak di Jakarta selepas hanya
dipisahkan 0.024 saat (s) di belakang
Lavreysen pada final Sabtu lepas.
Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009,
2010, 2017 dan 2019/2020 dan 2021 itu
kemudian tersingkir di peringkat suku
akhir ketika turun bersaing dalam acara
pecut keesokan harinya.
Sementara itu, Pekan berpendapat
Mohd Azizulhasni wajar mendapat
PASUKAN pemenang bersama Presiden Sabana, Chenderemata
Sinteh (keempat dari kanan) dan pegawai lain.
kepada pasukan Emerald dari
Tambunan.
Semua pihak berkaitan termasuk
persatuan sukan, jurulatih, ibu bapa,
guru-guru mesti memainkan peranan
dalam pembangunan sukan bola
jaring di negeri ini dari peringkat
membiarkan pemain-pemainnya
berpuas hati dengan kejayaan itu.
“Trofi menunjukkan sesuatu, yang
anda berada di landasan yang betul. Ia
satu piala dan sekarang baru Februari,
tetapi ia menunjukkan kami menuju ke
arah yang betul,” kata Ten Hag.
“Kami perlu meneruskan rentak ini
dan tidak mudah berpuas hati, kerana
rasa puas akan menjelmakan rasa malas
dan anda tidak akan memenangi
sebarang trofi.”
United tidak pernah memenangi Liga
Perdana Inggeris sejak musim terakhir
Alex Ferguson pada tahun 2013 dan
mereka hanya melihat seteru tetangga,
Manchester City menjadi kuasa besar di
England sepanjang tempoh itu.
Memenangi Piala Liga hanyalah
perkara kecil ketika era Ferguson, tetapi
Ten Hag menegaskan ia penting dalam
usahanya mencetus kebangkitan di Old
Trafford dan sebagai bukti kepada
pemain-pemainnya mengenai apa yang
mampu mereka capai jika mereka
Lebih manis, Wai Ching melakukan
larian 108 tingkat melibatkan 1,455 anak
tangga (ketinggian 260 meter) dalam
masa enam minit 46 saat (s) sekali gus
menyamai rekod terdahulu yang
dicatatkan pelari menara dari Mexico,
Alexis Trujillo pada 2020.
tempat ketiga.
Tiga pemenang teratas dalam kategori
keseluruhan ILCA 4 ialah Laurenz
Leonardo daim, Mohammad
Syahieradham Raiman dan Zeti Irdina
Zainal. Laurenz dan Zeti juga merupakan
pemenang bahagian lelaki dan wanita.
Gelaran Optimis keseluruhan
dimenangi oleh Hafizanah Zailan, disusuli
Muhammad Aiman Aqeel Mohd Firdaus
dan Kee Alaeana Abdullah.
Nur Hafizanah turut merangkul
kejuaraan divisyen A, manakala Ziqri
Luqman Zainal dan Muhammad Abqaari
Irham Adam masing-masing
mengungguli divisyen B dan C, dan tiga
tempat teratas dalam kategori Optimist
Novice disandang Andre Martin,
Alexander Chiu Shinka dan Macy Mosom
Sikayun.
dalam kategori Windsurf, Abidin
Aliakbar muncul pemenang lelaki terbuka
dan Tiong Jia Yi merangkul gelaran
wanita, manakala gelaran tertutup untuk
lelaki dimenangi oleh Mohd Azmi Mohd
Kahmis dan gelaran wanita disandang
Mbappe capai
200 gol
bersama PSG
sokongan yang sama ketika membuat
persiapan ke Tokyo dalam menghadapi
cabaran di Paris nanti.
“Saya nampak dia memerlukan
sokongan tambahan yang hebat
kerana saya percaya kekuatan
dalaman beliau sendiri iaitu faktor
motivasi intrinsik sudah sangat kuat.
Sokongan perlu datang dari segi apa
yang boleh pastikan beliau mencapai
prestasi yang luar biasa untuk beraksi
di Paris.
“Sokongan tambahan itu
umpamanya dari segi teknologi,
sokongan aspek sains sukan, basikal,
jurulatih, sokongan pasukan yang
menyeluruh dan juga sokongan dari
segi psikologi,” katanya.
Berdasarkan ranking dunia ketika
ini, Mohd Azizulhasni menghuni
akar umbi.
Sebanyak 16 pasukan mengambil
bahagian dalam pertandingan dua
hari anjuran Persatuan Bola Jaring
Sabah (Sabana) itu, yang dirasmikan
oleh isteri Ketua Menteri, datin Seri
Juliah Selag pada hari pembukaan.
mengikuti falsafahnya.
