INSIDE page page

Two defections 2 ‘Review plan to 3

TELLING IT AS IT IS not enough for PN: hike fine for SOP
Analysts violators’

ON MONDAY MARCH 1, 2021

No. 7729 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

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trainer Sharina Mad Shah monitoring
the ripeness of strawberries she
cultivated in the compound of her
house in Seremban yesterday. What
started off as a test project during
the first movement control order last
March is now providing her with
between RM3,000 and RM5,000 a
month from the sale of strawberry
seedlings. – BERNAMAPIX

Unholy links
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN
newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Ex-IGP says alliance with politicians allows
LYFE
P3

P crime kingpins to get honorific titles, run illegal

ETALING JAYA: Close ties with
politicians are enabling crime
kingpins to obtain honorific titles and
run their illegal activities unhindered.
activities freely
Former inspector-general of police Tan Sri
Musa Hassan said enormous political funding They run legal businesses such as nightclubs due to any external interference,” he said.

by drug lords, loan sharks and gambling
kingpins has led to these crooks rubbing
shoulders with politicians.
He said favours such as the
recommendations of state and federal
honorific titles are rendered to the kingpins
but these are just a front,” he told theSun.
Musa said it is an uphill task to arrest the
kingpins as they “do not get their hands dirty”
and have runners to carry out their illegal
activities.
“They are very influential, powerful and
CELEB SPEAK
During his tenure as CID director, deputy
IGP and eventually IGP between 2003 and
2008, Musa had aggressively pursued
notorious kingpins, arresting about six Datuks
and Datuks Seri who were involved in
activities such as gambling, loan-sharking,

A yearning
even when they have criminal records. dangerous. This is why witnesses dare not drugs and prostitution.
“For a start, politicians should stay away come forward to testify against them. They The kingpins were either charged
from the patronage of these kingpins. have backup from their political patrons who or placed in detention under Turn to

for home
“Politicians should know who their friends interfere in police investigations when they are preventive laws. —
are. These kingpins present themselves as arrested. Universiti Sains Malaysia research page 2
philanthropists but they have ulterior motives. “Enforcement has to be firm and not waver team on crime and policing head

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 2 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Johor to have biggest solar power facility in region
JOHOR BARU: The state is set to
become a major producer of
eco-friendly energy in Southeast
Asia, with the opening of a solar
power park in Pengerang, Kota
Tinggi, worth RM1.4 billion.
The Sultan Ibrahim Solar Park will
be the biggest of its kind in the region
with a capacity of 450 megawatts, said
Need for extensive
vetting process
Assoc Prof Datuk
P. Sundramoorthy told theSun that
Dr
beyond police scrutiny, a vetting
committee must review the
background of a candidate for such
awards.
He said the mandatory scrutiny
should include a report by the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission and the candidates’
academic and other professional
qualifications.
“Their character should also be
scrutinised (and verified) with
credible persons. The number of
those holding such titles should also
be reduced,” he said.
On Saturday, police said it had
identified and are going after drug
lords with “Tan Sri” and “Datuk Seri”
titles who are running the country’s
largest narcotics cartels under the
guise of operating
legitimate businesses.
Criminologist Datuk From
Seri Akhbar Satar said front
honorific titles should page
only be given to those with
good standing and reputation.
“Kudos to the police for
investigating without fear or favour.
Action should have been taken a long
time ago and the honorific titles of
these kingpins should be revoked.”
Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam
Thye said honorific titles should be
given to deserving individuals for
their contributions to society.
He said the recipients should be
viewed as deserving of the titles by
the public. Otherwise, it will not be
fair to those who earned it due to
credibility and criteria.
“Undoubtedly, this has been
going on for years. Any candidate
with a record for involvement in
criminal activities and does not meet
the criteria should be downright
rejected,” he said.
PKR urged to
reject turncoats
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR should not
accept elected representatives who
quit from Parti Amanah Negara
(Amanah), said Amanah youth chief
Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin.
He said PKR president Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim should reject the
culture of party hopping within
Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is
beneficial to only one party.
“Accepting these party hoppers
will only cause tension between the
parties,” he said, adding that PH
could generally agree that party
hopping among elected
representatives was a clear abuse of
the country’s democratic system
because “buying and selling” of
elected representatives was a
despicable and corrupt culture.
“In a statement issued by PKR on
Feb 27, it was clearly stated that the
party rejects party hopping aimed at
weakening any party in the
opposition bloc.
“However, also on the same day,
the media reported that PKR had
accepted a few elected
representatives in Johor,” said Shazni
Munir. – Bernama
Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim
Almarhum Sultan Iskandar
yesterday.
He said the solar park, which is the
first large-scale private investment
project secured by the state for 2021,
came from his efforts to encourage
investment and economic
development for the people and
‘PN will need more’
oTwo Pakatan MPs pledging support for PM
insufficient for ruling coalition to have firm
footing, say experts
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: The position of
Perikatan Nasional (PN) as the
coalition in power has received a
boost with two MPs from the
opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH)
declaring their support for Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, political analyst Prof
Dr Barjoyai Bardai said the
defection of the two opposition MPs
“was not a big thing”.
“The main question is whether
Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue
to be a part of PN when Parliament
reconvenes,” he said.
Apart from BN, Bersatu and PAS
Muhyiddin
receiving a
pledge of
allegiance from
Choong at a
meeting
yesterday that
was also
attended by Sng.
– PHOTO
COURTESY OF
PRIME
MINISTER’S
OFFICE
Rukun Tetangga agenda unveiled
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
yesterday launched the Rukun
Tetangga Leadership
Empowerment Plan 2021-2030 to
strengthen the role of Rukun
Tetangga Areas (RTA) at the
grassroots level through the
cooperation of ministries and
relevant agencies.
Under the plan, four RTA work
agendas are to be introduced –
safety, health, cleanliness and
wellbeing – to increase the
effectiveness of the Rukun Tetangga
initiative Bernama reported.
The plan is one of the strategies
that has been outlined in the
Johor, Bernama reported.
The project is also in line with the
Johor Sustainable Development Plan
2030, which prioritises
environmental sustainability in the
development of the economy and
prosperity of the people.
Sultan Ibrahim added that the
project will have a positive impact on
are also members of PN.
Over the weekend, Julau MP
Larry Sng and his Tebrau colleague
Steven Choong, both of PKR,
declared they were leaving PH and
throwing their support behind
Muhyiddin.
This effectively raised the
number of MPs on the government
side to 113 out of the 220. Two seats
remain vacant after the respective
MPs died.
A source told theSun yesterday
that two more MPs could follow in
Sng and Choong’s footsteps soon,
thereby further strengthening
support for Muhyiddin.
However, three MPs from Umno
– Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz of
National Unity Policy and National
Unity Blueprint 2021-30.
Muhyiddin said the safety
agenda would be mobilised through
a voluntary patrol scheme, in
collaboration with the police.
The health agenda will
emphasise on efforts to cultivate a
healthy lifestyle in the community
as a result of collaboration with the
Health Ministry through
programmes under the national
healthcare agenda.
“The third agenda, cleanliness,
focuses on cleaning and
beautification programmes in
community areas with the support
of the Housing Development and
the state’s economy and create job
opportunities at various levels, as it
will become the largest solar power
storage system in the region when
fully operational by 2023.
The project will not only boost
economic growth but also place
Johor as a leading renewable energy
producer internationally, he told the
Padang Rengas, Datuk Ahmad
Jazlan Yaakub of Machang and
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah of Gua
Musang – have withdrawn support
for Muhyiddin, although they
remain loyal to PN.
This has put Muhyiddin in the
unusual position of having less
support than his government.
Barjoyai said the crossover of Sng
and Choong have strengthened
Muhyiddin’s hand “but how long
this will last remains to be seen”.
Another political analyst, Dr Lim
Teck Ghee, agreed with Barjoyai’s
view that the few defections would
do little to strengthen the PN
government.
“It will remain shaky when
Parliament sits again. Both sides are
still engaged in a behind-the-scenes
tussle to get more MPs on their
respective sides. Carrots and sticks
and other unimaginable things will
be brought into play,” he added.
However, Lim said in such a
situation, the incumbent
Local Government Ministry, under
the implementation of the Local
Agenda 21 programme.
“The fourth agenda, wellbeing,
aims to identify vulnerable groups
such as single mothers, the
disabled, elderly and the less
fortunate, and provide assistance
through the implementation of
initiatives such as the Rukun
Tetangga Economic Project and the
‘Sayangi Komuniti’ programme.”
Muhyiddin was speaking at the
launch of the Rukun Tetangga
Leadership Empowerment Plan
2021-30 and the Rukun Tetangga
2021 Premier Award that was
broadcast live through the National
Royal Press Office via his official
Facebook page.
“We are thankful that Johor is
among the states that are blessed
with high solar irradiance. It’s about
time we explore this resource to
improve power generation capacity
and contribute to the production of
renewable energy,” he said.
government will likely have an
advantage given that it is in a
position to reward or punish, apart
from the fact that it has the privilege
to determine the timing of Dewan
Rakyat sittings.
He also pointed out that the
support of Umno MPs for PN is split.
“The ability to win support from
Umno could likely be the deciding
factor in this political contest.”
In a statement yesterday, PKR
secretary-general Datuk Seri
Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
expressed regret over the defection
of Sng and Choong.
He urged party members in both
constituencies to “work harder to
get closer to voters” and to prepare
themselves to retake the two seats in
the next general election.
He said both Sng and Choong
have been sacked from the party,
adding that the party central
committee has also discussed the
possibility of taking legal action
against them.
Unity Ministry website and its
@PerpaduanNegara Facebook page
yesterday.
He said the RTA, established in
1975, was an important component
of the community in ensuring
strengthening of national unity, and
its role should always be supported
as an agent in efforts to unite the
people.
He also said there are currently
8,274 RTA nationwide, with a total
membership of 248,220, and he
welcomes the increase in the
establishment of RTA because it is a
good indicator that proves public
awareness on the importance of the
role of neighbourhood watch.

‘Review plan to hike fines’
█ BY ELLY FAZANIZA
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Law experts and
policymakers have spoken out
against the rise in fines for violation of
movement control order (MCO)
standard operating procedures (SOP)
from RM1,000 to RM10,000, saying it
is too steep.
Lawyer Charles Hector said
Parliament should enact a law
specifically on fines and stipulate
each offence under the SOP.
“The offences are currently
bunched together, such as not
wearing a face mask and traveling
beyond a RM10km radius.
“If each offence is specified with
its penalty, the public will understand
the SOP clearer,” he told theSun
yesterday.
Parliament should also regulate
the offences and penalties involved to
ensure fairness to the public and
small businesses.
MAKING IT SAFE ... A private
sanitisation worker disinfecting a
classroom yesterday at Sekolah
Rendah Agama Pandamaran Jaya
in Port Klang, Selangor ahead of
the resumption of face-to-face
lessons today for Year 1 and 2
pupils, while those in Year 3 to 6
are set to return to school on
March 8.
– ASYRAF RASID/THESUN
Anti-vaxxers urged to stop spreading misleading information
LABUAN: An Islamic preacher here
has reminded anti-vaxxers to stop
spreading misleading information
about Covid-19 vaccines.
Muhammad Shafei Abdul Ghani
said there should not be any dispute
over the vaccination exercise, when
the number of fatalities due to the
pandemic is increasing.
“We must make an effort to curb
UTM students back to campus for practical training
JOHOR BARU: After a year of online
classes, students of Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have
returned to campus to complete their
practical training, which was delayed
due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the students, meeting their
classmates face-to-face and being
able to share experiences will make
their learning environment more
oConcerns raised over ‘steep’ increase
of compounds from RM1,000 to RM10,000
for violation of MCO offences
Charles proposed that the fines
correspond to the income of the
offender.
“We need to revisit it. Maybe it
should not be more than a certain
percentage of a person’s annual
income or business’ revenue.”
It was reported on Friday that any
individual found to breach MCO
regulations could be fined up to
RM10,000, according to the e-Federal
Gazette.
This is according to the new
Emergency (Prevention and Control
of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment)
Ordinance 2021 published on the
Federal Gazette website.
The Ordinance comes into
the spread of this pandemic. This is in
line with Islamic teachings, which
stress that it is our obligation to take
preventive measures against the
spread of contagious diseases.
“Anti-vaxxers cannot simply reject
the vaccines by saying that they
contain non-halal elements, unless
the group has concrete evidence to
support their claim,” he said.
interesting and conducive.
Nur Ezzatul Allieya Raduan, 22,
who is studying Industrial Chemistry,
said she is looking forward to starting
face-to-face practical training on
campus.
“It’s fun to meet friends after (so
long). The practical training requires
me to use the lab here and complete
the semester that was postponed,”
operation on March 11, 2021, the
gazette said.
Subsequently, Inspector-General
of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador
said enforcement would only be
imposed on individuals who breach
the MCO repeatedly, as well as those
who have the potential to increase
the spread of Covid-19.
He said the government decision
to increase the compound fine was
not for all offences related to
violations of the SOP.
Meanwhile, the Federation of
Malaysian Consumers Association
said the decision to increase the fines
was not right, given that many were
experiencing pay cuts and
Muhammad Shafie, who is also
Layangan Mosque head imam,
received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-
19 Vaccine at the Membedai Health
Clinic yesterday along with a Labuan
funeral management team.
On Friday, Labuan acting police
chief DSP Mohd Ibrahim Mohd
Ghani said action would be taken
against those who use social media to
said the third-year student.
Nurul Ainaa Salleh, 22, from
Terengganu shared the same
sentiment, saying she would use her
time on campus to meet her lecturers
and utilise the facilities on campus to
complete the semester.
“When studying online, there
were things I could not understand.
So I want to use the time on campus
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
unemployment.
Its president Marimuthu Nadason
urged the government to be
compassionate and assist those
affected by the pandemic.
Alliance for Safe Community
chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye told
Bernama the proposed increase was
too heavy and does not fit the crime.
“To increase the fine from
RM1,000 to RM10,000 as proposed by
the Health Ministry is too hefty and
excessive, that’s a 900% increase,” he
was quoted as saying.
Lee added that not everyone could
afford to pay, especially during these
economically challenging times, nor
it is fair to first offenders who
probably forgot or were slow to
comply.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh
called the increase “excessive, cruel
and over-punishing”.
“RM10,000 could be someone’s
total income for the year,” she wrote
on Twitter @hannahyeoh.
spread inaccurate information on the
vaccination programme.
Mohd Ibrahim said anyone
convicted of spreading anti-vaccine
propaganda and misleading
information could be jailed up to two
years or fined, or both, under Section
505 (b) of the Penal Code and Section
233 of the Communications and
Multimedia Act. – Bernama
to meet lecturers and to restore the
learning momentum before I return
to Terengganu and resume online
learning next semester,” she said.
Nur Ezzatul and Nurul Ainaa were
among 618 students allowed to
return to campus.
Meanwhile, UTM Tun Fatimah
residential college principal Dr Noor
Mala Ibrahim said more than 300
3
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
Micro SME left
outside govt
aid scope
KUALA LUMPUR: Micro small
and medium enterprises (SME)
which are neither registered with
the Ministry of International Trade
and Industry (MITI) nor business
councils are feeling the effects of
poor consumer sentiment and
being left out of the government’s
assistance programme for
businesses, said a coalition of
trade, business and professional
associations.
Datuk David Gurupatham,
group coordinator of Industries
Unite, a coalition of more than 40
local trade, business and
professional associations, said
there were a handful of micro SME
that fall into this category.
“Engage with business
associations and representatives,
especially on Prihatin (Prihatin
Rakyat Economic Stimulus
Package) and Penjana (National
Economic Recovery Plan) so that
no one is left out and small
businesses get accurate
information. Ease the red tape and
bureaucracy so that micro SME
have easier access to assistance.”
He said the current special
electricity rebate under the
Malaysian Economic and Rakyat’s
Protection Assistance Package
(Permai) did not reach micro SME
and were focused on commercial
sectors.
The six sectors in the
commercial category are hotel
operators, theme parks,
convention centres, shopping
malls, local airline offices and
travel and tour agencies, he
added.
Meanwhile, Wedding
Professionals Association of
Malaysia president Patrick Low
said the wedding and event
industry had often been
overlooked although each event
could involve between 25 and 50
sub-sectors.
“More than 100,000 businesses
were affected and the workers
were jobless and there were also
some who were self-employed or
husband-and-wife teams, which
neither have Social Security
Organisation nor Employees
Provident Fund coverage. These
are micro-business owners who
know how to do their job but not
everyone knows how to run their
business and grow it.
“Adding to that, banks have
rejected the majority of loan
applications (from these
individuals) as they do not have
proper supporting documents.”
According to the Department
of Statistics, the wedding industry
was estimated to be worth RM10
billion in 2020, while the retail
sales value for plants, flowers,
seeds and fertilisers were worth
RM1.66 billion.
In 2018, the wholesale sales
value for flowers and plants
amounted to RM809 million while
cut flowers and plants totalled
RM122 million. – Bernama
female students were either
undergoing a 10-day isolation or had
completed their quarantine at the
residential college, that started on
Feb 18.
“After isolation, they will be
transferred to another residential
college while those with symptoms
will be transferred to a dedicated
quarantine centre on campus.”
 4 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
26,205
2,437 202
0 By imposing hurdles on visa requirements,
13
105
287
914
337
3 Visitors arriving from China and India have,
10
340
Joy of picking own fresh
produce at agro farm
LANGKAWI: Imagine picking
your own fruits and vegetables as
well as catching fish straight from
the pond. Visitors to the Lang Agro
Park, Ulu Melaka, can do just that.
Lang Agro Sdn Bhd managing
director Naira Azlin Mat Nasim
said the 2.4ha farm, with
agrotourism concept, was opened
in January last year and allows
visitors to harvest fresh vegetables
and fruits.
“This integrated farm grows
about 50 types of vegetables and
fruits, including eggplant,
cucumber, pearl corn, spinach,
golden melons, passion fruit and
figs.
“Lang Agro Park is the first farm
to offer this harvesting concept in
Langkawi, where visitors
experience the joy of picking their
Not hindered by visual impairment
ARAU: Visual impairment is no
barrier for three sisters to live
independently by selling
handmade craft and kekabu
pillows.
Halijah Ibrahim, 80, who is
affectionately known as Mak
Andak; Che Manai, 74, (Makcik)
and Che Zainah, 69, (Maksu) have
been living in the same house
since childhood.
“Mak Andak does the cooking,
Makcik cleans the house and I go
out to sell the handicraft,” Che
Zainah told Bernama.
300,752
273,417
3,251
33
12
11 2 measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
65
own produce,” she told Bernama
recently.
She added that the fruits and
vegetables have their respective
harvest schedule, which would be
announced on their Facebook
page.
“Kangkung takes about two
weeks to harvest, curly mustard
takes four weeks and eggplant
takes two months.
“Since it was opened to the
public, the response has been very
encouraging,” said Naira Azlin,
who is a graduate of the
Department of Agriculture’s Youth
Agricultural Entrepreneur
Incubator programme.
Naira Azlin said the farm also
supplies vegetables
supermarkets and grocery stores
in Langkawi.
They were met after the
handing of donations by Yayasan
Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia in
Kampung Titi Besi here on
Satruday.
Halijah and Che Manai weave
the rattan to make various
handicraft items such as
handbags and food covers.
They are currently short of
rattan supply following the
movement control order in the
state and hence took the
initiative to produce kekabu
pillows.
Tourism sector
rues new visa rule
o Comprehensive plan needed
to help industry get back on its
1,130 feet, say experts
█ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: A comprehensive plan that
balances economic recovery with efforts to curb
Covid-19, rather than adhoc measures, is
9 essential to help the tourism sector get back on its
feet.
Otherwise, industry players said, Malaysia will
lose out to other countries in Southeast Asia that
are tapping the same markets for the tourist
dollar.
Malaysia will become less competitive than its
neighbours, travel and hospitality experts told
theSun.
They were responding to a statement by Home
Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin that
citizens from China and India will no longer enjoy
the visa-on-arrival privilege as part of Malaysia’s
Hamzah said the move was also to stamp out
abuse of the facility.
Many have been using Malaysia as a transit
point for human trafficking activities as well as for
134 “Macau” scams, he added.
until now, been granted entry through the
Electronic Travel Registration and Information
facility.
Malaysian Association of Hotels
171 vice-president C.S. Lim said the move will only
hurt Malaysia in the long term.
He pointed out that China and India are big
to
STAYING SAFE ... Frontliners (from left) Dr Chow Ting Soo, Hafizah Hamzah and A. Jayaprabagaran holding their Covid-19
vaccination card after taking part in an immunisation programme at the Penang General Hospital yesterday.
– MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN
markets for tourism and Asean nations, including
Malaysia, have been competing “fiercely” to tap
these two markets.
Records show that more than two million
tourists from China had visited Malaysia each
year since 2016.
The figure peaked at 2.94 million in 2018.
India is a growing market for the tourism
sector in Malaysia.
In the first six months of 2019, 354,000 tourists
came from India, a 15.2% growth over the
previous year.
Lim said withdrawing the visa-on-arrival
facility would have a significant impact on
tourism.
“We expect only a small number of tourists in
2021 given that vaccination rates (for Covid-19)
are still very low,” he said.
The Malaysian Travel Agency Association
labelled the new measure as a “lame excuse”.
“It’s too drastic. There are so many other ways
to mitigate the situation (of Malaysia being used
as a transit point for human trafficking),” its
president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said.
In any case, tourists would be required to
observe international protocols that require them
to show proof they have been vaccinated.
“This can be documented in their passports,
together with other medical reports. Malaysia
can easily provide the necessary healthcare.”
On the issue of human trafficking, Mohd
Khalid said the Immigration Department could
beef up security at the border to curb criminal
activities.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, on
the other hand, is more receptive to the new
measures.
Its acting CEO, Nik Yazmin Nik Azman, said
the council would stand by the government’s
decision to prioritise national safety as well as the
well-being of inbound travellers from India and
China.
 5
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Court of Appeal to
hear first online case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal in
Putrajaya will hear a case using video
conferencing for the first time today, with
the appellant following the proceedings
from the Kajang Prison.
The Chief Registrar of the Federal Court
said the appeal is over the appellant’s
conviction and sentence under Section 395
of the Penal Code for gang robbery.
“During the proceedings, the judge will
be at the Palace of Justice, while the lawyers
and deputy public prosecutor will be at their
respective offices,” it said in a statement
yesterday.
It said the judiciary always moved in line
with development to ensure continuity of HOPEFUL
the administration of justice during the AND EAGER ...
Covid-19 pandemic, including for prisoners.
Thashvein
“Priority is given to prison inmates, whose
sentences are nearing completion, child Chandran Nair,
offenders and juveniles, cases of public eight, from SJK
interest and other considerations which the Tamil Ladang
court deems fit,” it said, adding that the Ketayong in
criminal appeal proceedings is only Tanjung Malim,
applicable for convicts serving time in prison. Perak is praying
It said the directive was issued by Chief he is soon cured
Justice Tan Sri Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and of leukaemia so
can be accessed via he can join his
https://tinyurl.com/ArahanAmalanKHN. friends as classes
– Bernama resume at
schools
FOUR RESCUED FROM nationwide
BRIEFS

DAMAGED CRUISE SHIP today.

