INSIDE
TELLING IT AS IT IS
ON THURSDAY MARCH 4, 2021
No. 7732 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my
Up to
employees
oGood for bosses to encourage vaccination
but final decision rests on workers
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
P
ETALING JAYA: While it is
not mandatory, it is a good
idea for employers to
encourage their workers to
get vaccinated against Covid-19.
This can be done by providing
them with the relevant information
and increasing their physical access
to clinics and doctors, according to
the Malaysian Employers Federation
(MEF).
MEF executive director Datuk
Shamsuddin Bardan said
companies could also help by
providing clarification in the face of
rumours or misinformation.
“Taking the vaccine will enable
them to protect themselves,” he said.
However, he told theSun it is
within the rights of employees to not
go for vaccination.
He added that the bottom line is
employers should take into
consideration reasons for an
employee declining to be
vaccinated, especially if it is based
on medical or religious grounds, fear
of allergic reactions or, for women, if
they are expecting a baby.
“Even job applicants cannot be
asked to show proof that they have
been vaccinated as a condition for
employment.”
On the other hand, he said
employees who need to travel
abroad for work may have to be
S’pore housing page
69kg drugs worth page
plan could work in 3 RM3 million 5
M’sia, says expert seized, 3 arrested
vaccinated, in line with
requirements of the destination
country.
He said invoking provisions
under the Occupational Health and
Safety Act to make vaccination
mandatory is not advisable. Under
the Act, it is the duty of an employer
to ensure the safety, health and
welfare of employees.
Malaysian Trades Union
Congress deputy president Mohd
Effendy Abdul Ghani agreed that the
decision on whether to be
vaccinated is the prerogative of the
employee.
But steps should be taken to
ensure that those employed in key
sectors be given the vaccination.
“Discussions should be held to
address issues such as who will bear
the cost of the vaccine,” he said.
“We are of the view that it is
necessary for workers in important
sectors to take the vaccination,” he
PERILOUS
said, without specifying the sectors. RESCUE ...
Human resource manager Firefighters working
Srithren Krishnan said employers to remove
cannot force their workers to take passengers of a van
the vaccine because such a trapped under
requirement is not stipulated in scaffolding rubble at
work contracts. a construction site
“Hence, it is unfair to sack an that collapsed
employee for refusing to be after a lorry
vaccinated,” said Srithren. Story on crashed into it
It should also be noted Turn to — yesterday.
that the government has not — page 5 – BERNAMAPIX
made it a requirement for page 3
everyone to take the vaccine.
 2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Queen welcomes traders to online market
KUALA LUMPUR: The Raja Permaisuri Agong
Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah
yesterday welcomed the participation of 100
traders on the Tunku Azizah Handmade Market
online platform.
Tunku Azizah, who is the patron of the
platform set up last year, said the shops sell
various handicraft products.
“I am happy because the majority of the
VIRTUAL WEDDING ... The marriage of
Mohammad Irfan Farok (left) and Wan Nadia
Nadira Abdul Rasyip being solemnised online by
Gombak religous office official Ustaz Mohd Hasril
Salleh yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
Surge in internet complaints
oTelcos attempting to address problems due to increase
in traffic as more people work from home
█ BY HAKEM HASSAN
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: An increase in internet usage
stemming from the need for people to work from
home has led to more complaints about
unreliable connectivity, low speed and poor
customer service.
However, according to at least one telco, steps
are already in place to improve connectivity, and
this seems to have yielded some commendable
results.
The Consumers Association of Penang told
theSun that it has not received any complaints
about internet connectivity since the second
movement control order was put in place on Jan
12.
According to data from the Department of
Statistics Malaysia, 40% of Malaysian workers
have been forced to relocate their workplaces
from offices to homes, leading to a sharp
increase in internet usage.
Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom), one of
Malaysia’s major telecommunications
companies, reported a more than 50% increase
in data traffic – from 287 million gigabytes in the
New timeline for service providers to complete negotiations
PUTRAJAYA: Service providers have been
instructed to promptly resolve commercial
negotiations within 10 business days
in high priority areas, the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission
(MCMC) said.
In a statement issued yesterday, MCMC said
it had developed a fast track process to resolve
access issues in high priority areas following
complaints that communications services in
some of these areas were delayed due to
prolonged commercial negotiations among
service providers.
entrepreneurs are from the B40 group, single
mothers and persons with disabilities, who
choose not to be discouraged and continue to
be independent by trying to generate income
on their own,” said the queen, who joined the
event online from Istana Negara yesterday.
She said the online platform provides an
opportunity for handicraft entrepreneurs to
market their products internationally, as well as
last quarter of 2019 to 431 million gigabytes in
the corresponding period last year.
Data usage per month rose by 40%, from 14.6
gigabytes in 2019 to 20.8 gigabytes in 2020.
According to the Federation of Malaysian
Consumers Associations (Fomca), the higher
internet usage resulted in users getting poorer
service.
Fomca chief executive officer Saravanan
Thambirajah said users are getting only 20% to
30% of the internet speed they have paid for.
He said they have also complained that when
they encounter problems, attempts to reach
customer service personnel often led to
frustration.
Saravanan cited a National Consumer
Complaints Centre report that showed that there
were 5,247 complaints about internet services in
2019. “I expect the number of complaints in 2020
to be even higher because of the higher usage
brought about by the pandemic.”
Apart from poor connectivity, he said,
complaints that he had come across were about
billing, misleading information, insufficient
coverage and termination issues.
To address such issues, Celcom chief
The commission said in the event that
these issues are not resolved within the
stipulated timeline, service providers are
required to refer the issues to MCMC for
resolution. MCMC will make an assessment on
the matter and issue a directive for service
providers to comply with.
“The decision made by MCMC is binding,” it
said, adding that service providers are required
to refer issues to MCMC with relevant details to
fast.track@mcmc.gov.my.”
MCMC said the high impact areas that it
had identified are federal and state
guidance on online business.
Mastering online business is important
during the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.
The platform, which is under the auspices of
the Creative Sewing Arts Association of
Malaysia, was established in February last year
to help local handicraft entrepreneurs market
their own products online.
The Queen also expressed hope that the 79
executive officer Idham Nawawi said the
company had committed about RM1 billion in
capital expenditure to increase network
capacity, reduce congestion and improve 4G
coverage nationwide.
“As more consumers are digitally engaged in
business, working from home, education and
entertainment, we are working tirelessly to raise
the quality of our 4G network coverage.”
Fong Choong-Fook, chief executive officer of
consulting firm LGMS Group, pointed out that
consumers need to understand that huge
investments in infrastructure are essential to
increase coverage.
“The consumption of internet data is
logically higher now than ever, as people are
depending on the internet to do their work.
“Telcos as well as internet service providers
should prioritise looking at people’s needs but
this must be weighed against commercial
interests.”
While the work-from-home concept seems
to have been firmly entrenched, Malaysians
may, in the end, go with a hybrid work model –
work from home on some days and report to
office on others.
This is the model favoured by 58.3% of
Malaysian business leaders who responded to a
regional survey conducted in September last
year by Poly, a multinational firm that develops
enterprise-grade communications hardware
and software.
government administration centres, transport
hubs such as mass rapid transit stations,
airports and train stations as well as
transport lines such as railways and highways.
Other priority areas include high economic
impact zones such as industrial parks and
economic corridors, some government
projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, National
Digital Infrastructure Plan projects and areas
identified for 5G deployment.
“The licensees have been informed earlier.
This fast track process will take effect
immediately.” – Bernama
students from community colleges and
polytechnics who recently received a sewing
machine each would master sewing skills to be
able to contribute to their families, community
and country.
The sewing machines were donated by
Mostwell Sdn Bhd under its corporate social
responsibility programme through the
association last January. – Bernama
Thumbs up for
Muhyiddin’s
administration
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin has maintained strong ties
with other countries and safeguarded
Malaysia’s interests in his first year of
administering the country, at a time
when the world is grappling with the
Covid-19 pandemic, according to a political
analyst.
Universiti Teknologi Mara senior lecturer
in political science Mujibu Abd Muis said the
Muhyiddin-led Perikatan Nasional (PN)
government has maintained Malaysia’s good
record in foreign relations.
“We have managed to protect Malaysian
interests at the international level, by
upholding the principles of non-interference
and respecting the independence and
territorial sovereignty of neighbouring
countries.
“Malaysia has always held the belief that
all problems should be resolved through
negotiations and not the use of force,” he said
in the Koresponden Bernama programme
entitled Keprihatinan kerajaan bela
nasib rakyat (Caring government safeguards
people’s interests) on Bernama TV yesterday.
Mujibu said foreign relations had always
been a forte of the government and this was
continued by the PN administration.
Commenting on Muhyiddin’s first year in
office, he said a Merdeka Centre study in
September last year showed that 69% of
Malaysians and 58% of voters were satisfied
with the prime minister’s performance.
This can be taken as an assessment of the
PN coalition’s first year in power, he added.
“There are certain matters the people are
happy about, like the way the government
handled the Covid-19 pandemic, economic
aid packages like implementation of (loan)
moratorium, Prihatin Rakyat Economic
Stimulus Package, Bantuan Prihatin Nasional
and i-Sinar,” he said.
On March 1, Muhyiddin marked his first
year as the country’s eighth prime minister.
– Bernama
Sebatik rep’s
resignation not
accepted
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah state assembly
speaker Datuk Kadzim M. Yahya has
confirmed that Sebatik assemblyman Hassan
A. Gani Pg Amir remains as an independent
assemblyman who supports the Gabungan
Rakyat Sabah government in the state.
Kadzim said Hassan’s resignation letter that
was submitted by Parti Warisan Sabah
(Warisan) yesterday was ineffective as it was
pre-signed and undated.
He added Hassan had also submitted to
him a Statutory Declaration (SD) that clearly
stated that he had no intention to vacate the
seat despite having exited Warisan.
“According to the laws that we have now,
any pre-signed and undated resignation
letters are void and as such, I cannot accept
the letter as a resignation letter,” he told a
media conference yesterday.
On Tuesday, Hassan submitted to Kadzim
the SD which stated that he had no intention
of vacating the Sebatik seat. Half-an-hour
later, Warisan secretary-general Datuk Loretto
S. Padua handed the pre-signed resignation
letter to Kadzim’s office. – Bernama
 3
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Look south on housing for all?

oExperts on what it
takes for Malaysia to
emulate success of
Singapore’s
HDB concept
█ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: It is possible for
Malaysia to emulate the Housing
Development Board (HDB) concept
to provide conducive living
environments, but it will be an
arduous journey, the International
Real Estate Federation Malaysia
Chapter said.
Its president, Yeow Thit Sang, said
the reason HDB worked well in
Singapore is that the government
realised housing was its biggest
problem and squatter settlement was
occupying land on a single footprint.
He said the government then
embarked on its housing programme
with intention to give every citizen a
roof over their heads.
“Even China came to Singapore to
learn the philosophy and method of
the housing board. As the country
became affluent, the people’s salary
rose in tandem. Hence, its citizens
were able to purchase HDB houses.
“Of course, the houses were well
subsidised,” he said.
In Malaysia’s case, he said earning
capability does not equate to housing
costs. To help lower house prices, the
government has to help buyers by not
including the land cost.
He also said the other cost
involves bringing utilities to the
housing scheme.
“Purchasers are also paying for the
cost of bringing such utilities to
houses. This should be borne by
utility companies, which earn their
profit by selling utilities services to
house owners,” Yeow said.
“Currently, housing developers
are only paying for the capex of
bringing utilities services to the
houses. I know that in Australia, the
government is paying for the laying of
water pipes, electricity cables, and
gas pipes to the house boundary.
“All such costs add more than 40%
to the total expenditure. With these
costs (borne by the government),
house prices can be greatly reduced.
Then Singapore’s HDB model can be
followed.”
Head of Research of Malaysian
Rating Corporation Bhd Firdaos Rosli
told theSun the HDB concept works
for Singapore because of the limited
land mass, unlike in Malaysia where
strata units are more relevant in
urban areas than elsewhere.
“The institutional and legal
context of land use in Malaysia is
complex and differs from state to
state. The most palatable way to
maximise land use is to ensure
relevant authorities at both the
federal and state levels get
administratively closer,” the senior
economist said.
He believes for the country to
adopt HDB concept it may work in a
more local context than at the federal
level. “The reason is that different
agencies are carrying different
mandates with different lines of
authorities,” Firdaos said.
“As land is a major source of
income for states, it’s best to align
interests of federal and state’s
housing needs to those who are truly
in need, which is the B40 group.
“We need strata units so that we
do not push people too far away from
the central business districts,
particularly the B40. So public
housing in central business districts
is key. But the real issue is stagnating
wages, and the inability of wages to
move up alongside the rise in land
prices in urban areas.”
Real estate agent James Ang said
the country can follow the HDB
concept to improve the condition of
living for Malaysians but it must have
the cooperation of town planners.
He said it should have a well-
thought-out plan in order to move
towards the HDB concept as
Singapore’s town planning
department is well organised.

‘Vaccine passport’ an added advantage Smart meters for 1.5m

“As such, employers should be aware that sword”. “It requires employers to ensure the
they are not to make it mandatory.”
He added that for job applicants,
proof of vaccination, such as a
“vaccine passport”, can be an
added advantage.
Lawyer Xenia Z.C. Lok
described the Occupational Safety
and Health Act as a “double-edge
safety and health of their workers. But if an
employee is forced to get vaccinated and
something untoward happens after that,
From
the employee can turn around and accuse
front
page the employer of breaching the law.”
She said that under the Act, an
employer is not conferred a “clear, legal
right and position” to compel an employee to
be vaccinated.
“Each individual employee is given equal
protection under the law in regard to his
fundamental liberties concerning his body.
“If it is proven that an employer has
infringed upon this right, it is in my view, a
violation of established principles of law
governing the employer-employee
relationship,” she added.
BRIEFS
households this year
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 1.5 million Tenaga
Nasional Bhd (TNB) account holders in
Malacca and the Klang Valley will be equipped
with smart meters by the end of this year.
TNB advanced metering infrastructure
project director Mohamed Ghous Ahmad said
so far, about 1.06 million of the meters had been
installed in both areas.
He said that in Malacca, TNB has installed
about 300,000 smart meters, while in the Klang
Valley area about 706,000 houses have been
installed with the equipment.
“Among the areas in Selangor where the
meters have been installed are Shah Alam,
Cheras, Bangi and Petaling Jaya, while in Kuala
Lumpur, the areas included Bangsar, Bandar Sri
Damansara, Segambut and Ampang.
“Through the incentive-based regulation,
TNB is given an allocation to install 1.5 million
smart meters by the end of this year, and based
on the number that have been installed, we are
confident the rest will be installed by the end of
this year,” he told Bernama.
Mohamed Ghous said TNB is also getting
additional allocation from the federal
government to provide smart meters for all the
three million TNB subscribers in the Klang
Valley.
“Our target is to get all the 9.1 million TNB
subscribers nationwide to be equipped with
smart meters by 2026,” he added. - Bernama

WILD ELEPHANTS DESTROY

BANANA CROP
GUA MUSANG: A herd of five wild elephants
destroyed part of an 8ha banana plantation
owned by an orang asli man in Kampung
FAIR GAME ... Zoo Char, Pos Hendrop, on Monday. Jemau
Negara deputy Alang, 53, said he had suffered losses
president Rosly Ahmat estimated at RM10,000 when the elephants
Lana releasing fish after destroyed 1,000 of his 5,000 banana plants,
a press conference on which are ready for harvest, in the incident
the Jom believed to have occurred between 1am
Memancing@Zoo and 4am. “I saw 1,000 banana plants were
Negara programme destroyed when I entered the farm to
harvest the bananas. I quickly rushed home
yesterday. The new because I feared for my safety as the
activity allows anglers elephants could still be roaming near the
to try their luck fishing village,” he told reporters when met
at the zoo’s lake from yesterday. - Bernama
9am to 3pm daily for
RM35 per person. HAJIJI APPOINTED USM
- ADIB RAWI PRO-CHANCELLOR
YAHYA/THESUN KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor received a letter of
appointment as the new pro-chancellor of

Have the willpower to eat healthy, says nutritionist
PUTRAJAYA: People in general need to have
strong willpower to choose healthy eating,
especially in consuming less salt, said
nutrition expert Dr Hazreen Abdul Majid.
Hazreen, who is from the Department of
Community Medicine and Prevention,
Medical Faculty of Universiti Malaya, said
studies have shown that some adults
consume a lot of salt, like they did as children.
“Having willpower means how we can
make an unhealthy food healthy. For
example, many people like canned sardines,
perhaps they could throw away the sauce
before cooking the sardines because of its
high salt content,” he said in conjunction with
World Salt Awareness Week, yesterday.
Hazreen said as an alternative to salt,
spices such as lemongrass and galangal could
be added to dishes. He also suggested using
potassium chloride if one does not have
kidney problems, Bernama reported.
“Parents should be smart in educating
their children on healthy eating. Each ethnic
group has its own food preferences and they
need to be creative in preparing food with the
health aspect a priority, so that good eating
habits will prevail until adulthood,” he added.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) from Yang
di-Pertua Negri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, who
is also UMS chancellor, yesterday. The
ceremony took place at Istana Negri and
was witnessed by chairman of UMS board
of directors Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman
Dahlan and vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr
Taufiq Yap Yun Hin. With the appointment,
the university now has two pro-chancellors,
including Amcorp Group Berhad executive
chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim, who was
appointed in November 2018. - Bernama
 4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
‘Vaccination drive
will help improve
economy’
oAs more Malaysians get inoculated, consumers will be
confident to go out and spend, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Covid-19
Immunisation Programme will help restore
business confidence and improve the country’s
economic growth, Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri
Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday.
He pointed out that as more Malaysians were
vaccinated against Covid-19, an increasing
number of consumers would be confident to go
out and spend, which in turn would revive
confidence among business operators.
“When the majority of Malaysians have been
inoculated, the government can consider
relaxing the standard operating procedures,” he
said on the Agenda Awani TV programme aired
last night.
The three-phase programme was officially
launched on Feb 24 when Prime Minister Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin received the first dose of
the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Putrajaya
health office.
The programme will see more than 500,000
frontliners receiving the vaccine during the first
phase, which runs until April.
The second phase, from April to August, will
305,880
24,025
1,745 195
0 Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia, has
33
40
90
136
640
92
3 environment,” she told Bernama.
36
376
cover 9.4 million people under the high risk
groups such as those aged 65 and above.
The third phase, for adults aged 18 and
above, will take place from May until February
2022 and will involve more than 13.7 million
people.
Mustapa said the government projected the
gross domestic product would grow between
6.5% and 7.5% in 2021, partly due to the vaccine
rollout.
“When more people have received the
vaccine, more sectors, including the services
sector, will be reopened,” he said.
The minister noted that the change to a
conditional movement control order for Kuala
Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang, starting
from tomorrow until March 18, and the lifting of
inter-district travel restrictions would have a
positive impact on tourism.
The future of the country’s economy was also
bright thanks to the global recovery and the
rising prices of commodities, including crude
palm oil, which recently hit RM3,800 per tonne
and Brent crude, which rose above US$62
(RM251) per barrel, he said. – Bernama
280,707 1,148
2,276 7 Govt urged to rescind disposable gloves SOP
5 entering clothing stores, which took effect on
36 0 increase in the disposal of plastic waste, which
24
95
139
ALL IN ORDER ... A nurse monitoring stations set up for vaccine recipients at the Covid-19
Immunisation Centre in Labuan yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
Covid shots at non-govt centres
will cost much more
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Vaccination against Covid-19
at private hospitals will not come cheap,
although the Association of Private Hospitals
Malaysia said its members do not intend to
make a profit from it.
Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said it
will cost a person in the region of hundreds of
ringgit to be vaccinated at private hospitals.
“At the moment, we cannot give the exact
cost because we need the government’s
go-ahead to order the vaccine,” he said
yesterday.
“It could take two or three months after the
go-ahead to get the vaccine and the cost will
depend on the orders we make.”
He said private hospitals are not in
competition with the government to provide
the vaccine as it is a complementary service.
Private hospitals already being used: Khairy
KUALA LUMPUR: Private hospitals, such as
the Pantai Hospital, are already being used
as vaccination centres for private healthcare
workers under phase one of the National
Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said
Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday.
Khairy, who is also coordinating minister
for the National Covid-19 Immunisation
Programme, said the government will
include more private hospitals for phases
two and three as previously announced.
“It will be all hands on deck, with 75,000
KUALA LUMPUR: An environmental
protection organisation, Pertubuhan
called on the government to reconsider the
standard operating procedures (SOP) on the
wearing of disposable gloves for customers
Feb 10.
Its president, Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed
Akil, said such a requirement would lead to an
is difficult to decompose, and its accumulation
adversely affects the ecosystem and the
environment.
“We are going all-out to avoid getting
Covid-19 but we use products that destroy the
She expressed the need for the government
and community to not ignore the long-term
effects on the environment in the fight against
Covid-19, especially in terms of health by using
biodegradable products.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Public Health
Physicians Association president Datuk Dr
Kuljit said by working together, the public
and private health sectors will be able to reduce
the time frame to get the people vaccinated and
to get the country back on its feet.
“Many people, who want to start travelling,
are willing to pay for the vaccine,” he said.
“Businessmen, expatriates, embassy
officials, students and companies are willing to
fork out money.”
Students, who are planning to study abroad,
will need to get vaccinated, he said.
They cannot wait for their turn in the
immunisation programme as their university
year would have already started, Kuljit said.
Even companies are willing to pay for their
staff to be vaccinated to avoid being forced to
close when a cluster is detected at their place,
he pointed out.
By vaccinating their staff at their own cost,
companies could save millions by avoiding
compulsory shutdowns, he added.
to 150,000 (vaccinations) per day
throughput for later phases,” he said in a
Twitter post.
He was replying to former health minister
Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s tweet,
which stated that the government should
engage the private sector in a “public-private
partnership” that is both effective and
transparent for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout,
if public hospitals capacity is insufficient.
Dzulkefly said it was to ensure the success
of the immunisation programme and
achieve herd immunity earlier. – Bernama
Zainal Ariffin Omar said he does not see the
need to wear disposable gloves to enter
clothing stores, if it is to prevent infection
through contact.
“Based on the advice of the US Centre for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
wearing gloves is not necessary in most
situations like running errands.
“CDC recommends wearing gloves when
one is cleaning or caring for someone who is
sick.
“This SOP does not help much (to reduce
the potential for virus transmission), but can
make people lazy or take lightly the practice of
hand-washing or sanitising,” he added.
The use of a hand sanitiser before entering
any premises is more relevant and effective.
On Feb 9, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk
Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the
government has agreed to reopen all
remaining business and retail sectors.
He also reminded clothing store owners to
provide disposable gloves for customers to
enter their business premises. – Bernama

