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YOUNG PATRIOTS ... A group of

children having fun waving the Jalur Gemilang
ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 at Dataran Putra in Putrajaya yesterday. theSun
wishes everyone a happy and safe Malaysia Day.
No. 7863 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN
www.thesundaily.my

█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
Futile efforts o M’sian women with children born abroad tell
security specialist Adlyn Adam, who was born in
Penang but grew up in Sabah.

P
ETALING JAYA: Myra Eliza has been
trying for years to get the government to
recognise her daughter as a Malaysian.
However, she always received the same
answer whenever she called the Home Ministry
to enquire about her application: “Still in the
process because of the high number of
applicants”.
And they also told her that it could take
years.
So when the High Court ruled early this
week that children born to Malaysian mothers
while abroad were entitled to citizenship, she
was overjoyed.
But her happiness was short-lived. The day
after the court made its ruling, the
Attorney-General’s Chambers announced that
of struggle to get them recognised as citizens
the government would file an appeal against the
decision.
Myra, who is married to a Zambian, said she
has been trying to get citizenship for her
daughter, who was born in Zambia, since she
was five months old.
Her three-year-old son, who was born in
Malaysia, is a citizen.
Myra said she sent the first application for
citizenship for her daughter in April 2014. Two
years later, she received news that her
application had been rejected.
She reapplied in January 2017 and is still
waiting for an answer from the authorities,
despite being told earlier that the process would
take only two years.
“My daughter will be eight years old in
November and this has been a terribly
exhausting experience for my family and me. We
feel unwelcomed and sad because we do not
understand why this is happening,” Myra said.
“Am I less of a citizen of my country because
I am a woman? I certainly do not feel like a part
of the ‘Malaysian Family’ that the prime
minister speaks of,” she added.
Another parent facing the same dilemma is
She has been struggling to get her son, who
was born in China, citizenship for almost a
decade.
“Before moving back to Malaysia, I made
enquiries at the Malaysian Consulate in Hong
Kong and our embassy in Beijing on birth
registration matters. After I completed my
confinement period, I sent an application for
citizenship for him. We are now in the ninth year
of our journey,” she told theSun.
Adlyn said no reason was given when her
first application was rejected.
“I can’t understand why,” she
said, adding that she then decided
to quit her job and return to Turn to
Malaysia so she could show her
—
page 3
commitment to making her son a
Malaysian citizen.
 ENTERTAINMENT
theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 3

R
APPER Lil Nas X and pop
star Justin Bieber won the Lopez reaches
top prizes at MTV’s annual out to
Video Music Awards (VMA) audience
show on Sunday, in a ceremony members as
packed with surprise appearances, she presents
live performances and thousands of an award. –
masked fans. REUTERSPIX
Newcomer Olivia Rodrigo and K-
pop band BTS were also among the
big winners at the first major awards
shows in New York to be held with a
full audience of fans and celebrities
since the coronavirus pandemic
Bieber, 27, returned to the VMA
stage for the first time in six years and
took home Moon Person statuettes
for artist of the year and best pop for
his single Peaches.
“Music is such an amazing outlet
to be able to reach people and to be
able to bring us all together,” said
Bieber, referring to the dark days of
the pandemic.
Last year the VMAs took place in
New York without a live audience and
with most performances recorded in
advance because of the pandemic.
Lil Nas X, 22, a gay, black musician
who had a breakout hit with Old

Music brings
Town Road two years ago, won video
of the year for his gay rights anthem
Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
“Let’s go gay agenda!” said the
musician, accepting the award.
Alicia Keys sang Empire State of

people together
Mind outdoors against the backdrop
of the New York City skyline, while
Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, veteran New
York rapper Busta Rhymes, Camila
Cabello, Shawn Mendes and
Machine Gun Kelly were among
those on
stage. Bieber arrives
Sunday’s oJustin Bieber, Lil Nas X take top prizes at on stage to
ceremony
also marked Video Music Awards accept the
award for
the 40th Artist of the
anniversary of Year. –
the launch of Madonna, also celebrating her 40 women want “control over our REUTERSPIX
MTV as a years in the music business, opened bodies”.
c h a n n e l the show in a surprise appearance. Rodrigo, 18, took home three
dedicated to “They said we wouldn’t last. But awards, including best new artist and
playing music we’re still here,” Madonna said. song of the year for Drivers License in
videos. Jennifer Lopez and Cyndi Lauper the fan-voted awards, capping a
sent fans wild with unexpected break-out year.
appearances, with Lauper weighing “This is so insane. This has been
in on abortion rights saying that the most magical year of my life,”
Rodrigo said, dedicating her win to
“all the other girls who write songs on
their bedroom floor”.
BTS was named group of the year
and won best K-Pop for single Butter,
and sent thanks by video from South
Korea.
Rock band Foo Fighters got the
Lil Nas X Global Icon Award recognising their Rodrigo
accepts the 25 years in the music industry. accepts the
award for Best The 12 time Grammy-winning award for
Direction for band performed a medley of hits with Song of the
Montero (Call Charlie R.I.P scrawled on their Year for Driver’s
Me by Your drum kit in tribute to the late Rolling License. –
Name). – Stones drummer Charlie Watts. – REUTERSPIX
REUTERSPIX Reuters

BTS wins
Group of the
Year. –
REUTERSPIX
 LIFESTYLE
4 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
Envisioning post-C
oInterior designers think ahead to create aesthetic, fun
█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI
L
IFE has changed since the Covid-19
pandemic hit the country. Most
Malaysians have been working from
home or picking up new skills for the
Home-based teleworkers are twice as likely to work past 20 months while under several
more than 48 hours per week. Lim. movement control order periods.
Home is the hub of activities. However,
The right to disconnect designing homes has become very
challenging, especially for professional
designers during the pandemic.
OPEN door to distractions, “cushy job”, shorter theSun spoke to two interior
days ... some prejudices about working from the designers to find out about the
home office are hard to get rid of. But the work problems they face
pandemic and the restrictions that accompany during the pandemic.
gave unprecedented prominence to remote work “It is very challenging.
and now give us elements and statistics to help us Basically, most of our
navigate through these preconceived ideas and projects are suspended
sort out truths from falsehoods. and we cannot do
Numerous surveys and polls have shown that much),” said Lim Bo
the boundary between private and personal life is Qiang, the founder of
now more difficult to define for people who work Paperworks Studio
from home, especially when there are children at and furniture brand
home. Freed from the time constraint of “leaving Basicology.
the office”, they will, for example, work later or “People are still
compensate for time spent doing homework with u n d e r g o i n g
their children. And the risk is that of seeing the adaptation and
overtime accumulate. acceptance.”
According to a recent report by the EU Agency Lim said he
for the improvement of living and working continues to focus
conditions (Eurofound), European home-based on the practicality,
teleworkers are twice as likely to work more than functionality and
the EU’s legal 48-hour work week. They are also sustainability of
more likely to work in their free time. interior design.
Far from being new, this difficulty in separating “During this
professional and personal life has highlighted a period, we tend to
notion that already existed before the pandemic: focus on how to
the right to disconnect. In other words, not being do more with less
connected to Slack, Zoom, Teams or even and we are also
answering work emails and phone calls received adapting to the
outside of work hours. change,“ added
In 2017, France was the first country to officially Lim.
enforce this right in all companies with more than M a n a g i n g
50 employees. Belgium, Spain, and Italy are the director of Anwill
other three EU member states to have Design Steve K.R.
implemented similar measures. Lee said he faces
The new Eurofound report includes case similar challenges.
studies illustrating the implementation and “When it comes
impact of the right to disconnect in the workplace. to delivering our
“The experience of the first four Member States services and during
that have introduced rules and agreements on the design discussions,
right to disconnect prior to 2021 has we have to convert
demonstrated the pivotal role of the social p h y s i c a l
partners in ensuring these rules are translated into appointments to online
reality on the ground,“ outlines the survey. meetings.”
The study also shows that companies are more But he said this has
likely to educate and train their teams on freed up more time for his
disconnection rather than employing more drastic team to process design
methods, such as cutting off access to company proposals.
communications at specific times.
“Although evidence of the impact of the right New lifestyle, new design
to disconnect on employee health and well-being, Because people spend
work-life balance, gender equality and company more time at home than
performance is lacking, social partners’ anywhere else, designers
experiences at company level suggest that have to add new elements
positive changes in company culture are taking to the designs or allocate
place following the introduction of the right to space to cater to the needs
disconnect,“ outlined Tina Weber. – ETX of the new norm lifestyle.
Studio “Firstly, we try to
Milan designers visualise the post-pandemi
AFTER months cooped up at home, many
people’s houses and apartments have been
transformed into offices, schools, gyms and
playgrounds, blurring the lines between public
and private spaces.
“The home has become a refuge for its
inhabitants, a welcoming place that reflects the
personality of each of them and offers both
comfort and a certain flexibility,“ Maria Porro,
head of the Salone del Mobile fair, told AFP.
“Hence the search for materials that feel
nice to touch, and multifunctional pieces that
allow spaces to be modulated and
Visitors look and personalised.”
walk past the
Kartell stand, at Modular billiards
the Milan A pool table in canaletto walnut laid with
International plates and candles draws the eye of visitors,
Furnishing and who stop to feel its smooth surface and take
Design Fair. photos.
understand what is the new lifestyle.
first few findings suggests that, obviousl
are spending more time indoors. Ano
change is working habits. People ten
work remotely. This is a new habit,”
Lim.
According to Steve, more people
from home and need home-offices inclu
in the design.
“The pandemic has broken the
lifestyle, many people have to move
work stations from office to the hom
reduce physical contact. Therefore, in
of the projects we currently deal with
create places where people can work
home,” said Steve.
“Our main approach is to improve
living space through design and decora
as the time spent at home is relatively lo
It also helps to elevate the quality of life
release the pressure caused by
pandemic,” he added.
Although most people work from h
Lim wanted to find out if Malaysians w
really prefer to include a home offic
their design.
He conducted an online survey
through social media and response
was split 50/50.
“People may work from home
but not formally as in the office.
Whether they require a home-
office depends on their
personal preference or
lifestyle, how they work and
their changing behaviour.”
He said it is not necessary
to look for a more formal or
professional home-office. In
fact, it could be something
designed in a casual style. He
believes it is better to have more
compact space planning instead.
“We do not need a specific
place for work but it is ideal to
have space planning for the house,
because a family which spends
more time in the house tends to
appreciate more interaction and
bonding. We look into arranging or
dividing the spaces into private,
semi-private and open space,” said
Lim.
Incorporating new technology
Apart from new elements,
homeowners may have to consider
products or cleaning
appliances, which
could enhance a
h y g i e n i c
environment.
“We expect
that the future
lifestyle will be
full of technology
and artificial
intelligence. Even
now, we incorporate the
concept of a smart home
“Demand has increased with the pandem
because people have rediscovered their hom
and want a games area that transforms easil
into a dining table or desk,“ said Guido Rossi
the manufacturer MBM Biliardi.
Nearby, Ferrimobili offers tailor-made
products including a shelf that houses an
extendable desk, adapted for the needs of
people working from home.
“It’s the ideal solution for small spaces. W
the pandemic, clients want a home that is
more functional but also still elegant,“ said
Domenico Tescione from the Rimini-based f
that saw its revenues increase by 20 per cen
last year.
The wider Italian furniture industry had a
difficult 2020, when the country endured
months of coronavirus lockdowns, with
turnover falling 8.9 per cent to 21.2 billion
euros (US$25 billion).
 LIFESTYLE
theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 5

Covid era homes

nctional and safe living spaces in new normal setting
. The into our designs to enhance the lifestyle and
ly, we further improve the quality of life,” said
other Steve.
nd to “In addition, the way of presenting a
said design is also an important part that we have
always insisted on. We hope the
work presentation can be further improved in the
uded future to enhance the visualisation of overall
design ideas so that consumers can
e old experience and feel the entire design
their conveniently,” he added.
me to For Lim, designing in current times
most indirectly means shaping the lifestyle for the
h, we next 10 years.
from The main consideration would always be
safety and space efficiency, apart from
e the hygiene, which has become an important
ations factor in the current lifestyle.
onger. Lim said designers need to consider the
e and choice of material used, which has to be
the simple and low maintenance, how it needs
to be cleaned, especially furniture or kitchen
home, cabinets, before including them in the
would design. Lewis looks at Freedom Tower, which he helped design, in New York.
ce in “We have to understand that technology

y
ic home
mic In the first half of 2021, however, sales
me soared and even overtook pre-pandemic
ly levels, at 14.3 per cent higher than the same
i of period in 2019.
Bright colours
Comfort has become increasingly important.
“Working for hours on an old table and
repurposed chair is unacceptable,“ said Andrea
With Bottoli of office furniture firm Martex.
Home-workers who spend much of their
day in videoconferences are also focusing
firm more and more on their image.
nt “They put the company logo as a backdrop,
they try to find the most attractive part of their
a house and adapt the light so they don’t look
too tired,“ Bottoli said.
Before the pandemic, “clients looked for
office furniture that made it feel more like
home – and now it’s the reverse. They want an
evolves,” he said.
According to him, a company in Italy has
invented fabrics that are virus or bacteria-
resistant. The technology is still new in
Malaysia and its use would also depend on
acceptance locally.
“We need to educate clients on the
transition into the new normal lifestyle.
We also need to influence Malaysians on
accepting high technology items.
In the future, there will be new and
improved items such as fancy face
masks. Even sanitiser dispensing
machines, that were bulky and space-
consuming, has seen an evolution.
Lim said designers would have to
look into incorporating technology
into smart home solutions, such as
to sanitise or sterilise the living
space using ultra-violet lights.
He cited an idea being
developed in the United States, a
small device or detector that is
installed on the ceiling and
functions like a motion sensor
and constantly detects and
eliminates viruses.
Lim added that more
importantly, Malaysians
must be ready to pay a
higher price to acquire
such advanced
technology.
Steve.
office at home, without it looking like a
workplace”, added designer India Mahdavi.
Another trend during lockdowns was that
“people wanted their house to be a happy
place, so with more colour and greenery”, she
told AFP.
The trend of searching out durable, solid
and sustainable material was highlighted by
the fair’s “urban forest”, 100 maples, oaks, lime,
apple and plum trees that welcomed visitors
and will later be replanted around Milan.
“The pandemic has revealed a huge
appetite in people for creating, for renovating
their homes, because they are staying at home,
they don’t travel so much,“ said French
designer Pierre Yovanovitch.
He believes “people want comfort,
sensuality”, not cold, white interiors: “They are
searching for more playfulness, more colour,
more joy.” – ETX Studio
‘Freedom Tower’ - the skyscraper
symbolising New York’s resilience
IT is the skyscraper that replaced the Twin
Towers in New York’s skyline.
Inaugurated in 2014, the One World
Trade Centre has become a symbol of
resilience after the horror of 9/11.
Commonly referred to as the “Freedom
Tower”, it is America’s tallest building at
1,776 feet (541 metres) and an emblem of
the US economic capital.
From its conception, the tower had to
testify to New York’s durability – looking to
the future despite the tragedy – according
to one of its architects, Kenneth Lewis.
As harrowing as the images were of the
Twin Towers collapsing to the ground on
Sept 11, 2001, no one questioned
replacing them with another skyscraper,
situated right next “Ground Zero”.
For the architects at SOM, which builds
skyscrapers around the world, it was an
opportunity to realize concepts that they
had been thinking about for years.
“We were thinking it’s the beginning of
the millennium, we were thinking that this
had to be the next generation of buildings,
both in terms of safety, as well as
environmental impact,” recalled Lewis.
Evacuation time
Among the most nightmarish images from
9/11 are those of people jumping to their
deaths from the towers to escape the
blaze.
The architects launched ideas about
how to evacuate people other than from
the stairs. Inventors came back with a
giant chute, and a zip wire, with a
parachutist demonstrating the latter,
Lewis remembers.
“It was the scariest thing,” he says. “We
just couldn’t imagine someone who might
be a little bit overweight or a little bit
afraid taking a jump out the window.”
In the end, the only solution was to
shield the heart of the building with
reinforced concrete, “broad enough that
people can get out of there,” he explained.
The architects implemented safety
standards on One WTC that have since
become standard for skyscrapers.
They include wide stairwells to allow a
quick evacuation of the 104-storey tower, a
signalling light to alert aircraft, fire-
resistant cameras and communication
tools on every floor to allow rescuers to
constantly monitor the situation.
“We had a goal, which was an hour
evacuation total time to evacuate the
whole building,” said Lewis.
Firefighters were invited to planning
meetings. It was they who suggested a
back-up system capable of compensating
for the failure of emergency generators on
9/11 to provide electricity long enough to
evacuate the building.
“They had been through such trauma,
they had to be a part of the solutions we
were coming up with,” said Lewis.
Fire was not the only concern: in the
fall of 2001, several anonymous letters
containing anthrax were sent to some
media and politicians, killing five people.
“We started to think about the filtering
system and the air quality,” Lewis
explained.
“Think of a worst-case scenario and
then what would that mean, and then
prepare for it,” he added, explaining their
methodology.
‘Transformative moment’
Almost 20 years later and the pandemic
has left One WTC and most of
Manhattan’s prestigious towers empty for
months.
“People were thinking we were going to
come back much quicker than we have,”
admitted Lewis.
“We were immediately looking at the
types of filtration systems that are in there
these buildings, and most new buildings
have high efficiency filters, particulate
filters that also deal with viruses.”
But if the office towers have not yet
regained their pre-pandemic occupancy
rate, their preeminence in New
York’s skyline cannot be called into
question.
A tower of some 600 apartments is
under construction in Brooklyn and will
become the first “super-skyscraper”
outside Manhattan when it is completed
next year.
Around 20 other skyscrapers are in the
works across New York.
As well as the environment, the mental
health of the occupants of these buildings
is now also a priority, said Lewis.
“We’re in 2021 and we’re talking about
well-being and incorporating that into the
spaces we’re doing, creating outdoor
spaces that people can work in, rooftop
terraces that are really workspaces,
meeting spaces.
“It really is a transformative moment,”
he said.
In the meantime, One WTC is on the
way to becoming as iconic as its
predecessors.
While the 9/11 Memorial symbolises
“the void” created by the attacks, the
“Freedom Tower” tower represents “the
positive”, according to Lewis.
“A place of innovation and new
thinking and modern ideas of safety and
security,” he said. – ETX Studio
 YOUTH
6 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

F
OR most of her life, Kimberly Wan
has been involved in ice sports,
Next Gen
and it has impacted her in many
ways.
Kimberly’s passion for the sport
started when she was involved in figure
skating from the age of six until 16, and
then ice hockey for another 11 years. Kimberly says sports
She said she always had a keen sense has taught her to face
of responsibility and her drive to go challenges. – PICTURE
further. COURTESY OF VICTOR
“It is perhaps due to my very KWOK
structured upbringing, in regard to
training and my own self-imposed
expectations. After joining the ice hockey
community, I threw myself into many
parts of the sport by taking on
multiple roles to better
understand how it all
worked,” she said.
R e c e n t l y
accredited as a
referee with the
International Ice
H o c k e y
Federation,

Breaking the ice

Kimberly started off
as a player, before
expanding her
involvement to
include time and
score-keeping for
league games.

oOtomate Me co-founder Kimberly Wan speaks about her

love for sports and pursuit of techpreneurship
Kimberly’s
education
background is
in international
studies. –
PICTURE
COURTESY OF
DAVID JONG \TRIVIA
What do you do in your free
time?: There is not much free
time. But usually, it is a
combination of working out,
reading or baking.
How do you avoid getting
burned out?:
I have learned to know when
things get “too much”. I actively
take a step back and
reprioritise.
Which book has helped shape
your mindset the most?:
There isn’t one particular book. I
have drawn inspiration from a
combination of my experiences
and books that I have read.
“Eventually, I went into officiating as
a linesman, and then I was selected to be
a part of the women’s ice hockey team.
For me, I found that participation in
sports is an incredibly rewarding
experience”.
Kimberly later teamed up with her
university mate to found her own
company, Otomate Me.
What does it take to be a techpreneur?
The importance of team spirit and having
good team dynamics. This was very
crucial as everyone needs to know what
they are going to do in an organisation,
as well as resilience, tenacity and the
ability to take feedback to improve.
What led you to be start Otomate
Me?
There were two incidences that made
me want to start a business. However, I
was not able to pursue it at the time. So,
when there was an opportunity to take
the lead and venture into technology, I
was willing to do it. As time passed, I
learnt that what you start with is not
necessarily what you end up creating.
Through our customers’ feedback, we are
actually solving real problems.
Have you completely left the world of
sports?
I have no intention of leaving sports.
Participating in sports has been an
integral part of my life. To me, it has given
me opportunities to network and grow as
a person.
What is Otomate Me about?
It is a software-as-a-service technology
company. It is a way of delivering
applications over the internet and as a
service. Our company’s objective is to
make technology more accessible and
approachable. It aims to help people
learn more, do more, contribute more
and also gain recognition for their work.
Our tools are meant to automate the
mundane and manual tasks related to
mission-critical emails and WhatsApp
communication processes.
What advice do you have for young
women keen to pursue technology and
entrepreneurship?
They have to be brave and not be
deterred by failures. Learn to accept
failures as they are the best teacher. There
are many girls who may want to go into
sports but are afraid to do so because of
changes to their bodies and what people
might say about them. It is important not
to let negative words impact them
mentally, because sports has a lot to offer
and can really build up confidence.