ALOR STAR: Four crew members were
rescued after the cruise ship they were on
almost sank after hitting a rock, off Pulau
Lalang near Langkawi. Kedah and Perlis

‘Clear vaccination plan

Maritime Enforcement Agency director
Maritime First Admiral Mohd Zawawi
Abdullah said the incident happened at
10.30pm on Saturday when the cruise
ship Epic Princess was on its way to
Langkawi from Tanjung Tokong in

needed for migrants’

Penang. “The Langkawi Maritime Rescue
Sub Centre activated a search and rescue
operation after receiving a report from
one of the crew. The incident was also
reported to the navy, marine police force
and Marine Department. “The 42-year-
old captain of the ship and three crew
members, aged between 26 and 54, were
rescued by patrol vessel KM Tenggol,” he
said in a statement yesterday. The ship
was later towed to the Boustead shipyard
in Langkawi for further action. – Bernama
BREEDER LOSES 25 GOATS
IN BLAZE
KEPALA BATAS: A livestock breeder lost
thousands of ringgit after 25 goats were
killed in a fire that destroyed a goat pen in
Jalan Permatang Kerai Besar here. A
Penang Fire and Rescue Department
Operations Centre spokesman said a fire
engine from the Kepala Batas station
rushed to the scene after receiving an
emergency call at 10.18pm on Saturday.
‘’Ninety per cent of the wooden goat
shed was already destroyed when we
arrived, killing 25 goats,’’ he said yesterday.
According to the owner, the fire was
believed to have started from the
burning of goat droppings under the
pen. He said the fire was brought under
control by the Penang Fire and Rescue
Department, with the assistance of
voluntary firefighters, who took 20
minutes to fully douse the fire. – Bernama
MISSING BOYS FOUND
DROWNED
JOHOR BARU: Two boys, said to be close
friends, were found drowned after they
were believed to have fallen into Sungai
Skudai, near Kampung Batu 8 here. Larkin
Fire and Rescue station chief deputy
superintendent Mohd Suhaimi Abdul
Jamal said yesterday the body of
nine-year-old Ahmad Daniel Abdullah
was found at 9pm on Saturday, while
eight-year-old Osmond Chan Wu Ye was
found three hours later. He said a team
rushed to the scene after a report on the
two missing boys was lodged yesterday.
Skin dive and windshield wiper searching
techniques were used in the search for
the two victims, he said, adding that the
bodies were then sent to Sultanah
Aminah Hospital. – Bernama
oGovt should consult
relevant parties for better
coordination of programme
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: A clear vaccination
implementation plan for undocumented
migrants needs to be worked out and put forth
to those concerned, said human rights activists.
Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das
said consultations need to be held
with diplomatic missions, international
organisations, civil societies and
non-governmental organisations (NGO),
ministries and departments concerned, and
especially community leaders for a clear
vaccination plan.
“Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said that the
Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force was
formulating a plan on how to approach
undocumented migrants and refugees to
convince them to take part in the programme
without fearing arrest.
“We truly hope civil societies and NGO will
be called in for a discussion in the coming
Foreigner held for lodging false report
KUALA LUMPUR: An Uzbekistan national,
who claimed he lost RM8,000 to police
extortionists, was arrested on Saturday after
he was found to have lodged a false police
report.
Brickfields police chief ACP Anuar Omar
said yesterday that the 37-year-old foreigner
had made the allegations in a police report
last Thursday.
He said the man, who works as a craftsman
in Shah Alam, claimed that cash was taken
from him by police patrolmen at Jalan Solaris
weeks,” she told theSun.
Das said that locating undocumented
migrants was not an issue if the ministry could
work together with organisations – both
national and international – to facilitate the
plan.
“When testing and tracing began in March
last year, many undocumented migrants,
especially refugees, asylum seekers and those
waiting for feedback from immigration on their
relegalisation status, came forward to carry out
testing and tracing, and received treatment,”
she said.
“Sadly, several raids were conducted in May
and they have since disappeared into hiding.
We cannot have this happening again. If such
harsh actions are implemented, the entire
population would be at risk.”
She is positive that by working together, trust
and confidence can be rebuilt in the affected
communities.
“Based on our research, we estimate that
there are about three to four million
undocumented migrants, if not more. This
number includes refugees, asylum seekers,
undocumented workers, stateless people and
children, tourists who have overstayed due to
expired visas and foreign spouses.
“In regard to undocumented migrants who
are not found and vaccinated, posing a threat to
the masses, this (danger) also applies to all and
not just the migrants.
1 in Solaris Mont Kiara.
Anuar said an investigation was carried out
and when the foreigner’s statements were
found to be inconsistent, police raided a
premises on Jalan Selangor, off Jalan Travers
on Saturday, where they found several bank
cards, banking slips and cellphones.
“The foreigner claimed that he had
withdrawn the cash from a bank on Feb 21 but
we found no such transaction was done by
him,” Anuar said yesterday.
“The man later admitted he had lodged a
“Many locals in rural areas are also unaware
of the vaccination programme, which may
result in them not coming forward to be
vaccinated. With that being said, anyone who is
not vaccinated is a possible threat,” she added.
Country representative at Migrant CARE
Alex Ong said the government should consider
engaging embassies to set up one-stop amnesty
services for all.
“Under the one-stop centre, embassies
could issue passports to those who qualify to
work,” he said.
“Another thing to consider is a one-way
travel document for those who want to go
home. Logistics should also be part of the
services.
He added that communication between
government agencies was not properly
coordinated.
G25, a group of prominent Malays, said it
will be hard to get undocumented migrants to
come forward for vaccinations, with the fear of
arrest present.
“To reassure them, the government should
use its powers under the Emergency to issue
amnesty to legalise their stay in the country,
and guarantee no arrests and forced
deportations.
“They can also be offered an incentive of
getting jobs in the construction and plantation
sectors as part of measures to revive the
economy,” it said.
false police report after he lost the cash. He
wanted to gain sympathy from his employer,
who had lent him the cash, with hopes of
getting another loan from him.”
He said the case will be referred to the
Attorney-General’s Chambers, with
recommendations that the suspect face
charges for lodging a false report, and for
other offences related to immigration laws.
Anuar advised the public against lodging
false police reports or making false statements
as it is an offence. – by Charles Ramendran
 6 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Bloodiest day of Myanmar protests
oSeven dead, hundreds detained as police use
deadly force in crack down on demonstrators
YANGON: Myanmar police fired on
protesters yesterday in the bloodiest
day of weeks of demonstrations
against a military coup and at least
seven people were killed and several
wounded, sources and media said.
Myanmar has been in chaos
since the army seized power and
detained elected government leader
Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her
party leadership on Feb 1, alleging
fraud in a November election her
party won with a landslide victory.
The coup, which brought a halt to
tentative steps towards democracy
after nearly 50 years of military rule,
has drawn hundreds of thousands to
the streets and condemnation by
Western countries.
“Myanmar is like a battlefield,”
the Buddhist-majority nation’s first
Catholic cardinal, Charles Maung
Bo, said on Twitter.
Police were out in force early and
opened fire in different parts of the
biggest city of Yangon after stun
grenades, tear gas and shots in the
air failed to break up crowds.
Soldiers also reinforced police.
Several wounded people were
hauled away by fellow protesters,
leaving bloody smears on
pavements, media images showed.
One man died after being taken
to a hospital with a bullet in the
chest, said a doctor who asked not to
be identified.
A woman died of a suspected
heart attack after police swooped in
to break up a Yangon teachers’
Dozens of HK dissidents charged with security crime
HONG KONG: Police here charged
dozens of dissidents with subversion
yesterday in the largest use yet of
Beijing’s sweeping new national
security law.
Last month, 55 of Hong Kong’s
best-known activists were arrested
in a series of dawn raids.
Police confirmed yesterday 47 of
them had been charged with one
count each of “conspiracy to commit
subversion” – one of the new
national security crimes – and would
appear in court early today.
Beijing is battling to stamp out
dissent in semi-autonomous Hong
Kong after swathes of the population
hit the streets in 2019 in huge and
sometimes violent protests.
The security law, imposed on the
Arrival of ‘sticky bombs’ in Indian Kashmir sets off alarm bells
NEW DELHI: Security forces
battling a decades-long insurgency
in Indian-controlled Kashmir are
alarmed by the recent arrival in the
disputed region of small, magnetic
bombs that have wreaked havoc in
Afghanistan.
“Sticky bombs”, which can be
attached to vehicles and detonated
remotely, have been seized during
raids in recent months in the
federally administered region of
Jammu and Kashmir, three senior
security officials told Reuters.
“These are small IEDs and quite
powerful,” Kashmir Valley police
chief Vijay Kumar said, referring to
improvised explosive devices.
“It will certainly impact the
present security scenario as volume
protest with stun grenades, her
daughter and a colleague said.
Police also hurled stun grenades
outside a Yangon medical school,
sending protesting doctors and
students in white coats scattering.
Police also opened fire in Dawei
in the south, killing three and
wounding several, politician Kyaw
Min Htike said from the town.
The Myanmar Now media
agency reported two people had
been killed in a protest in the second
city of Mandalay.
Police broke up protests in other
towns, including Lashio in the
northeast and Myeik in the deep
south, residents and media said.
At least 10 protesters have now
died in the turmoil.
The army said a policeman has
been killed.
The crackdown would appear to
indicate determination by the
military to impose its authority in the
face of widespread defiance, not just
on the streets but more broadly in
the civil service, municipal
administration, the judiciary, the
education and health sectors, and
the media.
Hundreds of protesters refused to
leave the streets by early afternoon
in Yangon yesterday.
Many set up barricades while
others chanted slogans and sang
protest songs.
“If they attack us, we’ll defend.
We’ll never kneel down to the
military boots,” a protester said.
city last June, criminalises acts
deemed to be subversion, secession,
terrorism and collusion with foreign
forces.
Those charged are routinely
denied bail until trial and face up to
life in prison if convicted.
The charged activists are a broad
cross-section of Hong Kong’s
opposition, from veteran former
lawmakers such as James To and
Claudia Mo to academics, lawyers,
social workers and a host of youth
activists.
Some struck a cautiously defiant
tone as they prepared to report to
police yesterday to hear the charges.
“Democracy is never a gift from
heaven. It must be earned by many
with strong will,” Jimmy Sham, a key
and frequency of vehicular
movements of police and security
forces are high in Kashmir Valley.”
The Indian government flooded
Kashmir, already one of the world’s
most militarised regions, with more
troops in August 2019, when it split
the state into two federally
administered territories.
The arrival of the sticky bombs in
India-controlled Kashmir – smuggled from Pakistan.
including 15 seized in a raid last
month – raises concerns that an
unnerving tactic attributed to the
Taliban insurgents in nearby
Afghanistan could be spreading to
the India-Pakistan conflict.
Afghanistan in recent months has
seen a series of sticky bomb attacks
targeting security forces, judges,
A protester spraying a fire extinguisher as demonstrators clash with riot police during a rally against the coup in Yangon
yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
State-run MRTV television said
more than 470 people had been
arrested on Saturday when police
launched the nationwide
crackdown.
It was not clear how many were
detained yesterday.
The police action came after state
television announced that
organiser of 2019’s huge protests,
told reporters outside a police
station.
“We can tell the whole world,
under the most painful system,
Hong Kongers are the light of the
city.
“We will remain strong and fight
for what we want.”
Gwyneth Ho, a young journalist
turned activist, posted on her
Facebook page before being
charged: “I hope everyone can find
their road to peace of mind and then
press forward with indomitable will.”
The alleged offence of those
arrested for subversion was to
organise an unofficial primary last
summer to choose candidates for
the city’s partially elected legislature,
government officials, civil society
activists and journalists.
The attacks – some as victims sat
in traffic – have sown fear, while
avoiding substantial civilian
casualties.
None of the devices seized in
Kashmir was produced there, a
senior security official said,
suggesting they were being
“All of them have come via drone
drops and tunnels,” he said, asking
not to be named.
Kashmir has long been a
flashpoint between nuclear-armed
rivals India and Pakistan, which
each claim all of the Himalayan
region but rule only parts of it.
India accuses Pakistan of backing
Myanmar’s United Nations envoy
BRIEFS
had been fired for betraying the
country, after he urged the UN to use
“any means necessary” to reverse
the coup.
The ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun,
remained defiant.
“I decided to fight back as long as
I can,” he said in New York. – Reuters
in hopes that the anti-Beijing bloc
might take a majority for the first
time.
Many of those candidates were
ultimately disqualified from
standing, and authorities scrapped
the polls because of the coronavirus.
But Chinese and Hong Kong
officials described the primary as an
attempt to “overthrow” and
“paralyse” the city’s government and
therefore a threat to national
security.
Western nations have accused
Beijing of using its crackdown to
shred the freedoms that were
promised under the “One Country,
Two Systems” setup when the
former British colony was returned
to China. – AFP
the insurgency in Kashmir, which
has claimed tens of thousands of
lives since the 1990s.
Pakistan denies the charge,
saying it gives only moral and
diplomatic support to Kashmiris
fighting for self-determination.
New Delhi has attempted to
maintain a tight grip over the
Kashmir Valley, where high-speed
mobile internet was suspended for
18 months until last month, but the
insurgency has simmered on.
Officials said the bombs are
particularly worrying because they
can be easily attached to vehicles
using magnets, allowing militants to
carry out assassinations or target
military convoys that regularly
criss-cross the valley. – Reuters
‘EXORCIST’ HELD
AFTER CHILD KILLED
COLOMBO: Police yesterday
arrested a self-proclaimed exorcist
in Sri Lanka after a nine-year-old
girl she had beaten as part of a
ritual died. The unidentified
woman allegedly struck the girl
repeatedly with a cane, claiming it
was a way to drive out a demon
that had possessed the child,
police spokesman Ajith Rohana
said. The girl’s parents had taken
her to the woman in the village of
Meegahawatte where neighbours
responded to the cries of the child
but not in time to save her, he said.
“She was dead on admission to
hospital,“ Rohana said. – AFP
YEMEN REBELS CLAIM
RIYADH STRIKES
SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-backed
Huthi rebels claimed yesterday
the attempted strikes that
targeted Saudi Arabia’s capital
and other regions overnight. “The
operation was carried out with a
ballistic missile and 15 drones
targeting sensitive areas in the
enemy’s capital of Riyadh,“ Huthi
spokesman Yahya al-Saree said.
“Our operations will continue and
will expand as long as the
aggression and seige on our
country continues.” A Saudi-led
military coalition – which backs
the Yemeni government against
the rebels – said on Saturday it
thwarted a missile attack. – AFP
SWIMMER DIES
AFTER SHARK ATTACK
NOUMEA: A 57-year-old man has
died after a shark attack off an
island in New Caledonia
yesterday. The amateur
yachtsman was swimming near
his moored boat off Maitre islet in
the French Pacific territory when
the incident happened, according
to an initial inquiry. “According to
witnesses, the man was bitten on
the leg by a 4m-long shark” and
died before the arrival of a rescue
helicopter, a civil official said. The
man is believed to have died from
a heart attack after the incident,
according to local media. – AFP