Creating awareness on endometriosis
oAlthough not fatal, painful
condition in womb reduces
quality of life for women
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: When a woman complains of
period pains, it may not be just that, said fertility
experts. They said she may be suffering from a
condition called endometriosis.
While endometriosis does not result in
death, it does reduce a patient’s quality of life,
they added.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition
that occurs when cells from the endometrium,
known as the lining of the womb, are found
outside the womb, said gynaecologist and
fertility specialist Dr Hoo Mei Lin.
“These cells can be found most commonly
around the womb, within the muscles of the
womb (adenomyosis) and around the ovary,
SNATCH THEFT RING SMASHED
BRIEFS
PETALING JAYA: Seven cases of snatch
thefts that were reported in Kota
Damansara were solved when police
arrested five suspects, including a woman.
Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Nik Ezanee
Mohd Faisal said yesterday that the
suspects, aged 24 to 33, were arrested in
Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur at about 6.30pm on
Tuesday. He said three of them had
admitted to committing the crimes. Nik
Ezanee said police obtained a two-day
remand order on the suspects yesterday. He
said one of the cases solved was the
snatching of a gold chain from a 44-year-
old private company executive in October
last year. The victim, who was riding his
motorcycle on Persiaran Surian in
Damansara Damai when the incident
occurred, fell off his motorcycle after being
attacked by the suspects.
LUCK RUNS OUT FOR 68
MALACCA: Police detained 68 individuals,
including nine women, between Feb 1 and
28 under Ops Limau for being involved in
illegal gambling activities. State Criminal
Investigation Department chief ACP Mohd
Sukri Kaman said they were caught
gambling in houses and shops during 11
raids in three districts. He added police also
seized RM24,852 in cash, and gambling
equipment.“ The ongoing raids at targeted
locations are being carried out to curb
gambling activities, especially during
festive seasons,” he said in a statement
yesterday. Mohd Sukri said Mahjong Pit and
Gin Rummy were among the most popular
gambling activities encountered during
Ops Limau. – Bernama
Toy pistol gets men
into trouble
PETALING JAYA: An angry motorist who
brandished a toy pistol at an e-hailing driver was
arrested for criminal intimidation at Bandar Sri
Damansara yesterday.
Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Nik Ezanee
Mohd Faisal said the toy pistol, found tucked in
the suspect’s pants, was seized during his arrest
at a house on Jalan Mahogani SD1/3 at 12.05am.
He said the e-hailing driver was on her way
to fetch a passenger at an apartment at
Damansara Damari on Monday when a car,
driven by the suspect, moved menacingly in
front of her.
When she honked at him, the suspect
allegedly held out the toy pistol through the
window.
Nik Ezanee said the woman lodged a police
report and the suspect was traced and arrested.
The suspect, who admitted to brandishing
the toy pistol, told investigators that he did so as
he was angry at the e-hailing driver for honking
at him.
Nik Ezanee said the suspect, who had a
criminal record for a drug-related offence, was
remanded for three days for investigations.
– by Charles Ramendran
which may lead to a formation of a blood or
‘chocolate’ cyst.
“The endometrium sheds each month
during the menstrual cycle and the cells located
outside the womb will also shed or bleed, not in
huge quantities, maybe just a drop or two.
However, blood is an irritant, and this bleeding
can result in pain and inflammation of the
surrounding tissue,” she told theSun.
Hoo said a diagnosis could take up to a
decade, largely because people, even among
healthcare professionals, have the perception
that it is normal to have period pains.
“Education is important so women can seek
help faster and reduce the effects of
endometriosis. Often, when a woman
complains of period pains, she is told that it is
normal and told to put up with it, and that it will
go away after she has children.”
Hoo said menstrual periods should not
interfere with a woman’s daily life. If it stops her
from carrying out daily activities and she
experiences pains when she is not having her
period, this warrants an examination and
treatment.
“Many women with endometriosis will find
Two dead, three hurt in scaffolding collapse
PETALING JAYA: Five people were removed
from a van that was buried under the rubble
of collapsed scaffolding at the work site of a
flyover along the Ampang-bound route of the
Middle Ring-Road 2, near Desa Tasik in
Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Police said two of them were killed while
three were seriously injured.
It is learnt that a man in his 60s was among
those rescued.
A Fire and Rescue Department
Arjunaidi (third from right) and other officers showing the drugs that were seized,
during a press conference at the police headquarters in Shah Alam yesterday.
Cops nab three, seize RM3.1m worth of drugs
SHAH ALAM: Police have busted a drug
trafficking ring in the Klang Valley with the
arrest of three individuals, and seized
69.065kg of methamphetamine worth
RM3.1 million in three separate raids in
Serdang and Ampang Jaya.
Acting Selangor police chief Datuk
Arjunaidi Mohamed said the three suspects,
aged 24 to 38, were arrested during the raids
by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation
Department on Feb 26.
“Investigations by police revealed that the
syndicate had been in operation since early
this year and the drugs were believed to be
from the East Coast, and was brought in from
the pain worsening. They may find that the
number of days they suffer from period pains
and the amount of painkillers they need is
increasing.
“They may have other symptoms such as
severe pain when clearing their bowels during
periods or pain during intercourse. These calls
for medical attention.”
She said people need to recognise
endometriosis as a real disease as most women
are often subjected to disdain when they take
time off work due to endometriosis.
“They are seen as seeking attention and
abusing medical leave. Recognising that the
pain and suffering is real is the first step.
“Endometriosis may also result in infertility
if left untreated. Repeated surgeries of blood
cysts or endometriomas (any surgery around or
on the ovary will reduce egg reserves),
inflammation and scarring around the
reproductive organs may render a woman
infertile,” she said.
The first week of March is Endometriosis
Awareness Week, which aims to raise
awareness about the hidden and often
unrecognised effects of endometriosis, faced by
spokesman said 23 firefighters from four fire
stations were deployed to carry out the
rescue.
Earlier, Kuala Lumpur Traffic
Investigations and Enforcement Department
chief ACP Zulkifli Yahya said initial
investigations indicated the collapse was
caused by a lorry that crashed into the
structure.
“As a result of the collision, construction
material fell onto the factory van, that was
a neighbouring country north of the
peninsula,” he said during a press conference
yesterday.
Initial investigations into the suspects
revealed that they were offered up to
RM10,000 for each delivery.
Arjunaidi said in the first raid, police
detained two men in Serdang and
confiscated a bag filled with 10 plastic
packages containing syabu in a car while the
second raid led to the arrest of the third
suspect.
Following the arrests, police conducted a
third raid and seized three bags containing 60
packets of drugs, believed to be syabu, that
5
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
one out of 10 women in Malaysia.
Founder of MyEndosis, Surita Mogan, said
spousal support is important as endometriosis
affects not just women but also those around
her, especially her partner.
“The symptoms could cause tremendous
strain in relationships, and treatment options
could cause a huge dent in finances.”
Surita said spouses may find it hard to
understand how endometriosis can have a
huge impact on a woman’s life. Therefore,
creating awareness is crucial.
“Information on measures to deal with this is
available. Awareness movements and events on
endometriosis abroad show husbands being
involved but few Malaysian men come forward.
“We have to change the mindset that this is
a woman’s issue. At MyEndosis, we have four
male committee members and they can speak
about women’s reproductive health easily. We
hope this will change perceptions, and address
the shame and taboo about endometriosis,”
she said.
Those wanting to know more can join
MyEndosis on their official Facebook page or
visit them at myendosis.org.
travelling from the direction of the city centre
with five passengers inside,” Zulkifli said in a
statement.
He added that police were alerted to the
incident at 6.15pm, while the Kuala Lumpur
Fire and Rescue Department said it was
alerted at 5.58pm.
“The Kuala Lumpur Operations Centre
said the collapsed structure crushed a van
with five victims which was passing under the
construction structure,” a spokesman said.
was kept in a car at a house in Ampang.
He said one of the suspects tested positive
for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
Checks revealed the three suspects did not
have criminal records.
“All of them played a role in receiving and
trafficking drugs that were to be sold in the
Klang Valley. We will conduct investigations
into the syndicate’s network,” he added.
The suspects have been remanded under
Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code
for seven days beginning Feb 27.
The case is being investigated under
Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
– Bernama
 6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Nine killed by Myanmar security forces

oSuppression ‘like
Tiananmen Square’,
says archbishop
YANGON: Myanmar security forces
opened fire on protests against
military rule yesterday, killing nine
people, witnesses and media
reported, a day after neighbouring
countries called for restraint and
offered to help Myanmar resolve the
crisis.
The security forces resorted to live
fire with little warning in several
towns and cities, witnesses said, as
the junta appeared more determined
than ever to stamp out protests
against the Feb 1 coup that ousted the
government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
“It’s horrific, it’s a massacre. No
words can describe the situation and
our feelings,” youth activist Thinzar
Shunlei Yi said via a messaging app.
In the central town of Myingyan,
where one teenage boy was killed,
protest leader Si Thu Maung said
police initially fired tear gas and stun
grenades but quickly opened fire.
“They didn’t spray us with water
cannon, no warning to disperse, they
just fired their guns.”
The heaviest toll was in another
central town, Monywa, where five
people – four men and one woman –
were killed, Monywa Gazette editor
Ko Thit Sar said.
“We’ve confirmed with family
members and doctors, five people
have been killed. At least 30 people
are wounded, some unconscious.”
Two people were killed in the city
of Mandalay and one person was
killed when police opened fire in the
main city of Yangon, witnesses said.
Images of a 19-year-old woman,
one of the two killed in Mandalay,
showed her wearing a tee-shirt that
read “Everything will be OK”.
“The country is like the
Tiananmen Square in most of its
major cities,” the Archbishop of
Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo,
said on Twitter, referring to the
suppression of student-led protests in
Beijing in 1989.
On Tuesday, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
failed to make a breakthrough in a
virtual foreign ministers’ meeting on
Myanmar.
While united in a call for restraint,
only four members – Malaysia,
Indonesia, the Philippines and
Singapore – called for the release of
Suu Kyi and other detainees.
“We expressed Asean’s readiness
to assist Myanmar in a positive,
peaceful and constructive manner,”
the Asean chair, Brunei, said in a
statement.
Myanmar’s state media said the
military-appointed foreign minister,
Wunna Maung Lwin, attended the
video conference and “apprised the
meeting of voting irregularities” in a
November election. – Reuters

Billionaire seeks eight people for Moon voyage

TOKYO: It’s the sort of chance that comes
along just once in a blue Moon: a Japanese
billionaire is throwing open a private lunar
expedition to eight people from around the
world.
Yusaku Maezawa, an online fashion
tycoon, was announced in 2018 as the first
man to book a spot aboard the lunar
spaceship being developed by SpaceX.
Maezawa, who paid an undisclosed sum
for the trip expected to launch in 2023 at the
earliest, originally said he planned to invite six
to eight artists to join him on the voyage
around the Moon.
But yesterday, in a video posted on his
Twitter account, he revealed a broader
application process.
“I’m inviting you to join me on this
mission. Eight of you from all around the
world. I have bought all the seats, so it will be
a private ride.”
Maezawa said his initial plan of inviting
artists had “evolved” because he came to
believe that “every single person who is doing
something creative could be called an artist”.
The entrepreneur, 45, said applicants
would need to fulfil just two criteria: being
ready to “push the envelope” creatively, and
BRIEFS
being willing to help other crew members do
the same.
In all, he said 10 to 12 people will be on
board the spaceship, which is expected to
loop around the Moon before returning to
Earth.
The application timeline for spots on the
trip calls for would-be space travellers to
pre-register by March 14, with initial
screening carried out by March 21.
No deadlines are given for the next stages –
an “assignment” and an online interview – but
final interviews and medical checkups are
currently scheduled for May. – AFP
THAI ACTIVIST ARRESTED FOR
BURNING KING’S PORTRAIT
BANGKOK: An anti-government activist
accused of burning a portrait of Thailand’s
King Maha Vajiralongkorn was arrested
yesterday. Musician Chaiamorn “Ammy”
Kaewwiboonpan, 32, admitted after his
arrest that he had torched the king’s
portrait as a gesture of defiance and to vent
frustration at the detention of fellow
activists awaiting trial for royal insult.
Chaiamorn is charged under a strict lese
majeste law that carries a penalty of up to
15 years in prison if found guilty, as well as
arson and computer crimes. The incident
took place on Sunday in front of a Bangkok
prison where four members of a youth-led
protest movement are being held over
remarks about the royal family made at
rallies last year. – Reuters

‘DEAD’ MAN COMES ALIVE

MOMENTS BEFORE AUTOPSY
NEW DELHI: An Indian man severely injured
in a motorcycle crash was found moving on
an autopsy table just before doctors
prepared to open him up, a health official
said yesterday. The 27-year-old from
Mahalingapur was brought to a private
hospital in a critical condition on the
weekend, where doctors declared him
dead and took him off a ventilator. His
family then moved him to a government
hospital where he was to undergo a
post-mortem examination on Monday.
Relatives told local media a pathologist saw
the body move as it lay on the autopsy
table. The official said doctors at the private
hospital had exercised “bad judgement”
when they removed him from the
ventilator and presumed him dead. – AFP

THREE FEMALE AFGHAN

MEDIA WORKERS KILLED
KABUL: Outrage rippled through
Afghanistan yesterday as funerals were
held for three female media workers
gunned down in the eastern city of
Jalalabad. Journalists, activists and judges
have recently been ambushed by gunmen
or killed by explosives attached to their
vehicles as surging violence forces many
into hiding. The three women were shot
and killed in two separate attacks after they
left the Enikass TV station where they
worked on Tuesday. An Islamic State
affiliate later claimed responsibility for the
murders, saying its gunmen carried out the
killings of what it called “journalists working
for one of the media stations loyal to the
FELINE FUN ... A trainer watches as a white lion plays with a ball at the Al-Buqaish private zoo in the Emirate of Sharjah on Tuesday. – AFPPIX apostate Afghan government”. – AFP

13 DEAD AFTER SUV, TRUCK

Hackers in China targeting e-mail services: Microsoft
SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft has said a
state-sponsored hacking group operating out
of China is exploiting previously unknown
security flaws in its Exchange email services to
steal data from business users.
The company said the hacking group,
which it has named “Hafnium”, is a “highly
skilled and sophisticated actor”.
Hafnium has in the past targeted
U.S.-based companies including infectious
disease researchers, law firms, universities,
defense contractors, think tanks and NGOs.
In a blog post on Tuesday, Microsoft
executive Tom Burt said the company had
released updates to fix the security flaws,
which apply to on-premises versions of the
software rather than cloud-based versions,
and urged customers to apply them.
“We know that many nation-state actors
and criminal groups will move quickly to take
advantage of any unpatched systems.
“Promptly applying today’s patches is the
best protection against this attack.”
Microsoft said the group was based in
China but operated through leased virtual
private servers in the United States, and that it
had briefed the U.S. government.
Beijing has previously hit back at U.S.
accusations of state-sponsored cybertheft.
Last year it accused Washington of smears
following allegations that Chinese hackers
were attempting to steal coronavirus research.
In January, U.S. intelligence and law
enforcement agencies said Russia was
probably behind a massive SolarWinds hack
that shook the government and corporate
security, contradicting then-president
Donald Trump who had suggested China
could be to blame.
Microsoft said on Tuesday the Hafnium
attacks “were in no way connected to the
separate SolarWinds-related attacks.”– AFP
COLLIDE IN CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES: At least 13 people were
killed in southern California on Tuesday
when a vehicle packed with passengers
collided with a large truck in a “chaotic
scene” close to the Mexico border, officials
said. The accident occurred when the SUV
carrying more than two dozen people –
including minors – and a semi-truck full of
gravel crashed near El Centro, California,
medical official Judy Cruz said. The area of
the state is a thoroughfare for Mexican
immigrants and farmworkers headed north
towards California’s rich agricultural centre.
A police official said the accident occurred
when the SUV entered an intersection in
front of the semi-truck. – AFP