EDUCATION
The Class of 2021 is here.

PUBLICATION DATE 12 OCTOBER, 2021 (Tuesday)

Speak to theSun’s Sales team now for special deals on BOOKING & STORY DEADLINE 28 SEPTEMBER, 2021 (Tuesday)
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 FASHION
theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 7

Global impact
The faux fur
coat could
turn out to
be the star
piece of the

H
winter.
OW many do you have?
One, five, 10, 15? As plastic
bags become increasingly
rarer (which is a good
thing), we have seen tote bags, cotton
bags take up a prominent place, first
showing up in luxury stores, then
vintage shops, then everywhere. It
has become a symbol, for brands, to
show their commitment to the planet
... even if manufacturing tote bags
actually comes with a significant
environmental cost. So it turns out
that the unabashed adoption of the
cotton tote bag has actually created a
new problem.
The problem is not new. Back in
According to
one study,
you would
have to use a
tote bag
oIs the ‘tote bag solution’ actually part of
the problem?
2018, a study conducted by
Denmark’s Ministry of Environment
and Food, concluded that a bag
would have to be used 20,000 times to
offset the overall impact of its
production. In other words, if you
really want to be consistent, you
would have to use your favourite tote
bag every day for ... 54 years. On top of
that, cotton production is associated
with the forced labor of Uyghurs in
Xinjiang, China, which produces 20%
of the world’s cotton.
Recycling and dyes
The New York Times brought the
remove the PVC-based logos or the
dyes used to print them. According to
Christopher Stanev, co-founder of
Evrnu, a Seattle-based textile
recycling company, the printed
designs must be cut out of the fabric.
Not to mention that the old fabric
must then be turned into new fabric
... which consumes almost as much
energy as its original manufacture.
Does all this mean that we should
switch back to plastic bags? The short
answer is no. Because cotton is no
worse than plastic. In fact, they are
hardly comparable. While cotton can
use pesticides (if not grown

How fake fur coats

subject back to the forefront with an organically) and dry up rivers
every day for article entitled “The Cotton Tote because of its water consumption,
54 years to Crisis” published on Aug 24. In plastic bags use fossil fuels that emit
offset the

will be keeping us
addition to the problem of greenhouse gases, are never
global production, the newspaper raises the biodegradable and clog the oceans.
impact of its problem of collection and recycling. Faced with this issue, some brands
production.

warm this winter

IT may not feel like coat
weather in Europe right
now, but the warm weather
can’t last forever, and we’ll
soon have to trade our
summer wardrobe for
snugger outfits. And when
that time comes, coats and
jackets are obviously a
must. For the coming
season, the material of
choice will be synthetic fur.
This is already proving
popular around the world,
as revealed by data from
the global fashion research
platform Stylight*. Clicks
for this material are already
up 26% since the beginning
of the year, compared to
the same period in 2020.
When it comes to
colours, ultra-pigmented
shades will be the hottest
hues for autumn/winter,
especially frog green.
Stylight notes a 163%
overall increase in clicks on
jackets and coats in this
shade. Colours inspired by
nature will be everywhere
too, such as orange-brown
hues (+112% clicks since
the beginning of the year).
Forget very long or very
short cuts, as knee-length
coats are currently causing
a stir online. Meanwhile,
the star accessory appears
to be a thin belt, which is
most often found on trench
coat styles. Clicks on
skinny belts are up 37%
since January.
Oversized styles, yes to
comfort
While the trend for down
jackets and puffers seems
to be living its last days, this
could soon be replaced by
the oversized bomber, seen
over and again on many
catwalks. Clicks in this
category have increased by
33% over the first six
months of the year. In the
same vein – but with more
length – XXL takes on the
trench coat have been
gaining ground for several
weeks, with a 30% increase
in clicks since January.
And somewhere in the
middle – right between
comfort and elegance –
lands the quilted coat
(preferably green) as
showcased by Max Mara for
the autum-winter
2021/2022 season. Stylight
reports a 40% increase in
clicks for this type of coat. –
ETX Studio
*In this report, Stylight
studied the shopping and
browsing behaviour of its
120 million annual users
and, in particular, analysed
clicks on various product
categories during
the period from Jan 1 to
Aug 25, 2021, compared to
the same period in 2020.
Iris Apfel collaborates with H&M
COLOUR, patterns, frills, and above
all an unparalleled taste for layering
with garments and accessories. This
is probably what best characterises
the style of Iris Apfel, who at just 100
years old has never ceased to embody
a certain form of independence and
The Iris Apfel
x H&M
collection
will be
available in
early 2022.
Interviewed by the newspaper,
Maxine Bedat, director of the New
Standard Institute, a non-profit
organization specialised in fashion
and sustainable development, said
that she has “yet to find a municipal
compost that will accept textiles”. And
only 15% of the 30 million tons of
cotton produced each year actually
goes to textile depots.
And even when they do make it to
a recycling facility, it’s difficult to
self-assertion, an eclectic, avant-
garde approach to style. In the midst
of New York Fashion Week, H&M
announced that it has collaborated
with the American entrepreneur for a
collection of clothing and accessories
to pay tribute to this unabashed style.
are turning to other textile solutions.
British designer Ally Capellino
recently abandoned the use of cotton
for hemp, while Anya Hindmarch
introduced a new version of her
original, pioneering tote bag, this
time made from recycled water
bottles.
In the end, the simplest solution is
perhaps the most obvious: not every
product needs the extra packaging of
a bag. – ETX Studio
“Iris epitomises personal style – a
style that is both beautifully
flamboyant and eclectic as well as
being totally ageless. She shows what
fashion is all about – a means to
express yourself, who you are or want
to be and having fun at the same time
– a true inspirer!” said Ann-Sofie
Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M,
in a press release.
Unsurprisingly, the Iris Apfel x
H&M collection will put a heavy
emphasis on colour with an ultra
bright palette, but also floral prints,
frills, and a mix of materials,
patterns, and cuts to allow everyone
to design their own style. Key pieces
include ruffled dresses, suits,
coordinated ensembles, and a
selection of jewelry inspired by
plants and animals.
Note that all materials used in the
design of the collection are recycled
or from sustainable sources. We’ll
have to wait a few months before
discovering the fruit of this
collaboration, which will be available
in a selection of H&M stores and
online at Hm.com in early 2022. –
ETX Studio

Dior dressing up Paris Saint-Germain team

PARIS Saint-Germain is
breaking new ground with this
five-star fashion collaboration.
For starters, it’s a first for Dior,
which has never before
teamed up with a sports club.
And while PSG has previously
collaborated with, and
embraced the outfits of, major
brands like Hugo Boss and
Jordan Brand, never has the
club rubbed shoulders with a
full-blown fashion house. Now
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar,
Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos,
and Achraf Hakimi, will be
sporting Dior creations when
they’re not on the soccer pitch.
Dior men’s artistic director
Kim Jones has designed the
outfits the team will step out in
for the next two seasons.
These include a formal
wardrobe comprising a black leather derbies. As for
cashmere coat, a jacket, a shirt,
and suit pants, putting the
French fashion house’s skills
and expertise firmly in the
spotlight. This outfit will be
matched with a pair of black
leather derbies, featuring each
player’s jersey number on the
inside.
The second outfit will be a
more casual look, including a
Harrington jacket, a knitted
sweater and a polo shirt with
an embroidered “Paris Saint-
Germain” patch, plus a pair of
accessories, the Parisian club’s
players will be sporting the
iconic Saddle bag in black
grained calfskin, a jacquard
tie, a cashmere scarf, and a
reversible belt. These will
come in black and navy blue
shades. – ETX Studio Players in the Paris Saint-Germain soccer club will be dressing in Dior for the next two seasons.
 MEDIA & MARKETING
8 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
Re-branding to
reflect change in
values
A historical link to the slave trade has
prompted a name change inside a British
varsity.
Priding itself for developing leaders who help
businesses thrive through change and
uncertainty, this recent discovery prompted
University of London’s Business School,
formerly known as Cass Business School, to now
be called Bayes Business School.
The School, founded in 1966, carried the
Cass name between 2002 and 2020 after a
donation from the Sir John Cass Foundation, an
educational charity which has now been
renamed The Portal Trust.
Sir John Cass was an English merchant, Tory
MP and a philanthropist in 17th century Britain.
However, he was discovered to be a key figure
in the Royal African Company, which was
involved in the Atlantic slave trade.
Increasing awareness of Cass’s involvement
arose in June last year, prompting the varsity’s
stakeholders to reflect on whether or not such a
link was consistent with the school’s values.
In a statement issued last week, the school
said it had decided that, in line with its values
and principles, it would need to be more focused
on diversity, equity and inclusion.
A decision was then made to name the school
after Thomas Bayes, a theologian and
mathematician best known for the Bayes’
Theorem.
It said the name change also reflected the
School’s desire to address inequality and
participation, more widely.
For instance, it said, over 2,000 new students
will undertake inclusive team-working
workshops as part of their induction.
“A complete curriculum review is under way
to embed ethical and socially responsible values
throughout, to ensure that Bayes educates
professionals and business leaders who work
towards building an equitable and sustainable
future,” Bayes Business School dean Prof Paolo
Volpin said.
Volpin.
technology,” said Goh.
Daikin’s Double Method process
effectively achieves superior cleaning
through both the inside and outside
purification methods.
The Streamer technology is a unique
air purification technology developed
by Daikin, that effectively generates
‘high-speed electrons’ to decompose
99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
“For filtration, Daikin’s new
Goh (left) Streamer air purifiers includes not just
and Chan any normal HEPA filter, but an
reveal the electrostatic one that traps harmful
new MC 40 substances more efficiently with a
and MC 50, longer lifespan,” explained Chan.
along with Additionally, the new air purifiers
vital have three powerful directional
information suctions located at the bottom sides
and front of the air purifier.
on how the
This allows larger amounts of air to
air purifiers be taken in from a wider area that leads
function.
Innovation
to more efficient air purification.
“Over the years, we at Daikin
Malaysia have greatly increased our
efforts to ensure that our customers not
only enjoy the cooling comfort of our
in air purification
air conditioners but also the air they
breathe remains clean and safe for their
loved ones,” said Daikin Malaysia Sales
& Service General Manager Lawrence
Song.
“With continuous developments and
improvements by our R&D team, we are
proud to introduce to you the new
oDaikin’s two new streamer air purifiers are a series of Daikin air purifiers that aligns
necessity in current times with our current focus of ‘Daikin Pure
Air’ during this pandemic.”
Daikin’s new air purifiers are
E
currently available at Daikin authorised
VER since the pandemic struck, effectiveness of deactivating viruses dealers.
people have been spending and bacteria through both their For more information, visit the
more time indoors. They are Streamer and Active Plasma Ions Daikin website or Facebook page.
beginning to be more mindful
as well as aware of their surrounding
environment, with questions like: “Is
the air we breathe in actually clean and
healthy?” weighing heavily on the
mind.
In conjunction with the company’s
“Daikin Pure Air” campaign –
highlighting the importance of cleaner
and healthier air – Daikin Malaysia
today officially announced the launch
of two new Daikin streamer air
purifiers: MC 40 and MC 55, further
adding on to their existing lineup of air
purifiers.
The launch was virtually held via
Daikin’s Facebook page as a live event
to the public. The launch also featured
current Daikin brand ambassadors and
national mixed doubles badminton
players, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu
Ying who explained the product
features and benefits.
Through this campaign, Daikin is
seeking to create an awareness on the
importance of indoor air and to focus
its efforts towards promoting the
company’s exclusive Double Method
air purification process.
“The process involves how Daikin’s Song assures that the new air purifiers were developed after extensive planning with ‘pure
Streamer air purifiers doubles the air’ in mind.

COMMENT by Paul Selva Raj
Promote digital financial literacy
T
HE traditional financial
economy was already
evolving towards a digital
financial economy, even
before Covid. However, during Covid
and lockdowns more people, even
those who were never consumers of
digital finance, began to move
towards digital finance.
The movement of the traditional
brick and mortar financial industry
towards a digital financial industry
has been greatly hastened by the
pandemic.
While the younger generation
have been more immersed in digital
economy, through online purchasing
and online financial services, it
cannot be assumed that young
people automatically have all the
skills, knowledge and understanding
they need to apply the technology.
They may be fully immersed in digital
economy but are not necessarily
digitally literate.
Digital financial economy is
certainly a greater challenge for
vulnerable groups such as senior
citizens, those unskilled in
technology as well as groups with
limited access to both knowledge and
skills, and the means to use
technology effectively and safely.
Financial technology (Fintech),
that is using software, applications
and digital platforms to deliver
financial services to consumers and
businesses through digital devices
such as smartphones, is being
increasingly used by Malaysians as
well as throughout the world,
especially during lockdowns due to
the pandemic.
Populations, such as senior
citizens, who probably have never
used Fintech before are being forced
to do their banking online. However,
improved access to financial services
through Fintech requires higher
LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com
Change mindset of p-hailing riders
THE comments by Khairil Ahmad
(“P-hailing conundrum to regulate
bad road antics” in theSun, Aug 11)
came in a timely manner as I had
just returned from a day out – and
yet again witnessed first hand p-
hailing riders dangerously cheat
death by dashing through stop
lights and zig-zagging their way
around traffic, for presumably a
need to beat the clock at all cost.
Yes, this horrendous road
etiquette has existed in this nation
long before the appearance of our
current e-world. However, when I
put on a uniform, strap on the
company brand emblazoned with a
smiling Panda (as an example), and
get on the road, I become their
ambassador. I am a reflection of the
company culture.
There can be no separation on
the level of involvement in matters
pertaining to obeying the laws of
the land. It is like saying, “go ahead
and drive your
DHL/Poslaju/UPS/Ambulance etc
vehicles recklessly and we will leave
the traffic authorities to take care of
your personal behaviour”.
Are companies/platforms
responsible for personal behaviour?
We know that the answer to this is
of course NO. However, when we
take on as brand ambassadors, that
have such a big presence in the
public space, there must be a clear
and strong message in the contract.
levels of digital financial literacy for
effective use of them and to avoid
mis-selling; frauds such as phishing,
hacking attacks, unauthorised use of
data and discriminatory treatment
and behavioural issues such as
excessive borrowing. Thus, digital
finance promises to be a major
convenience as well as an effective
means of reaching the unbanked, but
its use must be accompanied by
consumer information and
education.
Digital financial literacy is likely to
become an increasingly important
aspect of education for the digital age.
Consumers will need to have a higher
level of financial sophistication to
make effective use of Fintech
products and services, and to avoid
fraud and costly mistakes.
These developments point to the
need to develop digital financial
education programmes to improve
digital financial literacy, with a focus
on skills likely to be critical for those
participating in the digital economy.
Consumers today are expected to
take greater responsibility for their
financial well-being. For example, the
savings in the Employees Provident
Fund is insufficient for most EPF
contributors, and thus they need to
take additional steps to prepare for
retirement. Furthermore, to face
medical costs which are increasingly
expensive, consumers need to plan
for their medical needs through
healthcare insurance.
The decentralised nature of
Fintech implies that consumers will
also need to have increasing financial
sophistication to process financial
information. This points to the need
for nations to include digital financial
education in their national financial
education strategies.
Digital financial literacy implies
the knowledge of financial products
For example, it can read
something like this: You are
required at all times, while in
uniform and on duty, carrying our
brand name, to stop at a traffic light
when it is red! Termination of
employment is immediate if found
non-compliant.
Get a PSA (Public Service
Announcement) to help with
enforcement. Riders applying for
these jobs can be asked to fit a
camera for monitoring purposes.
These are a few examples on how
platforms need to take
accountability.
Continue to reinforce this
message by providing healthy
internal staff training. Place a big
signboard in their apps/pick-up
points – Do not break road traffic
regulations!
I was an employee with a
reputable international airline for
many years. We were told that
when in uniform or during events –
“you are our family and an
ambassador. Act like it if you want
to continue to live under this roof”.
It can be done. Work to shift
mindsets and not responsibilities.
Platforms must step in as a
co-parent. Think about the weight
of this as equal, not separate.
Vanitha Samuel
Brand Ambassador, Mum &
Citizen of Malaysia
and services, the awareness of digital
risks and the ability to mitigate those
risks, and the awareness of consumer
rights and redress mechanisms.
Firstly, consumers should be
aware of financial products and
services provided through digital
means such as the internet and
mobile phones. These services
generally fall into three major
categories: Payment systems such as
electronic money, phone wallets and
remittance services; asset
management services such as
internet banking, personal financial
management and mobile investing;
finally are other services such as
internet based insurance services.
Secondly, in addition to being
aware of digital financial services,
people should be able to compare the
pros and cons of each available
service. Such knowledge would help
them understand the basic functions
of different types of digital financial
services for personal purposes.
Consumers should be aware of digital
financial risks and how to mitigate
these risks.
Individuals need to understand
the additional risks they may incur
when using digital financial services,
which are more diverse but
sometimes harder to spot than those
associated with traditional financial
products and services.
Users of digital financial services
should be aware of the existence of
online fraud and cyber security risks.
They face a multitude of potential
risks, such as phishing, (when a
hacker pretends to be an institution
in order to get the user to divulge
personal data, like usernames or
passwords, via emails or social
networks), pharming (when a virus
redirects the user to a false page,
causing her to divulge personal
information) and spyware (when
COMMENT by Dr Chow Sze Loon
Equip home isolation patients on self-care
THE current bottleneck in public
health response is not unexpected
following various avenues of Covid
testing, which cannot match the
ongoing limited, strained capacity in
tracing and isolating as per the find,
test, trace, isolate and support
(FTTIS) framework by the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
Battling with the emergence of the
Delta variant, silent hypoxia and
increasing “brought in dead” cases,
vaccination along with double
masking are the latest public health
intervention introduced.
The vaccine breakthrough
infection rate, based on a follow-up
study among a quarter million of
Health Ministry healthcare workers
with higher exposure than the
normal population, is low (1.26%
February-July; 3.05% February-
August). Such finding is reassuring as
most of theses cases are consistently
in the mild category and are usually
allowed home isolation.
While stakeholders are exploring
various innovative ways to clear the
backlog in tracing and isolating
positive cases, patients in home
isolation can benefit from some
essential tips on self-care.
1. MDA-approved equipment
About 3.5% of the low-risk patients
may deteriorate into category 4-5
with warning signs. Thus, patients
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
malicious software inserts itself into
the users’ personal computer or
mobile phone and transmits
personal data).
Digital financial service users
should also be aware that their
digital footprint, including
information they provide to service
providers, may also be a source of
risk, even if it does not result directly
in loss, including profiling whereby
users may be excluded from access to
certain services based on their online
data and activities, and hacking
whereby thieves may steal personal
data from their online activities, such
as on social networks.
Due to easy access to credit
enabled by Fintech, consumers of
digital financial services could also
face potential problems of
over-borrowing or excessively
high-interest rates. Such risk can
trigger unexpected and large losses
when the service providers are not
regulated or only weakly regulated.
Over-borrowing may also harm their
credit rating. Users should fully
understand the terms and conditions
stipulated in contracts they digitally
sign with service providers. They
should also be aware of (risky)
implications of digital contracts.
They should understand that
digital financial service providers
may use their personal information
for other purposes, such as
calculating their credit demands,
advertising and credit evaluation. In
terms of financial risks, easy access to
finance may lead to over-borrowing.
Consumers should not only be
aware of the risks but measures on
how to mitigate these risks, for
example they should learn to use
computer programmes and
applications to avoid phishing and
spamming. They should also know
how to protect their personal
need to be empowered to self-
monitor and be alert, report those
warning signs (e.g: persistent or new
onset fever, extreme fatigue,
respiratory compromise, profuse
sweating, blue lips or change of
colour in skin) that warrant
immediate medical attention. The
Health Assessment Tool (HAT) in the
MySejahtera app is developed for
that purpose.
Medical Device Authority (MDA)-
approved pulse oximetre is an
essential tool to identify the need for
medical evaluation, oxygen therapy
or hospitalisation, even before the
onset of warning signs. It is a safe and
non-invasive way to assess oxygen
saturation in the blood.
It is also recommended by WHO
to prevent silent hypoxia. Therefore,
setting a ceiling price for such
essential device is certainly timely
and helpful. High-quality equipment
consistently provides results within
minimal margin (+/-2%). However,
factors such as movement,
temperature or nail polish are known
to impact its accuracy.
2. Equip patients with self-care tips
Firstly, staying calm, positive and
being aware of the baseline oxygen
saturation is important. Generally,
SpO2 above 95% is considered
normal. Practical breathing exercises,
rehabilitation tips and self-
9
SPEAK UP
identification number and other
personal information when using
financial services provided through
digital means.
Finally, consumers should be
aware of consumer rights and redress
procedures, in cases where users fall
victim to the above-mentioned risks.
Users of digital financial services
should understand their rights and
know where they can go, and how to
obtain redress if they fall victim to
fraud or other loss.
In Malaysia, consumers need to
understand the role of the
Ombudsman of Financial Services,
Consumer Forum of the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia
Commission, Bank Negara Malaysia,
Consumer Tribunal and police in
addressing complaints related to
online fraud and complaints on
financial issues.
Currently, despite the increasing
use of digital financing by all sectors of
the economy by not only the younger
generation but also the older and
other vulnerable groups, there is little
emphasis in Malaysia of empowering
consumers in addressing the
complexities in the digital economy.
The Federation of Malaysian
Consumers Associations calls on
policymakers to formulate and
implement a National Programme for
Digital Financial Literacy to empower
all consumers to fully take advantage
of the digital economy, understand
the risks and take measures to
mitigate these risks, and to better
understand their rights as consumers
and be aware of where to go to seek
redress if they feel they have suffered
losses due to the digital economy.
Paul Selva Raj is secretary-
general of Federation of Malaysian
Consumers Associations. Comments:
letters@thesundaily.com
management after Covid-related
illness can be obtained from
WHO’s self-management leaflet
(www.shorturl.at/hryG4). A simple,
easy-to-follow method on effective
breathing techniques and guide on
self-proning (helpful in improving
SpO2) that can be referred by patients
at home should be provided.
The Occupational Therapy Unit
under Penang General Hospital has
produced a video to ensure all
Covid patients have access to
rehabilitation tips.
3. Social responsibility
Self-isolation is a great social
responsibility, for the purpose of
public health, that requires
awareness and discipline, though
continuous enforcement does play a
role. Non pharmacological
interventions applied globally are
rather similar. The main difference,
perhaps, is the compliance of these
measures, which ultimately falls back
to discipline and awareness of its
society. Finally, it is high time for all
stakeholders to recognise and accept
digital Home Surveillance Order as
part of a digitalisation initiative as the
nation moves towards a recovery
plan.
Dr Chow Sze Loon is a
Public Health Medicine Specialist.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
 SunBIZ
WEDNESDAY
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