Prince William warns social media ‘awash’ with lies
LONDON: Prince William has
warned that anti-vaccination
messages are rife on social media and
urged those eligible to get jabs,
following a similar appeal by his
grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“Social media is awash sometimes
with lots of rumours and
misinformation,” the Duke of
Cambridge said in video footage
released by Kensington Palace on
Saturday evening.
U.S. approves single-shot J&J
vaccine for emergency use
oBiden hails ‘exciting news’ but says
Americans cannot ‘let guard down’
WASHINGTON: The United States
authorised Johnson & Johnson’s
vaccine for emergency use on
Saturday, offering a glimmer of
hope as Britain said farewell to
fundraising war veteran Captain
Tom Moore who died of the virus
earlier this month.
U.S. President Joe Biden hailed
his country’s announcement of its
third available vaccine but said the
nation’s battle was far from over.
“This is exciting news for all
Americans, and an encouraging
development in our efforts to bring
an end to the crisis,” Biden said in a
statement, but warned Americans
“cannot let our guard down now or
assume that victory is inevitable”.
The single-shot J&J vaccine is
highly effective at preventing severe
Philippines receives first batch of Covid jabs donated from China
MANILA: The Philippines received
yesterday its first batch of Covid-19
vaccine doses in a shipment donated
by China, a day before it was due to
roll out a national inoculation
campaign.
President Rodrigo Duterte
attended a ceremony to mark the
arrival of the initial 600,000 doses of
Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac, which
were delivered by a Chinese aircraft.
It showed him and his wife
Catherine, the Duchess of
Cambridge, speaking to two women
who are clinically vulnerable and
eligible for first jabs soon.
In one video call, a woman called
Shivali, who has type 2 diabetes, said
she had read a lot of social media
posts that made her “a bit nervous”
about getting vaccinated initially,
while she was now confident about
getting the jab.
Covid-19, including against newer
variants, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) said before
giving it a green light.
The news comes following
passage in the House of
Representatives of a vast US$1.9
trillion package – including
US$1,400 payouts to most
Americans and billions of dollars to
boost vaccine delivery, help schools
reopen and fund local governments
– which will now move to the
Senate.
The bill is on track to be the
second largest U.S. stimulus ever,
illustrating the huge effort needed
to tackle the multiple crises
unleashed by a pandemic that has
killed more than half a million in the
United States, with the toll climbing
The Philippines is due to receive
another 25 million doses of
CoronaVac in batches this year.
The Philippines’ vaccination
campaign will begin by targeting
health care workers and police and
military personnel.
“With this very important
shipment, I am confident that more
batches of vaccines will be available
with great dispatch until every
The prince told her: “We have to
be a little bit careful who we believe
and where we get our information
from, especially for those who are
clinically vulnerable as well, it’s so
important that these vaccinations are
done.
“Catherine and I are not medical
experts by any means but if it’s any
consolation we can wholeheartedly
support having vaccinations, it’s
really, really important.”
by another 1,849 fatalities in 24
hours on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Europeans continue
to live under some of the world’s
strictest restrictions – and in France
they just got tougher.
Two cities, northern Dunkirk and
southern Nice, locked down over the
weekends to halt the spread.
“We have to do something as
Covid is getting worse in the region,”
Charlie Kentish, a British resident
taking an early morning walk in
Nice, told AFP.
He was resigned to spending his
weekends playing video games with
his teenage children.
In Britain, 100-year-old war
veteran Tom Moore helped lift the
Covid-induced gloom last year by
staging fundraising events including
completing 100 lengths of his back
garden using a walking frame.
He was knighted for his efforts.
His funeral, a small family
ceremony, was shown live on
national television and he was
Filipino will be given the chance to be
vaccinated at the earliest possible
opportunity,” Duterte said.
He thanked China for the “gesture
of friendship and solidarity – the
hallmark of Philippines-China
partnership”.
The Philippines has also
negotiated vaccine supply deals with
other manufacturers, seeking to
secure up to 148 million doses so it
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Vaccine uptake so far has been
“amazing”, the prince said, while the
task now is to ensure that younger
generations “feel that it’s really
important for them to have it”.
The video came after the Queen,
94, last week urged people to take up
the vaccine, saying it “didn’t hurt at
all” when she received it in January,
along with Prince Philip.
She said that those who feared
getting the vaccine, “ought to think
BRIEFS
honoured with a flypast of a World
War II plane.
The rollout of vaccines has
improved the prospects greatly for
many older people, with Britain
excelling in its distribution to
vulnerable groups.
Globally there is growing
concern over cases of “long Covid”,
where people suffer symptoms for
months after the initial illness.
Areli Torres, a 31-year-old
engineer from Mexico, told AFP she
fell ill for a few days last June, but
months later she is still suffering
symptoms including numbness in
parts of her body.
“Everything’s uncertain.
Everything’s been an ordeal.
“I’ve seen four doctors,” Torres
said, adding it had taken seven
months just to get the correct
diagnosis.
The World Health Organisation
last week urged governments to
prioritise understanding the
long-term effects of infections. – AFP
DANCE
BUBBLE ...
Stuttgart Ballet
company dancers
Elisa Badenes and
Friedemann
Vogel taking part
in the
performance
‘Social Distance
Stacks’ of
conceptual artiste
Florian Mehnert
at the John
Cranko School in
Stuttgart,
Germany, on
Saturday.
– REUTERSPIX
can inoculate 70 million people, or
two thirds of its population.
An initial shipment of 525,600
doses of the vaccine developed by
Britain’s AstraZeneca was expected
to arrive today.
The Philippines is the last
Southeast Asian country to receive
initial vaccine supplies, fuelling
concerns over recovery prospects for
the domestic economy that suffered
7
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
about other people rather than
themselves”.
Her eldest son, Prince Charles, 72,
who contracted Covid-19 last year,
has also received his jab.
The royal family is speaking out as
health officials have voiced concerns
over lower take-up among ethnic
minority communities.
The U.K. so far has given more
than 19 million people a first vaccine
dose. – AFP
AUCKLAND’S SECOND
LOCKDOWN IN A MONTH
WELLINGTON: Exactly a year after
New Zealand recorded its first
coronavirus case, the biggest city
of Auckland woke yesterday to a
second lockdown in February, as
authorities try to rein in a cluster of
the more contagious U.K. variant.
The seven-day lockdown of a
population of nearly two million,
announced late on Saturday by
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was
prompted by the case of a person
who had been infectious for a week
but not in isolation. “It is more than
likely there will be additional cases
in the community,“ she told a news
conference, although no new cases
were recorded yesterday. The move
follows a three-day stay-at-home
order in mid-February after the U.K.
variant of the coronavirus emerged
in New Zealand. About 14 cases are
linked to the cluster. – AFP
MINISTERS SACKED
FOR RULES BREACH
AMMAN: Jordan’s interior and
justice ministers were sacked
yesterday for breaching health
regulations to stem the spread of
coronavirus, with their
replacements named by royal
decree. The pair were asked to step
down by Prime Minister Bisher al-
Khasawneh, a move immediately
endorsed by King Abdullah II,
according to a statement from the
royal palace. They are accused,
according to a government source,
of “having violated the emergency
law” put in place to curb Covid-19.
The news website Ammon claimed
interior minister Samir Mobaideen
and justice minister Bassam Talhuni
had attended a dinner in a
restaurant in Amman with a total of
nine people, when the law allowed
a maximum of six. – AFP
VIOLENT PROTEST IN
IRELAND OVER CURBS
DUBLIN: Hundreds gathered in a
violent anti-lockdown protest in
Dublin on Saturday, with police
charging the crowd and arresting
23 demonstrating against ongoing
virus curbs in Ireland. Irish prime
minister Micheal Martin
condemned the protest on the
streets of Dublin that resulted in 23
arrests. Hundreds had gathered for
a planned demonstration against
coronavirus curbs at a city centre
park but were blocked from the
area by police. Scenes quickly
turned violent with fireworks
thrown at officers at close-range.
Police charged the crowd
numerous times with batons
drawn. Demonstrators handed out
leaflets reading “let Ireland live” and
chanted “end the lockdown”. – AFP
its worst slump on record last year.
The archipelago, which has the
second-highest tally of infections and
deaths in the region, has suffered
lengthy lockdowns.
However, there is little public
support for the inoculation drive.
One opinion poll showed that less
than a third of Filipinos are willing to
get vaccinated as they worry about
potential side effects. – Reuters
 8 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
SPEAK UP
Life-writing needs moderation
T
HE trouble with most of us is that we
would rather be ruined by praise than
saved by criticism, and the winds of
disapproval intensely blowing
in every direction sometimes makes
us dizzy with confusion. Do we
have the maturity to accept
constructive criticism as a gage
for improvement?
It has become a favourite
hobby for politicians and high-
flying office-holders to indulge in
life writing, inviting brickbats and
praises in equal measure, most
times. For the uninitiated, life-writing
involves, and goes beyond, biography. It
encompasses everything from the complete life
to the day-in-the-life, embracing the lives of
objects and institutions as well as the lives of
individuals, families and groups.
Life-writing includes autobiographies,
biographies, memoirs, letters, diaries and more.
I was midway reading Barack Obama’s
memoir A Promised Land when another one hit
the local scene with much ado. Naturally, I
COMMENT by Amanda Yeo
Civic tech to boost citizen engagement
THE on-and-off movement control measures
and travel restrictions have made people,
organisations and government transform the
way they interact with one another.
Many people have been forced to postpone
social gatherings and meetings or resort to
online learning. The recent e-Conomy SEA
2020 report by Google, Temasek and Bain and
Company showed that one in three Malaysians
started using digital services due to Covid-19.
With the rising usage of online advocacy
platforms, civic technology or civil tech for
short, can be utilised for informing, engaging
and connecting citizens with the government,
or with one another to advance civic outcomes
that have the potential for Malaysia to better
inform and encourage citizen engagement
through technology.
Civic tech enhances the relationship
between people and government with software
for communication, decision-making, service
delivery, and political process. It also includes
information and communications technology
supporting government with software built by
community-led teams of volunteers, non-profit
bodies, consultants and private companies as
well as embedded tech teams working within
government.
There are four different types of e-
government services and civic tech falls within
the category of government-to-citizen (G2C).
The other categories include government-to-
business (G2B), government-to-government
succumbed to curiosity and momentarily
ditched Obama and read the controversial work
cover to cover only to make a self-
assessment, and while doing so
making a mental comparison of
both works.
Obama’s narrative was written
with much poise and sublimity,
to the point that his objectivity is
maintained all through. Granted
that he discusses the rot in the
political scene in the US and does
not try to hide his disagreements
on some matters but it is expertly
and deftly weaved in, warily, so that
there is no collateral damage done in the
process. I felt it was more of an arty presentation
rather than a critique, I sensed the reverse for
the other work.
I am highly opinionated on the fact that
when one embarks on life-writing, the writer
stays cognizant that the narrative is his
autobiography and not a biography of the
people who were in the writer’s life. During
my teaching days, I emphasised this time
(G2G), and government-to-employees (G2E).
The continuous challenges in conducting
Parliament sittings during the pandemic, for
instance, led several Malaysian youth
organisations such as Challenger Malaysia,
Undi 18, Liga Rakyat Demokratik and United
Nations Association Malaysia (Unam) Youth to
jointly organise Parlimen Digital, a virtual mock
Parliament between July 4 and 5 last year.
This event won plaudits from various parties
who witnessed 222 young Malaysians
representing respective parliamentary
constituencies, debating issues ranging from
economic challenges to the state of the nation’s
education system.
It could also be used to help simplify voter
registration, host virtual dialogues and launch
crowdfunding campaigns supporting civic
causes.
Although civil tech empowers citizens to
take action and transform the nation’s
democracy landscape, there are several
challenges to consider.
Sinar Project, a Malaysian-based civic tech
initiative, could not register as non-profit. Due
to the ongoing struggles with funding and
sustainability, Sinar Project could not improve
governance and encourage greater citizen
involvement in public affairs as anticipated. As
a result, the progress of creating a more open,
transparent and accountable Parliament has
been slow.
To truly foster social change, civil tech also
and again.
I would normally go on to stress on the need
to seek permission to include the mentions and
stories of other people in the life-writing genre.
How fairly can one’s book be used as a platform
to criticise and pass judgments about others?
Just because someone appeared in a writer’s
life, unwittingly or otherwise, it does not mean
that he wants to be part of another’s life story. As
a rule of thumb, I would tell myself and my
students that a little prudence might help to
serve as self-checks if certain sensitive matters
are to be treated with extreme caution.
One’s assumptions on how things should be,
be it people or the world, is based on his
experience and imbued ideologies of the world
and he may communicate them in a way that
feels right for him. That feeling of rightness is
based often on a judgment call which is self-
justifying.
Across our lives, no matter where we live or
what we do, we are guided by conscience that
helps us make decisions about how we ought to
live and behave. Sometimes, this is
straightforward and at other times, the
needs to reach a large number of users.
However, the lack of rigorous and consistent
outcome-measurement and compelling
evidence of impact have prevented civic tech
organisations from attracting a relevant
audience.
As urban poor and rural citizens have
limited access to digital devices or unstable
internet connections, civil tech could not
involve them. It limits the potential of civil tech
to reach every segment of society to create a
substantial community impact.
Furthermore, the funding for civic tech
organisations only caters to short-term
implementation of specific projects and
programmes. Often, civil tech has to carry out
fundraising regularly to meet associated
operational expenses such as for remuneration
and utilities.
Therefore, for civic tech to enhance citizen
engagement in Malaysia, Emir Research has
several policy recommendations for the
Government to consider:
0 Integrate initiatives created by the private
sector and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) into one streamlined website. For
instance, the Ministry of Youth and Sports could
combine all initiatives from the private sector
and NGOs into its official website for Malaysian
youths to access relevant information easily;
0 Take a lead in organising dialogues with
different industries such as manufacturing,
hospitality and retail sectors in Malaysia,
distinction is rather obscure, which is when we
get into a spot.
Incidentally also, how much hard sell should
the auto-biographer indulge in? Now, that is a
difficult question to answer and I can vouch
that to rise above self, it needs magnanimity of a
different kind.
Obama kept it safely balanced, with his
skilful mastery of language and writing
acumen. The tender and captivating moments
he shared with his wife are infused like pepper,
adding just the right spice to break what
otherwise could have been monotonous.
Life-writing captures the self-defining
memories of one’s life and it is to a large extent
an exercise in self-discovery. There is no right or
wrong way of doing it but there are principles
that, again, may differ according to individuals.
“Masterful lament of the fragility of hope”,
says a reviewer about Obama’s memoir, and
another sees it as “deeply introspective and at
times elegiac”.
For me, it is humble rendition of one’s
journey in arriving at his destiny, a lifetime
worth reminiscing and being proud of.
enabling different voices to be heard at all levels
of government, company boards and
multilateral organisations. This, in turn, would
foster an intergenerational transfer of
experience, knowledge and skills besides
forming people-centric public policies;
0 Work on data collection, analysis and
visualisation with relevant ministries, agencies
and representatives from the private sector to
bring better information to the people. With
current, updated, trustworthy, accurate,
reliable and complete data, industry players will
be able to benchmark business performances
based on their understanding of the current
state of the industry and adopt the most
appropriate business approaches to address
citizen issues; and
0 Focus on citizen autonomy in taking
decisions and direct democracy empowerment
tools. The government could acknowledge civil
tech by providing necessary funding for them,
further advancing Malaysia’s democracy.
By emphasising the importance of civil tech,
the government could empower more citizens
to engage in societal change, and have a better
understanding of what the people want and
need.
The writer is research analyst at Emir
Research, an independent think tank focused
on strategic policy recommendations based
on rigorous research.
Comments:letters@thesundaily.com
 TELLING IT AS IT IS

LIFESTYLE YOUTH FASHION ENTERTAINMENT

MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

Missing home
Sape songstress
Alena Murang releases a new
single and music video
>>> Page 3
Deborah Lee is a food
storyteller
>>> Page 4 & 5
PICTURE COURTESY OF CLASH DONERIN

Jot down your thoughts

to destress
>>> Page 6
 ENTERTAINMENT
2 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
The power of
infectious beats
oSinger Dameer breaks the
stigma of mental health
through catchy tunes
█ BY JOHN TAN
A
T an age where most youths are just
starting to discover their passions, 20-
year-old Dameer Khan has been busy
making headlines for his artistic craft.
At age 17, Bangladesh-born Dameer was signed
by Majestic Casual Records, a prominent
Berlin-based music label in the indie music
scene.
Coming from a family of musicians, Dameer
is looking to make his own mark in the world
with fresh and unconventional music.
Dameer’s musical journey first began in high
school when he would frequently upload his
songs on Soundcloud. “I was slowly getting
traction. Considering how small Bangladesh is,
when you make a splash, people listen,” he says
cheerfully.
“And as soon as I gained more confidence, I
started DMing my songs to a bunch of Youtube
channels and music labels.”
Fortunately for him, Majestic Casual Records
replied and signed him instantly.
Since then, this Dhaka native has been
actively making music, even moving to
Malaysia to pursue his craft. Currently, he is
hard at work promoting his upcoming record,
We Are Distant, which includes the track
Believe. The song’s music video, released
last November, was directed by film
and music director Adam
Sinclair, husband of renowned
Malaysian singer Yuna.
Coming from a rich and
beautiful country like
Bangladesh, how have your
roots influenced your
music?
“Conversation is a very
integral part of Bangladeshi
culture. We love talking to
each other sincerely.
And I think in all of my
music, there is an
honesty towards how
absurd life is, and how
neurotic people are.
“But no matter how
messed up life is, life is
SHINee returns with the genre bending Don’t Call Me
█ BY JOHN TAN
AFTER a three-year hiatus, the four-
member band, SHINee has finally
made its much anticipated
comeback.
Returning with their seventh
studio album, Don’t Call Me, SHINee
ushers in their new era with a whole
brand new sound. Unlike their
previous releases, this project marks
their first album that features no
contribution from their late member,
Jonghyun.
Kicking things off, the nine-track
album starts with the title track, Don’t
Call Me. This upbeat banger sees the
group exploring the sounds of hip-
hop, trap and EDM.
Seeing from their debut
single, Replay to their hit single,
Lucifer, it’s clear that the quartet has
matured since their early years. In
this track in particular, we hear
them not only push their music
limitations but also their lyrical
approach.
In fact, Don’t Call Me may possibly
be their most daring song lyrically to
date. Contrary to the libretto of their
still worth living and people are still worth
loving. So honesty and sincerity is a big part of
Dameer taught
Bengali culture that I think is present in my
music.” himself the guitar
In the video for Believe, you incorporated
after listening to
Jazz and Latino
some elements of Chinese culture. What music. – PHOTO
inspired your decision to do so? COURTESY OF
“Adam Sinclair and I are massive fans of Wong MAJESTIC
Kar-wai. So, the entire music video is based on CASUAL
movies like In the Mood for Love (2000) and RECORDS
Chungking Express (1994). We were directly
inspired by those movies. That’s why we wanted
to go with the classic Hong Kong neon lights and
90’s aesthetic.
“And when you listen to the song, you have
the beat that is super steady.
“I have been listening to it since [its release]
and all it reminded me of was the classic neon
Wong Kar-wai Hong Kong vibes. And Adam felt
the same thing. Since we were massive [fans], it
was cool to pay homage to him.”
Your single, Sun, speaks of your relationship
with your mother. Have you always been
brave to tackle such personal and daring
topics?
“Yes, I think you have to be. Again, I really
want to be honest about how absurd life
is. I love pop music. Its pure
escapism. It allows you to forget
about your worries, but for me,
I am more interested in
writing about trauma,
mental health, where
and who you grew
up with and what that does to your life, and “Absolutely! I mean just being around Yuna gave
really get into the complexity of life. me so many ambitions. It would be a dream
“I think a lot of my songs deal with that. A come true to be able to work with her. I also had
song like Believe deals with the aftermath of a the pleasure of getting to know other Malaysian
bad relationship. If you look into the lyrics, it artistes like Nadhira and SonaOne. They are
speaks about coming from a really bad some of the nicest people.
relationship, and how it affects you when you “There’s also a really cool indie rock scene
decide to get back to the game. here that I have been paying attention to. There
“As for Sun, it speaks about the conservative are also some venues here where I would like to
culture I grew up in. When I was growing up, I play. One of them is the Bee at Publika. It’s a
knew I wanted to be out there. I knew I wanted super cool venue.”
to be loud and rebellious and to express myself.
“But that was just not accepted. I was always What has been your favourite thing about
considered too loud. So, the song is about Malaysia so far?
allowing yourself to be free, expressing “I have had the best time. I have travelled
yourself and being honest with the world. around a lot. I have been to Langkawi, Penang,
That’s exactly what I want to write about. I Alor Setar and Cameron Highlands. I think the
love handling tough issues, especially when natural beauty of this country is awesome. The
it comes to trauma.” food is also great. I remember the first time I
tried Village Park nasi lemak, it was mind
Would you collaborate with other musical blowing. I just love the culture and my friends
acts to further push your sound? here.”
early tunes like Replay or In My
Room, the thrilling tune captures the The members of SHINee at the photo shoot
intense emotions that comes with a for their lead single, Don’t Call Me. - PHOTO
toxic relationship – a topic that was COURTESY OF SM ENTERTAINMENT
not explored previously in their
discography.
In the chorus, we even hear them
addressing the ex-lover to stay away;
“I’m no longer your love. Erase it,
forget about me please, I don’t know
you, so don’t call me.”
Its accompanying music video
does a good job in supporting the
message of the tune. The styling of
the members is striking and the
choreography is entertaining.
Having said that, the album also
has an abudance of happiness and
romanticism to offer. With tracks like
Kiss Kiss and Attention, the band sings
of love in the trendy sounds of
synthpop.
Its chilling rhythm and smooth
transition will even be a reminisce to
the likes of current pop stars such as voices in the infectious upbeat tune With the current playlist, the Regardless, the album is indeed a
Lauv, HONNE and BTS. screams for it to be commercially narrative to the album feels a little great work of art. With its
This transition was definitely released as a single. incomplete and impersonal. contemporary killer tracks, it served
refreshing to hear as the genre really Nevertheless, I felt the album Therefore, the upbeat element to the well as a comeback album.
blended well with their voices. As a could have been more complete if album prevented it from having more The wait was definitely worth
matter of fact, their well immersed there were additional songs. emotional connection. it.