Call for India’s top judge to quit over ‘marry rape victim’ remark
NEW DELHI: India’s top judge was
facing calls to resign yesterday after
telling an accused rapist to marry his
schoolgirl victim to avoid jail.
More than 5,000 people have
signed a petition demanding Chief
Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde quit
after he told the government
technician at a hearing: “If you want
to marry (her) we can help you. If not,
you lose your job and go to jail.”
Bobde’s comments sparked a
furore and prompted women’s rights
activists to circulate an open letter
Blast rocks Covid test centre
in Amsterdam
oExplosion appears
intentional, say police
AMSTERDAM: An explosive went off
at a coronavirus testing centre north
of the Dutch capital before sunrise
yesterday, shattering windows but
causing no injuries in what police
called an intentional attack.
An explosives team was on site in
the town of Bovenkarspel, 55km
north of Amsterdam, to examine the
device, police said.
The metal remains of the
explosive, about 10cm by 10cm in
size, were found in front of the
building and “must have been
placed” there, police spokesman
Menno Hartenberg told Reuters.
“We don’t know yet exactly what
exploded, the explosives experts
must first investigate.
“What we’re saying is that
something like that doesn’t just
happen by accident, it has to be laid.”
A security guard who was inside
the testing centre at the time was not
injured, national broadcaster NOS
reported.
The incident comes before
national elections two weeks from
now that were widely seen as a
referendum on the government’s
handling of the pandemic.
Anger against healthcare
authorities has increased since the
start of this year, with the head of the
country’s National Institute for
Health now accompanied by a
security detail.
Another test location was burned
down during several days of rioting in
January sparked by the introduction
of a night-time curfew from 9pm to
4.30am.
The region around Bovenkarspel,
a rural town, is currently suffering
one of the Netherlands’ worst
Covid-19 outbreaks, with 181 cases
per 100,000 inhabitants, compared
Defiant Sarkozy on offensive after graft conviction
PARIS: France’s former right-wing
president Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday
launched a defiant offensive to clear
his name after being handed a
three-year sentence for corruption,
lambasting the verdict and mulling a
petition to Europe’s top rights court.
Sarkozy, 66, gave a front-page
interview to the Le Figaro newspaper.
With three other legal cases also
pending against him, commentators
have said Monday’s conviction
should deal a terminal blow to any
hope Sarkozy has of a political
comeback.
calling for his resignation that has
secured more than 5,200 signatures,
campaigner Vani Subramanian said.
According to the letter, the man is
accused of stalking, tying up, gagging
and repeatedly raping the girl before
threatening to douse her in petrol, set
her alight and have her brother killed.
“By suggesting that this rapist
marry the victim-survivor, you,
the Chief Justice of India, sought
to condemn the victim-survivor to a
lifetime of rape at the hands
of the tormentor who drove
with around 27 per 100,000
nationally.
Yesterday is the first day in several
months in which lockdown measures
in the Netherlands have been slightly
eased, with hairdressers reopening
and non-essential stores allowed to
accept a small number of visitors by
appointment.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden
said on Tuesday the United States will
have enough Covid-19 vaccines for its
adult population by the end of May.
Biden announced a major deal for
pharma giant Merck to produce the
vaccine shot developed by its rival
Johnson & Johnson, hailing the
DISTANCE LEARNING ... A teacher gesturing in front of a computer as she and dozens other educators conduct
teleconferencing with students at a local government-sanctioned online tutorial class in Taguig City in the Philippines
yesterday. – AFPPIX
But true to his combative
reputation, the man who ruled
France from 2007-2012 as a
self-styled “hyper-president”
indicated that he would not be going
quietly.
“I can’t accept being convicted for
something I didn’t do,” Sarkozy said.
Sarkozy, who will appeal, is not
expected to go behind bars: the
sentence includes two years
suspended and the remaining year
would be served at home with an
electronic bracelet.
The judgement was “riddled with
her to attempt suicide,” the letter said.
India’s abysmal record on sexual
violence has been the focus of
international attention since the 2012
gang-rape and murder of a student
on a Delhi bus sparked nationwide
protests.
Victims are regularly subjected to
sexist treatment at the hands of police
and courts, including being
encouraged to marry their attackers
in so-called compromise solutions.
The letter also drew attention to
another hearing on Monday during
accord as “the type of collaboration
between companies we saw in World
War II”.
“We’re now on track to have
enough vaccine supply for every
adult in America by the end of May,”
Biden previously targeted late July
to amass sufficient doses to inoculate
all Americans.
Biden’s remarks came moments
after Texas governor Greg Abbott
lifted a state mask mandate and
authorised businesses to open the
state “100%” because of the arrival of
vaccines and better testing.
“Now is not the time to let up,” the
president warned, calling on
inconsistencies”, Sarkozy told Le
Figaro.
It “doesn’t provide any proof, but
just a bunch of circumstantial
evidence”, he said.
The court found that Sarkozy had
formed a “corruption pact” with his
ex-lawyer and friend Thierry Herzog
to convince a judge, Gilbert Azibert,
to obtain and share information
about a legal investigation.
The crime was “particularly
serious having been committed by a
former president who was the
guarantor of the independence of the
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
which Bobde reportedly questioned
whether sex between a married
couple could ever be considered
rape.
“The husband may be a brutal
man, but can you call the act of sexual
intercourse between a lawfully
wedded man and wife as rape?” he
said.
“This comment not only
legitimises any kind of sexual,
physical and mental violence by the
husband, but it normalises the
torture that Indian women have been
BRIEFS
Americans to keep social distancing
and wearing masks, even as new
coronavirus cases fall and more are
vaccinated.
Elsewhere, millions of coronavirus
shots from the global Covax scheme
arrived in Nigeria, Democratic
Republic of Congo and Angola on
Tuesday, as African countries
ramped up their vaccine rollouts.
While Africa’s most populous
country Nigeria received almost four
million jabs, DR Congo got 1.7
million doses, Angola welcomed
more than 600,000 doses and The
Gambia was expected to take roughly
30,000. – Agencies
judiciary”, Monday’s judgement said.
“Perhaps it will be necessary to
take this battle to the European Court
of Human Rights,” Sarkozy said.
“It would be painful for me to have
my own country condemned, but I
am ready because that would be the
price of democracy.”
The judgement is also far from
marking the end of Sarkozy’s legal
woes as the ex-president is scheduled
to face a second trial later this month
over accusations of fraudulently
overspending in his failed 2012
re-election bid. – AFP
7
facing within marriages for years
without any legal recourse,” the letter
by the rights campaigners said.
Marital rape is not a crime in
India.
Bobde has not responded to the
criticism. His predecessor Ranjan
Gogoi was the highest-profile figure
in India to face a #MeToo backlash
after he was accused by a former
staffer of sexual assault.
He was cleared in 2019 after an
in-house inquiry, prompting protests
in the country. – AFP
RUSSIA SAYS U.S.
‘PLAYING WITH FIRE’
MOSCOW: Russia warned
yesterday it would “rebuff
aggression” after the United
States slapped Kremlin-linked
officials with sanctions over
the poisoning of opposition
figure Alexei Navalny.
Washington on Tuesday
imposed penalties in a
coordinated action with the
European Union as U.S.
intelligence concluded that
Moscow orchestrated the near
fatal poisoning of Navalny in
August. “We will continue to
systematically and resolutely
defend our national interests
and rebuff aggression,“ Russian
foreign ministry spokesman
Maria Zakharova said in a
statement. She accused the
U.S. of “trying to cultivate the
image of an external enemy” as
a way to distract attention from
domestic problems. “We urge
our colleagues not to play with
fire,“ she said. – AFP
ONE DEAD IN IRAQ
ROCKET ATTACK
BAGHDAD: At least 10 rockets
slammed into a military base in
western Iraq hosting U.S.-led
coalition troops yesterday,
security sources said, leaving
one civilian contractor dead.
The attack on the sprawling
Ain Al-Assad base in Iraq’s
western desert comes after
several weeks of escalating
U.S.-Iran tensions on Iraqi soil.
Ain Al-Assad hosts both Iraqi
forces and U.S.-led coalition
troops helping fight the Islamic
State. Coalition spokesman
Colonel Wayne Marotto
confirmed that 10 rockets hit
the base early in the morning.
Western security sources said
the rockets were Iranian-made
Arash models. “One civilian
contractor died of a heart
attack during the attack,“ a
high-level source said, adding
that he could not confirm the
contractor’s nationality. – AFP
CARTOONIST
GRANTED BAIL
DHAKA: A prominent
Bangladeshi cartoonist was
granted bail yesterday as
several hundred people staged
more protests over the death
of a fellow government critic
also arrested under the
country’s harsh internet laws.
Ahmed Kabir Kishore, 42, was
detained in May after he drew
cartoons mocking a powerful
businessman close to the
government and has since
developed major health
problems, activists said. Writer
Mushtaq Ahmed, who was
arrested together with Kishore,
died in prison last week. They
were both detained under
Bangladesh’s Digital Security
Act. The High Court yesterday
granted Kishore bail for
six months “considering his
long detention”, deputy
attorney-general Md. Sarwar
Hossain Bappi said. – AFP
 8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
SPEAK UP
COMMENT by Anis Chowdhury and Jomo Kwame Sundaram
Recovery undermined
by neoliberal finance
A
FTER being undermined by decades
of financial liberalisation,
developing countries now are not
only victims of vaccine imperialism,
but also cannot count on much financial
support as their Covid-19 recessions drag on
due to global vaccine apartheid.
Financialisation undermined South
Developing countries have long been
pressured to liberalise finance by the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
World Bank. The international financial
institutions claimed this would bring net
capital inflows.
This was supposed to reduce foreign
exchange constraints to accelerating growth,
creating “a rosy scenario, indeed”.
Globalisation’s claim naively expects
“more birds to fly into, rather than out of an
open birdcage”.
Instead, financial globalisation meant net
capital flows from capital-poor developing
countries to capital-rich developed countries,
i.e., dubbed the “Lucas paradox”. A decade
later, flows “uphill” had “intensified over
time”.
The past decade saw the largest, fastest and
most broad-based foreign debt increase in
these economies in half a century. Total
foreign debt of emerging market economies
rose from around 110% of GDP in 2010 to
more than 170% in 2019, while that of low-
income countries (LICs) increased from 48%
to 67%.
Pandemic woes
Developing countries saw private finance
drop by US$700 billion in 2020, while foreign
direct investment flows to developing
countries declined by 30-45% in 2020.
Remittances fell by 7% in 2020, and are
expected to fall by another 7.5% in 2021.
Meanwhile, developing countries’
indebtedness increased as total aid flows had
long fallen short of even half the long
promised 0.7% of donor countries’ incomes.
In 2020, when developing countries needed it
most, donor governments cut bilateral aid
commitments by almost 30%.
With limited access to other finance,
developing countries, especially LICs, face
much higher borrowing costs, even in normal
times. With the pandemic, developing
countries have been downgraded by rating
agencies, further raising borrowing costs.
Facing falling foreign exchange earnings
needed to import essential drugs, vaccines
and other vital supplies, including food, most
countries have to borrow.
In 2020, official foreign debt probably rose
by 12% of GDP in emerging market
economies, and by 8% in LICs. The pandemic
thus greatly worsened developing countries’
debt distress.
Before the pandemic, more than a quarter
of official revenue went to servicing debt. With
the worst recession since the Great
Depression in 2020, as well as declining
revenue and foreign exchange inflows, debt is
now blocking finance for more adequate relief
and recovery in many countries.
Debt relief?
Many – even World Bank Chief Economist
Carmen Reinhart, once a “debt hawk” – have
called for debt relief, but little has happened.
IMF debt service relief of about US$213.5
million for 25 eligible LICs ended six months
later in mid-October 2020, as scheduled.
The G20’s ‘Debt Service Suspension
Initiative for Poorest Countries’ for 73 mainly
LICs for May-December 2020 covered around
US$20 billion of bilateral public debt owed to
official creditors by International
Development Association and least
developed countries (LDCs).
The G20 initiative did not provide lasting
relief, not even reducing foreign debt burdens
and barely addressing immediate needs. It
merely kicked the can down the road. Debt
still had to be repaid in full during 2022–2024
as interest continues to accumulate. It also
offered middle income countries (MICs)
nothing.
Also, private creditors refused to join in or
help out. United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development estimates that in 2020 and
2021, lower MICs and LICs will pay between
US$0.7 trillion and US$1.1 trillion to service
debt, as upper MICs pay US$2.0-2.3 trillion.
Meanwhile, some countries have used
US$11.3 billion of IMF funds meant “for
health budgets and food imports” to service
private sector debt.
SDRs to the rescue?
Undoubtedly, distressed developing
countries desperately need foreign exchange
to cope. But IMF Managing Director Kristalina
Georgieva’s call to boost global liquidity with
“a sizeable SDR” (Special Drawing Right)
allocation was blocked by the Trump
administration, who objected that it would
give China, Iran, Russia, Syria and Venezuela
access to new funds.
Get ready for the new weekly
launching Feb 5, 2021
The Financial Times (FT) argues that the
proposed new SDR1 trillion (US$1.37 trillion)
issuance – almost five times the US$283
billion issued in 2009 – is justified by the scale
of the crisis.
For FT, it would be “the simplest and most
effective way to get additional purchasing
power into the hands of the countries that
need it”.
It is now widely agreed that “new issuance
of SDRs is vital to help poorer countries”. It
would augment the IMF’s US$1 trillion
lending capacity, already inadequate to
address the ongoing pandemic and economic
crises.
SDRs can only be used to pay other central
banks, the IMF and 16 “prescribed holders”,
including the World Bank and major regional
development banks. Thus, SDRs can help
foreign exchange constrained countries,
especially if rich countries transfer their
unused SDRs to the IMF or for development
finance.
The IMF could thus expand two existing
special funds for LICs: the Poverty Reduction
and Growth Trust provides interest-free loans,
while the Catastrophe Containment and
Relief Trust pays interest and principal due on
their IMF obligations.
But SDRs are not an equitable magic bullet
as apportionment reflects the size of a
country’s economy. In other words, rich
countries would get much more, regardless of
need, as during the 2008-2009 global financial
crisis.
US role vital
With 85% of IMF votes required to issue new
SDRs, and the US holding veto power with
16.5%, Biden administration support is vital.
For SDR issuance under US$650 billion, the
White House only needs to consult, rather
than get approval from the US Congress.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has urged
the IMF and World Bank to do everything
“they can to ensure that developing countries
have the resources for public health and
economic recovery”. She has supported new
SDRs despite conservative opposition, e.g.,
from Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal.
But Fund and Bank resources still pale in
comparison with the challenge. With
preferred creditor status, they can borrow at
the much lower interest rates available to
them. By so intermediating, they can help
developing countries, especially LICs and
LDCs, to more cheaply access desperately
needed funds. – IPS
&
LETTERS
letters@thesundaily.com
Make the vaccine
roll-out a success for all
ANY fair-minded Malaysians would acknowledge
that the Perikatan Nasional government under Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has succeeded relatively well
in running the administration of this country since
it came to power a year ago.
Despite difficult and challenging times brought
about by Covid-19, it has proven its mettle to steer
the country to its best surviving position through
endless aid worth billions provided to the people,
especially vulnerable groups and businesses.
The assistance keeps coming in, keeping up
with the government’s focus to assist people
continuously through different ways, incentives,
strategies and programmes.
Malaysia is now probably at the tail end of the
fight against the pandemic, with the year-long roll-
out immunisation programme already under way.
Hopefully, all the government’s good work and
plans will not go down the drain or be disrupted
due to the irresponsible actions of some people,
the healthy and wealthy, or the politicians who
“jumped queue” to get the vaccines despite not
being in the priority groups.
Already, there were several reports about these
vaccine queue jumpers. Social media is abuzz with
complaints of politicians and their aides cutting
queue for the vaccines following its roll-out recently.
While frontliners, in particular medical officers
and health personnel, have been working tirelessly,
almost 24/7 to treat Covid-19 patients since the
outbreak of the pandemic early last year, how
could they simply cut the queue without due
consideration given to those in the priority groups?
The government has prepared a whole detailed,
comprehensive plan on who will be getting it first
and how long the whole process will take.
These people/individuals should not ruin or
disrupt the government’s plans, simply for their
own, selfish gains.
Their actions should not pose a snag to the
government’s otherwise people-friendly move to
make the vaccines available for almost 27 million
Malaysians. These individuals surely lack empathy
for other people.
This has prompted the government via the
relevant ministries to say that fines are being
mulled for those caught jumping the queue.
It is quite embarrassing yet funny that Science,
Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy
Jamaluddin has to go to the extent of listing down
those who are not included in the list under the
first phase of the immunisation programme.
Officers of state executive councilors, mentris
besar, state secretaries, family members and
spouses of cabinet ministers and lawmakers, take
note. The minister has said you are not among
those included in the list.
Everyone is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
No one is spared. We are in this together. Don’t
think only about yourself but be considerate to
others.
S. Mohan
Serdang
 TELLING IT AS IT IS

LIFESTYLE . YOUTH . FASHION . ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY | March 4, 2021

Music
of the
Heart
Cellist Dylan Lee
has been making
LiYing Lim shares The
Way Of Tea
>>> Page 4&5

waves abroad
>>> Page 6
PICTURE COURTESY OF RAISA NORAZZAM

Eddie Shahrizad has a

passion for fitness
>>> Page 7
 ENTERTAINMENT
2 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
Pursuing his dreams
oHariz Danial is continuing his musical journey despite a few setbacks
█ BY AZIZUL RAHMAN ISMAIL
H
ARIZ DANIAL loves to sing
since he was young.
However, after an
unsuccessful audition to
join Bintang Kecil in school, he did
not pursue his dreams in earnest until
one fateful day in university. What
followed was something that he
could only describe as a sequence of
blessings and learning experiences.
Becoming a culinary student was
his first choice at the time. It was a
promising career in his mind. But
after completing the diploma, his
heart remained unsettled.
Hariz then applied to further his
studies in business administration. It
was at the top of a list of three degrees
he picked. To his surprise, his
application was accepted. Still, his
heart yearned to sing.
He accepted singing gigs at events
part-time and used those
opportunities to work on his
performance and stage presence. His
genre of choice was ballads.
“Whenever clients ask me to sing
songs in a genre I am not confident
in, like rock, I’d be honest with them.
I would tell them that perhaps I am
not the right person to perform at the
event,” recounted Hariz.
While pursuing his degree, on a
whim, he auditioned for a reality
show singing contest. He was
unknown when he started, but when
he became the champion of Can See
Your Voice Season 3 Part 1, even his
fellow students and lecturers began
to recognise him.
Spotify announces new features to
further support creative creators
█ BY JOHN TAN
SPOTIFY has announced its plans
to further support creative
creators through an extension of
features. The announcement was
made at its recent virtual event,
Stream On. As Spotify turns 15 this
April, the company will embark on
this mission by introducing brand
new app features and
collaborations.
Speaking with the virtual
crowd, CEO, Daniel EK shared the
intentions behind this move; “We
want to be the place
where educators and
entrepreneurs, and storytellers
and authors, well-known
personalities and artists, are all
able to reach out and touch the
world through audio.
“Some of them would recognise face his next big challenge.
me when we get into a lift. Some After the win, Hariz was picked to
would ask if it was really me. But you compete in Vocal Mania, a live
have to understand that UiTM competition that pits an experienced
Bandaraya (in Malacca) where I performer with a rookie. It was his
studied is a relatively small campus,” first time performing live on TV, and
said Hariz. although he had friends with him and
His prize was an opportunity to the support of his new found fans, it
record a single and a music video. was an uphill challenge.
However, he did not expect to work In the semi finals,
with Omar K., Mas Dewangga and Hariz was set to perform
Firdaus Rahmat. They were all greats Joget Kenangan Manis
in his book. He also did not expect to by Sudirman. Despite
move at such a fast pace. the song being his genre
“It was not long after we recorded of choice, he
the song Perhatian that we went understood the legacy of
straight to recording the video. I had Sudirman, and that made
never acted before and you know him even more nervous.
how you are on camera on your own, As fate would have it, the
having to sing and act at the same deck was about to be
time? It was a learning experience,” stacked against him. In
Hariz said, adding that the reason for the second half of
the fast pace was the show schedule. the competition,
The organisers had to deliver the he had to go up
video before part two of the season against rock
began. singer Lan Solo.
Hariz credits his win to Siti They had to
Nordiana, his duet partner during the sing Kesal, a
competition, and her fans. It was rock song.
thanks to this experience that he There was no
learned the importance of engaging competition.
with fans and added that most of his “Lan Solo
fans on digital platforms came from was in his
her circle element and I
He also learned from Siti that was not. After
staying in step with the current trend t h e and urged me
is key to success in the music industry performance, I
and to stay relevant. The whole stayed off social
experience also taught him the media. I was fully
importance of having supportive prepared to get
friends and a team he can depend on. an earful from the
It would take all that he had learnt to jury of the
EK at the
streaming
event, Stream
On. – PHOTO
COURTESY OF
SPOTIFY.
Spotify’s mission is to unlock Blackpink to Billie Eilish, many
the potential of human creativity – voiced out their gratitude to
by giving a million creative artist Spotify for its involvement in their
the opportunity to live off their art, success.
and billions of fans the Former US president, Barack
opportunity to enjoy and be Obama even graced the
inspired by it.” screen with a surprise partner,
Some of the features will Bruce Springsteen. The duo
include RADAR, a programme appeared to speak about
designed to support emerging their upcoming podcast series that
artists by connecting their will appear on the platform.
music to the general public, an In the series, the pair is set to
ANCHOR + WORDPRESS touch on fatherhood, marriage,
collaboration which allows for race and the future of the United
writers to convert their works into States.
podcasts, and a podcast series The virtual session then
from DC COMICS and WARNER concluded with an encore
BROS which brings DC characters performance from singer and
to life. songwriter Justin Bieber. The
The virtual event saw a great Canadian native performed his
involvement of various prominent recent hit singles, Anyone, Lonely
figures. From the likes of and Holy.
Hariz giving a
performance.
– PICTURE
COURTESY
OF HARIZ
DANIAL
His genre of
choice is
ballads.–
PICTURE
COURTESY
OF HARIZ
DANIAL
competition, I those who followed me from the duet
did not want to with Siti Nordiana. They understood
look at the my situation and so did the jury,” said
comments Hariz.
before I went Now at the end of his fifth
out to face semester, Hariz will soon start his
the music. internship. The pandemic forced him
“But my to study online and that gave him the
sister called flexibility to pursue his music career.
But the lockdown makes him
to look at the nervous as he had seen how the
comments, internships of his seniors were cut
despite my fears. short because of it.
When I did, all I Still, he is determined not to
saw was support neglect his career while pursuing his
from my fans and dreams.
Which countries have the most
musical influence?
WHILE the US city of Nashville is its neighbour on the number of live
nicknamed “Music City”, which performances by top global artists on
country might lay claim to a similar major tours between 2015 and 2019.
title? A new data-driven study set out Although Ireland gave the
to investigate, drawing up a list of industry artists such as Sinead
the world’s most influential countries O’Connor, U2 and The Cranberries,
in the music industry. It turns out the country takes 10th position in
that the USA leads the way, followed the list of countries with the most
by the UK, then France and Germany. musical influence. It does, however,
The study, from Momox, compiles stand out on arts employment, with
statistical data to analyse and 2.3% compared to 2% for the USA. –
compare music influence and music ETX Studio
infrastructure in 30 countries
worldwide. It is based on indicators Top 10 countries with the
such as the number of globally most musical influence:
renowned artists, record label
1 - USA
headquarters and the percentage of
2 - UK
people employed in the arts.
The USA tops the list with high 3 - France
4 - Germany
scores in categories such as top
5 - Canada
music schools and music label HQs in
6 - Japan
the country. Next comes the UK, with
the respectable score of 75.3 out of 7 - Italy
8 - Sweden
100, followed by France and
9 - Australia
Germany, which share equal overall
scores of 62.7. France stands out from 10 - Ireland
The USA tops the list of the countries with the most musical influence around
the world.