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
14/09/2021 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
40.7 Institutions 1163.7 1286.9 -123.2 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com
35.5 Retail 1098.5 1038.6 59.9
23.8 Foreign 748.2 684.9 63.3
14.62 6.06 311.58 52.77 222.73 11.41 20.97 12.09
100.0 3010.4 3010.4 0.0
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Source: Bursa Malaysia 1,555.51 3,080.37 25,502.23 3,662.60 30,670.10 17,434.90 3,148.83 7,437.30

INDICES
KL MARKET SUMMARY
September 14, 2021

CHANGE
AirAsia to help revive tourism,
starting with Langkawi
FBMEMAS 11,394.80 -86.56
FBMKLCI 1,555.51 -14.62
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 611.72 -1.67
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 197.94 -2.70
CONSTRUCTION 168.18 -1.41
FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,199.82 -173.73
ENERGY 744.21 -9.51 oAirline to consider he said.
AirAsia said the Langkawi travel bubble
AirAsia’s duty-free offerings.
AirAsia Super App CEO Amanda Woo
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HEALTH CARE
697.71
2,630.47
-4.99
-12.89 rehiring retrenched staff which has been well received by Malaysians
since it was announced, will be a catalyst for
said the app which offers e-hailing service
with the recent launch of Airasia Ride would
TRANSPORTATION
PROPERTY
880.78
731.01
-1.44
-2.14 once the island’s travel the revival of tourism and the group intends
to play a strong role in further solidifying the
be operating in Langkawi from tomorrow.
“The digitalisation of duty-free shopping
PLANTATION
FBMSHA
6,502.39
12,491.04
-78.68
-78.57
bubble takes off return of travel.
“As a start, AirAsia Malaysia will be
in Langkawi through our app will power
Langkawi up as the Asean’s first online duty-
FBMACE 7,139.29 -79.82 resuming its flights to Langkawi with 90 free shopping destination. By the end of
TECHNOLOGY 91.87 +0.73 weekly flights departing from Kuala September, for the first time in Malaysia,
█ BY JUNE MOH Lumpur (63 times weekly), Penang (14 customers can now order Langkawi duty-free
TURNOVER VALUE sunbiz@thesundaily.com times weekly), Johor Baru (seven times products online and have them delivered
4.658 BIL RM3.010 BIL weekly), Ipoh (three times weekly) and Kota straight to their hotel within the same day via
PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Group Bhd has Baru (three times weekly). Our flights in Teleport’s six-hour express service.”
yet to decide on rehiring or reinstating September and October are selling fast and Lada CEO Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib
5 MOSTSeptember
ACTIVES 14, 2021
retrenched employees when the Langkawi
travel bubble commences, according to
we remain confident this momentum will
continue.”
cited data provided by Malaysian
Associations of Hotels that bookings for
AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat. The airline has robust procedures in four- and five-star hotels have reached 50%
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) Riad said the group definitely needs place to maintain safety standards at all occupancy rate.
KANGER 601,557,600 5.5 -0.5 more people when the number of weekly times and AirAsia has been recognised as “For hotels which are three stars and
KNM 149,292,800 27.0 -1.0 flights to Langkawi increases or when there one of the first airlines worldwide by below, booking figures are still low, standing
AVI 148,265,600 14.5 -1.0 are some indications of green shoots after aviation experts at Airlineratings.com to at around 20% to 30% currently, mainly due
SERBADK 90,856,400 36.0 -1.0 tough years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. achieve the highest seven-Star rating for its to the promotional price offered by four-
PASUKGB 72,879,300 11.5 0.0 “We require more pilots, cabin crew, and stringent Covid-19 safety measures. and five-star hotels,” he said, adding that
manpower on the ground as flights resume. The AirAsia Super App is collaborating the island’s target is to receive 400,000
We are monitoring on a daily basis and with the Langkawi Development Authority visitors in three-and-
5 TOPSeptember
GAINERS 14, 2021
hopefully if the trajectory goes as positive as
I think it would next year, definitely, we will
(Lada) to offer a new digitised and
contactless duty-free shopping
a-half months.
Nasaruddin said
be able to reoffer and reappoint them experience which will see an island- the Langkawi bubble
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM (retrenched staff),” he told reporters at the wide and same-day delivery tourists need not to apply
NESTLE 106,300 134.80 0.80 virtual press conference of Langkawi travel across Langkawi hotels by the for interstate travel permit
D&O 9,882,200 5.55 0.40 bubble and launch of AirAsia Super App end of this month. Soon there from the police.
DAIBOCI 8,869,800 2.69 0.30 products yesterday. will also be a full spectrum of
WIDETEC 1,930,800 5.65 0.20 The group has retrenched 10% of its fulfilment from inflight seat delivery,
GREATEC 2,950,100 6.98 0.17 24,000-strong workforce since the Covid-19 airport pickup apart from hotel and
pandemic last year. home delivery with 13 Asean
“It is difficult for us to predict what is retailers on
5 TOPSeptember
LOSERS 14, 2021
going to happen in the next couple of weeks
or months. We have forecast and plans
board with

going forward and have plans for 2022, but

STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM it all depend on the decisions of policy
KLK 506,900 20.42 0.42 makers (and the state of the pandemic).”
HLBANK 960,400 18.46 0.34 Riad said almost 200,000 flight tickets
AEONCR 227,000 11.82 0.28 have been sold since the island is slated to
HLFG 262,000 18.30 0.24 be reopened under the tourism bubble
PMETAL 15,810,800 5.58 0.23 programme beginning tomorrow.
“On the first day (of the announcement) AirAsia will be resuming its services to Langkawi with 90 weekly flights departing from Kuala
30,000 flight tickets to Langkawi were sold,” Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru, Ipoh and Kota Baru.
EXCHANGE RATES SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Foreign currency

1 US DOLLAR
Bank sell
TT/OD
4.2090
Bank buy

4.0840
TT
Bank buy

4.0740
OD MEF, BECM call for further lifting of restrictions
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1160 2.9930 2.9770 PETALING JAYA: With the resumption of said there is still much confusion over the reopen while business events such as trade
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1350 3.0440 3.0360 non-essential services for businesses, some standard operating procedure (SOP) that exhibitions and conferences remain closed.
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3240 3.2350 3.2230 associations have raised their concerns over was hindering industry efforts to rebuild “We urge the government to consider
1 EURO 4.9770 4.8170 4.7970 remaining restrictions. business. reopening this sector immediately under
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) “Incomplete policies would only create strict adherence to SOP. The business
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 3.0080 2.8970 2.8810 expressed relief that the lockdown had been unwanted stress in the management of our events industry has been badly affected
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.1350 3.0440 3.0360 lifted, but pointed out that restrictions to operations,” said Hussain, adding that for over the 18 months of restrictions, yet we all
1 STERLING POUND 5.8330 5.6500 5.6300 keep corporate offices shut hampers overall efficient and productive management, complied.”
1 SWISS FRANC 4.5500 4.4450 4.4300 business recovery efforts. Its president businesses needs to ensure decision makers Lim highlighted the industry has always
Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman are back at work in the office. adhered to regulation and has prior
100 UAE DIRHAM 115.9300 109.9300 109.7300
relayed that he has received feedback from “We would like to propose to the experience in maintaining order in every
100 BANGLADESH TAKA 5.0350 4.7120 4.5120 members questioning the closure of authorities that employees who have had exhibition. With the national vaccination
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.3000 62.7000 N/A corporate offices when factory offices were two doses of the vaccine be allowed to rollout approaching 80%, he argued the
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 54.6800 51.9700 51.7700 allowed to open, pointing out that major return to the office. Employers should be industry cannot afford to sit back any longer
decisions are made at the management allowed to self-manage the Covid situation as business events require a minimum of
100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8200 5.4600 5.2600
level and not at the production sites. at the workplace following the SOP. We are three months of planning.
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0306 0.0277 0.0227 “The operations effectiveness is lost not able to micro manage business by “Reopening the sector now allows us a
100 JAPANESE YEN 3.8310 3.7120 3.7020 should the corporate offices be required to keeping the corporate office shut, especially chance to catch up with the rest of the world
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.5500 2.3800 2.1800 remain closed. With corporate offices in zones that are open. Self-management is in planning. If we wait any longer, we will
remaining shut, decisions were being made the way to go in an endemic situation.” lose out to other global cities that are also
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.5600 8.0600 7.8600
remotely and resulted in a lot of confusion Meanwhile, the Business Events Council bidding for a stake of the industry such as
100 QATAR RIYAL 116.8900 110.9600 110.7600 in operations and management,” he said in Malaysia (BECM) questioned the decision Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.”
100 SAUDI RIYAL 113.4700 107.7200 107.5200 a statement yesterday. to keep the business events sector In 2019, the sector generated RM27.5
100 SOUTH AFRICA RAND 30.8600 27.8600 27.6600 Hussain argued there are many shuttered. Its acting chairman Datuk million to Malaysia GDP and these events
decisions that operations or factories Vincent Lim questioned why the create jobs and revenues to other associated
100 THAI BAHT 13.3800 11.8800 11.4800
cannot make as it has to follow the strategic entertainment industry which includes industries such as hospitality and
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama decision of the company. In addition, he cinemas, galleries and art exhibits can transportation.
 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 11
* SUNBIZ

MAHB: Istanbul airport’s August passenger traffic at 90% of pre-pandemic level

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airports
Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) Turkish
asset Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen
International Airport (ISG) registered
3.2 million passenger movements
last month, equivalent to 90% of pre-
pandemic volume of August 2019, led
by summer travel surge.
On the whole, ISG saw a 7%
increase from July and was the main
contributor to the group’s total
passenger movements of 3.5 million
in August 2021.
MAHB said Turkey has relaxed
restrictions, allowing border and
intercity travel, lifting a nationwide
curfew, along with the country’s
vaccination progress as well as the
acceptance of European Union and
Turkish Covid-19 certificates that has
spurred travel within Turkey and
Europe.
In the first half of this year, the
Turkish airport was crowned the
fourth busiest airport in Europe,
while flight bookings data showed
Turkey and Istanbul listed as the third
best performing country and major
city at 62.0% and 56.5% pre-2019
levels respectively.
In Malaysia, MAHB’s network of
airports registered 296,000 passengers,
consisting of 88,000 international
passengers and 208,000 domestic
passengers in August. Despite a slight
increase from July, traffic remained
low with the prolonged travel
restrictions on both the domestic and
international sectors.
“However, on a positive note, the
group is looking forward to the
opening of the domestic travel
bubble this month with Langkawi as
the first destination,” it said in a
statement yesterday.
The airport operator said most of
its airports are ready for full
operations as most states are
progressing between phases 2 and 3
of the National Recovery Plan.
Overall, it remains optimistic on the
gradual increase in air travel,
MAHB said all of its international
airports have received ACI Airport
Health Accreditation, providing
assurance to passengers that globally
recognised safety measures are in
place. The group is looking to achieve
100% full vaccination rate of its
workforce by the end of this month.

Malaysian, Thai banks get Bursa kicks off pilot

investor and public
relations initiative

Qualified Asean Bank invite

oRegulators of the two
countries ask financial
institutions to indicate their
interest
PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
and Bank of Thailand (BOT) have invited
banking institutions from Malaysia and Thailand
to indicate their interest to be a Qualified Asean
Bank (QAB) in both countries.
The invitation is pursuant to the bilateral
arrangement under the Asean Banking
Integration Framework (ABIF) between the two
central banks which was concluded in April 2019.
The QABs are envisioned to facilitate greater
intra-Asean trade and investment, in accordance
with the Asean Economic Community Blueprint
2025 that aims to create an integrated and highly
cohesive Asean economy.
BNM said that to ensure the financial stability
of both countries, the QAB candidate, whether a
new entrant or an existing bank in the host
country, must be a strong and well managed
bank that has its interest endorsed by the home
country’s regulator; and comply with the host
country’s prudential requirements.
Successful candidate will enjoy market access
and operational flexibilities accorded under the
bilateral arrangement.
The Malaysian central bank pointed out that
this bilateral arrangement is a significant
milestone in the journey towards Asean financial
integration as envisioned under ABIF.
Towards this, the two regulators have
launched the Cross-Border QR Payment Linkage
between Thailand and Malaysia.
BNM’s governor, Datuk Nor Shamsiah Yunus,
an integrated and cohesive Asean economy, and
we are confident that the QAB arrangement will
foster more business opportunities and
PETALING JAYA: Bursa Malaysia has
embarked on an Investor Relations &
Public Relations Incentive Programme,
with the objective of enhancing the
visibility and accessibility of its public
listed companies (PLCs) to the
investment community through more
active investor relations engagements.
PLCs participating in this pilot
programme will undergo training for
one year to enhance their in-house
investor relations capabilities for more
BNM says a
effective investor relation engagements.
The scope of the programme includes
QAB must be assisting PLCs and their senior
management with the preparation of
a strong and
corporate presentation slides and
well managed factsheets, planning and organising
bank that has investor briefings with analysts and
its interest fund managers, and assisting with
endorsed by public relations engagements such as
the home press releases and media interviews.
country’s Bursa Malaysia CEO Datuk
regulator. – Muhamad Umar Swift said it is
BERNAMAPIX important for PLCs to develop strong
relationships with existing and
potential shareholders, as well as
effectively communicate their equity
story and ambitions to all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia yesterday
BOT says the embarked on a Dematerialisation Proof-
QAB marks of-Concept to facilitate the
another dematerialisation of securities
important certificates leveraging Daml smart
contracts from Digital Asset and a highly
milestone for
scalable distributed ledger platform from
the long- VMware. The project aims to test
standing blockchain-powered technologies’
partnership efficiency and operational feasibility in
between the the issuance of dematerialised securities
countries. – certificates, with initial emphasis on
REUTERSPIX structured warrants.
Bursa Malaysia believes this initiative
could improve the ease of doing
business by reducing the reliance on
as well as Asean’s efforts towards deeper regional manual work.
financial integration.
“The arrangement will bring about a wider
TECHNA-X SECURES
BRIEFS