█ BY AZIZUL RAHMAN ISMAIL
N A yearning
OTHING makes the heart
yearn for home more than
travel. When Alena Murang
took the songs of the Dayak
Kelabit and Kenyah to foreign lands
around the world, her heart longed
for the dense jungle, the rushing
rapids, the longhouses, and the
people of her ancestral home along
the Baram River in Sarawak.
Alena usually performs alongside
her bandmates – co-writer Joshua
Maran who plays the guitar, Jonathan
Wong who is also on guitar, bassist
Herman Ramanado, and drummer
Jimmy Chong.
While abroad, performing songs
in the language of the indigenous
people of Sarawak, and strumming
on the sape’, a traditional musical
instrument, one song, in particular
reflected her feelings of being so far
away from home.
In the Kenyah language, an
endangered Austronesian language
spoken by the Kenyah people of
Sarawak and Kalimantan, Belian
Meno’ is a genre of wistful songs, and
Meno’ means the feeling of yearning,
thinking of something or someone
that is not there.
“In recent years I’ve been
travelling a lot, and I would always
sing this song on stage, thinking
about how much I missed
home at the time,” recalled
Alena.
She has performed
this song at festivals
like South by
Southwest (USA),
F ø r d e
T ra d i t i o na l
and World
M u s i c
Festival
(Norway),
and the
OzAsia Festival
(Australia).
Those
who have
heard the
song, she
explained,
find it peaceful
and emotional,
despite not
knowing the
meaning to the
words.
Like most of the
songs that she
performs, Alena
learned Meno’
from an elder.
“What makes
these songs
unique is that they
are passed from
singer to singer,
and each
performer would
make changes to it,”
she said.
She learned to
play her four-string Alena performing at the Colours of
sape’ from an elder as Ostrava Festival in 2019. – PHOTO
well. She learnt the COURTESY OF TOMAS PARKAN
craft little by little, over
Woody Allen slams documentary on abuse allegation
WOODY ALLEN (far right) and his
wife Soon-Yi Previn have attacked a
new HBO documentary that re-
examines a decades-old allegation
that the Oscar-winning filmmaker
molested his adopted daughter
Dylan Farrow, calling the television
series a “hatchet job.”
HBO debuted the first episode of
the four-part documentary series
Allen v. Farrow in February. The
series includes extensive interviews
with Allen’s former partner Mia
Farrow and with Dylan Farrow, who
repeated their accusation that Allen
sexually assaulted Dylan in 1992
when she was seven years old.
It also contains new material,
including interviews with people
CELEB SPEAK
for home
oAlena Murang talks about her efforts to take
Dayak Kelabit music worldwide
who knew the family.
Shortly after the first episode
aired, a spokesperson for Allen and
Previn issued a statement saying the
documentary makers “had no
interest in the truth.”
“Instead, they spent years
surreptitiously collaborating with the
Farrows and their enablers to put
together a hatchet job riddled with
falsehoods,” the statement said.
“As has been known for decades,
these allegations are categorically
false,” it added.
Allen, the four-time Oscar-
winning director of Annie Hall and
other comedies, has repeatedly
denied molesting Dylan Farrow. He
did not take part in the documentary.
many visits.
“There are more modern
iterations of the instruments with
more strings and more frets. As is, I
play the traditional sape’ which only
has notes in the pentatonic scale,”
said Alena.
Alena learned to appreciate
Kelabit traditions from her parents,
especially her father, who is himself
Kelabit. Her methods of research
however are not as academic as those
of her mother, who is an English-
Italian anthropologist.
She admits that her way takes
time, as do all methods of building
lasting relationships. She would also
ask the elders for permission before
making a song her own.
Recently, Alena
released Meno’ as
the
second
single in her
upcoming album, along
with a music video.
The music video
was edited by Sabah-
based Kelabit
filmmaker Candy Yik,
using video clips shot
along the roads and
rivers of the villages in
the interior of Sarawak
along the Ulu Baram river.
The album is a part of the
Roads To Our Heritage project, a
collaboration between Alena,
Estranged, and Stonebay, with the
support of the Communication and
Multimedia Ministry and funded
under the Ministry’s 2020 Digital
Content Fund for the creative
industry.
Roads To Our Heritage is made up
of three albums, with a documentary
series featuring the three acts as well
as Dr Nadia Widyawati Madzhi of
UiTM’s Music Faculty as a research
partner. The documentary series
will explore the stories and heritage
The filmmaker, 85, has long
asserted that Mia Farrow fabricated
the molestation claim against him
and planted them in Dylan’s mind
after learning that Allen was having
an affair with the actress’s then-22-
year-old adopted daughter Previn.
Allen has never been arrested or
prosecuted over the allegation of
sexual abuse, which was first made in
1993. It was investigated by state
police in Connecticut, where Mia
Farrow and her children lived.
The new statement from Allen
and Previn’s spokesperson said
“multiple agencies” had investigated
the allegation at the time “and found
that, whatever Dylan Farrow may
have been led to believe, absolutely
ENTERTAINMENT
theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021 3
Alena and her
trusty sape’. –
PHOTO
COURTESY OF
KENNY LOH
of the natives in Sabah and Sarawak music abroad, where she earned
over six episodes. accolades such as the recent Best
One of the exciting components of Styling Award at the Buenos Aires
the documentary series is that the Music Video Festival in Argentina for
artistes will be riding on Triumph her music video, Midang Midang.
Motorcycles, a partner of the project, Only then did more Malaysians take
as a part of their journey across East notice.
Malaysia. However, the second Last year, Alena and her cousin
nationwide movement control order Joshua launched Project Ranih, an
has slowed their progress. online platform to preserve Kelabit
Alena shared that one of the traditions, especially children’s folk
reasons it took her five years to songs. The project was made possible
release a second album was funding. thanks to partial funding from the
The Roads To Our Heritage project Foundation of Endangered
and support from the Dayak Cultural Languages, a Britain-based non-
Foundation was key to making her profit organisation, and donations.
efforts of preserving traditional music In addition to being a musician,
and delivering it to a contemporary Alena also paints. Between the two
audience a reality. arts, she said that painting is more
Alena started her professional personal to her as it is a solitary form
musical journey in 2015. Based on of expression.
advice, she immediately took her
no abuse had ever taken place.”
The statement also said it
was “sadly unsurprising that the
network to air this is HBO –
which has a standing production
deal and business relationship
with Ronan Farrow.” Ronan Farrow
is Dylan’s brother and has spoken in
support of his sister.
“While this shoddy piece may gain
attention, it does not change the
facts,” the statement said.
A spokesperson for HBO, a
unit of AT&T Inc, had no
i m m e d i a t e
comment on the
matter. –
Reuters
 FEATURE
4 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

Art of food photography

oDeborah Lee aims to be a storyteller through her captivating visuals
█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI “It’s my tribute to the beauty of that which is raw, instance, if you want to style a bowl of curry, then it is

P
and the nature of life as nature inspires me.” important to know how to highlight the main
HOTOGRAPHER Deborah Lee captures ingredients, colours and textures. Curry and soups are
fascinating visuals of food which she shares on Passion and props very tricky to style, compared to other food like baked
her Instagram account (@saveurmalaisie). Aside from nature, Lee, who began doing food goods.
photography during the first movement control order “Have you ever tried to make bean sprouts, fresh
However Lee is not just another food blogger who (MCO) in March last year, was inspired by 16th and herbs and garnishes stay fresh and ‘afloat’ on the top of
loves to take photos of fancy food. What makes her 17th-century paintings by artists such as Johannes the curry, without sinking to the bottom of the bowl? Or
images stand out is her focus on capturing a moment in Vermeer, who played with colour contrasts to present tried to make ice-cream stay frozen throughout a
the narrative. She focuses on the ambiance, raw food. photoshoot without melting? While trying to shoot it 50
ingredients, the preparation process and all those “I love to see how light falls on a pineapple, the times?” she asked.
behind the scenes moments that add depth to her texture on the different fruits. Nature is an art and Lee said a photographer needs to plan a shoot
images. nature gives us a lot to draw inspiration from,” said Lee. carefully, while food stylists will make it work by using
For instance in a recent photograph of Roti Jala, a She has even tried to capture food on fire, but failed. secret tips and tricks.
popular Malaysian dish, Lee played with the idea of However, she is determined to succeed one day. According to her, a photographer needs to know
Colour Theory, highlighting the contrast of the green Lee believes a food photographer must have which props work. A variety of props such as plates,
banana leaf with the blue tableware and yellow- knowledge about the different types of lenses, how the bowls, utensils, napkins, and linens are needed to
coloured Roti Jala, giving the image depth and texture. DLSR camera works, techniques of composition, complement the ‘hero’, which is the main dish, without
In most of her photographs Lee, a former fashion Colour Theory, natural and artificial light, food styling drawing too much attention away from the main
writer and deputy editor of a magazine, focuses on and post-production skills with computer software to subject in the photograph.
Colour Theory, using complementary and edit photographs. A good backdrop and the surface is also important.
monochromatic colour combinations. “ F o r In the future, Lee plans to start a website, film
cooking videos and blog about recipes, with her own
A story to share twist on popular dishes around the
“My objective is to showcase the beauty of Malaysian world.
food,” said Lee, who is currently a full-time commercial
food photographer.
“I believe in story-telling. I want to tell a story with
a human touch (element). To present an honest
photograph, rather than a studio-made or product
photography with no human involvement or no
emotions.
“I always add human elements. A pair of hands
holding a plate or chopsticks or [taking] a peek while
someone is cooking,” said Lee, who focuses on
Southeast Asian and East Asian cuisines and
beverages, including cocktails.
She has also taken photographs of herself
preparing food, including a recent shot of herself
preparing a traditional Chinese dish
“I was preparing Cantonese steamed chicken and I Lee in a
decided to take a photo of myself. The picture is special self-portrait.
because I used mirror-reflection. It’s like a peek into a
private moment in someone’s life while they are
preparing lunch or dinner.”
In each photograph, she hopes to convey the
emotions behind the food which has a special meaning
to her culture and heritage.

Beauty in the raw

Recently, Lee picked up a fresh octopus and took a very
dark but intriguing photograph. She styled the octopus
by presenting it raw, alongside fish, prawns and green
vegetables. She propped the octopus on top of a chair
and attached the tentacles to fishing lines.
“It’s a dark and moody photograph, but I played
with natural light,” Lee said. “I manipulated the light
to create the shadows and contrast. I controlled the
light by using a light reflector and black foam boards
and allowed a tiny shaft of light through the window,
with the dark back-drop.
“Then, I edited the light and colours with
computer software.

theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
From far left:
French chef credits
Lee took this self-
portrait with a timer.
femininity for her
She also cooks, bakes
and takes
photographs of her
five Michelin stars
food. IN a business still dominated
by men, French chef Helene
Lee’s photo of Roti Darroze credits a feminine,
Jala in which she “emotional” touch for her
utilises Colour Theory. unprecedented leap from
three to five Michelin stars
this year.
A raw octopus, along Darroze is already a
with fish, prawns and household name in France
green vegetables. thanks to her appearances
on Top Chef – famous
enough even to have a
Barbie doll in her image.
And when the latest
Michelin guide was
published last month, the
53-year-old became the first
woman to pick up two stars
at once: a third for her
London restaurant at The
Connaught hotel and a
second for Marsan in Paris.
That puts her in a tiny
club of just seven women
worldwide who run a three-
star kitchen.
She is adamant that her
womanhood is the reason
for her success: “Men and
women are not made in the
same way,“ she told AFP.
“And it shows on the plate.”
“A man primarily wants to
show off what he can do,
whereas a woman wants to
please. It is more about
emotion, to which technique
is added, rather than
technique with emotion
added later,“ she said.
Darroze is careful to
stress that she has “great
respect” for male chefs.
But her message to the
fast-growing generation of
female chefs is “Live your
passion as women... do not
try to be someone else.”
‘Don’t call me chef’
That attitude shows not only
in her cooking, but in her
approach to the workplace.
She says she has been
fortunate to be spared the
(left) A shot featuring misogyny suffered by many
hands as the human female counterparts in this
element. “male environment” and has
tried to avoid the abrasive,
military style of the typical
kitchen with its ranks and
barking orders.
“Problems aren’t solved
by yelling or throwing a
spoon,“ she says.
Not all her efforts at
creating an informal
atmosphere have worked,
however: “I never wanted to
be called ‘chef’, just Helene.
From left: But though I keep telling my
colleagues that you don’t
The details are in the earn respect with a title, a
presentation – A few still don’t call me by my
Babka Chocolate Kaya name.”
cake.
Darroze credits a
A photo of pumpkins ‘different’ approach
and mandarin for her success.
oranges. Lee used
fruits which she
bought for the Lunar
New Year.
Another shot
feauturing a hand,
striking a contrast
with a Bhindi Masala
dish on a banana leaf.
– ALL PICTURES
COURTESY OF
DEBORAH LEE
FEATURE
5
She now has more
Michelin stars than any
woman other than her
compatriot Anne-Sophie Pic
(who has eight) – an
achievement she still “can’t
quite believe.”
But because of the
pandemic, Darroze has not
even been able to travel to
Britain to celebrate with her
team at The Connaught, or
with her friend Clare Smyth
of London’s Core who also
became a three-star chef last
month.
Comfort
Darroze is the fourth
generation of her family to
go into the business, and her
restaurants are renowned for
the Basque flavours of her
home region in
southwestern France.
She almost didn’t follow
in the family footsteps,
opting for business school in
the 1980s (”It was the done
thing”), until famed chef
Alain Ducasse encouraged
her to launch herself into
haute cuisine at his Louis XV
restaurant of Monte Carlo.
Being a woman has
imposed some difficult
decisions throughout her
career, not least delaying
motherhood until the age of
40, when she adopted two
Vietnamese girls. By then,
she already had two
Michelin stars.
Recipes such as poached
lobster with tandoori butter,
and grouse with foie gras
and whiskey sauce, helped
win her the title of “Best
female chef in the world” in
2015 from Britain’s “50 Best
Restaurants”.
Even someone of
Darroze’s skill has not
escaped unsinged from the
ravages of the past year,
however: it has taken
government support and a
click-and-collect service at
her other Paris restaurant
Joia to stay afloat.
But overall she is
optimistic.
“When all this is over, we
will want a cuisine that
comforts us.” – ETX Studio
 HEALTH
6 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
█ BY ANANSA JACOB
G
IVEN the uncertainties caused
by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s
no wonder that many people
are feeling increased levels of
stress and anxiety, brought about by
worries regarding the illness, isolation
from family and friends, and even job
loss or a disruption in income.
In the 2021 Budget tabled last year,
the government announced it was
allocating RM325.5 million out of the
national health budget to address
mental health issues. While there is no
easy solution for those difficult feelings,
there are steps you can take – even while
stuck at home – to help relieve anxiety
and improve your mental well-being.
One proven coping mechanism is
journalling. There has been plenty of
evidence to show that recording our
thoughts and feelings on a regular basis
can help us identify and process negative
emotions, and ultimately alleviate
anxiety.
There are many ways to journal, and
few limitations on who can benefit. You
can add a journalling habit to your life
whether you journal daily, weekly, or on
an as-needed basis when stress gets to
be too intense. It’s also a good problem-
solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash
out a problem and come up with
solutions more easily on paper.
Journalling about traumatic events
helps one process them by fully
exploring and releasing the emotions
involved, and by engaging both
hemispheres of the brain in the process,
allowing the experience to become fully
integrated within one’s mind.
How to start
You can use any medium to record your
thoughts. You can choose from the most
beautiful blank books you can find, or a
more functional notebook, or even a
Word file on your computer.
Pick a time of a day to write, whether
you choose to do it daily, or on a less
frequent schedule. Start by journalling
for five to 15 minutes. Write about
whatever is on your mind or is bothering
you. Try to keep going until you feel you
have written what needs to be said but
haven’t delved into a mode of
rumination.
Describe the events that are currently
causing difficulties for you. Keep in mind
that with anxiety, sometimes it isn’t what
is currently happening that causes stress,
but the concerns you have about what
could happen.
As you write about what you are
concerned about might happen, think
critically, and try to argue with yourself.
Write anything that calls into question
whether or not your worry is truly a
How to take control of your mental health
ANXIETY, stress, depression, and
unhappiness are direct consequences of
the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been
going on worldwide for more than a year.
While health professionals continue to
sound the alarm about this public health
problem, consumers seem keen to take
their personal wellbeing in hand and find
ways to be kind to themselves in uncertain
times.
Self-love and self-acceptance – two
notions gaining traction in the media –
seem to be of particular concern to the
world’s population right now. According
to data published by Pinterest, searches
on the network for the questions “how
can I love myself?” and “how can I heal
myself?” have increased six- and four-
fold, respectively, in recent months. It
seems that people have decided to take
control of their mental health, tackling
these issues head-on to keep themselves
afloat during the crisis.
Amid the various lockdowns, curfews,
and periods of restricted movement,
people are searching for ways to learn
how to love themselves and to take care
of their emotional wellbeing. This has
been seen in an uptick of searches for
throughout the day as a way of coping
with the stress. This is also a great way to
expand on the positive and manage the
negative things that happen in your life,
increasing your positivity ratio, which is
an important aspect of stress
management.
Bullet journal: Some people simply
keep journals to track what they need to
do each day, goals they have, memories
they create, and other things they don’t
want to forget. Because writing things
down can help keep your mind
uncluttered and help you to remember
what’s important to you, this can relieve
stress as well.
If you truly cannot decide which
method would work best for you, there
are several pre-made journals you can
buy to start with. Some of them include
writing prompts. Others incorporate
dates.
Once you have gotten comfortable
with the idea of journalling, you may
want to decorate your journal with
stickers and washi tape, or even begin
doodling in it. Your journal is a place to
share your thoughts and be
Destress
creative, so feel free to express
yourself however you want.
Remember, you don’t
need to be an
accomplished writer or a
by journalling
literary genius to
benefit from writing
down your thoughts
and feelings. Your
journal is for you and
you alone, and keeping
this in mind can make
oThe simple act of jotting down your thoughts can help you feel impossibly
free to pour yourself
heal your mind and body onto the page.
Give it a
try.
concern. Keeping a
journal is a
Journalling strategies to try way to focus
For those who want a more targeted your mind
form of expression, here are several and express
practices you can try: your
Gratitude journal: List three or more thoughts
aspects of each day for which they are in a positive
grateful. This is a highly effective strategy and creative
for relieving stress because it helps you manner.
to focus on the resources you have in
your life already and create a more
positive mood at the moment, both of
which have been shown to build long-
term resilience. If you’re feeling down in
the future, you can cheer yourself up
with a few pages of reminders for the
things you have to appreciate in life.
Emotional release journal: You may
also write about your emotional
responses to events that have happened
positive ideas and inspiration for Mental health
boosting mental health. Pinterest has is a key issue
seen strong growth in searches for worldwide.
“mental health painting,” which have
doubled compared to last year, as well as
searches for “mental health journalling”,
which have increased tenfold.
Autosuggestion also seems to be
riding high, with users of the social
media site indirectly showing interest in
this technique for guiding thoughts,
feelings, and behaviour. In fact,
inspirational quotes are particularly
popular, with searches for “self-love
quotes” up seven times, and searches for
“self-acceptance quotes” up 80% on last
year.
“People have always come to
Pinterest to discover different ways to
practice mindfulness or meditation and
to find mental wellness inspiration.
Since last year, searches for ‘mental
health check in’ (12x), ‘healthy mindset Swasti Sarna. just some of the popular search topics. –
quotes’ (5x), and ‘accepting yourself ’ Back in September, the social network ETX Studio
(+40%) all continue to rise. It seems highlighted how users were looking for
people are finding stability within ways to take control of their emotional Note: The evolution of these trends is
themselves more as the outside wellbeing and happiness. Yoga, feng calculated by comparing normalised
world becomes less predictable,” shui, occupational therapy for kids, global searches in December 2019 to
explains Pinterest Insights Manager ASMR, food, and mindful eating were December 2020.
 BEAUTY
theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021 7

Dream big
oKim May Chee is the founder of the first blow dry
bar in Malaysia
█ BY JOHN TAN grow their companies. Having said that,

K
IM May Chee, more fondly
known as Kim among loved ones,
is an entrepreneur and a
businesswoman. More
specifically, she is the owner of COCOdry,
the first blow dry bar in the country that
aims to empower women to feel more
confident about themselves through salon
treatments.
Since establishing its footing last year,
COCOdry has gone on to serve and inspire
individuals from all across the country.
In this interview, she speaks about the
steps she took, hurdles she has faced and
lessons she learnt along the way while
The interior of building her very own company at the age
COCOdry in of 26.
Bangsar Baru. –
PHOTO Taking daring risks
COURTESY OF In the world of business, entrepreneurs are
COCODRY always encouraged to take risks in order to
there is an unspoken rule that every
entrepreneur lives by – that the pros to
every part of their business decisions must
always outweigh the cons. In Kim’s case
however, she had more to lose, considering
the limited experience she had in running
a business.
“I had so much that I had to figure out
along the way, such as raising funds,
getting the right partners, hiring the right
team and so much more! It was scary
particularly after realising that my next
paycheque is not guaranteed, and that I
may even lose all my savings,” said the
Penang native animatedly.
Nevertheless, Kim believed in her
vision, and refused to back down despite
the many doubts she faced from clients
and sponsors alike. After a year of research
in the field, Kim flew to the United
Kingdom to speak with three blow dry bar
owners to understand their success. More
Prior to founding COCOdry, Kim was working in an advertising agency. – PHOTO COURTESY
OF COCODRY
specifically, to understand how she could
emulate their working principles into an
Asian community like Malaysia.
“After a year of research, I found that
there was a gap in the Malaysian market. In
fact, there were many issues faced by
customers while visiting regular salons.”
Hence, this gave Kim an opportunity to
explore and embark into an uncharted
area in the Malaysian beauty industry.
“I wanted to start a business that
resonates with the values that I believe in –
women empowerment, community
building and sustainability. Sometimes, it’s
the smallest change that will bring upon
big impact. Being able to impart those
values by creating a new category in the
Malaysian beauty industry is quite
rewarding.”
Adapting to uncertain circumstances
Like any other company in the past year,
COCOdry was faced with the harsh
circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The outbreak caused a huge decline in the
company’s sales and revenue. Instead of
wallowing in despair, Kim saw this as an
opportunity for growth.
“Our team focused on improving our
online presence by sharing content that
matters to our customers. We posted
countless videos, ranging from seasonal
messages to hair tutorials. Simple yet
important short clips that could spread
positivity and joy. We also went on to
launch our COCOdry e-Commerce in early
April, selling natural hair products and
treatment. The response was great.”
Before she knew it, the pandemic
accelerated both the company’s digital
transformation growth and cash flow.