A
FTER being driven out of
her village in the midst of
Kosovo’s war two decades
ago, Fahrije Hoti returned
several months later to find her home
destroyed and her husband gone.
The mother of two was suddenly
one of 140 new widows in the farming
village of Krushe e Madhe, whose soil
was the site of a massacre by Serb
forces in 1999 that left 500 children
without fathers, including Hoti’s own.
What happened next is now the
subject of an award-winning film,
titled Hive, that traces Hoti’s struggle
to rebuild a life amid the double
injury of her personal loss and social
prejudices about how widows should
behave.
“The movie took me back 20
years,” Hoti, now 51, told AFP from
the southern village where she still
lives.
“The movie was not only about
me, it was about all Kosovo Albanian
women,” she added warmly. “It
showed the situation we widows were
in after the war.”
Written and directed by 38-year-
old Kosovar filmmaker Blerta
Basholli, Hive took home three prizes
after its debut in the prestigious US
Sundance film festival in January.
It begins with Hoti’s character –
played with masterful restraint by
Kosovar actress Yllka Gashi –
struggling to tend to her
missing husband’s bee
hives.
The bees are not
producing enough honey
to support the family, who
keep their paltry income in
a small kitchen tin.
And so begins Hoti’s
efforts to bring other
widows together to start
making and selling ajvar, a
tasty red pepper spread that is a
staple of Balkan cuisine.
Driving was taboo
Made through a laborious
process of roasting, hand-
peeling, grinding and stewing
large vats of the red peppers, the
ajvar production
starts in Hoti’s
backyard.
As in real
life, the film
tracks how
As third wave rages, show goes on at Sofia opera
ACROSS the continent, a third
wave of Covid-19 infections is
keeping opera houses and other
cultural venues closed – loud
singing poses a particular risk as
the virus spreads through droplets
– but in Bulgaria, classical music
plays on, from Tosca to La
Traviata.
“I am hungry for music. And the
risk, why think about it? It’s not
riskier here than in the
supermarket or the subway,” says
81-year-old Petya Petkova, who
attended Verdi’s La Traviata with
her daughter last week.
Despite the disinfectant, social-
distancing and staff taking people’s
temperature, a festive spirit reigns
at the historic opera house in the
Bulgarian capital, a stark contrast
to its silenced counterparts in
Paris, Vienna or Milan.
Bulgaria first eased pandemic
restrictions in June and allowed
operas, concert halls and cinemas
to reopen at 30% capacity, leading
Rebuilding their lives
the Sofia Opera to arrange plastic
and fabric flower bouquets as
placeholders on the majority of the
crimson plush seats.
“We perform in front of 250
spectators, but it’s better than not
playing or performing,” Sofia
Opera director Plamen Kartaloff
says.
Even as Europe struggles with a
third wave of infections, in part due
to a number of mutations that
spread more easily, Kartaloff
expects the opera to remain open.
Acoustic challenges
Tragedy has touched the operatic
community, and not just on stage:
In November, Bulgarian tenor
Kamen Chanev died of Covid-19,
three weeks after he debuted
Otello in the central Bulgarian city
of Stara Zagora.
Remembering him, soprano
Stanislava Momekova, 36,
becomes serious.
“That’s the risk of this
oKosovo drama captures the rebellious
work of war widows
The movie
was not only
about me, it was
about all Kosovo
Albanian
women.
– Hoti
profession – it holds us like a drug,
it’s stronger than fear,” Momekova
says.
For American conductor Evan-
Alexis Christ, who saw his
performances in Germany
cancelled, bringing La Traviata to
the stage feels rewarding, despite a
number of “acoustic challenges”.
From the pit, the orchestra had
to move to the parterre, where
musicians now sit far apart from
one another. The singers on stage
are even farther away.
“We are acoustically louder for
the audience than normal so the
orchestra has to play very quietly
and listen even more to the
singers,” Christ says.
“But overall I think everyone is
very happy, also the musicians and
the singers who are able to
perform,” he adds, praising the
discipline of the musicians, who,
with the exception of singers and
tube instruments, perform with
face masks on. – ETX Studio
ENTERTAINMENT
A scene from Hive.
– SUNDANCE FILM
FESTIVALPIX
the project is met with sneers and
aggression from local men who are
scandalised when Hoti learns to drive
a car.
Many of the widows are deathly
afraid of the gossip they will invite.
At the time, people thought
“widows should only do housework
and childcare,” Hoti recalled.
“We had lost our husbands, our
children, and they called us whores,”
she remembered quietly.
“That was the most hurtful.”
The social pressures could have
trapped her and others in a state of
perpetual limbo, compounded by the
lack of information about their loved
one’s fates.
Some 1,600 victims of the 1998-99
war, including Hoti’s husband, are
still listed as missing, a painful
ambiguity that complicates
emotional closure.
But despite the taboos, Hoti was
determined to become
breadwinner for her children.
And it paid off – her business is
now one of the town’s biggest
employers.
From the original collective of
With an orchestra spread out across the entire parterre, audiences limited to the
balconies, and no breaks but plenty of disinfectant, the Sofia Opera is one of the
few music venues still hosting live performances in Europe.
theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021 3
five widows, today she has some 60
women working for the cooperative,
called Krusha, during the peak ajvar-
making season.
During the winter months a
smaller staff jar pickle the vegetables,
packing the products by hand as they
sit on a circle of stools on the factory
floor.
The business is still growing, with
increasing demand abroad, in
countries like Switzerland, France,
and the US, leaving little left to sell on
the local market.
The company’s rise has been
aided along the way by international
donors and grants that have helped
provide key training and equipment.
Recognition
When Basholli, then a film student in
New York City, heard about Hoti’s
early struggles in the news around a
decade ago, she was surprised and
intrigued.
After returning to her native
Kosovo in 2011, she met Hoti in
person.
“I just wanted to encourage her for
what she did... but I ended being the
one encouraged because she didn’t
need my encouragement to be
honest,” Basholli told AFP with a
laugh.
After spending hours with Hoti to
learn the details of her story, she
wrote a script, secured funding from
Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia
and Switzerland and was able to start
shooting in 2019.
Hive is her first feature-length film.
After receiving the awards from
Sundance, including a Grand Jury
and audience award, Basholli
dedicated it to “all the women that
really needed their voice to be heard”.
In Kosovo, views around women
in the workplace have evolved since
the post-war days, particularly in
urban parts.
But major inequalities remain,
with property rights still mostly
registered in the names of husbands,
while only around 13% of women are
employed compared to more than
40% of men.
Hoti, for her part, still
overwhelmingly hires women,
employing only five men, including
her son and four others who also lost
fathers during the war.
“Among those who were born with
these prejudices, some have kept
a them, others have changed their
minds,” she said when asked about
the impact she has had on her own
community.
“What has really changed is my
history,” she added. – ETX Studio
 FEATURE
4 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
Lim has helped
many people
around the world
to find peace and
acceptance. –
PICTURE COURTESY
OF LIYING LIM
A simple cup of tea
WHEN asked for her suggestions about how
Malaysians can practise her methods to
cope with negative emotions such as stress
and depression, Lim assured us that peace
can be achieved even without performing
the exact steps of a formal tea ceremony.
“It comes as no surprise that the simplest
and free method I will recommend is going
into nature. When was the last time you
touched nature? I love this question because
oftentimes, we automatically think of a tree
or some flowers. But what we have
forgotten is that we are nature, too. The
most authentic self is nature and it can be
felt through a connection we forge with one
of the most ancient plants on earth – tea.”
“Even if you do not have a facilitator near
you who can host a tea ceremony, it can be
as simple as sitting in silence with a few tea
leaves in a bowl and hot water to connect
with the heart. Setting the intention to
connect, allowing and receiving guidance
from the universe is tremendously powerful
in bridging the sacred and mundane
moments in our lives. Tea teaches us to
treasure the most simple and almost
negligible moments. Life is a ceremony,
should we choose to see it.
“The simplest way to start is to schedule
about 30 minutes to an hour, at a place
where you can be on your own with a cup or
bowl, some tea leaves, and hot water. In that
silent moment, you can begin to connect
with stillness, a little bit by the day.”
Lim also believes that regular self-care
practices are vital.
“If the pandemic has shown us anything,
it is that there is no excuse for us to neglect
self-care practices. My daily practice of
sitting in reverent silence with tea is vital for
me to start every day on the right note.
“Tea master Rikyu once said: ‘If you don’t
know a life without tea, then you don’t know
tea.’ So on weekends when I am not serving
others, I go out into nature and feel into
how what I cultivated in the ceremonies
are rippling outward to other areas in my
life.”
Finding
stabili-tea
oLiYing Lim practises the
ancient art of tea ceremony
meditation
█ BY ANANSA JACOB
T
HE world has undergone a lot of
turmoil over the past year with the
spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The
fear of infection, as well as the
economic and social stresses brought about by
the lockdown, have left indelible scars upon our
collective psyche.
Now more than ever, mental health
awareness and self-care principles need to be
practiced, in order to allow ourselves to cope
with a still-uncertain future.
To help us understand the importance of
caring for our mental health, theSun
interviewed LiYing Lim, a 34-year-old
Malaysian-born writer, spiritual healer and tea
ceremony meditation specialist currently based
in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Lim’s journey of self-healing began after she
endured a 10-year struggle with anorexia and
depression. She began following tea ceremony
meditation, an ancient art in which
practitioners learn to focus and calm
themselves while performing the ritualistic
steps of preparing and enjoying a simple cup of
tea.
Today, she helps others find their own inner
peace through the art of the tea ceremony,
sharing her lessons on her website When Still
Waters Speak, and on Instagram
(@when_stillwaters_speak).
In an email interview, she recounted her
story, as well as her suggestions for how others
can follow her methods to find their own road to
acceptance and serenity.
What set you off on your journey into
spirituality and healing?
“In October 2016, when I finally decided to go
full-on with my recovery, I allowed myself to
surrender first. I must admit that at that stage, I
was terrified ... terrified of how fat I was going to
become. “But there I was, and I was committed
to do it, once and for all.
“Upon surrendering, I lived a year in
seclusion because I was ashamed of my body,
ashamed of how it bloated and held onto
weight. I know now that that was my body
healing in its own way, and through surrender, I
can fully embrace my body no matter how it
looks or feels like.
“This was the first realisation that released
me from that self-imposed prison sentence. No
longer was my day hinged upon how much I
had eaten or how my body appearance was.
“I love myself, my body, no matter what. It is
such a simple pledge, but such a divinely
guided and heart-opening one. Since then, I
have tried everything that could possibly inch
me a step closer to my recovery.
“I can truly see what it means to treat my
body as a temple now, and really feel into my
divine beingness.
“As I became a ‘Student of the Leaf’,
everything fell into place, like autumn leaves
falling onto the ground, scattered in wabi sabi
beauty (a Japanese term for a world-view
centred on the acceptance of transience and
imperfection). Perfectly imperfect. I found
inner peace and embraced my perfectly
imperfect wholeness.
“I cherish the spiritual alignment
that comes with the practice of Cha
Dao (The Way of Tea). Never have I
ever been so at peace and heart-
centred. I know always that I have this
loving awareness to guide me home when
I feel lost and distraught by
mind-made egoistic
thoughts.”
How did you
discover Cha Dao?
“Tea called out to
me when I was
still living and
working in
Hong Kong as an
expat. As a Malaysian-Chinese
transplant, tea as a beverage is
something common, and I used
to call myself a ‘tea snob’ for
sussing out ‘good tea’. When I sat
for my first ever tea ceremony at
Fivelements Habitat with my dear
‘tea sister’ May Nogoy, I received,
in essence, a message and
awakening.
“The nonverbal transmission I received
during that single sit was so transcendental, so
beyond even this version of me, who already
abided by a daily practice of meditation and a
strong affinity with spirituality, that I went back
a month later to revisit the experience. At that
point, I was very certain that tea had called me
forth. I knew that I had to serve, and thus began
my journey on The Way of Tea.”
What exactly are the teachings of The Way of
Tea?
“It took me a while to realise that one could
drink tea for years, centuries even, but never
walk the Dao. The bridge goes both ways, you
can travel to the sacred with tea and also from
the sacred to the mundane.
“To connect with Cha Dao, we must first let
go and begin anew every time and stay present
 FEATURE
theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021 5
The slow

Cooking collective
process of
brewing tea
allows people

helps Mexican women

time to
meditate and
reflect upon

escape abuse
their inner
selves. –
PICTURE
COURTESY OF
LIYING LIM ON the outskirts of Mexico City, a
group of women prepare tortillas
in a community kitchen that has
provided sanctuary from gender
violence and the economic fallout
of the pandemic.
While one lights the stove,
others grind corn, knead dough
and wash vegetables.
The Latin American country,
long beset by a culture of
machismo, is in the grips of a
femicide crisis with 10 women
murdered every day.
The pandemic, and the
confinement it forced on them,
has been a wake-up call for some
women facing abuse at home.
Lim has made it The members of the Mujeres
her mission to de la Tierra (Women of the Land)
spread the cooperative now sell tortillas,
teachings of tamales and other maize-based
‘The Way of Tea’. delicacies through social
– PICTURE networks.
COURTESY OF “Unfortunately we have all
LIYING LIM suffered from violence of some
kind ... psychological, physical,
financial violence,” said Alma, 31,
who like the others did not want
to give her full name.
The project has given the
women new hope, since the
coronavirus robbed them of their
jobs and exposed them to
increased domestic violence,
which they prefer not to talk much
about.
“We’re very lucky to be able to
work with what the land gives us
to produce and escape the
violence that we experienced at
home,” said Alma, standing next
to a still-smoking stove.
In recent years, Mexico has
seen a relentless increase in
gender violence, and the
pressures of the pandemic have
only made things worse.
Last year, there were around
940 femicides, while the
authorities received more than
260,000 calls for help because of
violence against women, the most
in five years.
‘Yes we can’
In March 2020, when the
coronavirus pandemic arrived in
Mexico, the members of the
collective found themselves
among the many women in the
country put out of work by the
crisis.
According to the United
Nations Economic Commission
for Latin America and the
Caribbean, the participation of
Latin American women in the
labour market fell from 52% in
2019 to 46% in 2020.
Gris said that when times were
tough they turned to what they
knew: putting tortillas and other
corn delicacies like tlacoyos and
gorditas on the grill.
Mexico’s economy contracted
8.5% in 2020, the worst slump
since the Great Depression some
nine decades ago.
But the economic gloom
cannot overcome the sense of
happiness in the kitchen, filled
with music and brightened by
purple corn on the cob.
“Our self-esteem is sometimes
really low with so many problems,
said Gris, a 34-year-old mother of
four.
“Then suddenly there’s good
news,” she added. “It motivates us
to say: yes we can. There will be
ups and downs.”
The trust they have built has
made it possible for the women to
support each other, each in their
own way.
“It was our needs and the stark
realities that made us say, in an
act of desperation: enough!”, said
Chio, 33.
Leticia, 39, said the cooking
collective and its spirit of
solidarity have brought many
benefits.
“I feel very good because this
project has given me confidence
as well as financial and emotional
security. It has given me many
things,” she said. – ETX Studio

to the now. We learn not to drink tea with our
mind and eyes. Sometimes, even not so
much with the mouth or palate or taste buds,
but with the heart. We do not need labels or
names.
“The moment you begin to practise this,
you can also see the Zen virtues you cultivate
in the ceremony ripple out to your entire life.
Zen is not about sitting on a mountain and
meditating away. Zen is a state of mind you
achieve as you calmly chop wood and fetch
water, it is a calm state of mind in which you
stay so present to your mundane daily life. It is
not what you do, but how you do it. I like to say
when life is a ceremony, everything is divine.”
What happens when you host a tea
ceremony?
“Online, I simply ask all my clients to come
with a bowl or cup, loose tea leaves (if you opt
into my retreats you can get a gift set of tea)
and enough hot water to go for six rounds. I
serve them through Zoom.
“In person, we simply sit together in a
mandala and I serve them tea.
“We sit as love flows from our hearts into
the bowls of tea, and it becomes simply
something sacred to behold. The ordinary
becomes extraordinary. Gratitude flows.
Creativity unlocks.”
What are the most common issues people
seek your help to resolve?
“People who wish to deepen their Zen and
Dao practices, people in disordered eating
recovery, and people who are simply seeking
alternative modalities and want to silence the
ego mind, reduce anxiety, and relax after a
week of work and family pressure.”
How has the pandemic affected your
personal or work routine?
“I have been immensely grateful for this
practice as it has helped me to ride out the ups
and downs that have come with what has
happened over the past few months. I have
connected with so many beautiful souls in the
online world and I think the importance of an
online presence and connection is going to
just keep growing in importance.”
Alma, a
Are there any words of hope that you can member of
offer to those who feel overwhelmed? the collective
“I want you all to know that I am really not ‘Mujeres de la
that special. The truth is that I fully recovered
because I took the first step to decide that I am Tierra’, works in
going to take full responsibility and write the the kitchen, in
best version of my story. Tea simply facilitates Milpa Alta,
our journey of discovery and self-love, of Mexico City,
embodying our true Buddha nature – in other on February
words, the authentic self.” 16, 2021.
 YOUTH
6 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021

The cello artist

Next Gen
oDylan Lee has been making
waves abroad
(above)
█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Lee decided