commented that the arrangement signifies the
strengthening of economic ties between the two
countries and it will benefit the people of
Malaysia and Thailand, given the increase in
banking convenience and greater access to a
wider range of banking products.
“We are taking great strides towards creating
Kelington bags RM420m
construction job for
MNC expansion in Sarawak
PETALING JAYA: Kelington Group Bhd’s
wholly owned subsidiary, Kelington
Technologies Sdn Bhd, has been awarded a
RM420 million construction contract by a US
multinational company for its Sarawak
expansion project at Sama Jaya Free
Industrial Zone in Kuching.
Work begins this month and it is expected
to be completed by Dec 31, 2021.
The contract win has pumped up Kelington’s
new orders secured in 2021 to a high of RM764
million, up 56% from its record of RM490
million contract wins in full year 2020.
Kelington CEO Raymond Gan said this
project will open further opportunities for it
and propel Kelington to greater growth in the
electronics industry.
economic activities between the two countries to
facilitate both our economic recoveries amidst
the ongoing pandemic,” she said in a statement.
Her Thai counterpart, Sethaput
Suthiwartnarueput, agreed that the QAB marks
another important milestone for the long-
standing partnership between the two countries,
KAB ventures into robotics solutions business
PETALING JAYA: Electrical and mechanical
engineering services provider Kejuruteraan
Asastera Bhd (KAB) executed a term sheet
yesterday with YL Global Ventures Sdn Bhd
(YLGV) to start a venture in the robotics
solutions business.
This partnership with YLGV will see the
incorporation of a JV company named KAB
Robotic and Automation Solutions Sdn Bhd
with a total initial equity capital of RM100,000.
KAB will own a 70% stake in KAB Robotic
while YLGV will own the remaining 30%. KAB
and YLGV will jointly explore business
opportunities to establish and develop the first
robotics hub in Malaysia by leveraging on
YLGV’s sole distributorship rights with Otsaw
Technology Pte Ltd and its proprietary
robotics solutions.
Established in 2019, YLGV has procured an
exclusivity agreement via its wholly owned
range of high quality financial products that will
better serve the needs of businesses and RM50.8M CONTRACT
consumers in both countries. It is our aspiration PETALING JAYA: Techna-X Bhd has
to see QAB arrangements pave the way for further secured a two-year technology
financial cooperation among Asean members as development and support
the region embraces new financial innovations,” contract from SHT Engineering
he said. Sdn Bhd valued at RM50.8 million
via its wholly owned subsidiary,
TouchPoint International Sdn Bhd. The
contract is for the design and delivery
of an analytics-enabled public safety
and security command system.
subsidiary, Isenze Sdn Bhd, with Otsaw to sell
and distribute Otsaw’s robotics solutions in OPENSYS, PEOPLENDER
Malaysia. The company has been providing its
solutions and services to public and private
OFFER FINANCING
clienteles in Singapore such as government FOR SMES TO GO SOLAR
agencies, and those in the hospitality, PETALING JAYA: OpenSys (M) Bhd’s
healthcare, aviation and commercial building subsidiary OpenSys Technologies
management sectors. Sdn Bhd is collaborating with
Otsaw’s flagship product innovations Peoplender Sdn Bhd, operator of
include the O-RX, TreX and AirGuard. The O- peer-to-peer (P2P) financing
RX is the world’s first autonomous disinfection platform Fundaztic whereby
Peoplender will provide funding
robot using UV-C LED technology and is for prospective customers of
already in operation in a number of building buySolar through its Fundaztic P2P
facilities across various countries to ensure financing platform. The financing
complete disinfection on both surfaces and air scheme will be available to all SME
particles. O-RX is designed for the retail, office, customers of buySolar who are
hotel, and healthcare sectors, to name a few. looking for funding to purchase
Similarly, TreX is a portable disinfection solar systems costing up to
device built to disinfect confined areas such as RM200,000 per SME.
hotel rooms and aircraft.
 12 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
SUNBIZ
Ant may find it easy to move on after breakup
oBeijing wants fintech giant to separate its
payments, credit scoring and lending businesses,
and ‘share it’ with government investors
HONG KONG: Breaking up is hard
to do, but China’s Ant may be able
to move on quickly. Beijing wants
Jack Ma’s financial technology
giant to separate its payments,
credit scoring and lending
businesses, and is diluting it with
assorted government investors.
But these stakeholders might be
friendly, and the loan operation
looks to get a wider business remit.
Officials have imposed a
sweeping restructuring of Ant
since derailing its initial public
offering last November. At the
parent level, the group, which
owns the payments-to-wealth
management Alipay app, is being
rejigged into a financial holding
company subject to tougher
regulations. Further down, Ant’s
online credit business is now in
the process of being folded into a
recently-approved consumer
finance company with other
backers. Beijing may also pry open
its massive data trove on borrower
behaviour and feed at least some
of it to a credit-scoring joint
UK’S TRAVEL SECTOR
BRIEFS
FACING NEW WAVE OF
JOB CUTS, WARNS BODY
LONDON: Britain’s travel sector is
bracing for a new wave of job
cuts, with an industry trade body
saying that more than two thirds
of its members were planning to
make redundancies shortly due to
the government’s restrictive
holiday rules. Airlines and travel
companies have slammed
Britain’s travel rules as overly
expensive and complicated, and
blame them for a second lost
summer of holiday trade in 2021.
Travel industry body ABTA, which
represents 4,300 travel brands,
said that new bookings were 83%
lower in summer 2021 compared
to their pre-pandemic levels, and
as a result most of its members
were planning more job cuts at
the end of this month when a
furlough scheme ends. Estimated
new redundancies will bring the
total number of jobs lost during
Covid-19 to nearly 100,000 in the
outbound travel sector, said ABTA,
a figure which rises to 226,000
once the impact on the supply
chain is included. – Reuters
CHINA’S FIRST C919 JET
BOUND FOR AIRLINE TO
ENTER FINAL ASSEMBLY
BEIJING: China’s first C919
narrowbody jet to be delivered to
launch customer China Eastern
Airlines is about to enter final
assembly, China’s aviation regulator
said this week, with delivery due
before the end of the year. The
C919, being built by state-owned
planemaker Commercial Aircraft
Corp of China (COMAC), will mark a
milestone in a decade-long
programme to rival aircraft made
by Airbus and Boeing. The C919
programme’s certification board
met in Shanghai on Sept 10 and
reviewed COMAC reports on batch
production of the jet, the Eastern
Region Administration of the Civil
Aviation Administration of China
said. COMAC hopes to obtain a
type certificate, which certifies the
model as airworthy, by the end of
the year. – Reuters
venture with government entities,
according to Reuters.
The dilution of Ant’s ownership,
plus additional capital
requirements and other changes,
have yet to impact Alipay’s more
than 700 million monthly active
users in China. That seems
unlikely to last. Officials want its
lending businesses that offer a
virtual credit-card like service and
unsecured loans to run over a
separate app, according to the
Financial Times.
That would inconvenience
Alipay users, accustomed to
seamlessly taking out short-term
loans with a few taps on a
smartphone screen. Nor will Ant
be easily able to cross-market
more profitable financial services
to supplement its low-margin
payments business via an The credit scoring venture will be
integrated app. Most broadly, with the Zhejiang Tourism
Beijing officials appear to want to Investment Group and other
slow the overall growth of entities in Ant’s home province –
household leverage. That looks much improved from an earlier
bad for business. proposal which could have forced
Even so, there are silver linings. it to cooperate with rivals. Local
Singapore warns restrictive policies
could send economy into tailspin
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s finance minister
Lawrence Wong said yesterday companies would
move their business to other places if the
financial hub’s policies turned overly restrictive,
which would send its small and open economy
into a tailspin.
“If we are not careful, decades of hard work to
build up our business hub will be wasted, our
economy will contract and go down in a tailspin,“
Wong said in parliament. “We will end up with far
worse problems and it is not the foreigners but
Singaporeans who will ultimately pay the price.”
Foreign labour has long been a hot button
issue in Singapore, but uncertainties due to the
Covid-19 pandemic have increased employment
worries among locals as the city state recovers
from last year’s record recession.
The government has been tightening foreign
South Korea fines Google US$177m
for blocking Android customisation
SEOUL: South Korea’s antitrust regulator has
fined Alphabet Inc’s Google 207 billion won
(US$176.64 million) for blocking customised
versions of its Android operating system (OS), in
the U.S. technology giant’s second setback in
the country in less than a month.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said
yesterday Google’s contract terms with device
makers amounted to an abuse of its dominant
market position that restricted competition in
the mobile OS market.
Google said in a statement it intends to
appeal the ruling, saying it ignores the benefits
offered by Android’s compatibility with other
programs and undermines advantages enjoyed
by consumers.
“The Korea Fair Trade Commission’s decision
is meaningful in a way that it provides an
opportunity to restore future competitive
pressure in the mobile OS and app market
markets,“ KFTC Chairperson Joh Sung-wook said
in a statement.
The antitrust regulator said this could be the
ninth-biggest fine it has ever imposed.
KFTC said Google hampered competition by
making device producers abide by an “anti-
fragmentation agreement (AFA)” when signing
government shareholders have
financial incentives to support the
business, and could also give Ant
cover in Beijing. Moreover, the
new consumer finance company,
of which Ant owns 50%, will be
able to access the interbank
worker policies for several years while taking
steps to promote local hiring, including by raising
the salary threshold for issuing work permits.
Wong said the government will continue to
ensure qualifying salaries for foreigners keep
pace with local wages and is studying how to
improve the framework. Just under 30% of
Singapore’s 5.7 million people are non-residents,
up from around 10% in 1990, according to
government statistics. But fewer foreigners
pushed the overall population down 0.3% last
year due to travel curbs and pandemic-related
job losses.
A large chunk of the foreigners are low-paid
domestic helpers or manual labourers, but it is
the numbers of those in higher-paid professional
jobs that have been questioned by opposition
parties. – Reuters
key contracts with it regarding app store
licences.
Under the AFA, manufacturers could not
equip their handsets with modified versions of
Android, known as “Android forks”. That has
helped Google cement its market dominance in
the mobile OS market, the KFTC said.
Under the ruling, Google is banned from
forcing device makers to sign AFA contracts,
allowing manufacturers to adopt modified
versions of Android OS on their devices.
In one instance, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
launched a smartwatch with a customised OS in
2013 but switched to a different OS after Google
regarded the move as an AFA violation, KFTC
said. Samsung Electronics declined to comment.
The fine comes on the day that an
amendment to South Korea’s
Telecommunications Business Act – popularly
dubbed the “anti-Google law” – came into
effect.
The bill was passed in late August and it bans
app store operators such as Google from
requiring software developers to use their
payment systems. The requirement had
effectively stopped developers from charging
commission on in-app purchases. – Reuters
The dilution of
Ant’s
ownership,
plus additional
capital
requirements
and other
changes, have
yet to impact
Alipay’s more
than 700
million
monthly active
users in China.
– REUTERSPIX
lending market and issue bonds,
as well as expand beyond micro-
loans into insurance and fixed
income securities. If this is rock
bottom for Ant, it’s a softer landing
than some might have expected. –
Reuters
Grab trims full-year
forecasts, says
US$40b SPAC
merger on track
SINGAPORE: Grab, Southeast Asia’s biggest
ride hailing-to-food delivery group, lowered
its full-year forecasts yesterday, citing
renewed uncertainty over pandemic-related
movement restrictions despite encouraging
vaccination rates in the region.
Singapore-based Grab also said in a
statement that it was making progress on its
record merger deal agreed with US special-
purpose acquisition company (SPAC)
Altimeter Growth Corp earlier this year.
And it reiterated that the deal, worth
nearly US$40 billion (RM166 billion), is
expected to be completed in the fourth
quarter.
Grab, which has operations across eight
countries and more than 400 cities in a
region of 650 million people, said it expects
to report group-level adjusted net sales of
US$2.1 billion to US$2.2 billion, versus an
expected US$2.3 billion announced in April.
It also forecast a group-level adjusted
ebitda loss of US$700 million to US$900
million for this year compared with a
previously projected ebitda loss of US$600
million.
“Grab’s full-year 2021 outlook anticipates an
extension of partial and complete lockdowns
throughout several countries where Grab
operates as a result of the continuing spread
of Covid-19,“ the company said.
Grab’s second-quarter adjusted net sales
jumped 92% to US$550 million while its
adjusted ebitda loss rose 4% to US$214
million.
Grab said its quarterly total gross
merchandise value (GMV), a metric used to
measure transaction volumes, jumped 62%
to a record US$3.9 billion. GMV for deliveries
grew 58% to US$2.1 billion, while GMV for
mobility rose 93% to US$685 million.
“Our deliveries business continues to
outperform and is growing rapidly, with the
addition of new offerings such as GrabMart
and GrabSupermarket, and we expect to
continue investing heavily in this segment,“
Peter Oey, Grab’s chief financial officer, said. –
Reuters
 2 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

SOP to be trimmed from 181 to 10

oPandemic management panel agrees to
implement move from next month
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will see
a further easing of Covid-19
restrictions from next month.
By then, only 10 of the 181
requirements under the standard
operating procedures (SOP) will
continue to be in force, said Defence
Senior Minister Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Hussein.
At a media conference at the
Parliament building yesterday, he
said the special committee on
pandemic management chaired by
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail
Sabri Yaakob has reviewed the new
SOP and agreed to implement it in
the next two to three weeks.
Apart from Ismail Sabri, those in
the committee are Health Minister
Khairy Jamaluddin,
Communications and Multimedia
Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa,
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku
Zafrul Abdul Aziz and
Hishammuddin.
“This is going to be the way
forward for our country to shift from
pandemic to endemic. This will be
effective once
announcement is made.
an official
“We plan to reduce (the number of
requirements) under the current SOP
and it will take a bit of a time but it
will be a lot easier for people. The 10
restrictions in the new set of SOP will
be announced by the prime minister
soon.
“Key ministers have asked to
discuss this with me. For example,
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk
Seri Nancy Shukri wants us to look at
a proposal to reopen Langkawi to
tourists in the next two days.”
Hishammuddin said how
successful the Langkawi move is will
determine the government’s
decision on other tourism-related
activities.
In the Dewan Rakyat earlier,
Ismail Sabri stated that the
restrictions are no longer fitting.
He said that the lockdown had
only resulted in great losses for
Malaysia.
“The economy contracted 3.4% in
2020, while the poverty rate has risen
to 8.4% from 5.6% in 2019.”
He added that the unemployment
rate rose significantly to 5.3% in May
last year, accounting for 826,000
individuals who are now without
jobs. This was an increase from 3.3%
in 2019.
When asked if the government will
lift or ease travel restrictions to cross
states, he said it is not easy to
implement that as he has to look at
the risks involved.
“Perhaps the Health Ministry can
look at easing it since they know that
mental health and well-being
are also considerations, since we
have been under lockdown for a long
period.”
He added that he would look at
the success of Langkawi (whether
everyone adheres strictly to the SOP).
But if the attempt fails, then the
government will not start other travel
bubbles.
“It is up to the Tourism Ministry to
prove to us that they can do it,” added
Hishammuddin.

Rejection of motion to replace Speaker sparks chaos New unit to ensure

A MOTION to replace Dewan Rakyat Speaker
Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun was rejected by
Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon
yesterday, resulting in shouts of
“memalukan” (shameful) and an attempt to
evict an opposition MP.
The commotion started when Mohd
Rashid rejected the motion to replace Azhar.
“You are abusing your power. People are
watching you, ‘memalukan’,” said R.S.N.
Rayer (PH-Jelutong).
Rayer stood by his usage of the word
“memalukan” despite being warned three
times by Mohd Rashid to retract it.
This resulted in Rayer being forced out of
the Dewan and the imposition of a two-day
suspension on him. It was to be effective from
yesterday.
However, Mohd Rashid agreed to allow
Rayer to continue to sit for yesterday’s session
upon a request from Opposition Leader
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I hope the opposition leader can advise
him to cease being provocative so that we can
resolve a lot of matters properly,” Mohd
Rashid said.
Azhar had earlier explained to the
Opposition that he had recused himself from
involvement in the decision to allow the
motion of confidence against him and told
them to ask Mohd Rashid as he was the one
who made the decision (to not allow the
motion to be debated).
“I was told that the motion was rejected
and I was not involved in this. You can ask him
(deputy speaker) later at 2.30pm in the next
session,” he said.
“I am in a position of conflict, so I recused
myself from making the decision,” he said in
response to a question first raised by
M. Kulasegaran (PH-Ipoh Barat) on why the
decision was made to forgo the motion of
confidence against him.
When several lawmakers, including
Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) and Anwar
continued to demand an explanation, Azhar
gave in and called on Mohd Rashid to provide
the explanation requested.
Mohd Rashid said the motion was rejected
due to failure in fulfilling required
technicalities under the Parliamentary
Standing Orders.
“There were 11 motions by Amanah MP
and two by PKR, but all did not meet the
requirements and I’ve written in reply to each
of the motions that were filed. Please read the
answers and my decision is final.”
quick supply of oxygen
to hospitals
A RAPID deployment unit will be established to
send oxygen supplies immediately to states facing
a surge in Covid-19 infections, said Health Minister
Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said this would ensure that hospitals no
longer fall short of oxygen supply, as had happened
before.
“The unit will ensure faster delivery to affected
hospitals, like in Sabah where the number of new
cases has been on the rise. The Health Ministry has
responded by sending more oxygen and beds,” he
said in response to a question from opposition MP
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on the lack of beds
and oxygen in Sabah.
He also pointed out that on Aug 7, the ministry
had sent an additional 480 cylinders of oxygen and
48 oxygen regulators to Sabah as the number of
cases continued to rise rapidly.
He said the ministry hoped to raise the ratio of
beds to 2.08 per 1,000 population from 2.01.
“The number of beds have been increased from
55,952 in 2016 to 65,558 in 2020,” Khairy said.
“To achieve the desired target, we will build new
hospitals and upgrade the facilities of existing
ones. Focus will be given to existing hospitals in
areas with high bed occupancies and large
populations.”
He added that the government would not stop
or reduce the treatment for non-Covid patients,
especially for emergency cases or partial
emergency cases.
He said one of the measures taken to ensure
that non-Covid patients get the required treatment
was to lengthen work hours of staff at selected
hospitals.
Khairy said the operating hours of specialist
clinics and operating rooms have also been
extended, and specialists from public
and private hospitals have been mobilised to
help out.

Terror attack warning

Q & A SESSION ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob replying to queries. – BERNAMAPIX
Questions raised over police roadblock
A QUERY from the Opposition became a
point of contention on the second day of the
current meeting.
The Opposition had asked the reason for a
police roadblock set up on the road leading to
Parliament on Aug 2, preventing entry to the
nation’s legislative building.
However, Home Minister Datuk Seri
Hamzah Zainudin said the question of who
should be held accountable should not have
been raised since it was made in accordance
with the Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun then
interjected to say that he had instructed
Dewan Rakyat officials to allow members of
Parliament (MP) to enter but he was not
aware of police intervention.
“I gave instructions that all MP were to be
allowed entry, but that was just my stand.”
Hamzah said the police had set up the
roadblock in response to the almost 100 cases
detected inside Parliament building.
He said compounds were issued to
opposition party members who attempted to
enter the premises.
“But after taking into consideration that
some of those opposition party members
were also MP, we agreed to reduce the
compound fines in a discussion with the
Health Ministry.”
However, Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok
Sena) argued that if those who were stopped
at the roadblock had been allowed to enter,
there would not have been a gathering.
Hamzah was also ticked off for not wearing
a mask.
baseless, says minister
DEFENCE Senior Minister Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Hussein has dismissed as baseless
a warning from the Japanese government of
possible terrorist acts in Southeast Asia, including
Malaysia.
In echoing Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani’s remarks
earlier yesterday, he said there is nothing to worry
about since there have been no threats to Malaysia.
“I am aware of it. Military intelligence has
briefed me in response to (a report on) a media
platform and the IGP has also made a statement.
Regarding the possible terrorist attacks, it is
completely baseless. I will get Wisma Putra to
investigate why Japan has issued such statement.
He was responding to a question raised by the
media yesterday at the Parliament building on a
warning to Japanese citizens over a possible
terrorist threat.
It pointed out that there could be possible
attacks in public places such as houses of worship
and asked Japanese residents in Malaysia,
Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Myanmar to stay away from crowded areas.
 322 Notices
13
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT

SPORTS
KUALA LUMPUR
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP)

SHORTS
NO: WA-28NCC-526-08/2021

In the Matter of Section 465(1)(e) read

with Section 466(2) of the Companies
Act, 2016
Fury promises to KO Wilder
And
302 Jobs 322 Notices 322 Notices
In the Matter of DAPOQ CHE JUN SDN TYSON FURY has vowed to knock out
BHD
(Company No. 1215791-P)
Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight in Las
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES

MEDIA SALES
ACT, 2016 AND Vegas on Oct 9. The Brit, 33, claimed the WBC
Between
IN THE MATTER OF PHARMAHOME
SDN. BHD.
heavyweight title with a convincing seventh
(IN MEMBERS’ KERETAPI TANAH MELAYU BERHAD
(Company No. 225943-T)
round stoppage of the American in February
VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP)
2020.
REPRESENTATIVE / AGENT [REGISTRATION NO.: 201501001330
(1126662-H)] And
…Petitioner
After much talk the pair are now set to
(FREELANCE) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant
to Section 439(2) of the Companies
Act, 2016 that the Special Resolution
DAPOQ CHE JUN SDN BHD
(Company No. 1215791-P)
…Respondent
complete their trio of fights, nearly three
years after they contested a controversial
set out below was duly passed by
the members of the Company on ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
draw in December 2018. Fury is adamant he
Requirements: 09/09/2021.
“THAT the Company be wound up
beats Wilder even easier this time around.
· Minimum 1 year sales experience voluntarily and that Ms. Teoh Sin Yee NOTICE is hereby given that a petition
for the winding-up of the abovenamed Speaking to Frank Warren’s Queensbury
of 2, Lorong Rumbia 2, Sungai Nibong,
company by the High court was on Promotions, he said: “What’s going to
in newspaper and digital 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang and
Mr. Yeap Chee Keong of Blk 9-10-2, 05.08.2021 presented by the said
happen is I’m going to run across the ring
Jalan Tengah, Bandar Bayan Baru, company and that the said petition is
advertising 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, directed to be heard before the Court
sitting at Kuala Lumpur at
and knock the f*** out of Deontay Wilder. I’m
having consented to act, be and are
· Attractive commission package hereby appointed as Liquidators for 9.00 o’clock in the morning, on going to plaster him. I’m going to be like a
the purposes of such winding up. the 10.11.2021 and any creditor
and incentive or contributor of the said company plasterer on the night, plastering walls.
TEOH SIN YEE desiring to support or oppose the ”I’m going to splatter him in the ring. He’s
· Able to start immediately YEAP CHEE KEONG
Joint Liquidators
making of an order on the said petition
may appear at the time of hearing getting knocked out for sure, 100%. It was an
Penang
· Central, Northern, Southern, by himself or his counsel for that
purpose, and a copy of the petition
easy fight the second time, and it’ll be an
East Coast and Sabah/Sarawak Date: 15/09/2021 will be furnished to any creditor or even easier time the third time. I’m knocking
contributory of the said company
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES
requiring the same by the undersigned him out inside quicktime.”
ACT, 2016 AND
Send in your application with your IN THE MATTER OF on payment of the regulated charge for If Fury defeats Wilder and Anthony Joshua
the same.
PHARMAHOME SDN. BHD.
(IN MEMBERS’ is able to come through his heavyweight title
photo to theSun.hr1@gmail.com VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) The Petitioner’s address is at Level
2, Legal & Secretarial Services Unit,
defence against former undisputed
[REGISTRATION NO.: 201501001330
(1126662-H)] Corporate Headquarters, Jalan Sultan cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on
Hishamudin, 50621 Kuala Lumpur.
322 Notices NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sept 25, the two Brits will look to agree a
Creditors of abovenamed Company
which is being wound up voluntarily
The Petitioner’s solicitors is Messrs clash for all the belts once more.
Chua & Partners, Advocates &
are required on or before 15/10/2021 Solicitors of Suite 8-12A-6, Level 12A,
PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN to send their names and addresses
DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI TAIPING
PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO: AB-38-84-03/2021
with particulars of their debts or
claims and the names and addresses
Menara Olympia, No.8, Jalan Raja
Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Zozo Championship to go ahead
Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 of their solicitors (if any) to the
Sgd
Dan undersigned, the Liquidators of the
said Company at No.18-22-B, Gurney ………………………… THE US PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship will
Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 38025/2018( bertarikh : 18/09/2018)
ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah PN 410643 (formerly HSD 9580), Tower, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Solicitors for the Petitioners be held in Japan as planned next month,
George Town, Pulau Pinang and if so Messrs Chua & Partners
17761(formerly PT 1692), Mukim Tanjong Piandang, Daerah Kerian, Perak
Dan required by notice in writing from the organisers announced yesterday, after fears it
Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 said Liquidators, are by their solicitors
or personally to come and prove their
NOTE:-Any person who intends to
appear on the hearing of the said
could be moved for the second year running
ANTARA debts or claims at such time and place petition must serve on or send by because of the coronavirus pandemic.
as shall be specified in such notice or post to the abovenamed Messrs
Public Islamic Bank Berhad (No. Syarikat: 14328-V) . .. PLAINTIF in default thereof they will be excluded Chua & Partners, notice in writing The inaugural edition of Japan’s first US
DAN
from the benefits of any distributions
made before such debts or claims are
of his intention so to do. This notice
must state the name and address
PGA Tour event in 2019 was memorably won
Teoh Soon Heng (No. Kad Pengenalan : 831105085619)
proved. of the person, or, if a firm, or his or by Tiger Woods, but last year’s tournament
Teoh Soon Liang (No. Kad Pengenalan : 890101086905) ...DEFENDAN
322 Notices TEOH SIN YEE
their solicitor (if any) and must be
served, or, if posted, must be sent by
was moved to California because of the virus.
Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di TAIPING mengenai Perintah Jualan dan
YEAP CHEE KEONG
Joint Liquidators
post in sufficient time to reach the There had been speculation it could be
Perintah bertarikh 12 Mac 2020 dan 4 Mei 2021, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa abovenamed not later than 12:00
Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA
Penang
o’clock noon of the 09.11.2021. relocated again this year, after the other two
AKAN MENJUAL SECARA AT JOHOR BAHRU 322 Notices Date: 15/09/2021
This Advertisement of Petition is
tournaments on the US PGA Tour’s “Asian
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP)
LELONG AWAM
Pada Hari Selasa, 5 Oktober 2021, Pada Jam 11:00 pagi, NO: JA-28NCC-97-08/2021 prepared by Messrs Chua & Partners, Swing” fell victim to the pandemic.
SECARA ELEKTRONIK Dl LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT
Advocates & Solicitors Suite 8-12A-
6, Level 12A, Menara Olympia, No.8,
The CJ Cup, beginning Oct 14, has been
KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR In the Matter of Section 465(1)(e)
read with Section 466 (1)(a) of the
KUALA LUMPUR
IN THE FEDERAL TERRITORY OF 322 Notices Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala moved from South Korea to Las Vegas, while
Lumpur solicitors for the Petitioners.
NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan agar membuat carian Hakmilik secara
rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanggungan, bebanan serta mengenal
Companies Act, 2016 KUALA LUMPUR Shanghai’s World Golf Championships-HSBC
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP)
pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum jualan lelongan dijalankan.
And NO: WA-28NCC-597-08/2021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT Champions, scheduled for Oct 28-31, has
Sila layari https://elelong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb
IN THE MATTER OF SECTION 465 (1)
KUALA LUMPUR
IN THE STATE OF FEDERAL 322 Notices been cancelled for the second successive
In the Matter of INNOGENAP
BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK:
SDN BHD [Company No. (e) and 466 (1) (a) OF THE COMPANIES TERRITORY, MALAYSIA year.
(COMMERCIAL DIVISION)
No. Hakmilik : PN 410643 (formerly HSD 9580) 200201033836 (601501-U)] ACT 2016
And COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) IN THE MATTER OF But PGA Tour chiefs said that the Zozo
PETITION
No. Lot
Mukim/Daerah/Negeri
:
:
17761 (formerly PT 1692)
Tanjong Piandang / Kerian / Perak Between NO.: WA-28NCC-426-07/2021
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
Championship would go ahead as planned
In the Matter of JEKS ENGINEERING
Pegangan
No. Petak/No. Tingkat/No.
:
:
Hakmilik Pajakan
SDN BHD In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and IN THE MATTER OF at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in
UNITED OVERSEAS BANK
Bangunan
Keluasan Tanah
:
: 1496.00 kaki persegi (MALAYSIA) BHD [Company No.
(Company No. 199401011827
(297506- U))
466(1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016; UNIVERSAL
TEST SOLUTION SDN. BHD.
Chiba, east of Tokyo, from Oct 21-24.
Pemilik Berdaftar
:
:
139.00 meter persegi
Teoh Soon Heng, Teoh Soon Liang
199301017069 (271809-K)] And (Registration No. 200501014293 A decision on whether fans will attend
…Petitioner Between (691340-H))
Syarat Nyata : Kediaman - Sebuah Rumah Kediaman
And In the matter of Adjudication Decision (In Creditors’ Voluntary Winding Up) has yet to be taken.
Sekatan Kepentingan : Tanah ini boleh dipindahmilik atau dipajak dengan
kebenaran bertulis oleh Pihak Berkuasa Negeri
JAYA UPAYA MACHINERY SDN BHD
(COMPANY NO.: 201101036351
dated 14 April 2021 under the
Adjudication Reference No. AIAC/D/
“We are confident our tournament will
INNOGENAP SDN BHD NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to
Bebanan / Lain-Lain
Kawasan Rizab
:
: [Company No. 200201033836
(964485-H)) ADJ-3387-2020; Section 439 of the Companies Act, showcase world-class golf once again,” US
…Petitioner
Kaveat :
(601501-U)] And And 2016 that the resolutions set out below
were duly passed by the Members of
PGA Tour’s international executive vice
…Respondent
LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH :
Hartanah tersebut adalah sebuah rumah teres dua tingkat lot tengah yang JEKS ENGINEERING SDN BHD In the matter of Maju Puncakbumi Sdn Universal Test Solution Sdn. Bhd. at an president Ty Votaw said in a statement.
beralamat pos di No. 15, Jalan Piandang 17, Taman Piandang Indah, 34250 ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION (Company No. 199401011827 Bhd (Company No. 200901000868/
843792-P)
Extraordinary General Meeting held on
9th September 2021:-
This year’s tournament will offer a
Tanjong Piandang, Perak. (297506- U))
NOTICE is hereby given that a …Respondent US$9.95m (RM41.3m) purse, with an elite
BETWEEN
HARGA RIZAB :
Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu
petition for the winding-up of
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
ZONE ARCHITECT
“THAT it has been proved to the
satisfaction of this meeting that the
field of 78 competing, though details of
the abovenamed company by
harga rizab sebanyak RM 405,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: EMPAT RATUS LIMA
RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang the High court was on 18.8.2021
(FIRM REGISTRATION NO. SP/C 151)
…PETITIONER
Company cannot by reason of its players have not yet been confirmed.
NOTICE is hereby given that a petition AND liabilities continue its business and that
berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank presented by the said company for the winding-up of the abovenamed it is advisable to wind up the Company
MAJU PUNCAKBUMI SDN BHD
and that the said petition is
Biennial World Cup an
Draf di atas nama PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum company by the High court was on and accordingly the Company be
tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya (COMPANY NO. 200901000868/
directed to be heard before the 30.08.2021 presented by Petitioner JAYA 843792-P) wound up voluntarily.
kepada PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120)
hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:-
Court sitting at Johor Bahru at
9.00 o’clock in the morning, on
UPAYA MACHINERY SDN BHD and that
the said petition is directed to be heard
…RESPONDENT
THAT Mr. Khor Yong Yong (I/C No. ‘interesting concept’: Gilpin
Firma Guaman : WONG-CHOOI & MOHD NOR the 20.10.2021, and any creditor before the High Court sitting at Kuala ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION 760718-07-5119) of Level 6, 33B Jalan
Alamat : NO. 27, 1ST FLOOR or contributor of the said company Lumpur at 9.00 o’clock in the morning,
NOTICE is hereby given that a petition
Pahang, 10400 Georgetown, Pulau WORLD RUGBY Chief Executive Alan Gilpin
JALAN MAJU JAYA desiring to support or oppose the on the 01.12.2021, and any creditor or
PUSAT PERNIAGAAN MAJU JAYA, 14000 BUKIT MERTAJAM, making of an order on the said contributor of the said company desiring for the winding-up of the above-
Pinang be and is hereby appointed
Liquidator to act for the purpose of
said staging the Rugby World Cup every two
named company by the High Court
No. Telefon :
PULAU PINANG
04-5398855
petition may appear at the time of to support or oppose the making of an
order on the said petition may appear was, on the 2nd day of July 2021, such winding-up of the Company years instead of every four is an “interesting
hearing by himself or his counsel and that he shall be indemnified by
No. Fax : 04-5395855
for that purpose, and a copy of
at the time of hearing by himself or presented by the said company. And
that the said petition is directed to the Shareholders against all costs, concept” but that all stakeholders would
No. Rujukan : WCMN(BM)/PIBB-HL/2019-586/TSH(RS/j) his counsel for that purpose, and a
the petition will be furnished to copy of the petition will be furnished be heard before the Court sitting at
Insolvency Court – Level 5, Left Wing
charges, losses, expenses and have to be given their say before the idea
any creditor or contributory of the liabilities incurred or sustained by him
said company requiring the same
to any creditor or contributory of the
said company requiring the same by
at the High Court of Malaya in Kuala in the execution and discharge of his was even considered.
CALL TO PLACE
Lumpur at 9.30 o’clock in the morning,
by the undersigned on payment of the undersigned on payment of the on the 5th day of October 2021; and
duties in relation thereto.” The comments come after world
the regulated charge for the same. regulated charge for the same. any creditor or contributory of the
Ong Hock Seong football's governing body floated the idea of
CLASSIFIED ADS
said company desiring to support or
The Petitioner’s address is at 9th The Petitioner’s address is at No. 52-3F,
Jalan Setia Perdana BB U13/BB, Bandar
oppose the making of an order on the
said petition may appear at the time of
Chairman a biennial World Cup, with FIFA’s congress
Floor, Wisma Bumi Raya, 10, Jalan Date: 15th September 2021 voting to carry out a feasibility study on the
Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor hearing by himself or his counsel for
Raja Laut, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Darul Ehsan. that purpose; and a copy of the petition
will be furnished to any creditor or IN THE MATTER OF proposal.
KLANG VALLEY The Petitioner’s solicitors
is Messrs Chua & Partners,
The Petitioner’s solicitors is Messrs
Ewe Chong & Khoo addressed at Unit
contributory of the said company
requiring the same by the undersigned
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
Japan hosted the last World Cup in 2019
PENANG | KEDAH Advocates & Solicitors of 46-01,
Jalan Molek 1/28, Taman Molek
No. A-11-3, Tingkat 11, Menara UOA on payment of the regulated charge for
the same.
IN THE MATTER OF and France is set to stage the next edition of
PERAK | PERLIS | PAHANG | 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Bangsar, No. 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama
1, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, solicitors for
UNIVERSAL
TEST SOLUTION SDN. BHD.
rugby’s showpiece event in two years’ time.
The Petitioner’s address is D6-3A-13A,
Petitioner. Gilpin, World Rugby Chairman Bill
KELANTAN Sgd
Sgd
Pusat Perdagangan D6, Jalan Sentul,
51000 Kuala Lumpur.
(Registration No. 200501014293
(691340-H)) Beaumont and France 2023 director general
TERENGGANU …………………………
Solicitors for the Petitioners ………………………
Solicitors for the Petitioner
The Petitioner’s solicitor is Messrs
Elison Wong of M-3-18, Plaza Damas,
(In Creditors’ Voluntary Winding Up)
Claude Atcher met in Paris this week, and the
Messrs Chua & Partners NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Creditors
Telegraph reported that staging a biennial
MS. Shoba Messrs Ewe Chong & Khoo No. 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 of Universal Test Solution Sdn. Bhd.
TEL: 03-7784 8888 NOTE:- Any person who intends NOTE:-Any person who intends to
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel No. 03-6143 8818, 03-6143 8868 which is being wound-up voluntarily, World Cup was among the items on the
to appear on the hearing of the are required on or before 22nd
appear on the hearing of the said Fax No. 03-6211 5030 agenda.
FAX: 03-7784 4424 said petition must serve on or
send by post to the abovenamed
petition must serve on or send by post
to the abovenamed Messrs Ewe Chong T. T
October 2021 to send in their names
and addresses, the particulars of their “Biennial World Cups have been
Messrs Chua & Partners, notice in & Khoo, notice in writing of his intention ........................................... debts or claims and the names and
Solicitors for the Petitioner addresses of their solicitors (if any) considered before and they're definitely
MALACCA | N.SEMBILAN writing of his intention so to do. so to do. This notice must state the
This notice must state the name name and address of the person, or, if a
firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and Note-
to the undersigned, the Liquidators
of the said Company at Level 6, 33B
something that we will continue to consider,”
MR. Rajah and address of the person, or, if a
firm, or his or their solicitor (if any)
must be served, or, if posted, must be Any person who intends to appear on
the hearing of the said petition must
Jalan Pahang, 10400 Georgetown, Gilpin was quoted as saying by the Telegraph
sent by post in sufficient time to reach
TEL: 012-628 2844 and must be served, or, if posted, the abovenamed not later than 12:00 serve on or send by post to the above- Pulau Pinang and, if so required by
notice in writing prove their debts and
yesterday.
must be sent by post in sufficient named solicitors, Messrs Elison Wong,
o’clock noon of the 30.11.2021. claims at such time and place as shall “It’s an interesting concept, especially
FAX: 06-764 2051 time to reach the abovenamed not notice in writing of his intention so to
do. The notice must state the name be specified in such notice or in default
when you think about the global
later than 12:00 o’clock noon of This Advertisement of Petition is and address of the person, or, if a firm, thereof, they will be excluded from
the 19.10.2021. prepared by Messrs Ewe Chong & Khoo the name and address of the firm, and the benefit of any distributions made development of the women's game too.
JOHOR BAHRU This Advertisement of Petition
addressed at Unit No. A-11-3, Tingkat
11, Menara UOA Bangsar, No. 5, Jalan
must be signed by the person or firm,
or his or their solicitor (if any) and
before such debts are proved.
“But the men’s calendar is very congested
MS. Anne Lim is prepared by Messrs Chua &
Partners, Advocates & Solicitors
Bangsar Utama 1, 59000 Kuala Lumpur,
solicitors for Petitioner solicitors for the
must be served, or, if posted, must be
sent by post in sufficient time to reach
KHOR YONG YONG and complex, with a lot of different
Liquidator
TEL: 013-770 6699 of 46-01, Jalan Molek 1/28, Taman
Petitioner.
[No. Tel.:03-23326638
the abovenamed not later than twelve
o’clock noon on the day 4th of October, stakeholders, and we have to make sure we
Molek 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, No. Faks:03-22018638] 2021 (the day before the day appointed Dated this engage with them all before we consider a
FAX: 07-355 5549 solicitors for the Petitioners. [Ruj:KK/B1437/LOD/JUMSB/LWY/20] for the hearing of the petition). 15th day of September, 2021.
World Cup every two years.”
14 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
SPORTS

T Djokovic denied Kohli backed to

HE coronation of new champions Emma
Raducanu and Daniil Medvedev left

continue as
tennis fans salivating at the prospect of
what is to come as the curtain dropped on
Grand Slam tennis for another year at the end of
the US Open on Sunday.
The fans were back at Billie Jean King National … as stars are born on New York stage India captain
Tennis Center after last year’s Covid-19-enforced
lockout and they witnessed drama worthy of any VIRAT KOHLI will continue to captain India
stage at the Broadway theatres only a few miles was left to the young guns to provide the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium. in all three formats, a top national cricket
away. excitement in the men’s draw too. The 34-year-old had dismissed Russian board official said Tuesday, after speculation
Novak Djokovic had inevitably been given top Spanish teenager Carlos Medvedev in straight sets at the Australian Open. that the batting great could be replaced as
billing because of his quest for a calendar-year Alcaraz played his part, On Sunday, however, Medvedev tore up that skipper for limited-overs games.
Grand Slam and a 21st major title to break the sending third seed script with a brilliant performance to deliver Kohli's recent sketchy form with the bat
three-way tie with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal Stefanos Tsitsipas what could prove to be a breakthrough has led to reports that changes could be
as the most successful men’s player of all time. packing in the third moment in men’s tennis. made after the T20 World Cup, which
In the second week, however, he had to share round and Thiem last year was the first player begins next month in the United Arab
the spotlight as two new tennis stars emerged in becoming the outside the Big Three to win a major since Emirates.
the women’s draw. youngest player 2016 but the Austrian had not needed to But Kohli received a vote of confidence
Teenagers Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez – in the Open era beat either Djokovic, Federer or Nadal. from Board of Control for Cricket in India
born two months apart in 2002 – generated to reach the Djokovic will hope it was just a blip (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah.
frenzied hype as they swept all before them on quarterfinals. and few would bet against him “There is no such proposal (to replace
unlikely runs to the title decider. “I definitely resuming normal service at January’s Kohli) and the team is led by Virat and we
Raducanu, having battled her way through think guys are Australian Open, where he will be are backing him,” said Shah.
qualifying at only her second major, emerged trying extra hard, seeking a record 10th title. “We are sensitive to the fact that such a
triumphant in the final act on Saturday with a because there is no As defeat approached on Sunday, proposal is not in the interest of Indian
dominant victory that captivated millions back Roger, Rafa,” said the world No. 1 was reduced to tears team when it will take part in a World Cup,”
home in Britain and around the world. American Frances as he received something almost as Shah told website Cricbuzz.
The manner of her triumph, and the fact she Tiafoe. “I see guys sweet as silverware – the sort of Indian media have reported that
had reached fourth round on Wimbledon grass on foaming in the ovation reserved for a great opening batsman Rohit Sharma could take
her Grand Slam debut, left many wondering if mouth, pretty funny to performer who has graced a stage over as Twenty20 and 50-over captain and
Raducanu might possibly be the dominant watch, I’m in the locker- with distinction for many years. that the change had been discussed by the
champion women’s tennis craves. room cracking up.” “I did not know, I did not expect BCCI.
Canadian left-hander Fernandez had the Djokovic, the sole anything, but the amount of support “As long as a team is performing, the
harder route to the final, beating three top-five representative of the “Big and energy and love I got from the question of change in captaincy doesn’t
players and multiple major champions, and did Three”, was certainly crowd was something that I’ll arise,” Shah was reported as saying by the
more than enough to suggest she will not be a challenged but carved his remember forever,” he said. Indian Express newspaper.
flash-in-the-pan. way steadily through the “The emotion, the energy was so Kohli led India to a landmark Test series
“We’ve seen other careers that have looked draw to his date with strong. I mean, it’s as strong as win in Australia in January and they were
unstoppable but haven’t lasted very long,” said destiny on the winning 21 Grand Slams. That’s leading 2-1 in England when the fifth and
ESPN analyst Chris Evert, herself a teenage Grand blue how I felt, honestly. I felt very, final Test was controversially cancelled last
Slam winner. very special.” – Reuters week because of a coronavirus outbreak in
“Who knows what’s going to happen when the the tourists’ camp.
target’s on their backs, or with this level of India have not lost a Twenty20 series
attention? I hope they take everything slow. I under Kohli, but they have failed to win
hope they have good people and a good team either the 50-over Champions Trophy, World
around them.” Cup or T20 World Cup since he became
Those concerned at how Raducanu and white ball captain in 2017.
Fernandez will deal with the attention need Shah also confirmed that India have
only to point to Naomi Osaka, who offered to play two extra T20 matches in
announced her arrival on the big stage with England next July in place of the cancelled
her US Open triumph in 2018. Test.
Still only 23, the four-times Grand Slam Novak Djokovic thanks The England board suffered huge
champion continued to struggle with the the crowd after losing financial losses from the refusal of Indian
mental health issues she suggests were to Russia’s Daniil players to take part because of coronavirus
triggered by the massive burden of Medvedev (not fears.
expectation on her. pictured) during their “Instead of three T20Is, we will play five
The former world No. 1 and defending 2021 US Open Tennis T20Is. Alternately, we will be willing to play
champion bowed out limply in the third tournament men’s final a one-off Test as well. It is up to them to
round and said she was unsure when or at the USTA Billie Jean choose either of the offers,” said Shah.
where she would play again. King National Tennis India pulled out of the final Test at Old
Without the pulling power of Federer, Center in New York on Trafford last week after head coach Ravi
Nadal and 2020 champion Dominic Sunday. – AFPPIX Shastri and other support staff contracted
Thiem – all absent through injury – it the virus and had to be isolated. – AFP

BRIEFS
Hamilton and Verstappen Raikkonen will race in Sochi
for each other, race each other hard but
avoid accidents,” Wolff spoke after the
Monza race. “It was good fun until now, but

will not back off: Brawn

THE title battle between Lewis Hamilton and
Max Verstappen is likely to stay full-on to the
end of the season despite the pair crashing into
each other at Monza, Formula One boss Ross
Brawn said yesterday.
Italian Grand Prix Stewards deemed Red
Bull’s championship leader
Verstappen was at fault for
Sunday’s collision and handed the
Dutch youngster a three-place
grid penalty for the next race in
Russia.
Brawn, a former Honda and
Mercedes team boss and ex-Ferrari
technical head, said fans were sure
to be split on who was to blame.
“It’s clear both drivers could
have avoided it,” he said in his
regular post-race column on the
official www.Formula1.com
website. Brawn
“Ultimately, I think it’s another
consequence of two guys going
head to head and not wanting to give
an inch.
“Personally, I wouldn’t say it has changed the
dynamic. You’ve got two cockerels in the
farmyard at the moment and we are seeing the
consequence of it.
“I don’t think either will back off at any
moment for the rest of the year but I hope the
championship is won on the track not in the
barriers or the stewards’ room.”
Sunday was the second big clash between
the two in the space of five races after earlier
wheel-to-wheel incidents.
At the British Grand Prix in July,
Verstappen crashed at speed
and ended up in hospital for
checks while Hamilton went on
to win in front of his home
fans.
That race, like Monza,
followed an experimental
Saturday sprint qualifying race
and Brawn saw “plenty of
positives”.
“It shook up the order and
led to a slightly evolved grid,
which in turn created a
different dynamic in the race,”
he said.
“I think it offers a lot – and
we still have a track to try it on.
Then we’ll make an objective assessment and
work out a way forward.”
He said the Italian Grand Prix also delivered
“the strongest ever weekend streaming
numbers we’ve ever seen on our OTT platform
F1TV”. – Reuters
ALFA ROMEO’S Kimi Raikkonen indicated
on Monday that he will be back in action at
the Russian Grand Prix after missing the last
two Formula One races because he tested
positive for Covid-19. The 2007 world
champion posted a picture on Instagram
with the caption “I am all good. See you at
the next GP”. The 41-year-old is retiring from
Formula One at the end of the season, with
compatriot Valtteri Bottas moving from
Mercedes to take his place at Alfa.
Raikkonen’s seat was filled at the Dutch and
Italian Grands Prix by Polish reserve driver
Robert Kubica. The Russian race in Sochi is
on Sept 26.
Lewis and Max warned
MERCEDES team principal Toto Wolff has
expressed concern that his driver Lewis
Hamilton and rival Max Verstappen are
taking the Formula 1 title race too far. The
pair crashed for a second time this season at
the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday with
Verstappen’s wheel landing on top of
Hamilton’s car - the car halo saving the
British star’s life. They first came to blows at
the British Grand Prix in July where the
Dutchman ended up in hospital. “We don’t
want to have situations in the future where
one loses a position and the only way of
stopping the other one scoring is to take
him out. Both of them need to leave space
we have seen the halo save Lewis’s life on
Sunday and Max had a heavy impact in
Silverstone and we don’t want to get to a
situation where we intervene because
someone gets really hurt.”
The Joker drops retirement hint
NOVAK DJOKOVIC had an emotional end
to his US Open as he left his post-match
press conference in tears after losing the
final to Daniil Medvedev. The Serb came
into New York looking to make history as
the first man in 52 years to achieve the
calendar Grand Slam, and first man in
history to win a record 21st Major. He fell at
the final hurdle as the world No. 2 lifted his
first-ever Slam trophy, and later admitted he
had no plans to play in the future. “To be
honest, I don’t have a plan, absolutely
nothing. I don’t know whether I’ll play
anything, anywhere. Right now, my mind is
only here, in New York,” he said, as reported
by Sasa Ozmo of Sport Klub. The world No. 1
said: “I have different priorities when you
look at life as a whole. I want to spend more
time with the kids, I have promised myself
that… My absence hurts me a lot.” With
Djokovic not getting any younger and some
of his long-time rivals starting to reach the
latter stages of his career, his words after
suffering an agonising defeat in Flushing
Meadows served as a hint that retirement
could be a couple of years away.