Inspiring women
When asked about her future aspirations,
Kim shared her hopes to serve and inspire
customers from international shores. As
for herself, she aims to continue building
her business empire in hopes that it will
inspire other women to achieve their
dreams.
Kim encourages aspiring entrepreneurs
to follow their gut and surround
themselves with supportive company.
“Just do it and figure it out along the
way. You don’t need to have the answers to
everything. Take a risk – it can really pay off
and open doors. Most importantly, talk to
people, validate your ideas, surround
yourself with people who are supportive
and who believe in you!”

Glow from within

█ BY JASON LIM hydrated. What would be the best doesn’t rub off on a face
The signature of the line – the Perfecting method of application? mask?
FOLLOWING Sulwhasoo’s globally Foundation offers full coverage that lasts I would recommend using To ensure the foundation
sought-after Perfecting Cushion EX which up to 12 hours long without oxidising. And a foundation brush to stays in place even better,
needs little introduction, the Korean luxury despite its fluid texture, it gives off a semi- apply. However, you may after applying the foundation
The Sulwhasoo beauty brand has just expanded its matte finishing and covers up skin also use a beauty sponge with a brush, clean the brush
Perfecting Perfecting Makeup line with the all-new imperfections and uneven skin tone. or even your fingers to with a tissue and then pat in
Powder comes Perfecting Foundation and Perfecting The Perfecting Powder on the other apply, as each method of the foundation one more time
in three shades. Powder makeup base. hand is a powder compact formulated with applications can result in a so that it adheres onto the
– COURTESY OF A virtual launch was held via ZOOM squalene – a plant base moisturiser that different finishing. skin even better. Next, apply
SULWHASOO and joined by Amorepacific global makeup helps to retain skin moisture while Applying with a beauty the Perfecting Powder to seal
MALAYSIA artist from Korea, Jane Kieun Park who smoothing out the skin’s fine lines without sponge is effective for Park also shared several tips and coat your skin for an
demonstrated the efficacies of the two new the cakey effect. concealing acne patches for better application of the added layer of protection.
additions as guest attendees tuned in and dark eye circles. Using products for the benefit of
to watch. What was the inspiration behind the full your fingers would help guest attendees. On what occasion would you
The Perfecting coverage Perfecting Foundation? adhere the foundation choose the Perfecting
Makeup line Currently, there are two foundation trends onto your skin better due to the warmth Foundation over the Perfecting
inspired by hanji in Korea – the first is all about achieving generated from your fingers. Cushion?
(paper mulberry) that subtle, luxurious and glossy look with The Perfecting Foundation is great for long
takes pride in its light and natural coverage, and the second How will the Perfecting Foundation fare hour wear. It also adheres onto the skin
breathability. It is the perfect and sophisticated semi-matte in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate? really well and won’t easily transfer, which
combines air- look. It is suitable for hot and humid climates is perfect if you’re working indoors in the
permeable The Sulwhasoo Perfecting Foundation and will last up to 12 hours. It also has a office or even if you’re outdoors.
formula that falls under the latter trend. Its formula semi-matte finish, which is perfect to use The Perfecting Cushion’s compact size
doesn’t clog the prevents dryness of the skin which is often and typically performs better even in is convenient and great as an on-the-go
pores and skincare the case with full coverage foundations. It tropical climates like Malaysia. makeup for touch-ups as well. Its
ingredients for more has fine nano moisturising particles to lightweight formula offers full coverage
comfortable wear throughout the keep the skin moist and comfortable What can we do to ensure that the and a flawless, natural and radiant
day while keeping the skin nourished and without feeling tight. Perfecting Foundation stays put and finishing too.
 MEDIA & MARKETING
8 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

Take a Workplace surveillance

break and oPrivacy faces risks in
dream tech-infused post-Covid
workplace
away
P
CELEBRATE new beginnings with EOPLE returning to work following
the arrival of the the long pandemic will find an array
dreamiest and of tech-infused gadgetry to improve
creamiest workplace safety but which could
beverage lineup pose risks for long-term personal and
to arrive in medical privacy.
Starbucks Temperature checks, distance monitors,
Malaysia. digital “passports”, wellness surveys and
Launching in all robotic cleaning and disinfection systems are
stores this Spring being deployed in many workplaces seeking
is the Starbucks to reopen.
Caramel Cloud Tech giants and startups are offering
Macchiato, the solutions which include computer vision
latest innovation detection of vital signs to wearables which
from the same can offer early indications of the onset of
team that Covid-19 and apps that keep track of health
introduced the metrics. A report last year by the consumer activist group Public Citizen identified at least 50 apps and
signature Caramel Salesforce and IBM have partnered on a technologies released during the pandemic marketed as workplace surveillance tools to combat
Macchiato, which “digital health pass” to let people share their Covid-19.
first debuted in the vaccination and health status on their
Starbucks menu in smartphone. A report last year by the consumer activist monetisable purposes which poses a risk to
1996. The Cloud Clear, a tech startup known for airport group Public Citizen identified at least 50 privacy.”
Macchiato is also screening, has created its own health pass apps and technologies released during the The global health crisis has inspired
joined by the Salted which is being used by organisations such as pandemic “marketed as workplace startups to seek innovative ways to limit virus
Caramel Cloud Macchiato, Salted the National Hockey League and MGM surveillance tools to combat Covid-19”. transmission, with some of those products
Caramel Cold Brew and Resorts. The report said some systems go so far as shown at the 2021 Consumer Electronics
Salted Caramel Fitbit, the wearable tech maker recently identifying people who may not spend Show.
Nitro Cold Brew. acquired by Google, has its own “Ready for enough time in front of a sink to note Taiwan-based FaceHeart demonstrated
These silky and Work” programme that includes daily check- inadequate hand-washing. software which can be installed in cameras
exhilarating treats ins using data from its devices. “The invasion of privacy that workers face for contactless measurement of vital signs to
are the perfect Fitbit is equipping some 1,000 NASA is alarming, especially considering that the screen for shortness of breath, high fever,
beverages to bring employees with wearables as part of a pilot effectiveness of these technologies in dehydration, elevated heart rate and other
your own positivity program which requires a daily log-in using mitigating the spread of Covid-19 has not yet symptoms which are early indicators of
to the season – every various health metrics which will be tracked been established,” the report said. Covid-19.
sip reminding you to by the space agency. The group said there should be clear rules Drone maker Draganfly showcased
free your mind and Microsoft and insurance giant United on collection and storage of data, with better camera technology which can be used to
fill it with new HealthCare have deployed a ProtectWell app disclosure to employees. offer alerts on social distancing, and also
possibilities and which includes a daily symptom screener, detect changes in vital signs which may be
ideas. and Amazon has deployed a “distance A delicate balance early indicators of Covid-19 infection.
assistant” in its warehouses to help Employers face a delicate balance as they try A robot from Misty Robotics, also shown at
employees maintain safe distances. to ensure workplace safety without intruding CES, can be adapted as a health check
And a large coalition of technology firms on privacy, said Forrest Briscoe, professor of monitor and can be designed to disinfect
and health organisations are working on a management and organisation at Penn State frequently used surfaces, says the company.
digital vaccination certificate, which can be University. But there are risks in relying too much on
used on smartphones to show evidence of Briscoe said there are legitimate reasons technologies which may be unproven or
inoculation for Covid-19. and precedents for requiring proof of inaccurate, such as trying to detect fevers
The new vaccination. But these sometimes conflict with thermal cameras among moving people,
Cloud ‘Blurs the lines’ with medical privacy regulations which limit said Jay Stanley, a privacy researcher and
Macchiato With these systems, employees may face a company’s access to employee health data. analyst with the American Civil Liberties
Series from screenings even as they enter a building “You don’t want the employer accessing Union.
Starbucks. lobby, and monitoring in elevators, hallways that information for work-related decisions,” “Employers have a legitimate interest in
and throughout the workplace. Briscoe said. safeguarding workplaces and keeping
The monitoring “blurs the line between Biscoe said many employers are relying on employees healthy in the context of the
people’s workplace and personal lives”, said third-party tech vendors to handle the pandemic,” Stanley said.
Darrell West, a Brookings Institution vice monitoring, but that has its risks as well. “But what I would worry about is
president with the think tank’s Center for “Using third-party vendors will keep the employers using the pandemic to pluck and
Technology Innovation. data separate,” he said. store information in a systematic way beyond
“It erodes longstanding medical privacy “But for some companies their business what is necessary to protect health.” – ETX
protections for many different workers.” model involves gathering data and using it for Studio
 9
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

* SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Jamari Mohtar and Sofea Azahar

Matching grants can boost EPF funds

D
ESPITE 2020 being a bad year
in terms of the pandemic and
economic downturn, the
Employees Provident Fund
(EPF), a retirement savings fund
responsible for ensuring members’
retirement wellbeing, has been able to
declare a dividend of 5.2% for
conventional savings and 4.9% for
syariah savings for 2020, with a total
payout of RM47.64 billion.
And this could be the main reason
why it had earlier announced its
readiness to allow an unconditional
withdrawal of EPF funds for those who
are mostly affected by the economic
downturn brought about by the
pandemic.
The reason why the retirement fund
is able to dole out a respectable dividend
is because its investments overseas and
This is indeed a piece of good news
for the people as it means they would
likely receive fairly attractive returns
despite withdrawals from their EPF
accounts.
On Feb 18, EPF said members below
the age of 55 who have applied for the i-
Sinar withdrawal facility will be given
approval beginning March 8, which
includes new applications received
thereafter, subject to the available
balance in their Account 1.
Those who have RM100,000 and
below in Account 1 can withdraw up to
RM10,000, and the payments will be
staggered over a period of six months
with the first payment of up to RM5,000.
Those with RM100,000 in Account 1 can
withdraw up to 10% of their Account 1,
subject to a maximum amount of
RM60,000.
empathy is still alive and kicking in
government agencies during this
unprecedented time of the third wave of
the pandemic.
But as cautioned by Emir Research in
an article “Be vigilant of an
unconditional i-Sinar withdrawal”, the
government needs to be careful on this
unconditional withdrawal because the
primary aim of the EPF is to ensure
savings for the rakyat during their
“It is indeed a retirement.
According to estimates by the
sign the Department of Statistics, Malaysians are
expected to live longer, with a life
economics of expectancy of 75 years. Although this
longevity of life should not be
empathy is still generalised, one must prepare for old
age with sufficient amount of savings.
alive and So, this unconditional withdrawal of
EPF funds should not be allowed
going, or have gone into the informal
sector. Although informal sector workers
have been encouraged to voluntarily
contribute for their retirement savings
through EPF’s i-Saraan scheme, it
appears that the number of people
contributing is not very encouraging.
For instance, it has been reported that
there are less than 10% of 2.7 million
self-employed individuals who
contribute to the scheme and only 18%
of these 10% contribute consistently.
Therefore, the revised i-Sinar scheme
for informal sector workers would likely
put their unstable savings at risk given
their unstable/uncertain source of
income or would not even benefit some
if they don’t contribute to the federal
statutory body.
Perhaps one measure to consider in
efforts to encourage more savings in EPF

on fixed income instruments in 2020 had
produced good returns.
With some 14 million contributors,
the fund has achieved a net investment
income of RM37.83 million for the first
nine months of 2020, with its fixed
income portfolio recording an income of
more than RM22 billion for the same
period.
EPF’s fixed income instruments
comprise largely government debt
papers and highly rated corporate
papers, which are actively traded with
only a small portion held to maturity.
With a low interest rate regime
expected throughout the pandemic, its
fixed income portfolio is sitting on good
profits as bond prices rise when interest
rates fall.
In 2019, EPF disbursed 5.45%
dividend to its conventional account
holders and 5% for syariah account
holders. Although a 5.2% dividend for
2020 would be lower compared with the
preceding year, it is remarkable
considering the volatile equities market.
Many have welcomed the move as
timely because of the hardship faced by
the people during the second movement
control order (MCO 2.0) along with the
rise in unemployment in the last quarter
of 2020.
This revision will help increase
people’s disposable incomes, which will
be necessary for many to make ends
meet. Additionally, this will augur well
for the economy by increasing private
consumption expenditures,
consumption is an important driver of
as
growth, and hopefully will prop up the
gross domestic product (GDP) of the
country.
As reported by a local daily, one EPF
member, who goes by the name Rashid
Ramli, said he welcomed this move
because of his struggles to pay for his
wife’s dialysis treatments and to support
his children.
Some have reportedly said they need
to use their EPF savings to repay their
loans and to meet other commitments.
It is indeed a sign the economics of
kicking in
indefinitely.
Perhaps for a period of three months,
after which an extension of this scheme
government could be allowed only if the economy
remains sluggish and the performance
agencies of the fund for the first quarter of this
year remains good.
during this Most importantly, there is a need to
be aware and mindful that a portion of
unprecedented these funds are allocated for investments
to ensure good dividends for
time of the contributing members, which will
increase their nest egg for retirement.
third wave of But due to this expanded coverage for
withdrawals, the amount of funds will be
the pandemic. less, thus resulting in likely lower
dividends for this year.
The other concern over this relaxed i-
Sinar withdrawal is the poor social safety
net of informal sector workers. Statistics
in 2019 showed that employment in the
informal sector made up 8.3% of the
total employment in Malaysia (1.26
million).
Anecdotally, since the pandemic, it
can be observed that more people are
by informal sector workers is through a
ringgit-to-ringgit matching contribution,
as has been done in Singapore.
Under the Matched Retirement
Savings Scheme in Singapore, the
government will match every dollar of
cash top-up made to the retirement
account of Central Provident Fund
Board members of up to S$600
(RM1,832) annually.
Or, perhaps because Malaysian
society on the whole observes filial piety,
this kind of matching grant could be
given to parents whose children top-up
their parents’ EPF savings or vice versa.
The extra matching of monies would
mean EPF will have more funds to invest
further, despite the withdrawals.
Jamari Mohtar and Sofea Azahar are
part of the research team at EMIR
Research, an independent think tank
focused on strategic policy
recommendations based on rigorous
research.
Comments:letters@thesundaily.com

LETTERS
Bad diet not due to ignorance but poverty letters@thesundaily.com

█ BY IAN HAMILTON dispelled by evidence.

MANY of us are guilty of knowing what
we need to do to be healthy but failing
to do it, including eating a balanced
diet.
This is not a choice all of us enjoy,
however. Healthier foods, including
fruit and vegetables, can cost more
than less nutritious options, which
often go further and last longer. It
means that accessing healthy meals
can be a challenge for low-income
households.
As if this was not bad enough, a
troubling narrative has taken hold in
recent years, suggesting that all we
have to do is “educate” the poor about
their ill-informed diet. Once they see
the error of their ways, the argument
goes, they will make the right choices.
New research challenges this myth of
“ignorance” among poorer
households. It makes clear that these
families have the knowledge about
good quality food and nutrition, but
lack the resources to purchase it.
The research, based on more than 600
participants, concludes that “lower
income households and those living
with food insecurity struggle to afford
a level of fruit and vegetable
consumption that approaches public
health guidance for maintaining a
healthy diet, despite high awareness of
the constituents of a healthy diet”.
So there you have it: these families
are aware of the problems that access
and affordability of highly processed
foods have on their health – yet
another commonly held myth
If you live in a neighbourhood
where fast-food outlets dominate
provision stores and greengrocers or
where fresh food markets are rare, this
kind of “healthy food desert” has a
significant influence on your diet.
The same goes for major
supermarket stores, which usually
offer a better choice of products than
local shops. Unfortunately, they are
often found on the perimeter of towns
and cities, requiring a car to get to.
People in poverty have little choice
over where they live and are
subsequently blocked from accessing
healthy food choices simply because
of their postcode.
Yet the toll of an unhealthy diet is
profound. One in 10 deaths in the
United Kingdom are attributed to an
inadequate diet, and the problem is
estimated to cost the National Health
Service (NHS) £6 billion (RM34
billion) annually.
Poverty is not new, but the
acceleration in numbers of those
living in it is. The government has not
only done little to address the root
causes of food insecurity but also
denied that it is a growing problem.
This, despite the expansion of food
banks and the need for footballer
Marcus Rashford to take the lead on
trying to provide for those who are
routinely skipping meals.
Before the pandemic, 13% of
people in the UK experienced food
insecurity. This proportion has
increased over the last year. It rose to
16% of adults – equivalent to about 7.8
million people – by the summer of
2020, when more people reported
Quick police action praised
skipping meals or reducing the POLICE have to be lauded neighbourhood told me
amount they eat because of a lack of for quickly arresting the that she was still working as
money or food. suspects seen in a recent she needed the money to
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 viral video where a Proton sustain herself as her son
pandemic has amplified inequality, Waja car was shown was a drug addict, who left
including nutritional inequality. As blatantly ramming and her to fend for herself.
unemployment continues to rise and reversing into other cars at Her case, while
disposable income drops, this type of a traffic light in Sungai disheartening, is a
inequality will be experienced by Buloh. reflection of the ugly truth
increasing numbers, some for the first The action by the police of drug addiction. My
time. Indeed, food banks have seen has not only saved more advise is simple. Do not get
significant growth, driven by political people from becoming yourself involved in illegal
inaction and denial. victims of the reckless narcotics and drugs. It is a
Food is a basic requirement for driving by the Waja driver, disease to which far too
survival, but in 21st-century Britain but also led to the seizure many individuals have
we have to be more ambitious than of 1.7gm of heroin in the fallen victims.
simply surviving. vehicle with the help of dog Some may kick the habit
The right food is critical for health, and forensics units. and turn over a new leaf,
education and wellbeing. While our Any amount of this while others pay for their
government continues to drag its feet illegal substance kept away mistakes with their lives.
over extending the modest £20-a- from society is a step in the Pause and reflect.
week (RM113) uplift for those on right direction in the Whatever enjoyment
universal credit, it does not seem to nation’s battle against illicit derived from the abuse of
have the appetite to improve the narcotics and drugs. drugs is only temporary, but
chances of those with the least to be I would like to share a the damage done goes
able to eat healthily. personal experience which beyond the individual as it
We know they have the ability to happened about a decade affects family members and
spend billions on agreeing to private ago. An old, frail and society as a whole.
sector contracts for services that have hunched woman was Countless reminders
sometimes proved to be poor value for manning a tender coconut against drug abuse have
money. water stall in Kuala Lumpur. been ongoing for years and
So, if the humane argument does Despite her advanced it is regrettable that much
not win political hearts and minds, the age and pitiful state, she of these have fallen on deaf
economic one should. By ensuring was seen working hard to ears and blind eyes.
everyone has access to a nutritious cut open coconuts to meet Do the right thing. Don’t
diet, the government could yield orders, and she always get involved.
substantial savings for the NHS, since refused to accept more
health and diet are so closely than the advertised price. Yeap Ming Liong
entwined. – The Independent People from the Subang Jaya
 SunBIZ
MONDAY
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 1, 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
39.1 Institutions 2669.1 2801.6 -132.5 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com
35.6 Retail 2602.3 2389.7 212.6
25.3 Foreign 1733.6 1813.7 -80.1
3.79 24.50 1,093.96 75.97 1,202.26 498.38 86.74 160.76
100.0 7005.0 7005.0 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 1,577.75 2,949.04 28,980.21 3,509.08 28,966.01 15,953.80 3,012.95 6,673.27