M
ALAYSIAN cellist Dylan Lee has
chalked up some impressive
achievements in his career to date. Lee
has performed in international
orchestras with esteemed cellists, and won
international awards as well, quite an impressive
profile for a 29-year-old.
Lee began playing the cello at the age of six and
played the stringed instrument for the Malaysian
Philharmonic Youth Orchestra when he was a
teenager. He has also performed in Japan and
Munich in Germany, and even alongside Austrian
classical violinist Christian Altenburger at the
Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg.
Having graduated from a Master programme
under Prof Julius Berger at the Leopold Mozart
Zentrum in Augsburg in 2019, Dylan mastered
contemporary and classical music. He also plays
the piano and electric guitar.
What attracted you to play the cello?
I started playing the cello when I was six or seven-
years-old. At first, I thought I could impress my
friends by choosing to play the biggest instrument!
I decided to play the cello and pursue classical
music professionally in my teens, after playing in
the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth
Orchestra for a few years. It was
Trivia when I was playing in the youth
orchestra that music rooted
Your favourite cellist or idol. itself deep in my heart, and the
I love recordings by Heinrich Schiff, deep timbre of the cello became
Yo-yo Ma and Bernard Greenhouse. my voice.
Your favourite music Who is your biggest influence
arrangement. when it comes to music?
I’m currently in love with the third I have been lucky to have had
movement from Schumann’s Piano wonderful teachers and
Quartet. Magic! mentors who guided me along
my musical journey. My
What other musical instruments professors Ng Pei-Sian and
do you play? Leslie Tan in Singapore played
I play the piano and electric guitar for an important role in making me
fun. the musician that I am today.
However, my biggest
Name a hall in which you played influence in recent years has
solo in a concert. been my professor in Germany,
I played at Gasteig in Munich the first Prof Julius Berger. He is a
week I moved to Germany for my musician, poet and thinker. He
master’s degree. pushed me to reach greater
heights with my music.
Name a young cellist who
inspires you. Share with us your award-
Chen Yibai. I met him when I was winning moments.
studying, and I love his soulful In December 2019, just before
playing. the world went into lockdown, I
was awarded the Grand Prize in
the Global Music Partnership
to pursue
playing the
cello
professionally
in his teens. –
PICTURE
COURTESY
OF DYLAN
LEE
(left)
Lee
performing
with the
Uzbekistan
State
Concerto competition. As part of the award, I once at the Gasteig in Munich and another time at Symphony
travelled to Uzbekistan to play the Schumann Cello the Mozarteum Summer Festival in Salzburg. Orchestra in
Concerto with the Uzbekistan State Symphony Tashkent.
Orchestra – an unforgettable experience! Earlier What are your future goals?
that year in Germany, I also won the Andreas Stein It is hard to know what the future holds with the
Competition in Augsburg. Other than that, I was global pandemic in full swing. Having moved back
also awarded a full scholarship to study music at to Malaysia late last year, I am excited to teach and
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the share the knowledge and experience I have gained Lee
National University of Singapore, where I got my overseas with musicians and students here. performing at
bachelor’s degree. the Dewan
Filharmonik
How would you describe your music? Petronas. –
I operate in two modes as a musician, depending PICTURE
on whether I am in the practice room or on stage. COURTESY
When I am preparing a piece, practising or OF FADILAH
rehearsing, I value detail, and I am polished in my KAMAL
music. When I step on stage, I instinctively become FRANCIS
interested in getting in tune with the audience and
playing with spontaneity and drama. I would
describe my music as a confluence of these two
contrasting aspects of my musicianship.
What is the most memorable or turning point in
your life?
I will never forget the day I auditioned to do my
master’s degree in Germany. It was an extremely
hot summer, and it was my final audition after
weeks of auditioning. I went into the
room and played my
heart out. After
playing, and
as I was
packing
up, Prof
Berger came
out to congratulate me on my performance,
and said that he would like to take me in as a
student. Studying with him changed my
perspective on music and life. He even let
me perform in his place on two occasions,
 FEATURE
theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021 7

Through strength
and perseverance
oEddie Shahrizad does not
let anything stop him from
achieving his fitness goals
█ BY AZIZUL RAHMAN ISMAIL

A
LTHOUGH our knowledge in fitness
and health has advanced, Malaysians
still have misconceptions about
strength training. That is one of the
many observations of Eddie Shahrizad, who has
cultivated a passion for fitness since his
university days.
A real estate negotiator by trade, Eddie is
also a certified Master Functional Trainer from
the Functional Training Institute in Australia
and a Certified Strength an Conditioning
Specialist from The National Strength and
Conditioning Association in the US.
“Most people work out to lose weight, but
that is the wrong idea. You work out to build
strength, you control your nutrition to lose
weight. But the two work hand-in-hand for a
healthy lifestyle,” explained Eddie.
He gave an example of sumo wrestlers and
bodybuilders.
“A sumo wrestler can be big and yet strong
and healthy. While a bodybuilder can be just as
strong and healthy, but lean.
“Building strength comes from working
out. What you put in your body and how Nevertheless,
much you burn off determines your weight Eddie and other Eddie (far right, seated) with his students. – PICTURE COURTESY OF EDDIE SHAHRIZAD
and size,” said Eddie, who was once active trainers still hold classes
in the strongman competition circuit. online. took up Silat and Taekwondo. (James Brian Hellwig). They were big and
He gave the analogy of an “Strength training is especially His experience in training for muscular but they were fast and had a wide
automobile. A car with a strong beneficial for women. Most women and participating in move set, unlike most. Today, perhaps the only
structure but a weak engine is just as think that training would bulk them up, strongman competitions pro wrestler that has that same speed and
bad and dangerous as a car with a but that is not true. It builds stronger gave him the strength to power combination is Brock Lesnar.”
powerful engine but has a weak muscles and bones, which alleviates take on any competition. In the local scene, Eddie credits Ayez
structure. There needs to be a balance. common women health issues such as But Eddie admitted it was Shaukat Fonseka Farid for giving him a chance,
Eddie also conducts strength osteoporosis,” added Eddie. not as easy as he thought. and training him in pro wrestling. He is also
training classes. Fitness was his It does not need to be expensive either. The physical aspect grateful to Goutham, who is also a wrestler, for
profession until 2018 when he realised One of the classes that he teaches forgoes needed to become a pro his friendship and advice.
that depending on that alone was not the need for equipment and weights. wrestler still proved a Late last year, Eddie became one of the
feasible. Going to the gym and Instead, he uses duffle bags and rice. The challenge for Eddie. talents featured in the first season of APAC
training is still seen as a luxury, and amount of rice determines the weight and However, more than that, it Wrestling, a new regional pro wrestling
2020 showed that the fitness intensity of the training, and Eddie jested that was the mental and promotion. Currently, he is taking a season
business was also affected by the they can cook the rice after they are done. performance part of the break to train and improve his pro wrestling
pandemic. “The key is to know what you are doing. sport that challenged performance. He will also appear as one of the
Health and sports are one That is where the role of a trainer comes in.” him the most. bad guys in the upcoming movie, Gila Gusti
of the most heavily affected Despite fitness having to take a back seat “I was a fan of pro (Wrestle Crazy).
activities during the to business, Eddie never gave up on it. In 2019, wrestlers like The “I’ve always liked to play and trained as the
pandemic. It was one of the he stepped into the world of pro wrestling as British Bulldog (Davey heel (the bad guy) in pro wrestling. But when I
first sectors ordered to close Eddie Powers. Boy Smith) and The debuted, I was a good guy and that was a
and one of the last to be allowed to reopen. He had an advantage. While studying, he Ultimate Warrior challenge I needed to work on,” said Eddie.

Regular exercise can help reduce migraine

ALTHOUGH not recommended
while experiencing a migraine,
regular exercise may have a
preventative effect on the onset of
migraines by helping to reduce
associated triggers, new research
from the American Academy of
Neurology suggests.
Research published ahead of the
American Academy of Neurology’s
73rd Annual Meeting, held virtually
in April, involved over 4,000 patients
diagnosed with migraine.
Approximately three-quarters of
participants had chronic migraines
(15 migraines or more a month) and
one quarter experienced episodic
migraines (up to 14 a month).
Participants completed a and the factors susceptible of
questionnaire about the
characteristics of their migraines, as
well as their sleep, depression, stress,
anxiety, and the amount of
moderate-to-vigorous exercise they
got each week. Types of exercise
considered moderate to vigorous in
the study included jogging, very brisk
walking, playing a sport, heavy
cleaning and cycling.
Perhaps unsurprisingly,
participants who reported taking
regular exercise reported lower levels
of stress and anxiety. Researchers
also found an association between
exercise and the risk of migraines.
Among participants who reported
taking no exercise, 48% had high
headache frequency, defined as
having 25 or more headache days per
month, compared to just 28% among
participants who regularly took two-
and-a-half hours of a week of
moderate-to-vigorous exercise.
For many sufferers, migraine is a
chronic disease, but the symptoms
triggering these headaches can vary
greatly from one person to another,
which can make treatment complex.
Migraines often involve throbbing or
pulsating pain in a localised area of
the head. They can last several hours
or several days, and can be
accompanied by other symptoms,
such as nausea, vomiting or aversion people with benefits.” –
to sound and/or light. migraine are not ETX Studio
Some of the most well-known exercising, they
factors for triggering migraines may not be
include stress, tiredness, dehydration reaping
and changes in routine. These factors t h e s e
are often closely linked to lifestyles,
which means that it is sometimes
possible to take preventative action to
naturally reduce the frequency of
migraines. Exercise, could be one Among
such measure, for example. participants
“Migraine is a disabling condition who took no
that affects millions of people in the exercise, 48%
United States, and yet regular had a higher
exercise may be an effective way to headache
reduce the frequency and intensity of frequency, defined as
some migraines,” said study author,
having 25 or more
Mason Dyess of the University of
Washington in Seattle and a headache days
member of the American per month.
Academy of Neurology.
“Exercise releases natural
painkillers called
endorphins, it helps
people sleep better and
reduces stress. But if
 MEDIA & MARKETING
8 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
Spreading festive cheer
o7-Eleven Malaysia brings Chinese New Year joy to senior citizens
7
-ELEVEN Malaysia in
collaboration with its partner,
NGOHub came together to
spread festive joy to senior
citizens at several old folks’ homes in
conjunction with the Chinese New
Year celebration.
As part of its commitment to
positively impact communities in need
during the festive season, 7-Eleven
Malaysia arranged for the distribution
of biscuits, instant oats, canned goods,
beverages as well as mandarin oranges
to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Orang Tua
Xiao Xin, among other old folks’ homes
in the Klang Valley.
7-Eleven Malaysia’s general
manager of marketing, Ronan Lee,
said: “At 7-Eleven Malaysia, we remain
committed to contributing to the
wellbeing of the less fortunate and
vulnerable groups in the communities
we serve. In conjunction with Chinese
New Year, we wish to reach out and
help raise the spirits of senior citizens
Speak to theSun’s Sales team now for special deals on
digital, video and print advertising.
in elderly care homes who are
impacted due to the restrictions on
visitation to the homes. It always brings
us great joy to provide festive cheer to
those who do not have the privilege to
spend it with their families or loved
ones, especially senior citizens.”
“In light of the pandemic, necessary
precautions were taken at the supply
handovers with minimal personnel
from both the recipients and our side
as well as minimal interaction. We
would like to encourage members of
the public to strictly adhere to the
relevant authorities’ guidelines and
instructions and practice social
distancing as everyone plays a vital role
in overcoming the pandemic together,”
Lee added.
President of Pertubuhan Kebajikan
Orang Tua Xiao Xin’s, YT Ong, said,
“During the festive season, a common
issue that we are facing is that some of
our residents have felt increasingly
lonely and isolated. We are ever
POSTGRAD
The key to success is to first start somewhere.
thankful by the outpouring of
generosity from 7-Eleven Malaysia for
paying attention to the needs of this
segment of society, and for bringing
festive cheer to them while adhering
strictly to the standard operating
procedures.”
“At Pertubuhan Kebajikan Orang
Tua Xiao Xin, there has been a decline
in donations ever since the pandemic
hit. Some of our residents are living
with various health complications such
as diabetes, heart disease and stroke,
rendering them bed-ridden. The cost
of care for acutely ill residents has been
on the rise while we are struggling to
secure sufficient donations and funds
during this trying time,” he added.
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Orang Tua
Xiao Xin provides shelter and care for
destitute, homeless and neglected
senior citizens. Those interested in
contributing to Pertubuhan Kebajikan
Orang Tua Xiao Xin can call +016 695
1911 for more information.
PUBLICATION DATE
BOOKING & STORY DEADLINE
MATERIAL DEADLINE
Cancer survivors
Above: Soon
(left) and Ng
became best
create fashion
friends while
receiving
cancer
treatment.
label
█ BY GOH YOKE LENG
MEI NG and Aimee Soon were diagnosed with
breast cancer during pregnancy and they
became best friends while receiving treatment.
Battling the affliction together, they made a
commitment to pursue their passion when they
made a full recovery.
After a long battle with the disease, the
courageous duo founded a local womenswear
label called Wonder Me, in 2017 – an avenue that
allows them to express themselves through
aesthetical creations.
Since its establishment, the Kuala Lumpur-
based brand has launched a series of capsule
collections, ranging from casual to formal with
dresses, jumpsuits, rompers, shirts, outerwear,
skirts, shorts and more that exude a cheerful,
confident vibe.
“Nobody wants to have cancer but the
experience had in a way forced us to become
stronger and fearless in facing all kinds of
hardship. With courage and confidence, there is
nothing we cannot overcome,” Soon shared.
Ng chimed in: “Through Wonder Me’s pieces,
7-Eleven we aspire to channel positivity and confidence to
Malaysia’s women who are fighting their own battles.
representative Remember, you are stronger than you think.”
Wonder Me keeps the supply chain fully in-
(left) and
house where resources are shared with their
NGOhub’s sister brand, The WonderLand.
representative From design to cut and sew, and packaging to
(right) handing distribution, this end-to-end approach without
over essential outsourcing to a third party ensures quality
items and food control and keeps prices affordable.
supplies to a Wonder Me avoids the mass-produced
representative model and opted for its products to be hand-
of Pertubuhan sewn by experienced local seamstresses – which
Kebajikan translates to limited quantities for every item
Orang Tua Xiao and prevents unnecessary waste. – The Borneo
Xin. Post
30 MARCH, 2021 (Tuesday)
16 MARCH, 2021 (Tuesday)
26 MARCH, 2021 (Friday)
 9
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021

* SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Jamari Mohtar

Light at the end of a tunnel

W
ITH the Covid-19
infections showing a
downward trend, the
death rate now at 0.4% –
among the lowest in the world – and
with more than 90% of Covid-19
patients having fully recovered, the
stage is set for the current third wave to
be a manageable affair in a few months’
time.
What is more, the government has
some new strategies to ensure the
infection curve will be flattened as soon
as possible by controlling the spread of
the disease.
For instance, based on its data, it
was observed that 10% of the clusters
had contributed to more than 85% of
Covid-19 cases.
Henceforth, the government will
take a more targeted approach by
implementing a more stricter
distancing and standard operating
procedures (SOP).
The implementation of the SOP will
be enhanced by taking firm action
against SOP violators, which averaged
500 a day.
So, a year after the Perikatan
Nasional (PN) took over the helm of
government, Malaysia is now moving
towards a recovery trajectory in the
balance between lives and livelihoods,
and at the same time moving fast to put
in place some fundamentals that will
steer the country in the right direction
for a post Covid-19 world.
This is the gist of the special message
by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin yesterday, dubbed “One Year of
Concerned (Prihatin) Malaysia”, which
marked his one-year premiership of the
country.
Reading the message to the end, it is
19 through enhancing some aspects of
border control, especially a no-
compromised tighter control of the
border to prevent the entry of illegal or
undocumented immigrants who are
one source of the spread of the disease;
0 Comprehensive effort at creating
travel bubbles with some potential
countries that have brought the Covid-
19 under control. This is very important
in order to activate bilateral trade and
investment that will accelerate
“Some observers economic growth. This is also in line
with the Asean Travel Corridor
have taken note Arrangement mooted at the Asean
Summit in November to facilitate intra-
too that the Asean travels which will revive trade,
tourism and the services industry; and
emergency is 0 Introducing the Shared Prosperity
Vision 2030 (SPV 2030) as a continuity
responsible for to Vision 2020 with the main goal of
ensuring Malaysians in general can
addressing climate change and
improving the quality of life of the
people.
The prime minister also touched on
emergency ordinances that have
facilitated the war on Covid-19.
Giving his assurance that the
emergency is not an attempt to prolong
his tenure in office, Muhyiddin said:
“All these ordinances are meant to
enable the government to manage the
Covid-19 in a more efficient and
effective way, including improving the
management of foreign workers’
dwellings, which is one main source of
the spread of the disease.
“With the Emergency, all these
ordinances have been implemented in
short order without going through the
normal parliamentary process that will
take too long to materialise. I’m aware
and understand what democracy

movement control order (MCO) at all
cluster locations.
This science-based approach has
already been put into action when the
government announced on Monday
that the enhanced MCO will be
imposed in Felda Jengka 1, 2, and 7 as
well as Felda Ulu Jempol in Maran, in
Pahang starting yesterday until March
15. This is despite Pahang recording a
one-digit infection (eight) yesterday.
As explained by Senior Minister
(Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail
Sabri Yaakob, the move was to facilitate
the Health Ministry in carrying out
early detection and isolation of Covid-
19 cases to ensure residents with
infection risks remained in the
enhanced MCO areas.
Meanwhile, the government is also
enforcing an MCO in the district of
Nabawan, Sabah from yesterday until
March 16 following a sharp rise in cases
involving a cluster in the district with
high infectivity.
On Monday, the daily infections
stood at 1,828, the lowest since last
Thursday, with Selangor – consistently
occupying the top position for a long
time as the state with the most daily
infections – showing a drastic
improvement by moving to the second
position with new cases at 453.
At the same time, while the
government will be opening up more
sectors of the economy, all economic
activities are subjected to stricter social
indeed very clear the government has
adopted and will be adopting an
enlightened two-pronged approach in
not just fire-fighting but also putting in
place the necessary fundamentals for
Malaysia to thrive in a post Covid-19
world.
Among these measures are
empowering Malaysia with a digital
economy as a new source of wealth
through the action framework of the
MyDigital initiative launched by
Muhyiddin on Feb 19, along with the
focus on implementing the Digital
Education Policy, which inter alia will
bridge the digital divide and churn out
responsible citizens that function in a
knowledge virtue-based society.
All these will provide direction for
Malaysia to create talents/workforce of
the 21st century in order for it to be a
more competitive country in the digital
era.
“I believe the Digital Education
Policy is one forward move to provide
for a generation that is digitally literate
and at the same time propels the
quality of our national education to be
one of the best in the world,” said
Muhyiddin.
Other fundamentals mentioned by
Muhyiddin in his message that will
facilitate the recovery of the economy
and equip it with the wherewithal for a
post Covid-19 world include:
0 Ensuring the security of the rakyat
via managing the spread of the Covid-
taming down
enjoy a decent standard of living by
2030. This will be implemented
through the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP,
the excessive 2021-2025) and the 13MP (2026-2030).
Among the priorities of the 12MP is
politicking in the managing poverty, especially the
eradication of hardcore poverty, now
country, that the pandemic has pushed a lot
more Malaysians under this category.
resulting in Towards this end, a cabinet
committee on poverty chaired by
some good Muhyiddin has been formed to explore
in detail what can be done by the
achievements in government, government-linked
companies, voluntary organisations
the economic and the private sector to manage the
problem of poverty together.
numbers for Other priorities include speeding up
developments in Sabah and Sarawak,
2021 and other underdeveloped states by
stabilising the provision of
infrastructure and basic needs,
providing a conducive eco-system to
develop the micro, small and medium-
sized enterprises, speeding up both the
take-up rate of advanced technology
and digitalisation among businesses
and the rakyat, and the transition to a
green economy to support the agenda
of sustainable development and a low
carbon emission country.
On sustainable and green
development, the prime minister has
already launched in January a 100
million tree-planting campaign as part
of the Greening Malaysia Programme,
one of the national agendas for
means and hence, nothing in these
ordinances were meant to enable the
prime minister to remain in power
indefinitely. Even this emergency is not
indefinite. It has an ending which is
Aug 1. This is the first time in the
nation’s history that an emergency has
an expiry date.”
And some observers have taken note
too that the emergency is responsible
for taming down the excessive
politicking in the country, resulting in
some good achievement in the
economic numbers for 2021 so far, such
as a stronger ringgit, a thriving bond
market and good export numbers.
It is indeed a long journey of one
year to see light at the end of a tunnel
but it i no mean feat to achieve this as
Muhyiddin took over the helm of the
nation under unprecedented
circumstances of major issues
occurring together at the same time
(health, economy, politics), and so
criticisms against him and his
government are not only easy in
hindsight, but also expected.
And the odds were against him to
shine, as the call for unity has been
challenging indeed.
Jamari Mohtar is director of media and
communications at EMIR Research, an
independent think tank focused on
strategic policy recommendations
based upon rigorous research.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com
Dispose used face masks properly
IT is regrettable that there are individuals who
still indiscriminately throw their used face
masks onto our public roads.
Malaysia is still not out of the woods yet
with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We have to stop the chain of infection, and
yet there are still selfish people who dispose
their used face masks onto roads, out of their
cars and in some cases leaving it on their
plates in restaurants once done with their
meals leaving the poor cleaner to clear it.
Please stop this nonsense. You take
measures to protect yourself but your litterbug
attitude shows how no care is given to others
or even society.
The sight of used face masks littered all
around parking areas and roads is all too
common in business areas where there is high
foot traffic. I even see them in residential parks
where young children are present.
These used and at times soiled masks are a
biological hazard and should be treated as
one. If one is to carelessly throw them onto our
public roads, it just contributes to the dangers
of Covid-19. Not to mention the risk it poses to
Mother Nature.
Countless reminders have been given and
yet people still do not take heed.
This littering attitude has long been a
plague to our nation before the emergence of
the Covid-19 pandemic. It is just a spill-over
effect when it comes to the indiscriminate
disposing of used face masks.
I would like to strongly urge the litterbugs
and irresponsible individuals among you to
reflect on what you are doing. You are harming
society with your actions and creating a
vicious cycle.
Please put a halt to your selfish actions.
Care for everyone. We live in a shared
environment and world. Your actions are
raking up a high cost and god forbid no one
has to pay for it with dear life.
Dispose your used face masks safely and
properly.
Yeap Ming Liong
Subang Jaya
Are MICE events viable under new SOP?
ON March 1, the National Security Council
(NSC) released the latest standard operating
procedures (SOP) for meetings, incentives,
conventions and exhibitions (MICE) in states
under the movement control order (MCO) and
will be placed under conditional MCO from
March 5.
It was reported that the limit on delegates,
participants and visitors is set at 25% of the
premises’ capacity, with a maximum of 250
people per event or for every 1,000 sq m,
whichever is lower.
The statement is somewhat confusing and
needs clarification.
The number of participants in MICE events
varies greatly. Meetings and seminars often do
not exceed 50 participants. For conventions,
around 250 delegates may be seated together.
But it would be disastrous for exhibitions
open to the public to attract only a few
hundred visitors.
As such, the SOP should be not more than
250 people for every 1,000 sq m at any one
time. This would permit an organiser that has
taken up 25,000 sq m for a major exhibition to
allow up to 6,250 people within the exhibition
area at any one time.
And if visitors are required to exit within
two hours, a maximum of 37,500 may enter
within a 12-hour period from 10am to 10pm.
It would be a huge success if a consumer
travel fair could attract 112,500 visitors over
three days.
In March 2019, the Matta Fair held at the
World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur featured
1,364 booths set up by 272 organisations,
attracted a record 113,685 visitors and
registered RM220 million in sales.
But if exhibitions are limited to 250 people
per event, then the SOP must have been
drawn up by those with only a superficial
understanding of the various MICE and
business events, lumping all of them together.
What is good for the goose may not be
good for the gander.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
 SunBIZ
THURSDAY
S E C U R I T I E S S D N.
197201001092 (12738-U)
B H D.