SIDENETTING
Bale misses trip to Inter, Alaba returns
GARETH BALE will miss Real Madrid’s opening
Champions League group match away to Inter Milan
tomorrow after being left out of the squad. Bale was
ruled out of Sunday’s 5-2 LaLiga win at home to Celta
Vigo after pulling up injured in training and was
absent from the squad list released on Monday for
the trip to Milan. Spanish newspaper Marca reported
that Bale had injured his hamstring and was not
expected to return to action until October, ruling him
out of two Champions League fixtures and four La
Liga matches. Bale’s representatives declined to
comment. Austrian defender David Alaba returns to
Carlo Ancelotti’s side after missing the Celta game
due to injury but midfielder Toni Kroos and leftbacks
Ferland Mendy and Marcelo were left out of the
squad.
Pele to leave intensive care
PELE will be moved out of intensive care in the next
day or two as the Brazil football great continues his
recovery from surgery, his daughter Kely Nascimento
said. The 80-year-old, three-times World Cup winner
has been in the Alberto Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo
since doctors removed a tumour from his colon
earlier this month. “He is doing well post surgery, he is
not in pain and is in a good mood (annoyed that he
can only eat jello but will persevere!). He will move
into a regular room in the next day or two and then
go home,” Nascimento said on Instagram. “He is
strong and stubborn and with the support and care
of the brilliant team at Einstein and all of the love,
energy and light that the world is sending, he will get
through this!”
TOUCHLINES
IT WOULD take a bid of €100m (RM490m) or more
for Borussia Dortmund to let 18-year-old mid-
fielder Jude Bellingham go, with both Manchester
City and Liverpool said to be interested in the
England international.
WEST HAM, like Dortmund, have also put a price on
their star player. The Hammers are demanding noth-
ing less than £100m (RM575m) for England midfielder
Declan Rice, 22.
CHELSEA are preparing to offer 22-year-old
England midfielder Mason Mount a new contract,
which could see his wages increase to around
£150,000 (RM861,808) -a-week.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S former England Under-21
defender Axel Tuanzebe, 23, wants to make his loan
spell at Aston Villa a permanent move.
BAYERN MUNICH are working on signing Germany
striker Timo Werner, 25, from Chelsea in January.
FRANCE midfielder Paul Pogba, 28, who has been
heavily linked Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid, is
leaning towards extending his stay at Manchester
United after Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
CHELSEA could make move for two Inter Milan
defenders, with Alessandro Bastoni and Milan
Skriniar linked with the European Champions.
TOTTENHAM have ‘put an offer on the table’ for AC
Milan midfielder Franck Kessie although it is not clear
whether Spurs will make a move in January or wait to
sign the Ivorian on a free transfer next summer.
LIVERPOOL have reportedly shown an interest in
Nice striker Amine Gouiri, with manager Jurgen
Klopp keen on signing the French 21-year-old.
ARSENAL are one of a number of Premier League
clubs who have Sweden striker Alexander Isak, as a
transfer target, despite Real Sociedad player recently
agreeing a new five-year deal with the Spanish side.
MANCHESTER UNITED made enquiries about
Barcelona and Spain winger Ansu Fati through
Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
RESULTS
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton 3 (Keane 60,
Townsend 65, Gray 66) Burnley 1 (Mee 53).
LA LIGA: Getafe 0 Elche 1 (Lucas 69), Granada 1
(Suarez 66) Real Betis 2 (Rodri 45+2, Canales 89).
SERIE A: Bologna 1 (Svanberg 79) Verona 0.
Group of death
Unpopular Leipzig no match for Cityzens and
PSG chasing Champions League’s holy grail
D
ERIDED by opposition fans for
trampling over German football
traditions, RB Leipzig find themselves
in the unusual position of not being
cast as the bad guys as the Champions League’s
group of death kicks off tomorrow.
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain will
cross swords again in Group A with both projects
backed by oil-rich Middle Eastern states still
chasing the holy grail of a first European Cup.
Amid the fallout of falling revenue due to the
coronavirus pandemic shutting stadiums for
over a year and the failure of the European Super
League project, Abu Dhabi-owned City and
Qatar-backed PSG have been the big winners.
Uninhibited by the loss of gate receipts and
encouraged by the easing of Financial Fair Play
regulations, they are the new power couple of
European football, much to the anger of many of
the continent’s traditional powers.
PSG have reunited Lionel Messi with Neymar
and shunned Real Madrid’s reported €180
million (RM882m) bid for Kylian Mbappe despite
the France World Cup winner having less than a
year to run on his contract.
Euro 2020 player of the tournament Gianluigi
Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and
rightback Achraf Hakimi also arrived at the Parc
des Princes during the transfer window.
City made just one new addition, but broke
the £100m (RM575m) barrier for the first time in
the Premier League to get Jack Grealish from
Aston Villa.
“The club-states are as dangerous for the
ecosystem of football as the Super League,” La
Liga president Javier Tebas posted on Twitter last
week with Messi following the trend set by
Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo of stars leaving
Spain.
Backed by energy drink giants Red Bull,
Leipzig are another example of new money
ruffling the feathers of the established powers.
The Germans are yet to win a major trophy in
Townsend and Gray give Everton cutting edge
EVERTON manager Rafa Benitez hailed new
signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray
as they both scored in a 3-1 victory against
Burnley yesterday to maintain his side’s
impressive start to the new campaign.
The hosts, without the injured Dominic
Calvert-Lewin, were struggling and trailing 1-0
to Ben Mee’s goal before three goals in six
minutes turned the match on its head.
Winger Townsend, signed on a free transfer
from Crystal Palace, produced a pinpoint cross
to set up Michael Keane’s headed equaliser
and the former Crystal Palace winger then
struck a sensational left-foot shot to put
Everton ahead.
Gray completed the turnaround when he
slotted home after latching on to a pass by
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
their history, but are still deeply unpopular back
home for the way they have navigated around the
so-called ‘50+1’ rule in place to prevent any
individual having a majority controlling stake in a
club.
“RB Leipzig are a pure marketing project.
Created solely to strengthen the Red Bull brand,”
cult football magazine 11Freunde wrote after
Leipzig reached the Champions League
semifinals in 2020.
Yet, they have not produced the shake-up that
City and PSG have to English or French football
due to a very different model.
Rather than gazumping Bayern Munich,
Leipzig lost manager Julian Nagelsmann and key
players Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer
to the Bundesliga champions over the summer.
Instead, they have used fellow Red Bull-
owned clubs in Salzburg and New York to recruit
their best talent, develop them and sell them on.
“It would be absurd to think that it could work
with them here,” former Leipzig sporting director
Ralf Rangnick said at the prospect of signing a
Messi or Ronaldo five years ago. “They are both
too old and too expensive.”
Leipzig beat PSG in the group stages last
season on their way to reaching the last 16 at
Manchester United’s expense.
However, expectations at shocking one of the
two favourites for the competition this time are
limited ahead of their trip to Manchester
tomorrow (3am Malaysian time).
Under new coach Jesse Marsch, last season’s
Bundesliga runners up have lost three of their
first four league games and were thrashed 4-1 by
Bayern at the weekend.
“Maybe we’re not ready for such big
challenges,” said Marsch, on the prospect of
facing City. “But no matter, we have to stay strong
and believe in the process.”
PSG will expect to make a winning start when
they visit Club Brugge (3am) in the Group A’s
other clash . – AFP
Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Everton have now scored 10 goals in four
games and are level on 10 points with leaders
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
“When we scored our goal, we had more
confidence, played 4-3-3, created more
chances and could have scored more goals,”
Benitez said. “Really pleased with the
connection between the team and the fans.
We are looking to build a fortress here.
“Both Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend
have quality and are good pros. They are keen
to learn, even Andros at his age. The main
thing in this team, everyone said we needed
wingers.
“Today Richarlison did a great job also and
the two wingers helped the striker do better.”
15
* SPORTS
Marsch’s Leipzig
may not ready
to face City
RB LEIPZIG head coach Jesse
Marsch said his side may not be
ready to face Manchester City in
the Champions League tomorrow
after being thrashed at home by
Bayern Munich.
Leipzig, last season’s Bundesliga
runners up, have lost three of their
first four league games after
Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to
Bayern.
“It hurts us,” admitted Marsch,
who said losing to Bayern was a
“big defeat” and a “tough moment
for the group”.
“Maybe it’s not fair that we have
such big tests now like against
Bayern and away at Manchester.
“Maybe we’re not ready for such
big challenges,” added Marsch, who
quickly changed tack, “but no
matter, we have to stay strong and
believe in the process.”
Leipzig reached the semifinals
of the Champions League under
Nagelsmann in 2019/20.
However, they will have their
work cut out to reach the last 16
this season from a group which
also contains City, Lionel Messi’s
Paris Saint-Germain as well as
Brugge.
Marsch received a vote of
confidence from Leipzig’s
managing director Oliver Mintzlaff
on Sunday.
“He doesn’t have to worry about
his job,” Mintzlaff told Bild-TV.
His players also back Marsch to
turn things around.
“We trust the learning process
and the coach, who is doing a
super job,” stressed midfielder
Kevin Kampl.
“There’s no need for panic.” –
AFP
Everton’s Allan (,eft)
vies with Burnley’s
Johann Berg
Gudmundsson (right)
during the English
Premier League match
at Goodison Park
yesterday. – AFPPIX
Former Leicester City winger Gray has now
scored in each of his last three appearances
since joining from Bayer Leverkusen and his
price tag of £1.7 million (RM9.7m) looks to be a
bargain.
While it was a satisfying night in the end for
Everton, Burnley’s poor start continues and
they have only one point from their opening
games, sitting in 18th place.
“A poor reaction to us scoring. We let them
creep into the game and then a mad six
minutes follow. You have to make things
happen,” manager Sean Dyche said.
“I think it is a really good away performance
until they score. My big feeling is we are way
wiser than that six minutes. That is something
we have to learn from.” – Reuters
 QUOTE OF THE DAY
Personally, I wouldn’t say it has changed the
dynamic. You’ve got two cockerels in the
farmyard at the moment and we are seeing the consequence
of it. I don’t think either will back off at any moment for the
rest of the year but I hope the championship is won on the
track not in the barriers or the stewards’ room.”
Formula One boss Ross Brawn
WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Milan dreaming big ahead of Champions League return at Anfield

AC MILAN make their long-awaited dreaming of going big in Europe, Pioli past the quarterfinals Dudelange, potentially blocking their path to the
return to the Champions League this said: “We should only be dreaming at of the Champions Olympiakos and knockout stages, but legendary Milan
week. A trip to Liverpool tomorrow night, in the day we need to work hard League and in 2019 Real Betis. boss Arrigo Sacchi told AFP current
(3am Malaysian time) allowing them to to realise those dreams”. and even failed to This year’s coach Stefano Pioli is on the right track.
dream of Europe’s biggest prize once The last eight years have been arid get out of a group is a much “Milan have a difficult group, which
again. for the seven-time European Europa League tougher will cost them a few points in the
There will be 13 European Cups champions, who haven not won Serie group which proposition, with league. But the important thing is to
between the two teams at Anfield, but A in a decade and were last contained La Liga holders win in this competition,” Sacchi, who
while Reds have become one of the crowned the continent’s top Atletico Madrid and twice won the European Cup, said.
continent’s most feared sides under team way back in 2007, when Portuguese “I’ve known Pioli for a long time,
Jurgen Klopp, winning their most they beat Liverpool in Athens. champions because he is from Parma where I
recent Champions league in 2019, the That was the last meeting Porto also worked for a few years. Back then he
Italian side will run out for their first between the pair and was already an excellent tactical coach,
group fixture in the competition since came two years after but he was one who couldn’t quite
2013. the Reds inflicted one transmit an identity to his teams.
They are in confident mood after a of the most traumatic “He’s gone onto the next level now
fast start to the new Serie A season defeats in Milan’s though, as his team has a style.”
which has earned them a perfect nine history, coming back Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in Milan for
points from their opening three from three goals a second time will be a key figure for
matches. down at halftime Pioli.
Stefano Pioli, who has never won a against a star-studded “He’s got this passion,” said Pioli.
major honour as a coach, has a Rossoneri line-up before “I believe that apart from his
promising team on his hands with the eventually winning a evident talent it’s the passion, the
progress made since his arrival in 2019 historic final on penalties. fire that he has inside him that
crystalised by Sunday’s 2-0 stroll against Since then Milan, by far makes training for him a pleasure…
much-fancied Lazio at the San Siro. Italy’s most successful team Jurgen Klopp Stefano Pioli When you’re like that you don’t
Asked whether his side were in Europe, have failed to get feel the advancing years.” – AFP

Real defying odds

Los Blancos aim to resist power-shift and assert themselves in Europe again

A
FTER winning the Champions And while PSG’s determination to
League three years in a row,
Real Madrid have gone three UEFA Champions League 2021-22 keep Kylian Mbappe for at least the final
year of his contract was tested by
years without getting close, the Florentino Perez, many suspect Madrid’s
task now belonging to Carlo Ancelotti to MATCHDAY 1: SEPT 16 Head-to-head W D L president was not too unhappy to wait
put the club back where they believe they nine months, when he can sign the
belong. GROUP A Form 2020-21 France World Cup winner for free.
Madrid reached the semifinals last Ancelotti’s job now is to manage the
season but were resoundingly beaten by Club Brugge BEL 0 0 2 Man City Final year in between, the season without
Chelsea, whose 3-1 win on aggregate PSG FRA PSG S-final Mbappe to lead the next era and with the
would have been more emphatic had ageing leftovers of the last one – even if
they not missed a cluster of chances in Man City ENG First Leipzig Last 16 Luka Modric and Karim Benzema might
the second leg. Leipzig GER meeting Brugge Group arguably grace all the starting line-ups of
Before that, Madrid were outclassed Europe’s elite.
by Manchester City and outplayed by GROUP B There are talented youngsters too, like
Ajax, a pair of deflating exits in the last 16 Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in attack
serving as a painful reality check after the Atletico ESP 3 3 2 Atletico Last 16 and Miguel Gutierrez at leftback. The 18-
giddy years between 2014 and 2018.
Four successes in that half-decade,
Porto POR Liverpool Q-final year-old Camavinga showed in his debut
on Sunday.
and three in a row, established Real Liverpool ENG 0 1 1 Porto Q-final And if Ancelotti can revive the injury-
Madrid at the pinnacle of Europe, even if ridden Eden Hazard, Madrid might have
Barcelona continued to reign supreme in
AC Milan ITA Milan –
the best new signing of the lot.
Spain. Yet the odds are stacked against
But an iconic generation grew older GROUP C Ancelotti, as the base of power - in terms
and many have now departed, with
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and
Besiktas TUR 0 0 2 Sporting – of wealth, talent and tactics – shifts
decisively away from Spain, in the
Raphael Varane – the spine of the team – Dortmund GER Dortmund Q-final direction of Manchester and Paris.
all gone. Zinedine Zidane, the coach, left
Sporting POR 2 0 0 Ajax Group Already, there has been something of
too at the end of last season. a release, with 13 goals scored in
His replacement, Ancelotti, has a Ajax NED Besiktas – Madrid’s first four games bringing a
difficult job reclaiming La Liga from welcome change in tone following the
Atletico Madrid, who have themselves GROUP D more conscientious approach under
retained all of their key players and been Zidane.
boosted by the return of Antoine Sheriff MDA 0 1 1 Inter Group “Football has changed in the last five
Griezmann. Shakhtar UKR Real S-final years: it is more intense, more
But the task of reclaiming the aggressive, more organised, even some
Champions League appears even more Inter ITA 7 2 8 Shakhtar Group rules have changed,” said Ancelotti at his
formidable, when set against the Real Madrid ESP Sheriff Debut unveiling.
trajectories of English rivals like “But the idea is always the same for
Manchester City, Chelsea
Manchester United, and in France, Paris
and REAL AMBITION: With Carlo Ancelotti (right) Real Madrid: attacking, spectacular
football because that is what the history
Saint-Germain. returning as coach – after guiding Madrid to 2014 of this club demands and the fans want.”
Madrid made a profit of around €20 Champions League triumph – Spanish heavyweights But as recent years have shown,
million (RM98m), deals for Eduardo
Camavinga and David Alaba more than
are aiming for 14th European trophy this season winning in La Liga is not the same as
winning in Europe and Inter Milan at the
offset by the sales of Varane and Martin San Siro tomorrow (3am Malaysian time)
Sources: UEFA, Gracenote Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS
Odegaard. will offer Madrid their first test. – AFP
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
 3
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Law students want CLP issue Terengganu

records 4.2%
jobless rate in Q2

sorted out quickly

█ BY ELWIN DAVA
KUALA TERENGGANU: The
unemployment rate
Terengganu was 4.2% or involving
20,000 individuals in the second
quarter (Q2) of this year compared
in

newsdesk@thesundaily.com oNo reason why legal practice exam cannot be own SOP and adhere to the
government’s standards more
with 4.1% or 19,800 individuals for
the corresponding quarter in

PETALING JAYA: Aspiring lawyers
and other stakeholders are hoping
the Legal Profession Qualifying Board
(LPQB) will work towards
overcoming issues related to the
Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP)
examination.
“It is unfair (for law students) to be
kept in the dark and due to the Covid-
19 pandemic, the process feels
forever and fraught with numerous
uncertainties,” a CLP candidate who
only wished to be known as Ann told
theSun.
She added the LPQB should offer
its own standard operating
procedures (SOP) to enable the
examination to be conducted rather
than wait for the National Security
Council (NSC) to decide on it.
“Waiting for the NSC takes time
and the CLP has been postponed a
few times as it is, causing a ripple
effect for future candidates as well,”
the 26-year-old said.
Malaysian Human Rights
Commission (Suhakam)
commissioner Datuk Mah Weng
Kwai, who is a former LPQB member,
held, says Suhakam commissioner
said the CLP examination should be
held as soon as possible.
“Covid-19 has indeed influenced
the CLP examination schedule. I
don’t see any obstacle to continuing
the CLP as long as suitable SOP are
observed,” he added.
He went on to say that as fully-
vaccinated people are now allowed to
travel between Kuala Lumpur,
Selangor, and Putrajaya, he believes
that candidates should not have a
problem and would be able to attend
the examination held in Kuala
Lumpur.
Ann said the postponement of the
CLP examination has clearly
hampered the progress of candidates
in terms of their future possibilities.
“The LPQB should attempt to
make independent changes that will
benefit all candidates, present and
future,” she added.
She said the Bar Council and
private higher education institutions
should also do more to support CLP
students. “This is because the CLP is
the most important programme in
creating and producing future
lawyers in Malaysia. The fact that
drastic changes have yet to be made
to the CLP programme over the years
shows little involvement by the Bar
Council and private higher education
institutions,” she said.
She added the CLP programme is
in desperate need of reforms because
of the incompetency seen during
these tough times.
They were responding to a
statement by Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian
Ming and Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching
proposing that action be taken to
alleviate the issue of the CLP
candidates for batch 2021.
Mah pointed out that at school,
examinations were conducted
despite the pandemic. “They did it
with the appropriate SOP and I
believe the same should be done for
those taking the CLP,” he said.
“I believe the CLP should have its
closely, which should be alright.
“Furthermore, an average of only
2,000 candidates sit for the
examination each year. If the SPM
can be conducted and cater to way
more students, why not CLP?” he
asked.
He, too, believes that the Bar
Council and private higher education
institutions should play a bigger role
in lobbying for CLP students and the
programme in general.
“The Bar Council’s voice is crucial
because it represents thousands of
practising lawyers, and of course,
everyone who is sitting for the CLP
exam is doing so in the hope of
passing it and going into legal
practice,” he added.
He said it becomes a human rights
issue when someone studies law but
doesn’t have the chance to sit for the
examination.
“It puts you back to square one;
your right to a livelihood is affected,
and your window to qualify as a
lawyer and practise for a living is
prolonged, which is a sad
infringement of their rights,” he
added.
2020.
State Trade, Industry, Regional
Development and Administrative
Wellbeing Committee chairman
Datuk Tengku Hassan Tengku
Omar said this was due to the
spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,
which resulted in the
implementation of the movement
control order.
“So far, the unemployment rate
in Terengganu is still below the
national level despite an increase
in the second quarter of 2021,” he
told the state assembly sitting at
Wisma Darul Iman yesterday.
He was responding to a
question from Datuk Rozi Mamat
(BN-Telemong) on the jobless rate
in Terengganu.
Tengku Hassan said based on
the data from the Department of
Statistics, the unemployment rate
in Malaysia was 4.8% in Q2 of 2021
compared with 4.55% for the
corresponding period in the
previous year.
He also said the state
government was implementing
various efforts to address the
unemployment issue, including
organising the state-level Penjana

‘Withdraw appeal Career Carnival 2021 in April.