INDICES
KL MARKET SUMMARY
February 26, 2021

CHANGE
Earnings recovery
momentum continues
FBMEMAS 11,614.10 -61.68
FBMKLCI 1,577.75 -3.79
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 622.21 +3.12
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 185.34 -2.23
CONSTRUCTION 170.55 -1.83
FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,002.30 +16.55
ENERGY 931.89 -6.25
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 699.68 -3.16 █ BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI
HEALTH CARE 3,191.67 -32.42 sunbiz@thesundaily.com oLatest round of quarterly corporate results seen as
TRANSPORTATION
PROPERTY
780.67
695.99
-8.20
-3.90 PETALING JAYA: Analysts have opined that commendable, vaccine rollout bodes well for equity market
PLANTATION 7,177.13 -35.90 the latest batch of quarterly corporate
FBMSHA 12,979.10 -102.50 earnings are commendable despite rising
FBMACE 10,873.50 -89.68 Covid-19 infections that led to a benefit from the lifting of restrictions such announced their financials.
TECHNOLOGY 88.87 -1.99 reimposition of movement restrictions, as banking and even gaming counters. About 38% of the results exceeded
which were mitigated by a strong Inter-Pacific Securities head of research expectations, 17% disappointed and the
TURNOVER VALUE performance on the trade front. Victor Wan holds a similar view, pointing remaining 45% fell within expectations, he
9.816 BIL RM7.004 BIL JF Apex head of research Lee Chung out that countries which embarked on a added.
Cheng views the latest round of corporate vaccine rollout earlier have started to see For comparison, Kifni pointed out that
results as above market expectations. brighter prospects, indicating an earlier- the quarter saw the highest percentage of
5 MOSTFebruary
ACTIVES 26, 2021
“There had been some signs of recovery
in third quarter earnings, and fourth quarter
than-expected recovery.
On the domestic front, he said this
outperformers in the past five was 22%.
“Hence the 4Q’20 results season can
earnings demonstrated that the recovery catalyst is contingent upon the thus far be categorised as very
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) momentum is moving forward,” he told government’s vaccination programme, encouraging,” he said.
DNEX-WD 779,023,500 37.5 +2.5 SunBiz. which is projected to be completed around Going forward, he opined that the
DNEX 322,028,400 72 +0.5 Nonetheless, Lee noted that there were the end of this year. gradual strengthening of the ringgit, as well
XOX 287,757,600 9 UNCH not many surprises for the quarter, as the “However, things definitely look rosier,” as the firming of commodity prices,
GFM-WC 234,426,800 7.5 +3.5 strong performance of certain sectors such he said. particularly crude oil and crude palm oil
SIGN-WA 181,057,800 10 +3 as gloves and technology were within his As for the latest round of corporate price, will attract funds to the local equity
expectations. earnings, Wan views it as a mixed bag of market and underpin recovery in the
On the flip side, he said the weak results and the expected outperformance of primary sector of the economy to the direct
5 TOP February
GAINERS 26, 2021
performance of certain sectors, such as
tourism, was unavoidable due to the
glove players indicated that it is still about
recovery play for local counters.
benefit of commodity-related companies,
respectively.
movement restrictions. He noted that the forecast-beating On crude palm oil, Lee and Wan opined
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM “Moving ahead, the Covid-19 vaccine performance of the tech sector – driven by that favourable prices commanded by the
NESTLE 229,700 137.90 1.90 rollout would be the biggest driver for unexpectedly strong demand for electric & commodity is likely to continue for the first
F&N 146,900 31.26 1.28 equities in the coming quarters as investors electronic products – was a surprise this half of the year but are expected to taper
HLFG 501,600 16.96 0.76 shift from recovery play to reopening play,” quarter. down in the second half of the year.
PETDAG 1,348,200 20.00 0.60 he said. MIDF Research head of strategy Syed “An expectation of a bumper harvest in
HAPSENG 1,652,400 8.51 0.59 The shift to a reopening play, Lee Muhammed Kifni Syed Kamaruddin said the second half of 2021 could translate into
elaborated, could translate into investor only six out of 10 of the companies under depressed prices for the sector,” according
interest for sectors that would stand to the research house’s coverage have to Wan.
5 TOPFebruary
LOSERS 26, 2021
STOCK
FANG-2XL
VOL
13,700
CLSG (RM)
13.68
RM
1.06
China’s factory activity expanson slows in February
MPI 544,900 37.00 1.00
KESM 112,000 15.10 0.80 BEIJING: China’s factory activity expanded
HSI-CBY 13,000 1.05 0.65 in February at a slower pace than a month
AJI 91,700 15.36 0.44 earlier, hitting the lowest level since last May
and missing market expectations after brief
Covid-19-related disruptions earlier in the
EXCHANGE RATES FEBRUARY 26, 2021 year.
The official manufacturing Purchasing
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy Manager’s Index (PMI) fell to 50.6 from 51.3
TT/OD TT OD in January, data from the National Bureau of
1 US DOLLAR 4.1080 3.9820 3.9720 Statistics (NBS) showed yesterday,
remaining above the 50-point mark that
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.2470 3.1190 3.1030 separates growth from contraction.
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1030 3.0110 3.0030 Analysts had expected it to decline to
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2580 3.1710 3.1590 51.1.
1 EURO 5.0150 4.8520 4.8320 Chinese factory activity normally goes
dormant during the Lunar New Year break
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 3.0340 2.9210 2.9050 as workers return to their home towns. This
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.1030 3.0110 3.0030 year, the government appealed to workers
1 STERLING POUND 5.7630 5.5800 5.5600 to remain local to curb the spread of Covid-
1 SWISS FRANC 4.5360 4.4310 4.4160 19.
Generally, China’s economic recovery
100 UAE DIRHAM 113.5900 107.6800 107.4800 has been gathering pace due to robust
100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.9440 4.6410 4.4410 exports, pent-up demand and government Chinese factory activity normally goes dormant during the Lunar New Year break as workers
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 63.6000 61.1000 N/A stimulus. return to their home towns but this year, the government appealed to workers to remain local
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 53.7400 51.0600 50.8600 The official PMI, which largely focuses to curb the spread of Covid-19.. – REUTERSPIX
on big and state-owned firms, showed the
100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7600 5.4100 5.2100
sub-index for new export orders was 48.8 in official PMI stood at 48.1 in February, down last year. This year, the government may
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0299 0.0270 0.0220 February compared with 50.2 in January, from January’s 48.4 as firms laid off more avoid setting a growth target for fear of
100 JAPANESE YEN 3.8860 3.7640 3.7540 slipping back into contraction after months workers and at a faster pace. provincial economies feeling pressured to
100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.9000 N/A N/A boosted by overseas demand. Still, some manufacturing sector firms take on more debt, policy sources
A sub-index for activity among small are seeing increasing pressure from rising previously told Reuters.
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.6500 2.4800 2.2800
firms stood at 48.3 in February versus 49.4 a labour costs and a shortage of workers, said China will reinforce policy support for
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.5500 8.0500 7.8500 month earlier. Smaller firms were more Zhao. foreign trade and ensure the smooth
100 QATAR RIYAL 114.4800 108.6800 108.4800 affected by the seasonal effects of the Lunar China’s factory gate prices rose on year in operation of supply chains, its new
100 SAUDI RIYAL 111.1400 105.5100 105.3100 New Year, said Zhao Qinghe, an official with January for the first time in a year, as months commerce minister said earlier this week.
the NBS in comments released with the of strong manufacturing growth pushed raw In the services sector, activity expanded
100 THAI BAHT 14.2200 12.6100 12.2100
data. material costs higher. for the 11th consecutive month but at the
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama A sub-index for employment in the China eked out 2.3% economic growth slowest pace in a year. – Reuters
 11
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

* SUNBIZ

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Covid-19 – no vaccine, no job?

WITH the first phase of the National Covid-19
Immunisation Programme moving forward as
scheduled, and the reopening of various
economic sectors subject to strict standard
operating procedures, corporations will now
have to consider, especially from an
employment law perspective, whether their
employees must get the Covid-19 vaccine before
they are allowed to return to the workplace. In
essence, this consideration stems from the
absence of any legislation compelling employers
to ensure their employees are vaccinated.
The duty to provide a safe system of work vs
the employee autonomy
The duty to provide a safe system of work is
codified under section 1(1) of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 1994 (OSHA 1994) which
imposes a duty on employers to ensure the
safety, health and welfare of their employees.
Consequently, employers must now
contemplate the importance of introducing
policies and tackling the issue of whether they
will compel their employees to be vaccinated.
Alternatively, employers may need to consider
whether it would suffice to only compel
employees within a certain category or job
description to get vaccinated.
It is imperative when evaluating this, that
employers should ensure it is not a one-sided
decision and to take into account their
employees’ feedback on this matter. This is
particularly important as not every employee
will react positively to the idea of vaccination
(even if funded by their employers) following
concerns about adverse medical reactions to the
Covid-19 vaccine.
Would an employer be able to justify
compulsory vaccination?
At a press conference in January, Science,
Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy
Jamaluddin stressed that the government has no
plans to make the Covid-19 vaccine compulsory.
Therefore, while employers are generally not
encouraged to compel their employees to get
vaccinated, there may be justifiable exceptional
circumstances requiring compulsory vaccinations.
Healthcare workers or frontliners who are at
higher risk may fall within the category of
employees requiring compulsory vaccination,
given their daily exposure to Covid-19 patients.
By doing this, it may not only provide a safety net
for the frontliners themselves, but also for
patients who receive treatment at the hospitals.
The ease of transmission of the Covid-19
virus between healthcare workers and their
patients can be seen in the two clusters
identified in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah,
Klang – the Batu Sembilan Cluster and the
WARRANTS WATCH
Employers must be mindful of the various legal considerations and repercussions when it comes to
formulating employee-centred policies relating to the Covid-19 vaccine. – REUTERSPIX
Yayasan Cluster, which affected 62 medical staff
and 81 patients.
Another category of employees most likely to
be compelled to be vaccinated before they are
allowed to commence work would be the foreign
employees and expatriates from high-risk
countries.
What if an employee refuses to be vaccinated?
The refusal to be vaccinated is unlikely to
amount to just cause for termination. One may
argue that the cause for termination is
intertwined with the nature of employment;
however, termination on such grounds would
arguably be seen as an extreme measure, given
that countries like Australia, Singapore and the
US are not making the Covid-19 vaccination
compulsory.
In January, the case of an in-home care
worker in Australia who lost her job after
refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine (as
compelled by her employer’s vaccination policy)
was heard before the Australian Fair Work
Commission. The employee argued that the
requirement was unreasonable given the
anaphylactic reaction she previously had to a flu
shot she received as a child. In considering the
reason for her refusal, the Commission ruled
that the care worker had a basis to argue that she
had been unfairly dismissed by her employer.
While this is an Australian decision by the
Commission, it could set the tone on how courts
may treat cases where employees who refuse to
be vaccinated are dismissed. In light of this,
while employees in the healthcare industry are
more likely to be compelled to receive
vaccination as a condition of employment, there
could be exceptions to this rule, especially when
it comes to employees who may be likely to
exhibit adverse reactions to the Covid-19
vaccine.
Ultimately, the duty would remain with the
employer to mitigate the risk of potential
transmission of the Covid-19 virus at the
workplace despite the vaccine.
Conclusion
With the Covid-19 virus disrupting our lives and
businesses at unprecedented levels, the
development of Covid-19 vaccines has been
positively received by many, in the hope of being
able to return to our pre-pandemic lives.
However, the emergence of Covid-19
vaccines comes with its own set of legal and
other challenges, especially from the
employment law perspective. Therefore,
employers ought to be mindful of the various
legal considerations and repercussions when it
comes to formulating employee-centred policies
relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Given the likelihood of various novel legal
issues arising following the rollout of the Covid-
19 vaccines, employers should consider the legal
position carefully, and seek legal advice before
formulating these policies.
This article was contributed by Michelle Lim
from Christopher & Lee Ong.
AMMB in RM2.83b
settlement with
finance ministry on
1MDB transactions
PETALING JAYA: AMMB Holdings
Bhd has reached a global settlement
of RM2.83 billion with the Finance
Ministry (MOF), following the review
by the relevant authorities of
historical transactions by 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) and its
related entities.
“The group has since
strengthened and enhanced its
processes to meet the current
stringent regulatory standards. To
this end, the AMMB Group has
decided to resolve these historical
matters to allow the group to focus
fully on its business.
“In this respect, the AMMB
Group has to date reached an
agreement with MOF for a sum of
RM2.83 billion to be paid towards
the full and final settlement in
relation to all these historical
matters,” it said in a statement on
Friday.
As a result of the settlement, the
group said, a material impact on its
financial results for the period
ending March 31, 2021 is expected,
as a provision for the sum of RM2.83
billion will be reflected in its fourth
quarter earnings.
Consequently, the group will not
be proposing any final dividends for
the year ending March 31.
“The group remains financially
resilient and has sufficient financial
resources to absorb this settlement
without having to raise additional
equity capital.”
As of Dec 31, 2020 the proforma
impact to Core Equity Tier 1 and
Total Capital Ratio is estimated to be
reduced from 13.52% to 11.01%;
and 16.39% to 13.88%, respectively
after the proposed provision for the
global settlement.
AMMB stressed that as part of
the global settlement it will
continue, as it has for the past five
years, to strengthen its
fundamentals, particularly in terms
of corporate governance, by
continuing to improve its systems
and processes to strengthen due
diligence.

Heightened volatility in markets, HSI’s bullish run ends

FOLLOWING the largely bullish
start to 2021, the Hang Seng Index
(HSI) lost its bullish momentum
last week as it tumbled from a 32-
month high of 31,084.94 on Feb 17
to close at 28,980.21 for the month,
5.4% lower week on week, though
still seeing a 2.5% rise month on
month.
Volatility rose last week, with the
index alternating each day between
rising and falling, and finally
plunging 3.6% on Friday, in line
with the broader markets, as a rout
in global bonds sent yields flying
and dampened appetite for riskier
assets, resulting in heavy selling in
sectors such as consumer,
healthcare and new energy firms
(Reuters, Feb 26).
HSI warrants saw a total of
RM116.8 million’s worth traded,
about 30% of last week’s total
turnover of RM406.4 million. Put
warrant HSI-HGK and call warrant
HSI-CFK placed first and second in
the top traded warrants by turnover,
D&O-CB came in third on the top
Chinese investment
Top warrants by value traded traded list with RM22.6 million in Australia
traded as the shares of underlying,
Warrant
name
Value
(RM mil)
Issuer Exercise
level/price
Expiry date semiconductor company D&O
Green Technologies rose for an
sinks 61% in 2020
HSI-HGK 52.6 Macquarie 27,000 28 May 2021 impressive fifth consecutive week, SYDNEY: Chinese investment in
finishing at RM4.02, 12% higher. Australia fell by 61% in 2020 to the
HSI-CFK 38.8 Macquarie 31,000 29 Jun 2021
The shares jumped 19.8% on lowest level recorded by the
D&O-CB 22.6 Kenanga RM1.88 8 Nov 2021 Thursday after it reported an all- Australian National University (ANU)
VS-C43 14.1 Kenanga RM2.48 27 Sep 2021 time high full-year earnings. in six years, coinciding with a
SP500-HR 10.7 Macquarie 3,500 21 Jun 2021 worsening diplomatic dispute.
To view the full list of structured The annual tracking study from
respectively. Warrant investors net effective gearing of around 10 warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, the university's East Asian Bureau of
bought 17.1 million units of the call times, meaning the warrant price visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Economic Research recorded A$1
warrant HSI-CFK over the week, tends to move by 10% for every 1% billion (RM3.17 billion) of Chinese
with 12.3 million units net bought change in the underlying. Provided for Malaysian residents’ investment in 2020, consisting of real
on Friday alone as investors expect Meanwhile, warrants over the information only. This commentary estate (45%), mining (40%) and
the index to stage a rebound in the S&P 500 Index and the iShares has not been reviewed by the manufacturing (15%) deals.
coming week. They net sold the put China A50 ETF (A50CHIN) also Securities Commission Malaysia. Shiro Armstrong, the bureau
warrant HSI-HGK, with the largest drew attention the last week, It is not an offer or recommendation director, said: “It reflects the effects of
movement of 11.1 million net sold collectively taking up 4.8% of to trade and is not research material. Covid but also more scrutiny of
in one day last Wednesday as the trading value. Put warrant SP500- Past performance is not indicative of foreign investment by the Australian
warrant bid price rose 37.8% on that HR made it into the top traded list future performance. You should make government, particularly that from
day, moving in an opposite with RM10.7 million traded as the your own assessment and seek China,“ he said.
direction to the 3% decline in the SP500 closed at 3,811.15 on Friday, professional advice. Chinese investment in Australia
HSI. down 2.4% on the week. The warrants will not be offered to peaked at A$16.5 billion in 2016. –
Both these warrants have an On the local front, call warrant any US persons. Reuters
12 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
SUNBIZ

Why are oil prices QSR Brands

appoints
trending upwards? Jamaludin
as chairman
oThe macro landscape PETALING JAYA: QSR Brands (M) Holdings

for the energy market Bhd has appointed Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim
(pix) as chairman effective today.

at the moment is pretty

strong
WE have again made the right call in 2021 in
the oil market. As the year commenced, we at
Juwai IQI shared with our valued clientele,
through our newsletter, that according to our
global market intelligence reconnaissance, oil
prices will meander around US$50 to US$70 a
barrel and that the forward price curve is very
strong in the market.
Oil prices are up 29% trading at US$66.17 a
barrel as of Feb 23, 2021. Many investors are
now asking me that if higher oil prices are
upon us. It looks very likely, but the March 4
Opec meeting is important for the oil market
as it provides forward guidance to the
investors. Goldman Sachs, UBS and Juwai IQI
are bullish on the energy market which is
based on a solid premise. The
macro landscape for the energy
market at the moment is pretty
strong and oil prices are
heading in the northern
territory.
I have been quite buoyant
since November 2020, as I have
been sharing in the market with
press and media that the most
bullish signals are:
1. The geopolitical risk is
growing bigger than ever with
tight supplies.
2. A depreciating dollar would
support the higher price call in
the near future.
Many oil pundits working in North
America were predicting oil prices at US$10-
20/barrel since last year and bragging about
shale gas revolution. Pretty delusional. Many
shale gas companies in the US are bankrupt
with zero cash flows and zilch capex
structure.
According to the latest update from
Goldman Sachs: “Brent prices
will reach US$70/bbl in 2Q21
and US$75/bbl in 3Q (US$10
above the prior forecasts). We
expect this rally to be driven by
both rising long-dated prices as
well as a sustained steep level
of backwardation. This leads us
to recommend investors go
long either (1) a front-month
rolling index to capture a cross-
asset high 10% level of
annualised carry, or (2) the
Dec-21 Brent future position
that we first recommended last
August. We in turn recommend
consumers restart hedging
forward price exposure while producers wait
to add to hedges.”
Strategic market insights
According to the latest report from Baker
Prior to this appointment, Jamaludin’s last
executive position was at Axiata Group Bhd
where he retired on Dec 31, 2020. He was the
managing director/president & group CEO for
almost 13 years since its inception in 2008. Prior
to that, he was the group CEO of Maxis
Communications Bhd.
“It is a great honour and responsibility to
be appointed as chairman of QSR Brands. I
look forward to partnering with the managing
director, Nehchal Khanna, the board and the
team at QSR Brands to further transform and
solidify our position as the leading food chain
brand that is entrusted to feed the hearts and
minds of Malaysians and our customers in
the region,” Jamaludin said in a
statement.
QSR is the first and only
fully integrated food operator
Hughes’ rig count showed that as of Jan 31, in Malaysia and franchise
2021, there were just 295 rigs in the US owner of KFC restaurants in
drilling for crude oil — more than 400 fewer Malaysia, Singapore,
rigs than were active a year ago. Global Brunei, and Cambodia, as
capital expenditure is down by US$100- well as Pizza Hut restaurants
US$300 billion, supply constraints and in Malaysia and Singapore.
increasing demand, all are heading in one Jamaludin is a member of
direction, that is, spot prices are higher than the country’s Economic
future prices. Backwardation is back in the Action Council.
energy market. He is also a
Energy demand remains strong member of the
and is back in the market. national Digital
Oil is set for a strong bounce- Economy and
back in 2021. It’s only a matter of Fourth Industrial
time until global demand climbs Revolution (4IR)
back over 100 million barrels per Council.Both
day by first quarter 2022 or councils are
second quarter 2022 as the chaired by the
supply/demand equation is prime minister.
getting tight in the energy market Jamaludin
calculus. has also served
the government
This article was contributed by in many other
Juwai IQI global chief economist roles.
Shan Saeed (pix).