A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad

MARCH 4, 2021
A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad
Editorial: Tel.: 03-7784 6688
Fax: 03-7785 2624/5
Participation Bought Sold Net Email: sunbiz@thesundaily.com
% RM m RM m RM m Advertising: Tel: 03-7784 8888
Fax: 03-7784 4424
43.7 Institutions 2619.9 2777.2 -157.3 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com
38.7 Retail 2411.7 2369.7 42.0
17.6 Foreign 1148.8 1033.5 115.3
18.58 26.50 784.56 68.31 150.93 264.85 39.12 55.71
100.0 6180.4 6180.4 0.0
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Source: Burs Malaysia 1,588.45 3,000.37 29,880.42 3,576.90 29,559.10 16,211.73 3,082.99 6,817.98

INDICES
KL MARKET SUMMARY
MARCH 3, 2021

CHANGE
Analysts still overweight
on M’sian banking sector
FBMEMAS 11,671.40 +94.92
FBMKLCI 1,588.45 +18.58
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 627.73 +3.50
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 186.93 +2.89
CONSTRUCTION 172.47 +0.29
FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,032.80 +0.01
ENERGY 919.32 -0.82
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 713.10 +12.01 oLending growth in next
HEALTH CARE
TRANSPORTATION
3,150.30
785.66
+80.12
+5.11 one or two months expected
PROPERTY
PLANTATION
697.30
7,162.09
-0.71
+22.81 to moderate, uptick in
FBMSHA
FBMACE
13,040.20
10,615.70
+149.70
+44.43
January impaired loan ratio
TECHNOLOGY 89.65 -0.55
PETALING JAYA: CGS-CIMB has lowered
TURNOVER VALUE its 2021 loan growth forecast for Malaysia’s
10.780 BIL RM6.180 BIL banking sector to 2-3% from 4-5%, to match
the downward revision in its gross
domestic product (GDP) expansion
5 MOST ACTIVES
MARCH 3, 2021
projection for the country from 7.5% to 5%
made in February.
“We think that the movement control
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) order 2.0 (MCO 2.0) would have an indirect
XOX 421,573,100 8 -0.5 negative impact on banks’ loan growth as it MCO 2.0 is seen having an indirect negative impact on banks’ loan growth. – REUTERSPIX
PARKSON 331,077,800 19.5 +0.5 disrupted some business activities and
AIMFLEX 319,612,800 27 -4.5 dampened business sentiment,” it said in a compared to 1.56% in the preceding (AmResearch), however, has maintained its
SEALINK 311,052,900 20.5 +2.5 report. month, in line with its expectation of an OPR projection of 1.75% in 2021 for now,
EAH 286,411,800 3.5 -0.5 The research house pointed out that uptick in GIL ratio. but it does see some downside risk to the
auto sales weakened in January 2021, “We estimate a GIL ratio of 2% at end- forecast should the economic recovery turn
which would be detrimental for loan December 2021.” slower than expected.
5 TOP GAINERS
MARCH 3, 2021
growth in the banking sector. As a result, it
slashed about 2% from its 2021 loan growth
On the whole, CGS-CIMB reiterated its
“overweight call” on the sector as it expects
“We expect the OPR to be maintained at
1.75% at the coming MPC meeting on
forecast for all banks to reflect its banks’ net profit for 2021F to be catalysed March 4, 2021,” it said.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM projections for the industry. by a recovery in net interest income growth Meanwhile, it pointed out that banks’
NESTLE 86,400 138.00 1.60 However, CGS-CIMB noted that there and a decline in loan loss provisioning outstanding impaired loans in January
SUPERMX 70,257,900 4.66 0.55 have been improvements this year, as the (LLP), which are the potential re-rating 2021 rose 2.5% month on month or RM722
LPI 143,600 13.80 0.46 banking sector’s loan growth picked up from catalysts for the sector. million, coming largely from higher
HARTA 14,190,200 9.85 0.44 3.4% year on year (yoy) at end-December “Despite the cut in loan growth, we impairments of household loans while the
DATAPRP 65,776,700 1.84 0.42 2020 to 3.8% yoy at end-January 2021. expect banks’ net interest income to increase in impairments of non-household
“The improvement primarily came from increase in 2021F due to wider net interest loans was smaller .
the business loan segment, which margin,’ it said. The research house said the industry’s
5 TOP LOSERS
MARCH 3, 2021
expanded by 1.5% yoy at end-January 2021,
compared to a rise of 0.5% yoy at end-
Its top picks for the sector are Public
Bank, Hong Leong Bank and RHB Bank.
total GIL inched higher to 1.6% while net
impaired loan ratio rose slightly to 1.01%. In
December 2020. Meanwhile, the growth in It said the call is premised on an addition, total provisions for the sector
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM household loans inched down from 5% yoy earnings growth rebound forecast in 2021, increased by 1.1% month on month or
CARLSBG 277,100 23.08 0.60 at end-December 20 to 4.9% yoy at end- supported by an anticipated GDP growth RM341 million in January this year as banks
AMBANK 101,806,500 2.80 0.36 January 2021,” it said. recovery by its economist. continued to set aside pre-emptive
RAPID 439,600 6.86 0.29 Nonetheless, the research house has On the flip side, it has identified a provisions against future credit losses.
GREATEC 5,551,400 5.77 0.23 observed a weaker trend in the leading loan protracted economic downturn extending “On a comforting note, the quantum of
HAPSENG 793,600 8.07 0.21 indicators as loan application growth into 2021 as a potential downside risk, provisions in January 2021 was lower than
moderated to 9.7% yoy in January from which would cause banks to grapple with a all the three months in 4Q2020,” it said.
12.3% yoy in the previous month, while the slowdown in loan growth and further On the whole, AmResearch reiterated its
EXCHANGE RATES MARCH 3, 2021 contraction in loan approvals widened to increase in LPP. “overweight” call on the sector and
3.5% yoy in January from 0.1% yoy in the “We have factored in a 25bp cut in favoured the larger systematic banks,
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy month before. Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) in 2021 for our namely Maybank and CIMB, to ride on the
TT/OD TT OD It opined that such a trend does not earnings forecasts for banks. The downside economy recovery in 2021 as well as banks
1 US DOLLAR 4.1140 3.9890 3.9790 bode well for banks’ loan growth in the next risk for banks’ margins would be wider with undemanding valuations trading at
one to two months. than the 25bp reduction in OPR in 2021.” attractive price-to-book ratios, such as RHB
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.2390 3.1100 3.0940 CGS-CIMB said the industry’s gross CGS-CIMB estimated that every Bank.
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0920 3.0020 2.9940 impaired loan (GIL) ratio rose in January additional 25bps OPR cut would reduce its “Also, we like Hong Leong Bank with its
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2520 3.1650 3.1530 this year, but the quantum of increase was projected FY21 net profit for banks under strong top line growth, robust profit
1 EURO 4.9770 4.8170 4.7970 manageable at only 4 basis points month its coverage by an average of about 2.2%. contribution from associates and resilient
on month (mom) to 1.6% at end-January AmInvestment Bank Research asset quality.”
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 3.0130 2.9030 2.8870
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.0920 3.0020 2.9940
1 STERLING POUND
1 SWISS FRANC
5.7470
4.4810
5.5660
4.3780
5.5460
4.3630 Covid-era investment rules hurdle for sovereign funds
100 UAE DIRHAM 113.2800 107.4100 107.2100 LONDON: Sovereign wealth funds will have over the same period, the report said. Among last year’s notable pharmaceutical
100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.9510 4.6250 4.4250 to navigate growing regulatory scrutiny Regulators have focused more closely deals, Singapore’s sovereign fund Temasek
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 63.6000 61.1000 N/A across some of their favoured areas for on some of those areas in the aftermath of and other investors injected US$250 million
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 53.5800 50.9100 50.7100 investment such as pharmaceuticals, the pandemic. (RM1 billion) into German biotech company
infrastructure, technology and logistics, a Governments of about 50 countries BioNTech, which developed a vaccine
100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7100 5.3600 5.1600
new report said yesterday. have imposed rules on exports of products against the coronavirus with Pfizer.
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0297 0.0268 0.0218 Infrastructure was their top investment used in the public health response to the Warehouses and the wider logistics
100 JAPANESE YEN 3.8560 3.7360 3.7260 by sector, accounting for 26% of total deal Covid-19 pandemic, according to UN data sector have also been a growing investment
100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.9000 N/A N/A volume from July 2019 to September 2020, cited by the report. destination for sovereign funds in the past
followed by services and technology, “An increased focus on critical year, accounting for about 40% of their real
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.6500 2.4800 2.2800
according to the Sovereign Wealth Funds infrastructure, and health care estate exposure by deal value, the report
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6100 8.1200 7.9200 report, a collaboration between IE Center infrastructure, in particular, highlights a said.
100 QATAR RIYAL 114.2100 108.4200 108.2200 for the Governance of Change and ICEX- trend that is likely to accelerate post Covid- Sovereign funds also had to be cautious
100 SAUDI RIYAL 110.8700 105.2500 105.0500 Invest in Spain. 19: enhanced scrutiny of foreign in this area as governments scrambled to
Pharmaceuticals, software and biotech investment, and increased time and costs base more of their supply chains at home to
100 THAI BAHT 14.2000 12.5900 12.1900
attracted the largest investment by associated with regulatory review of such avoid trade disruptions during the
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama industry, accounting for about 19% of deals transactions,” the report said. pandemic, the report said. – Reuters
 11
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021

* SUNBIZ

Negative bias in ratings to linger

oBut RAM expects rated credits to withstand
near-term pressure as bulk of portfolio is
anchored by entities with strong financials
PETALING JAYA: RAM Ratings said it
expects the negative bias in rating
actions to remain through the next few
quarters, as 14 RAM-rated entities still
carried a negative outlook as at end-
December 2020.
“That said, we expect the overall
rated credits to withstand near-term
pressure because over 80% of our
portfolio is anchored by financial
institutions and project finance
companies with strong capitalisation,
robust liquidity buffers and healthy
cashflows.
“In view of MCO 2.0, RAM is
currently undertaking another
portfolio-wide assessment which will
be released soon. The preliminary
results indicate limited near-term
rating pressure on our portfolio,” RAM
said in conjunction with the release of
its latest annual Corporate Default
and Rating Transition Study.
Its broader analysis of corporates in
Asean-6 (Asean-5 + Vietnam) reveals
that Malaysian firms have stronger
debt protection metrics than their
Asean peers.
Although half of the companies
listed on Bursa Malaysia still reported
weaker earnings in Q3’20 (-0.8% y-o-y
compared to -33% in Q2’20), their
debt protection metrics remained
intact. For the third quarter of last year,
the median gearing ratio averaged
0.22 times (Asean: 0.38 times) while
debt servicing capacity – measured by
the pretax earnings-to-debt ratio –
averaged 0.34 times (Asean-6: 0.23
times).
The average Malaysian firm had
enough cash to support 3.5 months’
operating expenses. Relative to RAM’s
benchmarks and Asean peers, these
metrics are not considered aggressive.
Moreover, recent sample data for
Q4’20 results indicate improvements
in these measures for both Malaysia
and Asean-6.
RAM said the path to full recovery
will remain uneven and fragile in 2021,
depending much on the success of the
country’s vaccination programme and
the global outlook. Swift execution of
the inoculation regime and no further
outbreaks may lend upside to
Malaysia’s economic recovery and
RAM’s GDP growth forecast, which
currently stands at 5% for this year.
As at end-January 2021, the
government had launched up to
RM320 billion of fiscal stimulus
packages and various financial relief
measures to help households and
businesses contend with the
economic fallout. These, including
higher allocations for big-ticket
infrastructure projects, have shored
up the financial markets, as have
record low interest rates. Study shows an average Malaysian firm have enough cash to support 3.5 months
The domestic corporate bond of operating expenses. - AFPPIX
market therefore kept up its
momentum in 2020, with RM104.6 finances. In total (counting affected by negative rating actions
billion of gross bond/sukuk issuance – downgrades and outlook revisions), included those from the
at par with the preceding year’s RAM took negative rating actions on tourism/hospitality and
RM105.3 billion. The bond/sukuk 17 issuers (9.5% of our rated portfolio) travel/aviation sectors, which have
pipeline spiked up in Q4’20 as in 2020. Of these, the ratings of six been hard hit by movement
companies took the opportunity to issuers were downgraded (2019: three) restrictions. Following these negative
refinance or lock in cheap funding. as opposed to four upgrades (2.2% of actions, the rating drift (defined as
“Unsurprisingly, the overarching rated portfolio). upgrades net of downgrades and
theme of rating actions was negative “At the same time, the number of defaults) ended 2020 in negative
last year as the various lockdowns issuers on negative outlook climbed territory. There were, however, no
started to strain some issuers’ up to 7.8% (2019: 0.6%). Issuers defaults during the year,“ said RAM.

Tabung Haji financially healthy, assets exceed liabilities Datasonic, Vietnamese

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji’s
(TH) financial position remains stable with
total assets exceeding total liabilities by
RM3.68 billion for the financial year ended
Dec 31, 2020 (FY20).
Total assets stood at RM81.85 billion and
total liabilities were RM78.17 billion, the
pilgrims fund board said yesterday.
Group managing director and CEO Datuk
Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff said TH aimed to
provide a stable profit distribution to
depositors in line with its mandate to manage
the funds of Muslims planning to fulfil the hajj
obligation.
He said a more sustainable distribution
rate was crucial for TH because pilgrims
would need to wait for their turn for the hajj
pilgrimage due to a quota set by the Saudi
Arabian government.
“This is our most important responsibility.
We have to ensure that TH continues to
operate for more than a century to allow our
pilgrims to complete their religious
obligations.
“This means the safety of our investments
is paramount and TH cannot afford to take on
investments that are too risky,” Nik Mohd
Hasyudeen said in a statement to announce
TH’s financial performance and FY20 profit
distribution.
TH announced a profit distribution of 3.10
per cent (after zakat) for FY20. The
distribution involves a total amount of RM2.24
billion compared with RM2.14 billion for 2019.
“TH recorded an improved financial
performance (unaudited) for 2020 with net
profit after zakat rising 22% or RM397 million
to RM2.23 billion.
“The performance was supported by its
fixed-income investments that generated
RM1.9 billion, equity investments of RM430
million, property investments with RM352
million, and Islamic money market
instruments contributing RM318 million,“ said
Nik Mohd Hasyudeen.
For this year, he said, TH expected a more
Vivocom to raise up to RM99.37m in private placement
Tabung Haji aims to provide a stable profit distribution to depositors in line with its mandate to
manage the funds of Muslims planning to fulfil the hajj obligation. - BERNAMAPIX
challenging operating environment where
investors would be pressured to look for
higher returns amid a soft economy.
“However, the efforts by various countries,
including Malaysia, to ensure the population
is vaccinated against Covid-19 should support
the continuing initiatives toward economic
recovery,“ added Nik Mohd Hasyudeen.
He noted that 51% of TH’s asset allocation
was invested in sukuk fixed and recurring
incomes.
This was in line with the board’s strategic
asset allocation exercise which emphasised
long-term investments with tolerable risk
levels, he said.
TH will also continue its efforts to
rebalance its investment portfolio especially in
replacing low-yielding assets with those that
can provide better returns to depositors.
This included providing more focus on
overseas investments and ESG-based
(environmental, social and governance)
investments, added Nik Mohd Hasyudeen. –
Bernama
firm team up to pitch
e-passport, ICT projects
PETALING JAYA: Datasonic Group Bhd
yesterday entered into a teaming agreement
with Vietnam’s Pham Gia Ecocon Plus Vietnam
Co Ltd (PEPV) to work together in proposing
the e-passport and/or other ICT projects to
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security.
PEPV is a company specialising in economic
research, investment, consultation, project
management and trading. PEPV also connects
overseas industrial equipment producers with
Vietnam users.
Datasonic will be the exclusive ICT
technology partner of PEPV for the projects.
The teaming agreement will be for a period of
five years.
“Datasonic is currently the biggest security-
related ICT company in Malaysia with export
capabilities. In line with its mission to transform
Datasonic into one of the top securityrelated
ICT companies in the world, the entering into
the teaming agreement will be Datasonic’s
strategic move to expand its business
internationally,“ the group said.
The business development activities in
Vietnam, if successful, will contribute positively
to Datasonic group’s future revenue and
profitability.
Subject to the successful bidding of
project(s) in Vietnam, the teaming agreement is
expected to contribute positively towards the
future earnings of Datasonic group.
Covid cases detected
at Jaycorp JV company
PETALING JAYA: Jaycorp Bhd’s 60% joint
venture Honsoar Jaycorp Cabinetry Sdn Bhd
said 28 employees were found to be Covid
positive, after it conducted a Covid antigen test
on its entire workforce on March 2.
The screening exercise
approximately 137 employees at Kawasan
Perindustrian Sri Gading, Batu Pahat, Johor,
covered

PETALING JAYA: Vivovom International
Bhd is proposing a private placement of up
to 10% of its issued shares at an indicative
price of 98 sen apiece to raise up to
RM99.37 million, mostly for working
capital for its ongoing and upcoming
projects.
“The proceeds are earmarked to finance
the day-to-day operational expenses
and/or general working capital expenses of
the on-going construction project that the
group is undertaking and new
development and construction projects
that are expected to be undertaken by our
group, including development projects of V
Development Sdn Bhd group of companies
after the completion of the proposed
acquisition,” it said in a Bursa filing.
Vivocom is also proposing a bonus issue
of up to 371.77 million free warrants on the
basis of 1 warrant F for every three existing
Vivocom shares.
The proposals are expected to be
completed by the third quarter this year.
and is the second time the company has
conducted an RTK-Antigen test for its entire
workforce.
“Those that tested positive have been
quarantined in the premises approved by
Health Ministry officials,” it said in a Bursa filing.
Operations at Honsoar Jaycorp have been
halted for 10 days for sanitisation purposes.
12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
SUNBIZ