The carnival, a joint effort

against ruling’
between the Terengganu Human
Resource Development Centre
and the Social Security
“I thought that being in the Organisation, had offered jobs to
country would help, but I have yet to 982 candidates, he said.
see anything positive.” – Bernama
Adlyn said the discrimination has
left her disappointed and
heartbroken.
Former deputy minister of
From
Myra with her
Zambian Adhere to SOP
women, family
community development
and
front
page
husband and
two children. when holidaying:
Hannah Yeoh urged the
government to withdraw the NS police chief
appeal against the High Court
ruling. SEREMBAN: The public is
In a statement yesterday, Yeoh reminded not to get too excited
said the matter indicates when holiday in Negri Sembilan
inconsistencies in Prime Minister and to strictly comply with the
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s standard operating procedures
administration. (SOP) set by the government in
“There is a glaring weakness in his curbing the spread of Covid-19 in
government’s failure to protect the state.
women and children,” she added. Negri Sembilan police chief
In a separate statement, Batu Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop said
Kawan MP and Wanita DAP now that the people are allowed to
international secretary Kasthuri which guarantees equal rights for all the law? day, his responsibility is also to holiday in the state with it moving
Patto said such discriminatory Malaysians. “I wish to remind the attorney- uphold the rule of law, defend justice to phase three of the National
practices should end in the spirit of “Does this not entitle women and general that apart from being a and honour the spirit of the Recovery Plan (PPN), they should
Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, children to equal protection under solicitor for the government of the Constitution,” she said. avoid forming crowds at focal
spots and ensure physical
distancing.

Transformation plan can boost investors’ confidence “Currently, the number of

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s
move to sign a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) on Political
Stability and Transformation is
capable of enhancing foreign
investors’ confidence and interest to
seek investment opportunities in
Malaysia, according to an economist.
University Malaya senior lecturer
Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said at
present, the nation needs more
foreign investments as well as an
expansion of existing investments to
revitalise the economic sector. “This
is an extraordinary move by the
government led by Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“It is difficult for any government
to open the space and extend political
peace greetings. This shows that the
government is very open, committed
and prioritises the voice of the
people,” he told Bernama.
He added the move has also
helped to soothe the stock market’s
sentiments, which were rather
volatile previously due to the
country’s political instability.
“This offer will restore economic
stability that was severely affected by
the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, it
creates confidence – not only among
investors but also the people – for the
Ismail Sabri-led government.”
Mohammad Tawfik said
notwithstanding the short period of
the government’s remaining term of
one year and six months, the
opposition has also shown a high
commitment in helping the
government undertake various
efforts to fight the pandemic and
revive the country’s economy.
“For me, what is important is that
there is a clear plan to give a long-
term and short-term impact to the
country recovery.
“The most important thing is to
ensure economic recovery,
regardless of the government
composition, and the recovery
policies, especially the economic
ones, must change the people’s lives
for the better,” he said.
He added that the government’s
assistance should no longer be in the
form of one-offs, instead, it should be
in the form of providing a more self-
sustaining working and economic
environment for the people.
He said this can be done by
creating more entrepreneurial
opportunities, providing tax
exemptions and business equipment,
as well as facilitating modern
farming, especially in the city area.
He is confident that small and
medium-sized businesses and small
traders will benefit greatly from the
transformation.
“They comprise the B40 group
which is the foundation of the
economic supply chain at the higher
level,” he said.
The federal government and
Pakatan Harapan on Monday created
history by signing the MoU on
Political Stability and
Transformation, paving the way for a
new political landscape based on
bipartisan cooperation.
He said the MoU includes
enhancing the plan to fight Covid-19,
transformation of the administration,
parliamentary reforms, ensuring
judicial independence, the Malaysia
Agreement 1963 and formation of a
steering committee. – Bernama
Covid-19 cases in this state has
gone down, so we don’t want to
see the relaxation given to
economic and social activities to
cause an increase in infection
cases again.
“So far, the reports that I have
received from the Port Dickson
police and district enforcement
authorities are that the situation is
still under control but monitoring
is required at popular spots to
ensure the public adhere to the
SOP,” he told reporters at his office
here yesterday.
Mohamad said police and the
local authorities are indeed
monitoring to ensure SOP
compliance, Bernama reported.
His statement came after a
number of photos and videos
appeared on social media
showing families back to enjoying
themselves at various popular
spots like the Port Dickson beach.
 4 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
State govt urged
to address domestic
violence issue
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu
government has been urged to find a
solution which can be implemented quickly
to solve an alarming problem of domestic
violence in the state.
Assemblyman Zuraida Md Noor said
based on the statistics from police, 288
cases of domestic violence occurred in
Terengganu in 2020.
“The One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) of
Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ),
recorded 114 cases of domestic violence in
the state from January to August this year.
“Cases reported encompassed rape,
sodomy, as well as domestic abuse
involving children,” she said when
debating the motion of thanks on the
address of the Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at the
Terengganu state legislative assembly
sitting at Wisma Darul Iman yesterday.
Zuraida said the most worrying was the
awareness of the victims who reported the
incidents on facing threats to keep the
family’s honour.
She said her discussion with OSCC in
HSNZ showed the management of
domestic violence victims who reported
became complicated after office hours
and on public holidays.
Despite the availability of welfare
institutions under the Social Welfare
Department, namely Taman Sinar
Harapan as a temporary shelter for
victims, the process takes a long time and
only operates during office hours.
– Bernama
Mall takes initiative to keep shoppers safe
PETALING JAYA: With the retail sector resuming
business following the easing of restrictions by the
National Security Council, Berjaya Times Square
KL (BTS Mall) is taking the necessary measures to
ensure a safe shopping environment for its
shoppers.
In addition to the mall’s frequent sanitising of
its public areas and lifts, four handwashing
stations have been installed at the ground floor of
the mall’s main entrance for the convenience of
shoppers to wash their hands before entering the
building or after completing their shopping.
Shoppers need not go all the way to the mall’s
toilets just to wash their hands. The wash basins
are equipped with auto-shut taps and auto soap
dispensers so that users can avoid touching the
taps and dispensers.
More handwashing stations will be installed at
various other locations within the mall in due
course. Speaking on the initiative, Berjaya Times
Square Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri
Vincent Tan said: “As we all know, one of the main
ways of curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus is
to frequently wash our hands with soap and water.
Most visitors are reluctant to go to the toilets just to
wash their hands as toilets are frequented mostly
to answer the call of nature.
“Besides, toilets are not the most pleasant to be
in. In this regard, the wash basins installed at the
external area of the mall will provide convenience
and easy access for our shoppers to wash their
hands. This is an additional initiative on our part
to help our shoppers keep safe.”
BTS Mall continues to adhere to the standard
operating procedures set by the government,
which includes scanning the MySejahtera QR
Preserving the vanishing tradition of ‘pulut tetal’
KUALA LUMPUR: An enterprising woman in
Bukit Jelutong, Selangor, is hoping to tease the
modern palate with a traditional Peranakan
dessert.
Known as the pulut tetal, the glutinous rice
cake with a bluish tinge was a favourite among
wealthy women of the Baba Nyonya clan in
Malacca. Also known as “tai tai”, which incidentally
is a reference to the wives of rich men, it is a
memory that is fading as tastes change.
‘Reporting of Covid fatalities
needs to be accurate’
oHealth experts comment on figures presented by Health
Ministry last week that included ‘deaths from previous days’
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: The consolidation of data on
Covid-19 fatalities last Saturday has raised a few
questions among health experts.
Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon
Chye pointed out that data is essential for a more
targeted approach in the war against Covid-19.
“If the number of fatalities is not accurately
reported, where does that leave us?” he asked.
The Health Ministry on Saturday reported
that there were 592 new fatalities, raising
concern among the people. This was the highest
number of fatalities reported in a single day.
However, the ministry later explained that the
figure included fatalities from previous days
which had not been reported yet. It said the
number of fatalities that day alone was only 100.
Lee said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
should explain how some of the fatalities were
reported only days later.
“Has the ministry changed the way Covid-19
deaths are calculated, or is it a clerical error?” he
asked.
Lee told theSun that misrepresentation of
fatalities had raised “worrisome” questions on
the reliability of data.
Tan using a newly-installed wash basin at the entrance of BTS Mall yesterday, accompanied by Berjaya
Corporation executive director Datuk Seri Hajah Zurainah Musa and Berjaya Land chief executive
officer Syed Ali Shahul Hameed.
code for contact tracing, temperature taking at all
entry points, hand sanitising, mandatory wearing
of face masks upon entering the mall and placing of
social distancing markers.
Strategically located in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur, BTS Mall is Malaysia’s largest inner-city
shopping mall measuring approximately 3.5
However, Rosmawati Abdul Ghani, 48, who
hails from Taiping, said the idea of starting a pulut
tetal business came about during last year’s Hari
Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Pulut tetal incidentally, was her husband
Azman Mohd Yusoff’s favourite delicacy as his
mother, who was of Baba Nyonya descent, used to
make it.
Rosmawati said the pulut tetal is usually served
with chicken or beef rendang, cooked slowly in
He said there should also be a distinction
between deaths caused directly by Covid-19 and
those that are caused by other illnesses.
“A person who tested positive for Covid-19
may have died of a heart attack,” he pointed out.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr
Koh Kar Chai said it would be appropriate to take
some time to understand the daily fatality rate
before jumping to conclusions.
He said that the ministry is being more than
transparent in the way it reports daily Covid-19
deaths. He also advised caution.
“Every single death is worrying. We cannot
afford to be complacent, even if the daily fatality
rate goes down,” he said. Koh also issued a
reminder that the vaccine is not a guarantee
against infection.
“It only reduces the risk of you getting severe
symptoms,” he added.
He reiterated the fact that those with
underlying health conditions are more
susceptible to severe Covid-19 symptoms.
On the issue of anti-vaxxers, he said that it
was their personal choice given that vaccination
is not mandatory for now.
“But I’m also worried that they are causing
danger not only to themselves, but to those
around them as well,” he said.
million sq ft.
It houses Berjaya Times Square Theme Park –
Malaysia’s largest indoor theme park with 12 major
rides and thematic attractions – and Ampang
Superbowl, one of the largest bowling centres in
the country with 48 lanes, as well as retail outlets,
cafes and restaurants.
coconut milk and other spices.
“It also goes well with asam pedas (a spicy fish
or beef dish), which was a favourite whenever we
celebrate Aidilfitri at my husband’s family’s home
in Tengkera, Malacca,” she said.
Since travel restrictions made it impossible for
them to return to Malacca for last year’s
celebrations, Rosmawati decided to try her hand at
making it. Having mastered the art, she has turned
it into a business. – Bernama
Koh cited the example of teachers, who
choose not to vaccinate, being in close contact
with children who were not eligible to get the jab
yet.
“The only thing we can do now is to educate
these people on the dangers of Covid-19.”
Universiti Malaya professor of Epidemiology
and Public Health Dr Sanjay Rampal reiterated
the fact that the elderly, smokers and those with
underlying chronic illnesses are more likely to
succumb to Covid-19.
“However, the proportion of fatalities among
those who have been vaccinated is far lower than
those who have not,” he said.
“There will be a higher number of Covid-19
deaths when there is a high incidence of infection
among unvaccinated adults,” he added.
Sanjay pointed out that everyone is at risk of
succumbing to Covid-19 and the risk rises the
moment one steps out of the house.
“We can mitigate that risk by adopting a
healthy lifestyle, consuming a healthy diet and
getting an appropriate amount of physical
activity. A smoker decreases his risk of death the
most by giving up smoking,” he said.
He added that those who refuse vaccination
should understand that they pose the highest
risk of disease on themselves and their family,
but agreed that vaccination should remain
voluntary.
He urged the government to treat those who
refuse vaccination with health promotion
campaigns, the same way it treats smokers, the
physically inactive and the obese.
Platform to increase
financial literacy
KUALA LUMPUR: Various organisations have
teamed up to launch an online platform called
Keluarga Malaysia 2021, aimed at educating the
public about financial literacy and managing
financial needs while fostering a united
Malaysian community. Themed “Spirit of My
Malaysia, Financial Literacy for All”, the event,
which runs from Sept 14 to 30, is in conjunction
with Malaysia Day tomorrow.
Organisers of the platform are Yayasan
Prihatin Nasional, Malaysia Literacy in
Financial Education Association (MyLIFE),
Federation of Malaysia Business Associations
and uLearnMONEY.
Being one of the strong supporters and
collaborators of the Financial Education
Network (FEN), the week-long event comes
with a series of activities with the main event
being the MyMalaysia Financial e-Fair, where
visitors can visit interactive e-booths by
exhibitors from various financial institutions on
the SME e-Fair online platform.
MyLIFE founding chairperson Amy Seok
said the younger generation and the B40 group
can become more aware of scams and manage
financial stress through a better approach, with
improved understanding, ethical values and
greater knowledge about finances during the
event.
“Among the events not to be missed are the
MyMalaysia Financial Literacy Writing
Competition, MyMalaysia Financial Literacy
Quiz Contest and the MyMalaysia Financial
Webinar, which is targeted at primary,
secondary and tertiary education level students
that will be held from 2pm to 6pm on Sept 22.
“We will also be featuring 100 local brands
that have survived or are recovering in these
challenging times, where they can promote
their businesses on a special platform called
MyMalaysia Awards,” she said at the virtual
grand launch of Keluarga Malaysia 2021
yesterday.
The public can also enjoy a live Keluarga
Malaysia musical concert, MyMalaysia
colouring and drawing contest for school
children and MyMalaysia patriotic and
motivational song singing contest. For more
information visit the official website at
smeefair.com.my/mymalaysia2021. – Bernama
 5
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Najib, son in second appeal bid on order to pay tax arrears

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime
minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak and his son Datuk Mohd
Nazifuddin are applying for leave to
appeal to the Federal Court against
the decision of the Court of Appeal,
which dismissed their appeals to set
aside the decision of the High Court
in ordering them to pay tax arrears
amounting to RM1.69 billion and
RM37.6 million respectively to the
Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
On Sept 9, the Court of Appeal
dismissed their appeals with costs of
RM10,000 each.
Their lawyer Wee Yeong Kang
said the notice of motion was filed
on Monday at the Federal Court
through the legal firm Messrs Shafee
& Co.
Both of them named the
government as respondent.
In the notice of motion, they
submitted nine questions of law,
including whether Section 106(3) of
the Income Tax Act 1967 violates
Article 121 of the Federal
Constitution and whether Section
106(3) is unconstitutional or ultra
vires because it has usurped the
judiciary as enshrined under Article
121 of the Constitution.
On Sept 9, Justice Datuk Abdul
Karim Abdul Jalil, who led a panel of
three Court of Appeal judges, in a
unanimous decision, said the court
found no merit in the appeal filed by
Najib and Mohd Nazifuddin and
that there was no error in judgment
by the High Court judges in both
cases that needed to be corrected by
the court.
Najib and Mohd Nazifuddin are
appealing against the decisions of
two separate High Courts which
allowed applications by the IRB to
enter summary judgment to recover
tax arrears of RM1.69 billion from
Najib and RM37.6 million from
Nazifuddin.
On July 22 last year, High Court
Judge Datuk Ahmad Bache allowed
an application by IRB for a summary
judgment to be entered against
Najib in its suit to recover the
RM1.69 billion in taxes for the
period between 2011 and 2017.
As for Mohd Nazifuddin, High
Court Judge Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim,
had on July 6 last year, ordered him
to pay RM37.6 million in unpaid
taxes to the IRB after allowing an
application by the board to enter a
summary judgment against him in
its tax arrears suit seeking to recover
the unpaid amount from him
between 2011 and 2017.
The decision on the summary
judgment against Mohd Nazifudin
was made on July 6 last year by
Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim,
while Justice Datuk Ahmad Bache
allowed an application by the IRB
for summary judgment against
Najib on July 22 last year. – Bernama

‘Sabah, Sarawak perfect Zahid did not gain from

brother’s loan: Lawyer

examples of harmony’
oPopulation in Peninsular can learn much about racial
unity and tolerance from people in both states
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: People in Peninsular
Malaysia can learn a lot about racial unity,
harmony and tolerance from those living in
Sabah and Sarawak.
Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, who was born in
Sarawak, said the two states are perfect
examples of total racial and religious
harmony, which are areas Peninsular
Malaysia still has a lot of catching up to do
even after 64 years of independence.
“Malaysians in both states live up to the
aspirations for Malaysia by our founding
father Tunku Abdul Rahman,” he told theSun.
“In Sabah and Sarawak, race and religion
are non-issues. The people will never quarrel
over them.”
Azman said Malaysia has had a federal
National Unity Ministry for many years.
“I would love to see it make an impact by
adopting the Sabah and Sarawak formula for
national integration,” he said.
Selangor-born A. Kumaran went to Sabah
in his 20s and spent about 10 years there.
He said he decided to go to Sabah in
the mid-90s as he had difficulties finding a job
locally.
“I had several friends from Sabah and they
Spike in Selangor
encouraged me to try my luck in Lahad Datu.
It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived
but I soon found that the people there were
very welcoming,” he said.
“I decided to open a kopitiam, with several
stalls offering different kinds of food under
one roof.”
He said the customers that came to the
kopitiam were of different faiths but they did
not mind what their friends had for their
meals.
“I was surprise as this does not happen in
West Malaysia. They also said they visit each
other during festivals.”
Kumaran added that it reminded him of
his childhood days when friends of different
races would visit him during Deepavali.
“Sadly, over time, this has changed.”
Kumaran, who married a Sabahan while
he was in Lahad Datu, has since returned to
Petaling Jaya.
He still goes back to Lahad Datu at least
twice a year, if possible, with his wife and
children.
Esther Golingi of Perpaduan Anak Negeri
(PAN) Sabah said it was disheartening to see
the rights to freedom of religion was being
threatened again.
She was referring to a recent statement by
the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious
Affairs) Deputy Minister Ahmad Marzuk
Shaary, who said four new syariah laws were
being drafted, including a Bill on control and
restrictions on the development of
non-Muslim religions.
“We appeal to you (Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) to act immediately
to curb another attempt to introduce more
syariah laws, one of which is aimed at curbing
the rights of non-Muslim religions.
“This is unacceptable as it strikes at the
very core of freedom of religion for all as
enshrined in our Federal Constitution.”
Esther said Ismail Sabri, in a speech
recently, called for a common ground to build
a “Keluarga Malaysia” that cuts across
religious, racial and ethnic boundaries.
Yet days later, Ahmad Marzuk spoke about
the four new syariah laws, she said.
She added Ahmad Marzuk has not
withdrawn his statement nor has he been
taken to task for trying to undermine the
“Keluarga Malaysia” initiative.
“Sabah is against any proposal that will
restrict the freedom of religion of its people
and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on
Sept 9 was quoted as saying so,” she said.
“PAN would embrace the ‘Keluarga
Malaysia’ proposal, where we can all be one
big, happy family that cuts across religious,
racial and ethnic boundaries,” she said.
“Sadly, we are fast becoming strangers in
our own land, with erosion of our birth rights
to freedom of religion,” she added.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told that
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi did not
benefit from a RM250,000 loan his younger
brother, Datuk Seri Mohamad Nasaee Ahmad
Tarmizi, took from a textile wholesaler.
Lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, who
represented Ahmad Zahid, said this was
because Mohamad Nasaee had paid the said
amount to a law firm, Messrs Lewis & Co.
Hisyam said textile wholesaler Junaith
Asharab, who is also the 36th prosecution
witness, had testified that Mohamad Nasaee
personally wrote law firm Messrs Lewis & Co as
the payee.
“According to Junaith, the cheque then
cleared into Lewis & Co client’s account on July
15, 2016,” he said, adding that Mohamad
Nasaee was never called by the prosecution to
explain the issue (why sum was made payable
to the firm).
“There is no iota of evidence that the
accused was aware of this and a party of the
loan transaction. The accused did not receive
the alleged gratification and there is absolutely
no basis to say it was an inducement,” he said in
his submission at the end of the prosecution’s
case before Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence
Sequerah.
Earlier, Sequerah allowed Ahmad Zahid’s
application to cut short yesterday’s proceedings
at 11am as the accused needed to attend
Parliament proceedings at noon.
Ahmad Zahid, 68, is facing 47 charges – 12
for criminial breach of trust, eight for corruption
and 27 for money laundering – involving tens of
millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan
Akalbudi.
As for the 26th money laundering charge,
Ahmad Zahid is accused of having committed
the offence by allegedly being engaged directly
in a transaction involving proceeds from an
activity by giving instructions for the purchase
of the two property lots using a RM5.9 million
cheque issued by law firm Messrs Lewis & Co.
– Bernama