Buffett optimistic on US and Berkshire, buys back record US$24.7 billion of stock
NEW YORK: Warren Buffett’s
enthusiasm for the future of America
and his company Berkshire
Hathaway Inc has not been dimmed
by the coronavirus pandemic.
Buffett used his annual letter to
investors to assure he and his
successors would be careful stewards
of their money at Berkshire, where
“the passage of time” and “an inner
calm” would help serve them well.
Despite the disappearance last
year of more than 31,000 jobs from
Berkshire’s workforce, Buffett
retained his trademark optimism,
buying back a record US$24.7 billion
(RM100 billion) of its stock in 2020 in
a sign he considers it undervalued.
He also hailed the economy’s capacity
to endure “severe interruptions” and
enjoy “breathtaking” progress.
“Our unwavering conclusion:
Never bet against America,” he said.
Tom Russo, a partner at Gardner,
Russo & Gardner in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania and longtime Berkshire
investor, said: “He’s a deep believer in
his company and the country.”
The letter breaks an
uncharacteristic silence for the 90-
year-old Buffett, who has been almost
completely invisible to the public since
Berkshire’s annual meeting last May.
But while touching on familiar
themes, including Wall Street
bankers’ avarice for dealmaking fees
that benefit them more than
billion of stock despite recently
selling several billion dollars more.
He called Apple and the BNSF
railroad Berkshire’s most valuable
assets – “it’s pretty much a toss-up” –
other than its insurance operations,
and ahead of Berkshire Hathaway
Energy. “The family jewels,” he called
those four investments.
Berkshire on Saturday also
reported net income of US$35.84
billion in the fourth quarter, and
US$42.52 billion for the year, both
reflecting large gains from its stocks.
Operating income, which Buffett
considers a more accurate measure
of performance, fell 9% for the year to
US$21.92 billion.
The stock buybacks have
continued in 2021, with Berkshire
Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, in May repurchasing more than US$4 billion
2019. On Saturday, he hailed the US economy’s capacity to endure “severe of its own stock. It ended 2020 with
interruptions” and enjoy “breathtaking” progress. – REUTERSPIX US$138.3 billion of cash.
However, Buffett bemoaned fixed
companies they represent, Buffett did Research with a “hold” rating on income as an investment, saying that
not dwell on the pandemic, a prime Berkshire. “bonds are not the place to be these
factor behind Berkshire’s job losses. “Given the reverence that days.” The income from a 10-year US
He also did not address recent investors have for him, the letter was Treasury bond fell 94% from a 15.8%
social upheavals or the divisive striking for what it omitted,“ she yield in September 1981 to 0.93% at
political environment that some added. “A new generation of investors the end of 2020. Benchmark Treasury
companies now address more demands a degree of social yields have jumped since but are still
directly. awareness, and that companies like low by historic measures.
“The letter highlighted the Berkshire set out their beliefs, “Fixed-income investors
innovation and values that have standards and goals.” worldwide – whether pension funds,
become the backbone of America, Buffett also signalled a long-term insurance companies or retirees –
and that’s perfectly acceptable,” said commitment to Apple Inc, where face a bleak future,” the letter said.
Cathy Seifert, an analyst at CFRA Berkshire ended 2020 with US$120.4 Berkshire, based in Omaha,
Nebraska, has more than 90
operating units including the BNSF
railroad, Geico car insurer, Dairy
Queen ice cream and See’s candies.
Its workforce declined 8% from a
year earlier to about 360,000
employees. Bigger drops were
reported at BNSF, which shed 5,600
jobs, and See’s, where employment
fell 16%.
The pandemic hit no Berkshire
business harder than Precision
Castparts Corp, which shed 13,473, or
40%, of its jobs.
Berkshire bought the aircraft and
industrial parts maker in 2016 for
US$32.1 billion, Buffett’s largest
acquisition, and took a US$9.8 billion
writedown as the pandemic
decimated travel and punished
Precision’s aerospace customers.
“I paid too much for the
company,” Buffett wrote. “I was
simply too optimistic about PCC’s
normalised profit potential.
“PCC is far from my first error of
that sort,“ he said. “But it’s a big one.”
Berkshire said some businesses
are beginning to recover form the
pandemic.
“Certainly 2021 is going to be a
much stronger year, dependent upon
the speed of vaccinations and the
opening of the US economy,” said Jim
Shanahan, an analyst at Edward
Jones & Co with a “buy” rating on
Berkshire. – Reuters

Notices
322
IN THE MATTER OF
INGENIOUS PROPERTIES SDN. BHD.
(Company No. 199501031113
[360319-M])
(In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation)
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016
that the final meeting of the abovenamed
Company will be held on Friday, 2nd April
2021 at 11.am at No. 8-01, Jalan Bestari
5/2, Taman Nusa Bestari, Iskandar Puteri,
Johor for the following purposes:-
1. To receive an account from the
liquidators showing the manner
in which the winding up has been
conducted and to hear explanations
that may be given by the liquidators.
2. To determine by ordinary resolution
in the manner in which the books,
accounts and documents of the
Company and the liquidators thereof
shall be disposed of.
ALINA BINTI MOHD TAHIR
Liquidator
Dated this 1st March 2021
Johor Bahru
Note :
A member entitled to attend and vote at
the above meeting is entitled to appoint
a proxy to attend and vote instead of
him. A proxy need not be a member of
the company.
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF PRIMA
COATING SDN BHD (390745-H)
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING-UP)
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
pursuant to Section 459(2) of the
Companies Act, 2016, the Final
Meeting of the Contributories
of the Company will be held
at No. 3-1, Jalan Indrahana 2,
Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200
Kuala Lumpur on 2nd April, 2021
at 10.00 a.m. for the following
purposes of:-
i) To receive an account from the
liquidator showing the manner
in which the winding up has
been conducted and of hearing
any explanations that may be
given by the liquidator;
ii) To resolve that under Section
518(3)(b) of the Companies’ Act,
2016, the books, accounts and
documents of the Company be
destroyed after the expiration
of three (3) months from the
date of the final meeting.
Date: 1st March, 2021
TAN BOON SENG
- Liquidator
A member entitled to attend and
vote at this Meeting is entitled to
appoint another person (whether
a member or not) as his proxy
to attend and vote in his stead.
Proxy forms must be deposited
with the Liquidator at the above
address not less than 48 hours
before the meeting.
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
YNK LINK SDN. BHD.
201401021047 (1097133-T)
(In Members’ Voluntary
Liquidation)
At a general meeting duly convened
and held at No. 5-3-7, 3rd Floor,
Jalan 3/109F, Danau Business
Centre, Taman Danau Desa, Off Jalan
Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on
the 25th day of February, 2021 the
following Special Resolution was
duly passed:-
“That the Company be wound up
voluntarily and that Mr. Gan Kok
Hwa of No. 1, Jalan PU 9/6A, Taman
Puchong Utama, 47100 Puchong,
Selangor be appointed as Liquidator
for the purpose of such winding-up.”
Teoh Peng Hua
Director
Kuala Lumpur
Dated this
25th day of February, 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT
the Creditors of the above named
Company, which is being voluntarily
wound up, are required on or before
25th day of March, 2021 to send in
their names and addresses and the
particulars of their debts and claims
and the names and addresses of
their solicitors (if any) to Mr. Gan Kok
Hwa of No. 5-3-7, 3rd Floor, Jalan
3/109F, Danau Business Centre,
Taman Danau Desa, Off Jalan Klang
Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, the
Liquidator of the said Company and
if so required by notice in writing
from the said Liquidator, to come in
personally and be represented by
the solicitors to prove the said debts
or claims at such time and place as
shall be specified in such notice or in
default thereof they will be excluded
from the benefit of any distribution
made before such debts or claims
are proved.
Gan Kok Hwa
Liquidator
Kuala Lumpur
Dated this
25th day of February, 2021
Notices
322
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
MESTI UNTUNG ENGINEERING
SDN. BHD.
(201501008733 (1134068-W))
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE OF RESOLUTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY given pursuant to
Section 439(2) of the Companies Act,
2016, that the Special Resolution set out
below was duly passed by the members
of the Company on Tuesday 23 February
2021:
1. THAT, the company will be liquidated
by way of members’ voluntary winding
up.
2. THAT Lee Chan Hing of Lee Yip Tax
Advisory Sdn. Bhd., 13 Persiaran
Greentown 5, Pusat Perdagangan
Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak Darul
Ridzuan be appointed as Liquidator
to act for the purpose of winding-up
the company’s affairs and distributing
its assets.
3. THAT, the said Liquidator be and is
hereby authorised to distribute either
in cash, specie or in kind amongst
the contributories the assets of the
company in accordance with their
respective rights and interest therein.
4. THAT, the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge of his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
Goh Yok Tek
Director
Ipoh, Perak
Dated: 1 March 2021
NOTICE FOR CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovenamed Company
which is being wound up voluntarily are
required on or before 31 March 2021
to send their names and addresses
with particulars of their debts or claims
and the names and addresses of their
solicitors (if any) to the undersigned,
the Liquidator of the said Company;
and if so required in writing from the
said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or
personally to come in and prove their
debts or claims at such time and place
as shall be specified in such notice or
in default thereof they will be excluded
from the benefits of any distribution
made before such debts are proven.
Lee Chan Hing
Liquidator
Ipoh, Perak
Dated: 1 March 2021
322 Notices
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
TENAKO INDUSTRIES SDN. BHD.
[Registration Number :
198701007453 (166171-K)]
(In Members’
Voluntary Winding Up)
At a General Meeting of Tenako
Industries Sdn. Bhd. duly convened and
held at Suite 28.02, 28th Floor, Menara
Zurich, No. 15, Jalan Dato’ Abdullah
Tahir, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor on 25th
February 2021, the following special
resolutions were duly passed :-
MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING UP
THAT the Company be wound up
voluntarily by way of members’
voluntary winding up pursuant to
Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies
Act 2016.
APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR
THAT Ms. Teo Huwi Yan of Suite 28.02,
28th Floor, Menara Zurich, No. 15, Jalan
Dato’ Abdullah Tahir, 80300 Johor Bahru,
Johor be and is hereby appointed as
the Liquidator for the purpose of such
winding up, with all the powers given by
Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016.
DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS ASSETS
THAT the Liquidator be hereby
authorised to divide all or such parts
of the surplus assets of the Company
as he shall think fit in specie or in kind
amongst the members of the Company.
Ong Koon Chong
Director
Dated this 1st March 2021
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
TENAKO INDUSTRIES SDN. BHD.
[Registration Number :
198701007453 (166171-K)] (In
Members’ Voluntary Winding Up)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
Creditors of Tenako Industries Sdn.
Bhd. are required on or before 30th
March 2021 to send their names and
addresses, details of their debts or
claims and the names and addresses of
their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned
Liquidator and if so required by notice in
writing from the said Liquidator, by their
solicitors or personally, to come in and
prove their debts or claims at such time
and place as shall be specified in such
notice, or in default thereof, they will
be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made before such debts or
claims are proved.
Teo Huwi Yan
Liquidator
Suite 28.02, 28th Floor, Menara Zurich
No. 15, Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir
80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Dated this 1st March 2021
Notices
322
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES
ACT, 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF SEOK
PROPERTIES SDN. BHD.
(200101022513 (558271-H))
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to
Section 439 of the Companies Act,
2016, that the special resolution set
out below was duly passed by the
members of the Company at a General
Meeting held on 26 FEBRUARY 2021.
“That the Company be wound up
voluntarily and that Ms. WOON MEE
MEE @ SEOK MEE MEE (NRIC No.:
710218-10-5726) of 21, Jalan Perdana
5/2, Pandan Perdana, 55300 Kuala
Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur be and is
hereby appointed as Liquidator for the
purposes of such winding up with all
powers given by Section 456 of the
Companies Act, 2016.”
WOON MEE FOONG @
SEOK MEE FOONG
Director
Kuala Lumpur
Date: 01 MARCH 2021
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES
ACT, 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF SEOK
PROPERTIES SDN. BHD.
(200101022513 (558271-H))
(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 before
23 MARCH 2021 to send their names
and addresses with particulars of their
debts or claims and the names and
addresses of their solicitors (If any)
to the undersigned, the liquidator of
the Company, and, if so required in
writing from the liquidator, are, by their
solicitors or personally to come in and
prove their debts or claims at such
time and place as shall be specified in
such notice, or in default thereof they
will be excluded from the benefits of
any distribution made before such
debts are proved.
WOON MEE MEE @
SEOK MEE MEE
Liquidator
Lot No. C-UG-132, Level UG, 1
Shamelin Mall, 100 Jalan 4/91, Taman
Shamelin Perkasa, 56100 Kuala
Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur
Date: 01 MARCH 2021
322 Notices
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF
SANCTUARY DEVELOPMENT
SDN. BHD.
(CO. NO.: 199301010528
(265265-K))
NOTICE OF SELECTIVE SHARE
CAPITAL REDUCTION BY WAY OF
REPAYMENT OF SHARE CAPITAL
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to
Section 117(10) of the Companies
Act, 2016, that a Special Resolution
to reduce the share capital of
SANCTUARY DEVELOPMENT SDN.
BHD. (CO. NO.: 199301010528
(265265-K)) (“the Company”) has
been duly passed by the Members
on 25 FEBRUARY 2021.
An extract of the Special Resolution
is set out below:
THAT pursuant to Section 117 of the
Companies Act, 2016 the Board of
Directors be and is hereby given the
authority to:-
Exercise the selective share
capital reduction from RM400,000
comprising 400,000 units of
ordinary shares to RM1,000
comprising 1,000 units of ordinary
shares by way of repayment
of share capital amounted to
RM399,000.
Pursuant to Section 118(2) of the
Companies Act, 2016, any creditor
of the Company may apply to the
Court for the Special Resolution to
be cancelled within six weeks from
the date of the Special Resolution.
A copy of the Solvency Statement
made by all the Directors of the
Company in relation to the reduction
of share capital shall be available at
the Company’s Registered Office at
No. 29-2, Jalan 46A/26, Taman Sri
Rampai, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, W.P.
Kuala Lumpur, for inspection during
business hours, by any creditor
of the Company for a period of six
weeks from the date of the Special
Resolution.
TAN CHING MENG
Director
Date: 01 MARCH 2021
CALL
TO PLACE
CLASSIFIED ADS
MS. SHOBA
T 03 7784 8888
F 03 7784 4424
13
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
* SPORTS
Morikawa claims top spot
… but Koepka, Simpson and McIlroy lurk at WGC
C
OLLIN MORIKAWA went “I think anytime you have birdies lead at the start of the third round.
on a front-nine birdie spree like that you’re just kind of in the “Yeah, go get some treatment
to open a two-shot lead at zone,” Morikawa said. “Golf was here now and get worked on in the
15-under after three rounds really simple, I was hitting great morning, and from there just hope
of the World Golf Championships – shots, got away with a great birdie for the best,” said Koepka, who has
Workday Championship at The putt that kind of hit the back of the been dealing with the discomfort
Concession in Bradenton, Florida. cup, I think on 6, but other than that since the Jan 21-24 event at La
Morikawa, the 2020 PGA I was just hitting quality shots. Quinta, California.
Championship winner, had six “I was hitting my numbers, “Hopefully it loosens up. I have to
birdies over his first nine holes, hitting my spots and that’s what feels go through a whole bottle of Aleve
including a career-best five great for literally the past couple and Advil just trying to make it for
consecutive starting at No. 5, and weeks is that’s what I’ve been two days. It’s annoying because I
shot a 5-under 67 in the third round. seeing.” spotted a few shots just to the field,
The second of those five Billy Horschel and Brooks but it is what it is.”
consecutive birdies came at the par- Koepka were tied for second place at Webb Simpson was alone in
3 sixth hole, moving Morikawa into 13-under. Horschel shot a 3-under fourth place at 12 under after
sole possession of the lead at 12- 69 thanks to a birdie at No. 16 and an shooting a 3-under 69. Northern
under. It came as Australia’s eagle at the par-5 17th hole. Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and
Cameron Smith fell from the top Koepka shot a 2-under 70 despite defending champion Patrick Reed
spot after a triple-bogey 7 at No. 5, working his way through a sore neck were tied for fifth place at 11-under. –
when he found the water twice. and shoulder. He had a one-shot AFP
Korda grabs lead as Ko falters
NELLY KORDA grabbed a one-shot lead of the pack going into Sunday is a positive.
heading into the final round of the There are some good players there, so it’ll take
Gainbridge LPGA, firing five birdies in a good golf to win.”
four-under 68 at Lake Nona in Thailand’s Patty was 2-under for the round
Orlando, Florida. through nine holes but made the most of the
Korda’s scoring opportunities offered on the back nine
second straight with birdies at 14, 16, 17 and 18.
68 gave her a 13-under “I was driving the ball pretty well,” the Thai
total of 203, one shot clear of rookie said. “Hit it pretty well. Felt a little slow in
Patty Tavatanakit, who stormed home the start. My body wasn’t feeling the best in the
with three straight birdies in a six-under 66. morning, but hung in there and got through it
World No. 1 Ko Jin-young of South Korea and just keep my head
also carded a 66 to head a group sharing down, just kept
third on 206, alongside American Angel Yin playing golf.”
(65) and New Zealand’s overnight leader LPGA great
Lydia Ko, who posted an even par 72. Annika Sorenstam, who
Korda, ranked fourth in the world, parred her final hole on Friday
started the day one behind Kiwi Ko and to make the cut in her first tour
after six straight pars picked up birdies start since 2008, seemed to
at the seventh, ninth and 12th. run out of steam as she
She bounced back from her lone posted a seven-over 79.
bogey of the day at 13 with back-to-back “I just put myself in
birdies at the 15th and 16th. really difficult
“I think I just played pretty consistent all positions and it’s
day,” Korda said. “Any time you can get ahead hard to score, so it
gets tiring,” said
Sorenstam, who is
322 Notices 322 Notices playing the event
as a tuneup for
IN THE MATTER OF THE IN THE MATTER OF THE the US Senior
COMPANIES ACT, 2016 COMPANIES ACT, 2016 Nelly Korda Women’s Open. – AFP
AND AND
IN THE MATTER OF IN THE MATTER OF
PK LUMBER CO. SDN. BHD. TAT KHENG TRADING SDN. BHD.
(198701002313 (160984-K)) (200601013708 (733459-W))
Lyon joins Ashwin in solidarity
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY (IN MEMBERS’
WINDING UP) VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE OF RESOLUTION NOTICE OF RESOLUTION
over Ahmedabad wicket
NOTICE IS HEREBY given pursuant to NOTICE IS HEREBY given pursuant to
Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, Section 439(2) of the Companies Act,
2016, that the Special Resolution set 2016, that the Special Resolution set out
out below was duly passed by the
below was duly passed by the members
members of the Company on Tuesday
23 February 2021:
of the Company on Tuesday 23 February AUSTRALIA off-spinner Nathan Lyon has joined India counterpart
2021:
Ravichandran Ashwin in defending Ahmedabad’s spin-friendly pitch
1. THAT, the company will be liquidated
by way of members’ voluntary
1. THAT, the company will be liquidated
by way of members’ voluntary winding
where India thumped England inside two days of the day-night third
winding up. up. Test last week.
2. THAT Lee Chan Hing of Lee Yip Tax 2. THAT Lee Chan Hing of Lee Yip Tax Several former England players questioned the suitability of the
Advisory Sdn. Bhd., 13 Persiaran
Greentown 5, Pusat Perdagangan
Advisory Sdn. Bhd., 13 Persiaran
Greentown 5, Pusat Perdagangan pitch after 30 wickets fell in five sessions in what was the shortest
Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak Darul
Ridzuan be appointed as Liquidator
Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak Darul
Ridzuan be appointed as Liquidator
completed Test match since 1935.
to act for the purpose of winding-
up the company’s affairs and
to act for the purpose of winding-up Ashwin launched an angry defence of the track on Saturday citing
the company’s affairs and distributing
distributing its assets. its assets. similar batting collapses in recent day-night Tests, saying batsmen
3. THAT, the said Liquidator be and is 3. THAT, the said Liquidator be and is
were still not used to the pink-ball novelty.
hereby authorised to distribute either
in cash, specie or in kind amongst
hereby authorised to distribute either The spinner in Lyon was thrilled with the turn and irked by the
in cash, specie or in kind amongst
the contributories the assets of the contributories the assets of the criticism of the pitch that offered it.
the company in accordance with
their respective rights and interest
company in accordance with their
respective rights and interest therein.
“We play on seaming wickets around the world and get bowled
therein.
4. THAT, the Liquidator be indemnified
out for 47, 60. Nobody ever says a thing (about the pitch),” Lyon was
4. THAT, the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
by the company against all costs, quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.
charges, losses, expenses and
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the “But as soon as it starts spinning, everyone in the world seems to
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge of his duties
execution and discharge of his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
start crying about it.
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
“I don’t get it. I’m all for it, it was entertaining.”
Tang Yoke Yue
Chan Chon Yee
Director Director The 33-year-old, a former pitch curator himself, said he was up all
Ipoh, Perak Ipoh, Perak
Dated: 1 March 2021
night watching the match.
Dated: 1 March 2021
“It was absolutely brilliant. I’m thinking about bringing that curator
NOTICE FOR CREDITORS
NOTICE FOR CREDITORS out to the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground).”
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovenamed Company
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovenamed Company
He was also amused by England’s decision to field a pace-heavy
which is being wound up voluntarily are attack on a spinners’ paradise with Jack Leach as their only specialist
which is being wound up voluntarily are
required on or before 31 March 2021
required on or before 31 March 2021 to
send their names and addresses with to send their names and addresses spinner.
with particulars of their debts or claims
The selection blunder was all the more evident as part-time
particulars of their debts or claims
and the names and addresses of their and the names and addresses of their
solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, solicitors (if any) to the undersigned,
the Liquidator of the said Company;
spinner and skipper Joe Root went on to claim his maiden five-wicket
the Liquidator of the said Company;
and if so required in writing from the and if so required in writing from the haul.
said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or
said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or
personally to come in and prove their personally to come in and prove their “The best thing about this Test match that just passed is that
debts or claims at such time and place debts or claims at such time and place England went in with four seamers,” Lyon said.
as shall be specified in such notice or as shall be specified in such notice or
in default thereof they will be excluded in default thereof they will be excluded “That will do me. I don’t need to say any more.”
from the benefits of any distribution from the benefits of any distribution
made before such debts are proven. made before such debts are proven. Lyon’s views echoed Ashwin, who hit back at claims that the
Ahmedabad pitch was not a good surface as it assisted the spinners.
Lee Chan Hing
Lee Chan Hing
Liquidator Liquidator “What makes a good surface? Who defines this? Seam on the first
Ipoh, Perak Ipoh, Perak
day, then bat well, then spin on the last two days? Come on, who
Dated: 1 March 2021
Dated: 1 March 2021
makes all these rules? We need to get over it,” Ashwin said. – Reuters
14 theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021
SPORTS