Serba Dinamik ventures into space tech

oGroup partners Malaysian Space Agency to
explore opportunities
PETALING JAYA: Serba Dinamik
Group Bhd (SDGB) recently made its
foray into space technology via its
new space technology division that is
entrusted to explore the potential of
space industries and find possible
partnership and collaboration in
various angles in the context of new
space economy nexus.
Marking its debut into the space
economy sector, SDGB yesterday
entered into a collaboration with the
Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA).
Established in 2019, MYSA which
focuses on technology, infrastructure
and strategic space application
development and tasked with
gathering comprehensive satellite
data and information systems to
assist various public agencies
effectively in terms of environment,
natural resources, food security,
disaster management and climate
change management has lent its
support to this initiative.
“Malaysia has yet to participate in
new space economy even though we
are equipped to do so. To address
this, MYSA has taken the initiatives
via the Ministry of Science
Technology and Innovation, to
introduce the Malaysian Space Board
Bill 2020, which was tabled for its first
reading last year,” said SDGB group
CEO and managing director Datuk
Dr Mohd Abdul Karim.
He further added that the Bill
functions to advise the government
on matters pertaining to the space
industry.
“This bodes well as we believe that
Malaysia should explore the potential
into venturing into the new space
economy and we fully support
initiatives that will promote more
public private partnership amongst
the industry players,” he added.
During the same virtual event,
SDGB also signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with
SWISSto12, a Switzerland-based
company with a focus on delivering
cutting edge products for
telecommunication satellite payloads.
Founded in 2011, it specialises in
innovative products leveraging upon
patented 3D printing technologies
and designs. With the MoU between
SDGB and SWISSto12, it is expected
that SWISSto12 will provide support
to SDGB and its partners in its SDGB also inks MoU with SWISSto12, a Switzerland-based company with a focus on delivering cutting edge products for
initiatives in space. telecommunication satellite payloads. – SERBA DINAMIK WEBSITE

Deloitte to pay government RM324m

BRIEFS
Minetech registers MISC’S ETHANE CARRIER
DISCHARGES FIRST
as solar PV investor CARGO AT CHINESE PORT

PETALING JAYA: Minetech

Resources Bhd has registered
itself as a registered solar PV
investor with the Sustainable
Energy Development Authority
Malaysia (Seda) under the Net-
Energy Metering Programme
(NEM 3.0).
As an RPVI, Minetech is now
allowed by Seda to sell electricity
via Renewable Power Purchase
Agreement under the NEM 3.0
programme to government
agencies, businesses, and
individuals.
The group said it started
started venturing into the solar
business sector and has identified
solar power as a viable and
reliable source of renewable
energy, after it recognised the
potential and importance of
renewable energy.
Executive chairman Datuk
Awang Daud Awang Putera said
transformation into renewable
to settle claims linked to 1MDB, SRC
KUALA LUMPUR: Deloitte PLT has
agreed to a RM324 million settlement
to resolve all claims related to their
fiduciary duty on auditing the accounts
of 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MDB) and SRC International Sdn
Bhd (SRC) from 2011 to 2014, said the
Finance Ministry (MoF).
In a statement, MoF said the
amount represents the largest 1MDB-
related settlement by an audit firm in
Southeast Asia.
“The successful out-of-court
settlement with Deloitte will expedite
the payment of monies to fulfil 1MDB
and SRC’s outstanding obligations,
which would otherwise be delayed by
potentially protracted and costly court
battles,” it said.
MyEG makes RM75.5m net profit in Q4
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri
Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the settlement
marked another success in the
Malaysian government’s continuing
recovery efforts against parties involved
in 1MDB, SRC and its related entities.
“The Malaysian government is
determined to ensure that appropriate
actions are taken against all individuals
or entities involved, directly or
indirectly, in the global 1MDB scheme,”
he said.
According to MoF, the government
in July 2020 successfully negotiated
with Goldman Sachs Group Inc to
reach a settlement worth RM15.8
billion.
“On Feb 26, the government also
achieved a global settlement worth
RM2.83 billion related to the
involvement of a banking group in the
1MDB issue.
“These settlements will neither
affect nor compromise Malaysia’s
claims against individuals like Jho Low
and other parties related thereto, and
who are still being actively pursued in
relation to the 1MDB scandal,” it said.
The MoF also thanked the Attorney
General’s Chambers, Securities
Commission Malaysia, Bank Negara
Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police Force,
National Anti-Financial Crime Centre,
Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission and National Centre for
Governance, Integrity and Anti-
Corruption for their efforts in achieving
the settlement. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: MISC Bhd’s
first very large ethane carrier
(VLEC) Seri Everest, has
successfully completed its first
cargo discharge at Lianyungang
port, Jiangsu province, China.
Seri Everest’s first cargo of more
than 51,000 tonnes of ethane
was discharged safely on Feb
28, 2021 at the ethylene plant.
The successful completion of
Seri Everest’s loading and
discharge which was managed
by Eaglestar Shipmanagement
Gas (S) Pte Ltd (Eaglestar) is to-
date the largest in the history of
ethane shipping. Following the
delivery of Seri Everest in
October 2020, MISC took
delivery of its sister vessel Seri
Erlang in January 2021. Seri
Erlang is currently on its maiden
voyage to the United States.
MISC is expected to take
delivery of the remaining four
VLECs within the first half of
2021. – Bernama

energy sector will complement
Minetech’s business growth in the
solar market, which will
subsequently diversify its income
sources.
“We are determined to play a
part in supporting the
government’s policy to encourage
the growth of green technology in
the country and will continue to
explore more business
opportunities in the renewable
energy sector,” he said.
The implementation of NEM
3.0 programme was introduced by
the Energy and Natural Resources
Ministry offer a quota of 500
megawatts from 2021 to 2023,
which aims to encourage the
growth of renewable energy,
provide an opportunity for more
users such as government
agencies, houses of worship, as
well as companies to install the
solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
on the roofs of their respective
buildings.
PETALING JAYA: MyEG Services
Bhd recorded a net profit of RM75.51
million for the fourth quarter ended
Dec 31, on a revenue of RM149.9
million, primarily due to concession
related services, the introduction of
new concession services from JPJ,
commercial services, the
introduction of new services such as
Covid-19 health screening and
quarantine services for inbound
travellers to Malaysia, the online sale
Yinson’s indirect unit bags India solar power contract
KUALA LUMPUR: Yinson Holdings
Bhd’s 80% indirect owned subsidiary
Rising Sun Energy (K) Pvt Ltd (RSEK),
has secured a Letter of Award (LOA)
for the development of a 190MW
grid-connected solar photovoltaic
power project at Nokh Solar Park in
Rajasthan, India.
Following the LOA from NTPC
Limited, RSEK will enter into a power
of groceries through its “Nak Beli”
online store as well as a contribution
from Cardbiz Group which
principally is involved in the
deployment of payment solutions
and hardware and merchant
acquiring services.
The group changed its financial
year end from Sept 30, and as such
there are no comparative figures
available.
For the full year, MyEG saw net
purchase agreement (PPA) to supply
25 years of solar generated electricity
to NTPC.
“The estimated aggregate value of
the contract based on a fixed tariff of
2.25 rupee per kWh, is approximately
equivalent to 27.5 billion rupee
(RM1.5 billion), subject to the terms
and conditions of the LOA and PPA to
be executed.
earnings of RM268.16 million on
ZURICH M’SIA OFFERS
revenue of RM532.06 million. COMPLIMENTARY
Looking ahead, it said it will POST-VACCINATION PLAN
continue to introduce innovative KUALA LUMPUR: Zurich
services leveraging on new Malaysia is poviding Covid-
technology in the country as well as 19 post-vaccination cover to
within its regional presence in Asia, stakeholders in line with the
to drive organic growth for FY21. National Covid-19
“Whilst this pandemic is ongoing, Immunisation Programme
we are sanguine that our business is aimed at curbing the spread
resilient and will present to us new of the Covid-19 pandemic.
opportunities,” it said. The complimentary cover
will be available to Zurich
employees, intermediaries,
strategic partners, and
selected Zurich products for
a period of 30 days from the
date of their first vaccination.
“Commercial operation of the Underwritten by Zurich
plant is scheduled to commence in General Insurance and
April 2022,” Yinson said in a filing to Zurich General Takaful, the
Bursa Malaysia yesterday. complimentary plan covers
It said the plant would be accidental death and
approximately 30km away from the permanent disablement and
group’s existing 140MW Bhadla post-vaccination death
projects, which are currently benefits of RM2,000, the
operated by its 95% owned subsidiary company said. – Bernama
Rising Sun Energy Pvt Ltd. – Bernama

322 Notices
NOTICE
IN THE KUALA LUMPUR
SESSIONS COURT
IN THE STATE OF
WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN,
MALAYSIA
PETITION NUMBER:
WA-58-10-02/2021
NOTICE is hereby given
to Seger a/l Ganesan (no.
K/p: 880323-14-6089)
to appear in the Kuala
Lumpur Sessions Court 1
at 9.00 a.m. on 24.3.2021
or contact Messrs Harbans
& Associates, before the
above date for the hearing
of the above petition. In the
event you fail to appear, the
court may grant any order
that the Court deems fit.
This Notice is filed
by Messrs Harbans &
Associates, Advocates &
Solicitors, whose address
for service is at 26-2-1
(Block F) Jalan Semarak
Api 3, Diamond Square
Commercial Centre, Off
Jalan Gombak, 53000
Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-
40216820/03-28585928)
322 Notices
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT
SHAH ALAM
IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL
EHSAN, MALAYSIA
COMPANIES WINDING-UP
NO.: BA-28NCC-48-02/2021
In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of
the Companies Act 2016, the provisions
of the Companies Act 2016 and the
Companies (Winding-up) Rules 1972
AND
In the matter of Empire Medical Sdn.
Bhd. [Company No. 200801020859
(822172-X)]
BETWEEN
PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL
BERHAD
[COMPANY NO.: 199101010745
(221057-V)]
PETITIONER
AND
EMPIRE MEDICAL SDN. BHD.
[COMPANY NO.: 200801020859
(822172-X)]
RESPONDENT
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition
for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed
Company by the High Court at Shah
Alam was on the 22nd day of February
2021 presented to the said Court by
Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad.
And that the said Petition is directed to be
heard before the High Court of Insolvency
sitting at Shah Alam on Monday, the 24th
day of May 2021 at 9:00 o’clock in the
forenoon and any creditor or contributory
of the said company desirous to support
or oppose the making of an order on the
said Petition may appear at the time of
hearing by himself or his Counsel for that
purpose and a copy of the Petition will be
furnished to any Creditor or contributory
of the said Company requiring the same
by the undersigned on payment of the
regulated charge for the same.
The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor,
Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen
Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470
Kuala Lumpur.
The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Amir
Ruhana & Khairuddin, whose address is
at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen
9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
Darul Ehsan.
………………………
Messrs. Amir Ruhana & Khairuddin
Solicitor for the Petitioner
NOTE:
Any person who intends to appear on the
hearing of the said Petition must serve
on or send by post to the abovenamed
Messrs. Amir Ruhana & Khairuddin,
notice in writing of his intention so to
do. The notice must state the name
and address of the person, or, if a firm,
the name and address of the firm and
must be signed by the person or firm or
his or their Solicitors (if any) and must
be served, or if posted, must be sent
by post in sufficient time to reach the
abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock
in the noon of the 21st day of May 2021.
This Advertisement of Petition is filed
by Messrs. Amir Ruhana & Khairuddin,
Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of the
Petitioner of No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB
4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.
(Tel: 03 89221485 Fax: 03 89201096)
(Ref No.: WS/PUNB/EMSB/1175(L))
CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS
MS. SHOBA
T 03 7784 8888
F 03 7784 4424
DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI
JOHOR BAHRU
DI NEGERI JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM,
MALAYSIA
NO. PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT:
JA-28NCC-143-12/2020
Dalam Perkara CAPITAL EXTENSION LAND
SDN. BHD (No Pendaftaran Syarikat:
565928-P)
DAN
Dalam Perkara Seksyen 465 (1) (e) Akta
Syarikat 2016
DAN
Dalam Perkara Seksyen 466 (1) (a) dan (b)
Akta Syarikat 2016
DAN
Dalam Perkara Companies (Exemption) Order
No. 2 2020
ANTARA
SOH SIEW ENG (SU XIUYING)
(Singapore Passport No.: E2428504K)
(Singapore NRIC No.: S7918775E)
… PEMPETISYEN
DAN
CAPITAL EXTENSION LAND SDN. BHD
(Sebelum ini dikenali sebagai CAPITAL
EXTENSION SDN. BHD)
(No Pendaftaran Syarikat: 565928-P)
(No Pendaftaran Syarikat Lama:
200101030169)
… RESPONDEN
IKLAN PETISYEN
NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa
suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat
yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah
Johor Bahru telah pada 15.12.2020
dikemukakan oleh Soh Siew Eng (Su
XiuYing).
DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan
supaya dibicarakan di hadapan Mahkamah
yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi di Johor
Bahru pada 18 haribulan Mei 2021 pukul
9.00 pagi.
DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau
penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang
ingin menyokong atau menetang sesuatu
perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut
boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara
peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada
masa perbicaraan. Sesalinan Petisyen
tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang
bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-
mana pemuitang atau penyumbang Syarikat
tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat
bayaran yang ditetapkan.
Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di Block
89, Tanglin Halt Road, #35-350, 141089
Singapore.
Peguamcara Pempetisyen adalah Tetuan
Christopher Yeo & KP Chang yang beralamat
di Unit 9-08, Menara MBMR, No. 1, Jalan Syed
Putra, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Februari 2021
t.t
…………….……………
TETUAN CHRISTOPHER YEO &
KP CHANG
PERINGATAN:Sesiapa yang ingin hadir
pada perbicaraan tersebut hendaklah
menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan
pos, kepada Peguamcara Pempetisyen,
Tetuan Christopher Yeo & KP Chang yang
dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis
tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut
mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak
berkenaan, atai jika ia sebuah firma, man
dan alamat firma, mestilah ditandatangani
oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau
peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah
disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan
pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangkamasa
mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak
yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12.00
tengah hari pada 17 haribulan Mei 2021.
IKLAN PETISYEN INI telah difailkan oleh
Tetuan Christopher Yeo & KP Chang,
peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen yang
beralamat di Unit 9-08 Menara MBMR, No.1
Jalan Syed Putra, 58000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
T: +60 3 2703 1605
F: +60 3 2703 1615
Emel: general@cclaw.com.my
RUJ: CC/CIV/2068/2020
13
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
* SPORTS
TMJ hints at buying
Valencia FC La Liga club needs someone who knows
about football, says Tunku Ismail
T
HE owner of Malaysia Super League champions for so many seasons. It is most Since Lim took over in 2014, Valencia has
champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JTD), admirable. qualified for the Champions League three
Johor crown Prince Tunku Ismail “TMJ would definately be a great asset to times and reached the Europa League
Sultan Ibrahim, got the football world Valencia and would take Valencia to a very high semifinal in 2019.
buzzing after he hinted at buying Spanish La level of success. However there have been calls for Lim to
Liga club Valencia, “I believe Valencia’s fans would be very sell the club after Valencia sold key players
Tunku Ismail, popularly known as TMJ, proud of their club should TMJ become the Dani Parejo and Rodrigo last summer.
posted a series of Instagram stories that new owner. I wish TMJ great success with Observers said that there have been no
included screenshots of Valencia’s history and Valencia FC.” adequate replacements.
its estimated value – €408 million (RM1.99b). Valencia’s current owner, Singapore Current head coach Javi Gracia is under fire
Rumours of the Johor crown prince, a close businessman Lim, who has been criticised by having won just two league games since the
friend of Valencia owner Peter Lim, taking over Valencia supporters, has not indicated whether start of 2021.
the club have been circulating for a few years, he is interested in selling the club while Valencia are currently 14th in the 20-team
but he may be ready to put pen to paper going president Anil Murthy said yesterday “the club league, five points clear of the relegation zone
by the stories that appeared on his Instagram is not for sale.” with 13 games to play.
account @hrhcrownprinceofjohor.
“I’m not new in football. I’ve created a club
from every year fighting relegation to a
dominating champion. I’ve won 16 titles in
eight years. We are the biggest in Southeast Asia
and one of the biggest in Asia,” TMJ wrote.
“I’m not someone who will change your
club logo or tradition. I’m a royalty, not a
businessman. I’m here for glory, success and
history.
“What does Valencia need? You need
someone who knows about football, hungry for
success, passionate, and understands how big
Valencia is as a club.”
“First step. We need football people in the
club. Full stop,” he added.
Malaysians are no strangers to owning
football clubs. English championship sides
Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers are
owned by Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri
Vincent Tan and Airasia owner Tan Sri Tony
Fernandes respectively.
Asked to comment on TMJ’s reported
interest in Valencia, Cardiff owner Tan said he
had no doubts that Valencia will do very well
with the Johor crown Prince at the helm.
“TMJ is one of the most successful FC owner Johor crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is the owner of Malaysia Super League
in Asia,” Tan said yesterday. “What he has champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JTD) with Berjaya Group founder and Cardiff City owner Tan
achieved with JDT FC is very remarkable, Sri Vincent Tan.
winning so many trophies and being
Records don’t bother Hamilton
322 Notices
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES
ACT, 2016
AND
LEWIS HAMILTON said Tuesday that potentially lose your way. we have to.”
IN THE MATTER OF TLS BUILDING winning a record-breaking eighth “Of course it’s the ultimate dream, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff
MATERIALS SDN BHD
Company No. 200301019912 world championship in 2021 would but I don’t think that’s necessarily insisted that despite seven successive
(622332-K)
(IN MEMBERS’
not be the determining factor in going to be the deciding factor constructors’ titles the team had the
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) whether he quits after the season. whether to stay or keep going.” “same fire, hunger and passion” as
The following Special Resolution was The attempt to land a drivers’ crown Hamilton denied that a one-year when he arrived in 2013.
duly passed by the members of TLS that would move the 36-year-old extension to his contract had “Every year we reset our focus
BUILDING MATERIALS SDN BHD on
the 4th March 2021 in accordance Briton above Michael Schumacher to increased the possibility that the and define the right objectives,”
with Section 439 of the Companies
Act, 2016.
become the most decorated driver in upcoming season could be his said Wolff.
the sport’s history will go hand-in-hand final one in the sport. “That may sound simple but
‘That the Company be wound up
voluntarily pursuant to Section 439 of with the issue of his future in Formula “I am in the fortunate position it’s damn hard and is probably
the Companies Act, 2016 and that Mr.
Hor Yuen Foong of No. 2-29, PV 128,
One. where I have achieved most of the why there are no sports teams
Jalan Genting Kelang, 53300 Kuala “I’ve made a really important stuff that I wanted to, so out there with seven
Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan be and
is hereby appointed Liquidator for the decision in my mind, that I don’t want there is no real need to consecutive titles.
purpose of such winding-up’ that to be the deciding factor,” plan too far into the “So many things
Dated this: 4th March 2021 Hamilton said in a conference call at future. can happen and it’s
Signed the launch of the Mercedes car for “We are living in very natural to get
……………………
(Tan Lian Suan)
2021. an unusual period of used to success,
DIRECTOR “I got into racing because I loved time. I just wanted and therefore not
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES
racing and I think that’s got to always one year, then we can fight as hard for it.
ACT, 2016 be at the core of what I do. If all you’re talk about if we do But this team has
AND
IN THE MATTER OF TLS BUILDING going for is accolades, if all you’re more and keep Hamilton not shown any of
MATERIALS SDN BHD
Company No. 200301019912
going for is titles, I feel like you could adding to it by one if that.” – AFP
(622332-K)
Alonso in ‘best shape’ of his career
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
Notice is hereby given that the
creditors of the above named
Company, which is being voluntarily
wound up, are required on or FERNANDO ALONSO said yesterday constructors’ championship last season to complete the so-called Triple Crown
before 3rd April 2021 (30 days from
advertised date ) to send in their
he was in the best shape of his career with Daniel Riccardo, who has been – winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Le
names and addresses with particulars as he prepares to end his two-year replaced by Alonso, coming fifth in the Mans 24 Hours and Indy 500.
of their debts and claims and of any
security held by them, and the names,
Formula One exile with the drivers’ championship. Although he tasted success in the
addresses of their solicitors (if any) to repackaged Alpine team. “I’ve been preparing myself for this famous sportscar endurance race in
the undersigned Liquidator at No. 2-29,
PV 128, Jalan Genting Kelang, 53300 The double world champion had comeback for quite a while now and I 2018 and 2019 he has not been able to
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
and if so required by notice in writing
surgery on his broken jaw after he was have fresh motivation,” said Alonso, crack the Indy 500.
from the said Liquidator, are by their involved in a cycling accident in who was world champion in 2005 and But Alonso, whose last drive in F1
Solicitors or personally to come in and
prove their debts and claims at such Switzerland last month. 2006 with Renault. was for McLaren in 2018, said he had
time and place as shall be specified in
such notice or in default thereof they
But he said he was in the “best Alonso will team up with become a more complete driver in his
shall be excluded from the benefit of shape I’ve ever been before, both Frenchman Esteban Ocon, with former time away.
any distribution made before such
physically and mentally,” following the Red Bull and AlphaTauri driver Daniil “You constantly learn when you
debts or claims are proven.
Dated this: 4th March 2021
virtual Alpine 2021 car launch in Kvyat announced as the team’s reserve push yourself to new limits and when
Britain. driver. you are out of your comfort zone,” he
Signed
………………………
The Alpine team, which was The 39-year-old left F1 in 2018 to said. “Without a doubt, I’m a more
Hor Yuen Foong Renault – and will still race with a set his sights on becoming only the competent driver now than two years
Liquidator
Renault engine – finished fifth in the second driver after Britain’s Graham Hill ago.” – AFP
14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
SPORTS