“Anda perlu meraikan saat ini. Ia
bukan hari yang biasa. Kami memenangi
trofi. Trofi ini membawa makna. Itu
perasaan saya ketika ini,” kata Ten Hag.
“Ia akan membantu, ia akan
membawa lebih keyakinan selagi kami
tidak terbawa-bawa dengan kejayaan ini.
Kami mampu memberikan lebih lagi,
menjadi lebih baik dan lebih berusaha.
Jangan cepat berpuas hati.”
Ten Hag dan pemain-pemainnya
disertai oleh pemilik bersama United,
Avram Glazer, ketika meraikan kejayaan
itu di bilik persalinan.
Pemilik dari Amerika itu menghadiri
perlawanan pertama sejak pengumuman
pada November bahawa keluarganya
sedang mempertimbangkan untuk
menjual kelab itu.
Glazer menerima tawaran daripada
jutawan British, Jim Ratcliffe dan satu
konsortium diketuai pengurus
kumpulan bank dari Qatar, Sheikh Jassim
Bin Hamad Al Thani. – AFP
Keputusan diraih Wai Ching itu turut
mengulangi pencapaian sama
dilakukannya pada Februari tahun lepas,
namun ketika itu beliau menamatkan
perlumbaan dengan catatan 6:57s.
Tempat kedua dan ketiga masing-
masing diraih dua atlet tuan rumah, Mark
SEMUA pemenang mengabadikan kenangan bersama.
oleh Marcella Wilson Villaceran.
Pertandingan Kite Surfing turut
diadakan dengan Jarrow danie Marcus,
Mitchell Cini dan Abidin Aliakbar
8
kedudukan ke-46 dalam acara keirin
yang merupakan acara kegemarannya
dan berada di posisi ke-48 bagi pecut,
m e n u r u t
https://dataride.uci.ch/iframe/Rankings/9/.
Perkembangan itu menyaksikan
Mohd Azizulhasni memanjat lebih 200
dan lebih 400 anak tangga masing-
masing dalam ranking keirin dan pecut
selepas berada di kedudukan ke-281
dan posisi ke-479 pada Oktober tahun
lepas susulan berehat panjang selepas
pembedahan.
Anak jati dungun, Terengganu itu
menjadi wakil tunggal skuad berbasikal
negara dibarisi antaranya Muhammad
Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Nurul Izzah Izzati
Mohd Asri dan Anis Amira Rosidi, yang
Awalan tekad
membawa pulang kilauan pingat pada
kejohanan di Jakarta. – Bernama
jadikan boling
padang setaraf
sukan lain
IPOH: datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz yang
menggalas tanggungjawab selaku
Presiden Persekutuan Boling Padang
Asia berikrar memastikan sukan
tersebut setaraf dengan sukan lain di
negara dan benua ini.
Justeru, beliau yang juga Presiden
Persekutuan Lawn Bowls Malaysia
(PLBM) berkata akan bekerjasama
dengan negara tetangga selain
menjanjikan taraf pengurusan berbeza
dalam misi pemantapan sukan boling
padang.
“Saya menganggap ini sebagai satu
amanah dan tanggungjawab selain
kejayaan kepada negara kerana
diiktiraf pencapaiannya dalam
membangunkan sukan ini.
“Bukan itu sahaja, barangkali badan
induk Asia ini turut memperakui
segala tindak tanduk kita termasuk
peranan persatuan itu sendiri
termasuk komitmen kerajaan,” katanya
ketika ditemui pada Majlis Makan
Malam Kejohanan Boling Padang Asia
ke-14 dan Bawah 25 tahun Asia 2023 di
sini, malam Ahad lalu.
Awalan memenangi jawatan
tersebut tanpa bertanding semasa
pemilihan yang berlangsung pada
Mesyuarat Lembaga Persekutuan Lawn
Bowls Asia ke-15, di Meru Raya Sabtu
lepas.
Menurut beliau fokus utamanya
adalah untuk memastikan promosi
tentang sukan tersebut sentiasa
mendapat tempat dalam kalangan
masyarakat.
“Paling penting adalah program
pembangunan sukan boling padang
itu sendiri untuk mencari pelapis-
pelapis masa depan sukan ini kerana
tidak semua tempat dalam negara
mempunyai fasiliti sukan ini,” katanya.
– Bernama
Ewell yang menamatkan larian dengan
catatan masa 8:42s serta Mark Henderson
dengan catatan 8:54s.
“Saya akan kembali dengan sasaran
6.30s tahun depan!” kata Wai Ching
menerusi hantaran di laman rasmi
Facebooknya. – Bernama
menduduki tiga tempat teratas.
Sementara itu, seramai 72 pelayar
mengambil bahagian dalam acara
tahunan anjuran kelab tersebut.