B Barca reignite La Liga hopes

ARCELONA reignited their title hopes
after Lionel Messi and Ousmane
Dembele scored in a 2-0 victory over
Sevilla yesterday to put them two
points behind Atletico Madrid.
Atletico still have two games in hand, the first
of those coming against sixth-placed Villarreal Messi, Dembele on target as Koeman finds right formula to fire Catalan
overnight, but a dip in form from La Liga’s
leaders has given their chasing rivals hope. Sanchez Pizjuan, a dominant performance second half with injury problems. alongside Messi.
Barca looked dead and buried a few weeks from Barcelona exposing them still as slightly “We believe we can come back but The Dutchman commended the defensive
ago but this was their ninth win out of 10 in La short of Spain’s top three. Wednesday is a different game,” said coach work of his players after the match, telling
Liga, a surge that has put them back in It also creates an intriguing back-drop to Ronald Koeman. “We have to play a perfect Spanish sports daily Marca: ”We tried to press
contention, with Atletico playing against Real Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal second leg match, only then do we have a chance.” our opponent by playing with three centrebacks
Madrid next weekend. when these two teams meet again, with Barca Koeman could well stick with his new 3-5- and high wing-backs.
“We’ve taken some big hits and we have got hoping to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Camp Nou. 2 system, which saw Jordi Alba and Sergino “It made it easier for us to stop Sevilla
up again,” said Barca’s Gerard Pique. Although Pedri and Ronald Araujo could be Dest playing as wing-backs ahead of a back playing. That was the key. It was a risky system.
“Of course the title race is on, there is doubts after both were substituted in the three and Dembele deployed up front Without the ball, we pressed, we tried to play
confidence and a lot of hope in this team.” man to man. Our game without the ball was
Sevilla started the day as arguably the form key. It was a very complete match.”
team at the top, having won all of their last six The system left no place for Antoine
league games, the last five of those without Griezmann, who watched from the bench as
conceding a goal. Dembele and Messi combined well in attack.
But they were second best at the Ramon ”It’s not a message,” Koeman said on
Barcelona’s Ousmane Griezmann’s lack of minutes. “We decided to
Dembele (right) shoots at change the system and, to be able to get in
goal during yesterday’s La behind, we put Dembele up top.
Liga match against Sevilla “With the first goal, we said that we needed
at the Ramon Sanchez someone quicker than Griezmann on Messi’s
28/02/2021 (SUN) Pizjuan stadium. – side. It’s not a punishment.” – AFP/Agencies
5248/2021
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Sun
 15
theSUN ON MONDAY | MARCH 1, 2021

* SPORTS

RESULTS & STANDINGS

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal
Palace 0 Fulham 0, Leicester 1
(Tielemans 6) Arsenal 3 (Luiz 39, Lacazette
Magpies rue misfortune
47-pen, Pepe 52), Manchester City 2
(Dias 30, Stones 68) West Ham 1 (Antonio Neves salvages point for Wolves against injury-stricken Newcastle

R
43), West Brom 1 (Bartley 11) Brighton
0, Leeds 0 Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 5), UBEN NEVES denied restored to the starting line-up, Neves found himself in to score loan from Real Sociedad.
Newcastle 1 (Lascelles 52) Wolves 1 beleaguered Newcastle a turned substitute Fabio Silva’s point- Wolves’ goal, admitting there was But the Brazilian, who is yet to
(Neves 73). priceless Premier League blank header on to the crossbar in confusion over his side’s defensive open his goalscoring account,
win as Steve Bruce’s stoppage time. positioning after Matt Ritchie struggled to make an impact and
P W D L F A Pts relegation-threatened side had to Skipper Lascelles says Newcastle replaced Emil Krafth. instead it fell to Neves to o find the
Man City 26 19 5 2 52 16 62 make do with a point against Wolves. “need to stop talking and put points “The instructions Matty didn’t get net.
Man Utd 25 14 7 4 53 32 49 Skipper Jamaal Lascelles had on the board” after missing a chance on to the team quick enough on how “I’m not looking too much at the
Leicester 26 15 4 7 45 30 49 headed the Magpies into a 52nd- to move further clear of the we were doing it,” said Bruce. result. I’m looking more at the
West Ham 26 13 6 7 40 31 45 minute lead at St James’ Park but relegation while manager Bruce was “When you look at the goal, we performance,” boss Nuno Espirito
Chelsea 25 12 7 6 41 25 43 Neves levelled with an equally- concerned at losing the influential should have stopped the cross and Santo said.
Liverpool 25 11 7 7 45 34 40 impressive headed finish 17 minutes Miguel Almiron, saying he “fears the when the keeper looks at it, could he “I think we had good spells of
Everton 24 12 4 8 35 35 40 from time to ensure that the game – worst” about the Paraguayan’s have done better?” possession and found the right
Aston Villa 24 12 3 9 38 26 39 like the previous four between the injury. Wolves had won three of their spaces. We were in the game in a
Arsenal 26 11 4 11 34 27 37 two sides – finished 1-1. “We had very good chances and past four heading into this one after a good way. I’m disappointed with the
Tottenham 24 10 6 8 37 27 36 However, both might have we are lost for words,” Lascelles told run of eight Premier League games way we conceded but the reaction
Leeds 26 11 2 13 43 44 35 snatched victory in a late flurry BBC’s Match of the Day. without a win, but were lacking their was good. We finished the game well.
Wolves 26 9 7 10 27 33 34 during which Wolves defender “We got a point but it should have recent clinical edge in the north east. “It’s not difficult to beat our best
Crystal Palace 26 9 6 11 29 43 33 Romain Saiss unwittingly blocked been three points. A lot of positives Their return to form seems to run of this season. Our expectations
Southampton 25 8 6 11 31 43 30 Joelinton’s shot on the line and saw but we need to stop talking and put have come since the arrival of are high. We expect good things from
Burnley 25 7 7 11 18 30 28 the ball spin agonisingly over before the points on the board.” forward Willian Jose, who has started the players.” – The
Brighton 26 5 11 10 26 33 26 home keeper Martin Dubravka, Bruce was frustrated by the space the past six games since joining on Independent/Agencies
Newcastle 26 7 5 14 27 44 26
Fulham
West Brom
Sheffield Utd
26
26
25
4
3
3
11
8
2
11
15
20
21
20
15
32 23
55 17
41 11
Villans outwit Leeds
ANWAR EL GHAZI’S early goal clinched Aston half, Villa shut down their opponents after the
CHAMPIONSHIP: Barnsley 2 Millwall 1, Villa a 1-0 win at Leeds and lifted his side to interval and for Leeds the game ended in a
Birmingham 2 QPR 1, Blackburn 1 within a point of the Premier League’s top six. whimper. 484/21 28/02/2021
Coventry 1, Bournemouth 1 Watford 0, Anwar was left unmarked to turn home the “We dominated 80% of the game and the
Brentford 2 Stoke 1, Luton 3 Sheffield
Wednesday 2, Middlesbrough 1 Cardiff
only goal from close range in the fifth minute goal they scored was opportunism, Leeds 4541
and dogged defending saw Villa avenge their 3- manager Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Sport.
1, Preston 3 Huddersfield 0, Rotherham
0 Reading 1, Swansea 1 Bristol City 3.
0 home defeat to Leeds in October. “In the first half we created enough chances 5650
Villa secured just their second win in seven to score a goal but in the second half we
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts League games on the road, while Leeds’ see- couldn’t finalise the attacks.” 2025
Norwich 32 20 7 5 45 25 67 saw first season back in the top flight Now, with two games in hand on the sides
Brentford 33 18 9 6 61 35 63 continued. above, Villa will be plotting a return to Europe 2608 3111 4200 5192
Watford 33 17 9 7 43 24 60 Marcelo Bielsa’s side were denied back-to- for the first time since 2010.
Swansea 31 17 8 6 39 22 59 back home wins after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat of “Not many people would have fancied us 7134 8856 4663 5059
Reading 33 16 6 11 45 37 54 Southampton and were rarely allowed to hit the against Leeds and they make you work hard,”
Bournemouth 33 14 10 9 47 32 52 same heights. Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said. “We got 1365 3548 2741 0750
Barnsley 32 15 6 11 38 36 51 When Raphinha went close to scoring inside an early goal and showed lots of character. 3794 8968 0775 6815
Cardiff 33 14 8 11 49 35 50 the opening 30 seconds it appeared this would “We’ve got the chance (to finish in the top
Mid’boro 33 13 8 12 38 35 47 be another game at Elland Road this season six) but there are some top teams in there. We’ll 5074 3792 4107 0504
Stoke 33 11 12 10 38 37 45 that you could not take your eyes off. just take it game by game.” – The
But while it ebbed and flowed in the first Independent/Agencies
LA LIGA: Eibar 1 (Diop 83) SD Huesca 1
(Ramírez 81), Sevilla 0 Barcelona 2
(Dembele 29, Messi 86), Alaves 0 RM 23,426,210.97
Osasuna 1 (Barja 77), Getafe 3 (Arambarri
39, Mata 55, Alena 87) Valencia 0. 4541 + 5650 4541 + 2025
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts 5650 + 4541 5650 + 2025
Atletico 23 17 4 2 45 16 55 2025 + 4541 2025 + 5650
Barcelona 25 16 5 4 55 22 53 RM 773,716.37
Real Madrid 24 16 4 4 42 19 52
Sevilla 24 15 3 6 34 18 48
Real Sociedad 24 11 8 5 41 20 41
Villarreal 24 8 13 3 33 25 37
Real Betis 24 11 3 10 32 38 36
Levante 25 7 11 7 35 34 32
Athletic Bilbao 24 8 6 10 34 28 30
Granada 24 8 6 10 29 41 30
SERIE A: Spezia 2 Parma 2, Bologna 2 01 08 18 23 25 27 31 36
Lazio 0, Hellas Verona 1 Juventus 1.
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts Players from Middlesbrough and Cardiff City in action during the
Inter Milan 23 16 5 2 57 24 53 English Championship match at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
AC Milan 23 15 4 4 45 28 49
Juventus 23 13 7 3 45 20 46
19 35
Roma 23 13 5 5 47 35 44
Atalanta
Lazio
Napoli
23 12 7 4 53 31 43
24 13 4 7 38 32 43
22 13 1 8 47 25 40
Cardiff run hits speed bump
Sassuolo 23 9 8 6 37 34 35 MIDDLESBROUGH ended Cardiff City’s run of the Welsh capital.
Hellas Verona 24 9 8 7 31 27 35 successive wins as Paddy McNair’s close-range McCarthy (912 games as manager) and
Sampdoria 23 9 3 11 33 34 30 finish earned them a point in a 1-1 draw at the former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock (1,568
Riverside. games) have both presided over big
415025
BUNDESLIGA: Borussia Dortmund 3 The visitors were second best in the first turnarounds in fortune for the South Wales 41502 15025
Arminia Bielefeld 0, Bayern Munich 5 half but took the lead against the run of play club, with Cardiff heading into yesterday’s
Cologne 1, VfL Wolfsburg 2 Hertha Berlin through a Sean Morrison header from a contest as the form side in the Championship. 4150 5025
0, VfB Stuttgart 5 Schalke 1, RB Leipzig 3 throw-in on 37 minutes. Former teammates at Barnsley, where
Borussia Moenchengladbach 2. But McNair was able to get the vital touch McCarthy served as Warnock’s apprentice,
415 025
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts after Aden Flint failed to clear late on. both veteran managers are eyeing a playoff 41 25
Bayern 23 16 4 3 67 32 52 The draw sees Cardiff slip to eighth in the berth, with just three points separating their
RB Leipzig 23 15 5 3 43 20 50 Championship and out of the playoff places, sides. 50
Wolfsburg 23 12 9 2 37 19 45 while Middlesbrough remain ninth. “I think a draw was fair, yes, I couldn’t sit
E. Frankfurt 23 11 9 3 46 32 42 Cardiff’s revival under Mick McCarthy has here and say we deserved to win the game,” 05
Dortmund 23 12 3 8 48 31 39 been nothing short of incredible. The McCarthy told BBC Sport.
Leverkusen 22 10 7 5 40 24 37 Bluebirds were 15th in the Championship “I can sit here and say we should have won RM 8,164,190.07
Union Berlin 22 8 9 5 35 25 33 when he took charge, but they have taken 21 the game from that position.
B. M’gladbach 23 8 9 6 40 36 33 points from a possible 27 since then and are a “I can say we will take the point as once RM 168,958.38
Stuttgart 23 8 8 7 44 36 32 side positively brimming with confidence. they got momentum we had to fight it out. I
Freiburg 22 8 7 7 35 34 31 The attention in this contest was always will take the point all day.
likely to centre around the two managers, who “That throw-in is a really good weapon,
LIGUE 1: Bordeaux 1 Metz 2, Dijon 0 have managed 2,480 matches between them whoever is throwing it in, be it Will Vaulks or
Paris Saint-Germain 4. and who are both extremely popular figures in Rory Delap, because it is so flat.” – Wales Online
 QUOTE OF THE DAY
We managed to take the lead, which was the
hardest part, it’s a pity not being able to
hold it. We lacked experienced players, we had many
youngsters on the pitch and there are details that they
don’t understand. I asked Ronaldo and Alex Sandro to
make their voices heard, but it wasn’t enough.”
Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo
MONDAY • MARCH 1, 2021

Arteta delighted as Gunners

hit back to beat Leicester
ARSENAL delivered a hammer blow to
Leicester’s faint hopes of winning the Premier
League with an impressive fightback to win
3-1 yesterday.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell behind to Youri
Tielemans’ early goal at the King Power
Stadium. They had lost nine of 11 League
games when they conceded the opening
goal this term.
But David Luiz equalised and Alexandre
Lacazette’s penalty gave the Gunners the
lead just before half-time. Nicolas Pepe’s
second half goal sealed Arsenal’s second win
in their last six League games.
The north Londoners’ stirring escape act
left Leicester in third place, trailing leaders
Manchester City by 13 points with 12 games
remaining.
After Thursday’s shock Europa League exit
against Slavia Prague, it was a week to forget
for Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.
Arsenal have virtually no chance of
finishing in the top four, but this was still a
significant result as it underlined the
potential in Arteta’s team.
With Arsenal languishing in mid-table,
Arteta has prioritised winning the Europa
League as his side’s only hope of qualifying
for next season’s Champions League.
Having picked his best team for the
dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win against
Benfica in the last 32 second leg on Thursday,
Arteta made six changes.
He left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and
Bukayo Saka on the bench after the long trip
Arsenal’s Alexandre back from the neutral venue in Greece.
Lacazette (right) in action Arsenal’s reshuffled line-up initially lacked
with Leicester City’s Ricardo cohesion and Leicester took advantage to
Pereira during their English open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Premier League match at Tielemans was gifted time and space by
the King Power Stadium the lumbering Granit Xhaka to break into the
Arsenal area.
yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
Pablo Mari was slow to react to the
danger, allowing the Belgian midfielder to
advance unchecked before drilling a low
strike into the far corner.
Willian, who has endured a difficult first
season at Arsenal after his move from
Chelsea, finally enjoyed a moment to savour
as Arsenal drew level in the 39th minute.
His out-swinging freekick arrowed
towards Luiz and the defender stooped to
direct a powerful header past Kasper
Schmeichel from 10 yards.
Arsenal took the lead in first half
stoppage-time after Pepe’s cross hit Ndidi’s
out-stretched arm and VAR ruled the block
had taken place just inside the area.
Lacazette stepped up to slam the penalty
past Schmeichel for his 11th goal of the
season.
Leicester were on the ropes and Arsenal
landed the knockout punch in the 52nd
minute with a superb counter-attack.
Xhaka found Pepe wide on the right and
the Ivorian picked out Martin Odegaard on
the edge of the area.
Odegaard clipped a deft pass to Willian
and his cutback was perfectly placed for
Pepe to tap into the empty net.
Arteta was delighted after the game,
telling BT Sport: “I’m really proud of the team.
“The connection we showed, passion and
how we reacted to a disappointing start
again because it puts this team in the worst
scenario.
“Then we looked composed, confident.
The energy and the positiveness around the
team was really good. We created some
good moments and scored some good
goals.”
On whether he’s now found his best
system, he continued: “Depends on the
players we have available, the moment the
team is living and the game plan we want to
produce against the opponents.
“It’s not that we have to rotate. I want to
rotate and have the chance to the players.
They deserve. The way they train everyday,
behind all the players.
“Only way to do it is to play them. You can
use many ways to motivate but at the end of
the day it is to be on the field. And I’m so
pleased even making a lot of changes we
were able to produce this performance.” –
Express Newspapers

Grit of champions
Guardiola hails below par City after record 20th consecutive win in all competition

T
HE mark of a champion side is one that
can win when they are not playing well.
Once again Manchester City found a way
when a point would have sufficed and
that is why they are streaking away with the
Premier League.
If City last season managed to come up with
creative ways to beat themselves, the 20/21
version refuses to countenance anything other
than winning.
On Saturday, City made it a remarkable 20
consecutive wins across all competitions by
overcoming a resilient West Ham at the Etihad.
Goals from centrebacks Ruben Dias and John
Stones gave the Citizens the full three points after
Michail Antonio had levelled for the Hammers in
the first half.
West Ham were stubborn opposition but City
eventually found a way through to continue an
astonishing winning run that puts them 13 points
clear of second-placed Manchester United, who
play Chelsea overnight.
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com
If they manage a draw or a victory against
Wolves on Wednesday (4am Malaysian time),
City will match their best-ever undefeated streak
under two-time Premier League-winning boss
Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola hailed City’s record 20th
consecutive win and said it was one of their
“greatest achievements”.
“It is so difficult,” he told the Manchester
Evening News, when asked about the 20 wins,
which have been cramed into the last 10 weeks,
over the hectic winter schedule.
“Twenty in this period, in this era, with this
situation around the world, to be able to do 20 is
maybe one of the greatest achievements we have
done together in our careers.
“A game every three days, with Covid
situations, injury situations. Winning, the
strength mentally.”
Guardiola loves his teams to play beautiful
football, but this time he was in awe of the sheer
will which saw them through against a tough
West Ham, just three days after the Blues had a
Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia
Monchengladbach in Budapest.
“Today we didn’t paint anything nice,” he said.
“There are many of these games. We didn’t create
much but we didn’t concede anything.
“After 10 or 15 minutes we said, ‘OK we’re not
going to paint something beautiful. Today’s the
game to take the three points.’”
The manager also said it was important that
his squad and the fans brace themselves for the
end of that winning run.
“We want to do it, but in the same time we
know (it will end) – what we have done so far is
unusual, an exception,” he said.
“Normally you drop points, a draw, defeats,
that is the normality in football.”
“Today we have to enjoy it. Tomorrow again
and then prepare (for) Wolves, we don’t have
time to rest.”
Guardiola praised David Moyes’ Hammers
and said his players were “lucky” to get all three
points given how well the visitors played.
“Definitely (as tough as I expected). First of all
the quality of the opponent after 26 fixtures,
they’re fourth in the table, so it means a lot (to
beat them),” the Catalan told BT Sport.
“We were lucky, we were lucky for the players
to take the three points.”
There was talk in the aftermath of the 2-0 loss
to Tottenham in November that this City team
needed a rebuild.
But since then they are 27 unbeaten across all
competitions and have built a lead at the top of
the table that seems uncatchable.
They are able to clinch 98 points if they win
their final 12 matches, having claimed 100 points
and then 98 in their two title-winning 2017-18
and 2018-19 seasons.
Guardiola added of his side’s turnaround this
term: “It’s not bad! After 12 or 13 years, that
(statistic about the poor start) means the
previous ones were so good. – Express
Sports/Agencies