Tough call
█ SIMON PEACH
Southgate admits to ‘big decisions’

G
ARETH SOUTHGATE admits he is facing
some “big decisions” on how to squeeze
England’s abundance of attacking talent
into his Euro plans.
The Three Lions have the chance to end their
55-year wait for a major trophy this summer as the
coronavirus-delayed European Championship
kicks off a year later than planned.
That postponement has given time for
prospects that would have missed out last year the
chance to flourish, with Phil Foden and Jack
Grealish among those to shine during the
congested autumn schedule.
James Maddison and Mason Mount are others
pushing for a place in that area of the field, leaving
England manager Southgate tough decisions
rather than a headache.
“Well, I can remember being at Middlesbrough
playing Tottenham and we were 2-1 up in the
game and Harry Redknapp put Robbie Keane and
Dimitar Berbatov on,” the former Boro boss told
5250/2021
SPORTS TOTO MALAYSIA SDN BHD (8420 - D)
Talksport.
“And I looked at my bench and I had five kids
from the academy. Now, that’s a headache
because you’re thinking ‘well, I’m not quite sure
how we turn this game around and improve what
we’ve got on the field’.
“When you’ve got a choice of some
outstanding talent, now of course there’s big
decisions you have to make. But in the end, you
know, some of these decisions are sadly taken out
of your hands.
“I mean, if I look at the squad for March we’re
03/03/2021 (WED)
over England’s Euro 2020 squad
already without Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson,
Harvey Barnes. James Justin, who we think has
been doing exceptionally well at Leicester, is going
to be out.
“So, you know, how many of these guys (are
available)? There’s others who aren’t playing at the
moment.
“And then actually it’s just a case of ‘right, who’s
playing the best’. Who do we think has the
pedigree, who’s performed at the high level before
coupled with who’s in the form, who fits into the
way we want to play with and without the ball?
Not only do the Three Lions now boast the kind
of creative options that have been sorely missed in
years gone by but there has been a noticeable
increase in English players getting Premier League
action.
“Only 18 months or so ago every Saturday we
were about 30% of the league English qualified
players,” Southgate said.
“This year that’s up to 40% and that doesn’t
seem a lot, but when you think that the likes of
perhaps an Emile Smith Rowe, for example,
getting his opportunity at Arsenal. We know those
kids are there, we know the talent is there.
“But of course when the buying and spending
power of the clubs is greater than anything around
Europe and the pressure is on to have immediate
success, it’s much easier and quicker to go and buy
a finished product from abroad who’s got a couple
of seasons behind them.
“There was always this blockage if you like for
young English players going in. Now, they’re
getting their chance and they’re showing (their
ability).” – The Independent

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Sun

█ MELISSA REDDY
“
THOMAS TUCHEL’S biggest problem at
Borussia Dortmund was he was not Jurgen
Klopp,” a Germany legend offered during an
off-the-record conversation to paint part of
the backdrop for a book last year.
“It was the same problem he had at Mainz. And
in our country, people will tell you taking PSG to a
Champions League final is not equal to taking
Dortmund there or Liverpool two times in two
years. Even in Paris, Tuchel was in Klopp’s shadow.”
For over a decade, from the moment he walked
into a Mainz that had been shaped by Klopp,
Tuchel has been juxtaposed with the man six years
his senior. The club with a lowly budget bordering
the Rhine River has never been more successful
than under his charge.
They participated in the Europa League twice.
Only Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Schalke and
Bayer Leverkusen bettered the points’ total
amassed during Tuchel’s tenure.
Yet it is the days under ‘Kloppo’ Mainz most
pine for, even though it included painful chapters.
There was the agony of missing out on promotion
to the Bundesliga by a point and by a goal before
they finally reached the promised land, only to
suffer relegation in 2007.
Even after the drop, Christian Heidel, the club’s
SIDENETTING
Solskjaer promises ‘responsible’
transfer business
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says Manchester
United have to focus on realistic and
responsible business as they target
improvements to their squad during the
coronavirus pandemic. Monday marks a year
to the day since Old Trafford last welcomed
fans, with a full house roaring the hosts to a
2-0 derby victory against rivals Manchester
City. United have not beaten a traditional “big
six” rival in the Premier League since and
Solskjaer’s second-placed side are already 15
points behind City with just 12 matches
remaining. The Norwegian knows there
remains work to do if they are to bring
success back to the club but Covid-19 has
changed the landscape. “We have to be
realistic, we have to be responsible in the way
we do our business both on and off the
pitch,” he said. “There’s improvements on the
training ground, stadium. We just have to
look at the whole picture. Where can we
spend the money? And how much is there?
It’s just the real world now. It has changed.”
Arteta dismisses Barca link
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has said he is
fully focused on improving results at Arsenal
amid speculation linking him with Barcelona
– but the Spaniard is yet to hold talks over a
new deal to extend his stay at the Emirates
Stadium. Spanish media reported Barcelona’s
presidential candidate Joan Laporta is
interested in replacing current manager
Ronald Koeman with Arteta should he win
the elections on Sunday. “There is always
going to be speculation when there are
elections in Barcelona, it’s a huge team,”
Arteta told a news conference yesterday.
“Obviously I was raised there as a player and
there is always going to be links. But I am fully
focused to the job that I have to do here,
which we have a lot to do, and I am really
enjoying it. What I can tell you is I feel
privileged to manage this football club and
that I’m extremely happy.”
Blades boss casts doubt
over future
SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Chris Wilder said
he is keen to leave a legacy behind at the club
but does not know if he will be in charge next
season as the Blades remain rooted to the
bottom of the Premier League. Sheffield United
were the surprise package last season when
the promoted club finished ninth but 21
defeats in 26 games has left Wilder’s side on 11
points – 15 points away from the safety zone.
When asked about his future at the Yorkshire
club, Wilder said: “I don’t know. We always plan
short, medium and long term, but that plan is
determined by other people. I’ve not had those
conversations. I think they should be happen-
ing, but they’re not happening. The plan as
always was to leave a legacy, change things off
the pitch, which need changing, and stick with
the players we’ve invested in and add a couple
and try to bounce back – simple as that.”
Time to silence the noise
Tuchel ready to step out of Klopp’s shadow
technical director, would enthuse about Klopp
“electrifying a city.” He had a unique ability to
transform sad moments into defiance to go again
and go harder.
“The crowd started celebrating relegation like
we’d won the championship after he said: ‘We’ll be
back, no question!.’”
Tuchel, meanwhile, is remembered for being
an exceptional trainer but “the biggest headache
every day” as one long-standing Mainz employee
put it.
“Tuchel was the best coach I have seen in
sessions and planning for opponents, but Kloppo
was the best man. He could mix his tactical brain
with a human touch. To replace a coach is easy, to
replace a great person is very difficult. Dortmund
will agree.”
Around 30,000 people gathered at
Gutenbergplatz for Klopp’s Mainz farewell and the
testimony is that all were reduced to tears.
When Tuchel departed Mainz and landed at
Dominant Cardiff
roar back into top six
CARDIFF CITY roared back into the top six
after a commanding display and a Leandro
Bacuna double downed Derby County 4-0.
After a lacklustre trip to Middlesbrough,
which saw them drop out of the playoff spots
with a draw, the Bluebirds bounced back in
resounding fashion to make it 10 games
unbeaten under Mick McCarthy.
Bacuna scored in each half and Kieffer
Moore headed home his 16th goal of the
season as he continued his prolific form in
front of goal. Will Vaulks put the gloss on it
with the last kick of the game as he
hammered home a stunning 30-yard strike to
make it four.
And, in truth, Derby never had an answer.
They were thoroughly and comprehensively
beaten as City showcased once again just
why they cannot be discounted in this
promotion race, hitting form at peak time in
the season.
“I don’t know if that’s the best we’ve
played, it is another good performance, we
were very organised and disciplined and
didn’t allow Derby to play through us,” Cardiff
City boss Mick McCarthy told BBC Sport
RESULTS & STANDINGS
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester
City 4 (Dendoncker 15-og, Jesus 80, 90+3,
Mahrez 90) Wolverhampton 1 (Coady 61).
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts
Man City 27 20 5 2 56 17 65
Man Utd 26 14 8 4 53 32 50
Leicester 26 15 4 7 45 30 49
West Ham 26 13 6 7 40 31 45
Chelsea 26 12 8 6 41 25 44
Liverpool 26 12 7 7 47 34 43
CHAMPIONSHIP: Cardiff 4 Derby 0, Coventry
1 Middlesbrough 2, Huddersfield 1 Birming-
ham 1, Millwall 2 Preston 1, Nottingham
Forest 0 Luton 1, Reading 1 Blackburn 0.
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts
Norwich 33 21 7 5 47 25 70
Brentford 33 18 9 6 61 35 63
15
theSUN ON THURSDAY | MARCH 4, 2021
* SPORTS
He will be obsessed with the objective of further
enhancing his team’s chances of taking a
Dortmund there was a word of caution for his new Champions League spot, while hurting a
employers. This was later revealed by a BVB source debilitated Liverpool’s ambitions in that regard.
in Suddeutsche Zeitung following Tuchel’s sacking Chelsea, with their defensive solidity under
at the Westfalenstadion. Tuchel and quality of squad depth, are perfectly
“We were warned by Mainz that it would likely positioned to push on and end the campaign as
become difficult. We didn’t listen. For a year-and- Manchester City’s closest competitors.
a-half everything was great. Then everything was Only Pep Guardiola’s men have picked up more
just as Mainz said it would be.” top-flight points since the new man’s first game at
At Dortmund, Tuchel fell out with the club’s the helm.
chief scout at the time, Sven Mislintat and banned There is no doubt, though, that should victory
him from the training ground. be secured on Merseyside, there will be an
There was a complete breakdown in the overflow of satisfaction on a personal level for
relationship with chief executive Hans-Joachim Tuchel.
Watzke and an overriding feeling that Tuchel saw Blessed with a supremely talented and deep
the club solely through what it could do for his squad at Chelsea, however, Tuchel has the tools to
career. He never truly emotionally engaged with carve a fresh path, away from Klopp’s shade –
the people and they never truly took to him. something that still wasn’t possible in Paris.
When Tuchel arrives at Anfield for the first time Triumph on Friday would be a big step towards
as Chelsea manager tomorrow, it will not that, especially if Chelsea go on to secure a strong
dominate his thoughts that his career has largely finish and Liverpool fail to hold their seat at
been viewed through and shadowed by Klopp’s. Europe’s top table. – The Independent
Derby County’s Louie
Sibley (centre) battles
for the ball with Cardiff
City’s Perry Ng (left)
and Sean Morrison
yesterday.
Wales.
“We worked exceptionally hard and that
gives you the foundation to create chances
and I was disappointed we weren’t more
than 1-0 up at halftime.
“It was great to get the second goal when
we did and we thoroughly deserved the
victory.
“We’ll be back in tomorrow and
recovering. It’s easier to recover, easier to
want to play. Everybody wants to play, things
are good. Long may that continue, we’ve
won now, that’s for sure.”
Cardiff’s night was only tainted as Joe
Bennett was taken off on a stretcher with a
serious-looking knee injury.
McCarthy said Bennett was “not in good
shape“ after 30-year old went down
unchallenged.
“When someone goes down like that and
doesn’t move, you know they are hurt,”
McCarthy said.
“He’s not good. I’m not a doctor or a
surgeon but he’ll be assessed tomorrow. He’s
not in good shape anyway.” –
WalesOnline/Agencies
Watford 33 17 9 7 43 24 60
Swansea 31 17 8 6 39 22 59
Reading 34 17 6 11 46 37 57
Cardiff 34 15 8 11 53 35 53
SERIE A: Juventus 3 (Morata 62, Chiesa 71,
Ronaldo 89) Spezia 0, Lazio vs Torino
(postponed).
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts
Inter Milan 24 17 5 2 60 24 56
AC Milan 24 16 4 4 47 29 52
Juventus 24 14 7 3 48 20 49
Atalanta 24 13 7 4 55 31 46
Roma 24 13 5 6 48 37 44
Napoli 23 14 1 8 49 25 43
GERMAN CUP (Quarterfinals): Borussia
Moenchengladbach 0 Borussia Dortmund 1,
Jahn Regensburg vs Werder Bremen
(postponed).
 QUOTE OF THE DAY
I’m not new in football. I’ve created a club from
every year fighting relegation to a dominating
champion. I’ve won 16 titles in eight years. We are the biggest
in Southeast Asia and one of the biggest in Asia… What
does Valencia need? You need someone who knows about
football, hungry for success, passionate, and understands
how big Valencia is as a club.”
Johor crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim
THURSDAY • MARCH 4, 2021

Barnes insists top-four failure will not see big names leave Anfield
LIVERPOOL won’t lose their top players in the
summer transfer window if they fail to finish in
the top four of the Premier League, says Reds
legend John Barnes.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are in danger of missing
out on Champions League qualification after their
title defence unravelled.
The Reds’ poor form of late has given fresh
impetus to speculation that stars like Mohamed
Salah and Sadio Mane could be tempted to leave.
Salah and Mane have both frequently been
linked with interest from Real Madrid and
Barcelona, although it appears the La Liga giants
would struggle to be able to afford them amid
the ongoing pandemic.
Gini Wijnaldum is another player on
Barcelona’s radar, with his contract due to expire
at the end of the season, while one report
claimed he had already agreed to join Inter Milan.
But Barnes says Liverpool’s League position
won’t be a determining factor in whether players
leave – even if they do fail to finish in the top four.
“I don’t think Liverpool have the type of
players that would consider leaving just because
they haven’t finished in the top four,” said the two-
time title winner.
“If Liverpool do finish in the top four then
some players might decide that they want
another challenge, but I don’t think any of the
Liverpool players would want to leave just
because they don’t finish in the top four.”
Barnes said Reds fans don’t need to worry
about their favourite players abandoning ship –
because of the kind of personalities Klopp brings
to the club.
“Jurgen Klopp doesn’t sign these types of
characters,” said the 57-year-old former England
winger.
“He wants players to play for the club
regardless of whether they are a top-four side.
“The nature of modern football means players
come and go so some might leave Liverpool, but
it won’t be because of where they finish in the
League.”
Liverpool host Chelsea tomorrow (4.15am
Malaysian time) and a win for either side would
see them leapfrog West Ham into the Champions
League places.
Referring to the match, former Chelsea winger
Pat Nevin yesterday told Liverpool to expect “a
dose of their own medicine”, with Thomas Tuchel
having implemented a watertight, high-pressing
game since replacing Frank Lampard at the helm.
Nevin told the Chelsea website that Tuchel’s
ability to rotate the squad without losing too
much strength suggests that the Blues can press
with aggression and burn lots of energy in each
and every game, without being forced to change
their plans as a result of fatigue.
“I suspect we will get at Liverpool exactly the
same way we have closed down everyone else
since TT’s arrival,” said Nevin.
“The energy is still there but something much
more important is also available: vast reserves of
energy on the bench and in the rest of the squad.
“What Klopp would have given to be able to
rest his top players a little more. Had he been able
to do that then he could have continued his
favoured style, but the squad depth, and quality
in that depth, just hasn’t been quite enough for
him this season.
“In contrast, Chelsea fans are acutely aware
that we could put out one XI on the Saturday and
a different XI three days later, and the quality
would be virtually the same.
“If you can make that number of changes and
rest that many players, then you can play this
high-tempo style… it will be interesting to see
how they (Liverpool) cope with a dose of their
own medicine.” – Express Newspapers

TMJ hints at buying Valencia FC -p13 Tough call -p14 Time to silence the noice -p15

Pep stays focused

Guardiola insistsCity cannot afford to think they have won the League already

M
ANCHESTER CITY manager conceded the goal with the first shot on prepare for United at home.”
Pep Guardiola insists he is target they had,” he said. Goalscorer and man of the match
only focused on beating “It’s so difficult to play against them, Riyad Mahrez told BT Sport: “It
Manchester United this they only concede a few and they wait, the was a tough game.
weekend rather than the prospect of his speed they have up front, all of their “We could’ve killed the
side breaking records with their current opponents know it. game in the first half – second-
winning run – and talked down his side “But we were fantastic and played half was a bit more difficult
being champions elect by reiterating that really well with our control. After 1-1 we but we still created chances
Liverpool still have the crown – after their suffered for five minutes but we overcame and then we finished very
midweek defeat of Wolves. that situation and created lots of chances good. We kept going
City’s relentless winning machine took in the end. Well deserved. and kept
yet another step towards the title yesterday “The second half we started really well. pressing.” –
by overcoming another stiff test at the We created more chances in the first five, Express
Etihad against a stubborn Wolves side. 10, 15 minutes. After, we lost two balls Newspapers
The Citizens enjoyed almost sole when we wanted to attack too quick.
ownership of the ball but Leander “Sometimes we want to do the
Dendoncker’s own goal was cancelled out situations too quick, we need more passes
by a Conor Coady header on the hour and the more and more chances we will
mark to threaten the end of their perfect have. Against this team you open the
streak. game, nothing to do.
The Premier League leaders took “It happened for five or 10 minutes
advantage of their continued dominance but the rest was brilliant.”
however through two late Gabriel Jesus Told about the records his team
strikes and a stoppage-time Riyad Mahrez are continuing to set, City boss
goal to make it 21 consecutive victories Guardiola replied simply: “Man
across all competitions. United.”
They have won all of their past 15 Pressed further, he said: “Man
League matches and matched a club United. That’s all we care (about
record of going unbeaten in 28 straight now). We’re going to care about
League and cup games, the same feat they the records when everything is
managed under Guardiola between April over. Man United.”
and December 2017. Told their performance
Pacesetters City now lead Manchester showed the signs of champions
United by 15 points although the Red elect, the Catalan added: “The
Devils, who they face on Monday champions is as I said
(12.30am Malaysian time) in the derby at yesterday in my press Manchester City’s
the Etihad, have a game in hand on them, conference, Liverpool, the Gabriel Jesus
which comes against Crystal Palace crown belongs to them. (right) celebrates
overnight. “We are in the best position scoring his team’s
Speaking after the 4-1 win against right now to take them out and
second goal
Wolves, Guardiola was delighted with the we are going to try but they are
performance of his players as they again the champions. We want to during the English
recovered from a setback to win, just as win it and next season defend Premier League
they did against West Ham at the it all season. match against
weekend. “Right now there is 33 points Wolverhampton
Though he dismissed the idea his side to play (for). We are 15 points Wanderers at the
are closing in on the title, Guardiola did ahead today. Now we have Etihad Stadium
admit they are in an ideal position to one or two days off, rest yesterday.
dethrone rivals Liverpool and claim their everyone especially – REUTERSPIX
third triumph in the past four seasons. mentally, because we don’t
“Fantastic game. We suffered after we have much time and
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