cybercrime cases Bulldozer driver killed

SHAH ALAM: A total of 380 cybercrime
cases were reported in Selangor to date, a
sudden increase compared with only 51
cases reported last year, especially cases
involving pornographic extortion cases,
said state CID chief SAC Nik Ezanee Mohd
Faisal.
He said such crimes became more
rampant when the government imposed
the movement control order, which saw
many individuals spending more time at
home.
He advised the public to be cautious
when using technology because many
have been blackmailed when their private
activities were made public by syndicates,
individuals or former partners.
“Everyone should be very cautious. Do
not record anything that could embarrass
yourself because we do not know when it
will be made public,” he said in a Selangor
police programme “Cyber Crime Fraud”
on Facebook Live yesterday.
Commercial CID (Counterfeiting
Crime/Syndicated Investment/Cyber)
deputy chief Supt Raduan Othman, who
was also a guest in the programme, said for
“love scam” cases, 160 were reported as of
August, involving losses amounting to
RM7 million in Selangor, compared with
223 cases last year involving RM16 million
in losses. – Bernama
in quarry incident
KUCHING: A bulldozer driver was found dead
yesterday after he was buried in earth for over 21
hours in a quarry incident in Jalan Kampung
Tanjung Durian Siniawan in Bau, about 22km
from here on Monday.
According to Sarawak Fire and Rescue
Department operations centre, Anthony Kanna,
49, was extracted after a boulder that crashed
onto the machine he was operating was
removed yesterday.
The body was handed to police for further
action.
“Excavators managed to unearth a part of the
machine’s seat. The rescue team used road
traffic accident equipment to extract the victim,”
the department said.
On Monday, a Fire and Rescue Department
team and staff from the Holy Stone Quarry
company carried out the rescue mission upon
receiving a distress report.
However, the operation, which started at
about 3pm on Monday, had to be postponed
twice at 4.45pm and 8.45pm due to safety factors
and poor weather. The operations resumed at
about 8.45am yesterday morning.
According to the department, initial reports
said the company’s blasting activities in the
SHOW TIME ... An employee sanitising the lobby area yesterday at TGV Central i-City in Shah quarry area had caused the rock structure to
Alam, which will resume operations soon. – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN become unstable and collapsed. – Bernama
 6 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

S’pore suspends licence of news site

oRegulator says firm’s ‘subscription funding’
could be avenue for foreign influence
SINGAPORE: A news website often
critical of authorities here had its
licence suspended yesterday for
failing to declare funding sources,
with a rights group slamming the
move as “unacceptable censorship”.
Critics frequently accuse
tightly-regulated Singapore of
curbing media freedom, and The
Online Citizen (TOC) had long been
in the government’s crosshairs.
One of Singapore’s few alternative
news sources, it often ran stories
more critical of the authorities than
those in the pro-government
mainstream media.
In a statement, the city-state’s
media regulator said it had
suspended the company’s licence to
operate its websites and social media
channels as it had not fully met
obligations to declare funding.
Sites such as TOC “are required to
be transparent about their sources of
funding”, said the Infocomm Media
Development Authority.
“This is to prevent such sites from
being controlled by foreign actors, or
coming under the influence of
foreign entities or funding.”
TOC was ordered to disable its
websites and social media accounts
by tomorrow.
If it fails to provide enough further
information, then its licence to
operate may be cancelled entirely,
the regulator warned.
The site, which first registered in
2018, had not fully complied with its
obligations to declare its funding
since 2019, said the regulator.
It noted that TOC had allowed
subscribers to get specific articles
written in return for “subscription
funding”, and warned this “could be
an avenue for foreign influence”.
But chief editor Terry Xu told AFP
that the site “has never received any
foreign funding, nor would it in the
future”, and the company was
considering its options.
Earlier this month, Xu and one
TOC writer were ordered to pay
substantial damages after losing a
defamation suit against Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Human Rights Watch deputy Asia
director Phil Robertson said the
suspension was “outrageous and
unacceptable censorship, disguised
as government regulatory action”.
“The reality is the Singaporean
government has been looking to shut
down TOC by hook or by crook,
because they simply don’t like their
independence or their critical
reporting.”
Singapore ranks 160th out of 180
countries and territories in Reporters
Without Borders’ World Press
Freedom Index, where number one
indicates the country with the
greatest media freedom. – AFP

NIGERIA RECAPTURES
Research to extend
BRIEFS

108 PRISON INMATES

ABUJA: At least 108 out of 240 inmates
who escaped from a prison in central
Nigeria have been recaptured, a prison
official said yesterday. Heavily armed
gunmen stormed the Security
Custodial Centre on Sunday, freeing
scores of inmates. It was unclear who
the gunmen were but criminal gangs
have terrorised central and northwest
Nigeria for years. “We have a total of 108
inmates rearrested,” said correctional
service spokesman Francis Enobore.
Earlier, he said numerous attackers
“engaged the armed guards in a fierce
gun battle”. A soldier and a police
officer lost their lives. – AFP
SPAIN SAYS HUGE WILDFIRE
UNDER CONTROL
MADRID: A huge wildfire in southern
Spain has been brought under control
after it raged for seven days, killing a
firefighter and destroying more than
8,000ha of land, officials said yesterday.
The blaze, which officials believe was
started deliberately last Wednesday in
the Sierra Bermeja mountains near
Estepona, “is under control”, tweeted
Juanma Moreno, head of Andalusia
region. About 500 firefighters battling
the blaze were finally given some
breathing room on Monday when a
light rain started falling. “The rain has
been the best ally,” said Moreno. – AFP
Hong Kong to introduce list of
new national security offences
HONG KONG: The financial hub will create a
host of new national security offences, a senior
official confirmed yesterday, building on a law
Beijing imposed last year that has criminalised
much dissent and transformed the city.
Chris Tang, a former police chief promoted
to security secretary this year, said officials had
started working on local legislation that would
define new crimes under the security law.
“We hope to complete it within the next term
of legislature and we will consult with the
public,” Tang told the pro-Beijing Ta Kung Pao
newspaper in a front-page report published
yesterday.
In a separate interview with Sing Tao Daily,
another pro-Beijing media outlet, he said
officials were studying ongoing national
security trials to guide their new legislation.
“We didn’t pay much attention to espionage
activities in the past and now we are studying
whether we need to regulate that,” Tang told
EastWeek magazine.
China imposed a sweeping national security
law on Hong Kong last year in response to huge
and often violent democracy protests.
The law targets any act deemed subversion,
secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign
forces.
It has been overwhelmingly deployed
against people expressing certain political
views.
The new security law will be directed by
Article 23 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution,
Tang confirmed.
Article 23 calls for Hong Kong to pass its own
national security legislation after the 1997
handover to China.
An attempt to do so in 2003 sparked huge
protests and concerns that Hong Kong would
lose its unique freedoms.
The legislation was shelved.
Hong Kong’s inability to pass its own security
laws was one of the reasons Beijing lost patience
after the 2019 democracy protests and
promulgated its own law last year.
Some of Article 23’s offences are already
covered by that law – such as secession and
subversion.
But new crimes would include treason,
sedition, theft of state secrets and measures to
stop “foreign political organisations” operating
in Hong Kong – or Hong Kongers contacting
them.
Tang gave no timeframe for the new law but
said it would be passed by the next legislature.
– AFP
lives of cats
TOKYO: Cats may have nine lives, but their
time on Earth is often cut short by kidney
problems – so people in Japan who want
their feline friends to live longer have
donated ¥207 million (RM7.8 million) to the
search for a cure.
As the coronavirus pandemic hit the
economy last year, scientists at the University
of Tokyo lost their corporate funding for a
study on preventing kidney disease in cats.
But thousands of Japanese cat lovers
mobilised online to donate to the
researchers after an article about their plight
by news agency Jiji Press went viral.
“I lost my beloved cat to kidney disease
last December. I hope this research will
progress and help many cats to live without
this disease,” one woman wrote in a message
alongside her ¥2,200 donation.
“I recently got a kitten. I make a donation
in the hope that it will be in time for this cat,”
said another donor, who gave ¥9,900.
Domesticated cats and their cousins in
the wild are prone to kidney problems
because of a genetic inability to activate a key
protein discovered by the Tokyo researchers.
The protein called AIM helps clean up
dead cells and other bodily waste, preventing
the kidneys from becoming clogged.
Immunology professor Toru Miyazaki
and his team are working on ways to produce
the protein in a stable quantity and quality.
They hope to develop a new remedy they
say could double the current feline life
expectancy of roughly 15 years.
Around 3,000 unsolicited donations were
sent to the team hours after the article was
published in July.
By mid-September, the amount donated
had reached ¥207 million. – AFP

Suu Kyi back in court

FURIOUS FLARES ...
Fireworks thrown by
protesters explode in front of
a line of riot police officers
during an anti-government
protest in Bangkok.
– REUTERSPIX
YANGON: Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San
Suu Kyi returned to court yesterday to face
charges of incitement and flouting Covid
restrictions, her lawyer said, a day after failing
to appear on health grounds.
Monday’s hearing was adjourned after
Suu Kyi suffered from what her lawyer said
was “car sickness” while being taken from the
compound where she is under house arrest
to the courtroom.
Suu Kyi “said she was still somewhat
dizzy”, according to lawyer Khin Maung Zaw,
who met with her before yesterday’s hearing.
He said the hearing on charges Suu Kyi
flouted Covid restrictions during elections
her party won last year was postponed after
prosecution witnesses failed to appear.
Suu Kyi’s lawyers have denied those
charges.
Two prosecution witnesses also failed to
appear at a hearing in July after becoming
infected with the coronavirus.
The trial was then postponed for two
months as Myanmar battled a Covid surge.
Journalists are barred from the
proceedings against Suu Kyi, who also faces
charges of sedition, accepting illegal
payments and violating a secrecy law. – AFP

Apple users told to update
device to fix spyware threat
WASHINGTON: Apple users were
urged yesterday to update their
devices after the tech giant
announced a fix for a major software
flaw that allows the Pegasus spyware
to be installed on phones without so
much as a click.
Cybersecurity experts at the
Citizen Lab, a research centre at the
University of Toronto, uncovered the
flaw while analysing the phone of a
Saudi activist.
That person is among tens of
thousands believed to have been
targeted with the Israeli-made
Pegasus software, which according to
media reports has been used
worldwide to intercept the
communications of activists,
journalists and even heads of state.
Apple said on Monday that it had
“rapidly” developed a software
update after Citizen Lab alerted it to
the hole in its iMessage software on
Sept 7.
“Attacks like the ones described
are highly sophisticated, cost millions
of dollars to develop, often have a
short shelf life, and are used to target
Putin self-isolates
after contact
MOSCOW: Russian President
Vladimir Putin is self-isolating as a
precaution after several members of
his entourage fell ill with Covid-19,
but is “absolutely” healthy and does
not have the disease himself, the
Kremlin said yesterday.
Putin will therefore not travel to
Tajikistan this week for planned
regional security meetings which he
will take part in by video conference
instead.
The Kremlin said Putin took the
decision to self-isolate after he had
met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
in the Kremlin on Monday, in
consultation with doctors.
Putin also met Russian
Paralympians and travelled to
western Russia on Monday to
observe joint military drills with
Belarus.
The decision to self-isolate
suggests a potential breach in the
rigorous regime set up to keep Putin,
who turns 69 next month, healthy
and away from anyone with Covid.
Kremlin visitors have had to pass
through special disinfection tunnels,
Putin has had two shots of Russia’s
flagship Sputnik V vaccine,
journalists attending his events have
to undergo multiple PCR tests, and
people he meets are asked to
quarantine beforehand and be tested.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry
Peskov told reporters that Putin had
been in touch with several people in
his entourage who had fallen ill with
Covid-19.
“Of course we know who fell ill in
the president’s entourage and the
self-isolation (regime) does not
directly affect the president’s work,”
said Peskov.
“But it’s just that in-person
meetings will not take place for a
while. But that does not affect their
frequency and the president will
continue his activity via video
conferences.”
Asked if Putin had tested negative
for Covid-19, Peskov said: “Of course
yes. The president is absolutely
healthy.” – Reuters
oPegasus intrusion said to be able to access
messages, photos and track movements
specific individuals,” the company
said.
Citizen Lab said it was urging
people “to immediately update all
Apple devices”.
Explosive revelations that
governments have spied on people
using the hugely invasive software –
which was developed by the NSO
Group, a secretive Israeli firm – have
ricocheted around the world since
July.
Once Pegasus is installed on a
phone, it can be used to read a
target’s messages, look at their
photos, track their movements and
even switch on their camera – all
without the person knowing.
The flaw fixed by Apple is a
so-called “zero-click exploit”,
meaning that it can be installed on a
device without the owner needing to
do so much as click a button.
NATURE’S WRATH ... A mounted
crane being used to pull out a car that
was washed away by floodwaters on a
street in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on
Monday. The National Emergency
Management Agency said three people
died while dozens of cars and houses
were damaged. – AFPPIX
Accounts of Afghan ex-officials probed
KABUL: The Taliban are
investigating the accounts of
former high-ranking Afghan
government members to check for
ill-gotten gains, officials said
yesterday.
The investigation may lead to
the freezing of assets and accounts
of former civil servants, ministers
and lawmakers, an official at Da
Afghanistan Bank told AFP, asking
not to be named.
A manager of a private bank
confirmed a team of “Taliban
auditors” had been deployed to the
organisation to check the accounts
of selected former government
officials.
Corruption was widespread and
rampant under the administration
of former president Ashraf Ghani,
and tens of millions of dollars of aid
money is believed to have been
siphoned out of the public purse.
Less sophisticated spyware tools
have generally required the target to
click on a booby-trapped link or file
in order to start tapping the person’s
communications.
Citizen Lab said it believed the
flaw, which it named
FORCEDENTRY, had been used to
install Pegasus on devices since
February or possibly earlier.
It is a variant of a weak spot in
Apple’s messaging software that
Citizen Lab previously detected on
the iPhones of nine Bahraini activists,
who were hacked with Pegasus
between June last year and February
this year.
“Popular chat apps are the soft
underbelly of device security. They
are on every device,” tweeted John
Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at
Citizen Lab who helped uncover the
flaw.
Ashraf himself was accused of
taking millions with him when he
fled to Abu Dhabi on Aug 15 as the
Taliban entered Kabul, but he has
denied the claims and says he is
ready to prove his innocence.
Several Taliban officials posted
video on their social media
accounts yesterday purporting to
show millions in cash and gold
ingots recovered from the Panjshir
residence of former vice-president
Amrullah Saleh.
The video, which could not be
independently verified, showed
Taliban fighters sitting on the floor
and counting cash and gold
apparently found in suitcases.
One fighter says they
discovered about US$100,000
(RM416,000) the day after Panjshir
fell to the Taliban, and a further
US$6.2 million and 18 gold ingots
in a later search.
theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
* NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
BRIEFS
Messaging service WhatsApp was
previously also allegedly used to
infiltrate phones using Pegasus, and
its owner Facebook is suing the NSO
Group.
NSO has denied any wrongdoing
and insisted its software is intended
for use by authorities only in fighting
terrorism and other crimes.
But the company, which says it
has clients in 45 countries, did not
dispute that Pegasus had prompted
Apple’s urgent software upgrade.
It said in a statement that it would
“continue to provide intelligence and
law enforcement agencies around the
world with life saving technologies to
fight terror and crime.”
Citizen Lab, which first uncovered
Pegasus alongside cybersecurity firm
Lookout five years ago, accuses NSO
of selling the software to
governments that use it for repressive
purposes.
India, Mexico and Azerbaijan
dominated the list of countries where
large numbers of phone numbers
were allegedly identified as possible
targets by NSO’s clients. – AFP
Amrullah had holed up in
Panjshir after the Taliban took
Kabul, and the remote highland
valley was the last province to fall
to the hardliners.
The investigation into possible
illegal assets comes as Afghanistan
is in the grip of a major cash crisis,
with people limited to
withdrawing the equivalent of just
US$200 a day from personal
accounts, and having to queue for
hours even to do that.
Even before the Taliban
takeover, government salaries were
frequently paid late, and in the case
of rural workers there is a
months-long backlog.
People are resorting to selling
their household goods to raise
money to pay for essentials, and
bustling second-hand goods
markets have mushroomed in
most urban centres. – AFP
7
PHILIPPINES EASES
LOCKDOWN
MANILA: The Philippines will
ease coronavirus restrictions in
the capital despite record
infection numbers, officials
said yesterday, as it seeks to
spur economic activity.
Restaurants, churches and
beauty salons in the national
capital region will open at
lower capacities from
tomorrow to get tens of
thousands more people back
to work. “We should strive for
total health and this can only
be realised by carefully
balancing our Covid-19
response by considering both
the health of our people and
the economic health of the
nation,“ said President Rodrigo
Duterte’s spokesman Harry
Roque. Virus cases have surged
to record levels – more than
140,000 cases in the past week
– thanks to an outbreak of the
contagious Delta variant. – AFP
‘HIGH POTENTIAL’
FOREIGNERS SOUGHT
BANGKOK: Thailand yesterday
approved measures to attract
“high potential” foreigners,
including by providing longer
term visas and tax benefits. The
new plan is expected to draw a
million wealthy foreigners,
including pensioners and
skilled professionals, to
Thailand between the 2022 to
2026 fiscal years, government
spokesman Thanakorn
Wangboonkongchana said.
The proposal is expected to
boost spending by one trillion
baht (RM125 billion),
investment by 800 billion baht
and tax revenue by 270 billion
baht over the period, he said.
– Reuters
US: No hostile
intent towards
North Korea
TOKYO: The United States has no
hostile intent towards North Korea
and hopes it responds positively to
offers for talks on its nuclear
weapons and ballistic missile
programmes, a US envoy said
yesterday as he met Asian allies.
The meeting between top
officials of the United States, Japan
and South Korea on ways to end a
standoff with North Korea over is
nuclear ambitions came a day
after it said it had tested a new
long-range cruise missile.
“The United States has no
hostile intent towards the DPRK,”
the US envoy for North Korea,
Sung Kim, said in opening
remarks at the talks in Tokyo,
referring to North Korea by the
initials of its official name – the
Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea.
“We hope that the DPRK will
respond positively to our multiple
offers to meet without
preconditions.”
North Korea has conducted six
nuclear tests and developed
intercontinental ballistic missiles
capable of reaching the United
States, raising fears of military
confrontation and drawing
international sanctions.
Kim later said he and his
Japanese counterpart, Takehiro
Funakoshi, and South Korea’s Noh
Kyu-duk, had a “terrific
discussion”.
“All three countries agreed that
we should continue to pursue a
diplomatic path but the main goal
being complete denuclearisation
of Korean peninsula.” – Reuters
 8 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
SPEAK UP
W Bold action on climate
HAT is it that our Malaysian
Family needs most of all, starting
tomorrow? A family will stay
united only if all communities
recognise a deep oneness that connects them.
The Malaysian Family dream of Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob can turn into
reality only if we also acknowledge that the real
family is the Human Family, and there is only
one surviving family – homo sapiens. Others
such as Neanderthals and Denisovans have
gone extinct.
There are no races, as all humans
in the world share 99.8% of their
genetic material. In studying the
human genome, scientist have not
found any biological race. Equally
unifying should be the awareness
that all religions are like rivers
coming from and flowing into one
ocean. If we hang on to outmoded
theories of supremacy, we are not a Malaysian
Family but a potpourri of families. Potpourri is
a collection of fragrant dried flowers. But dried
flowers have no life.
When the nation celebrates Malaysia Day
tomorrow, cabinet ministers should lead the
rakyat in pledging our belief that every religion
carries some fundamental truths helpful to its
adherents – even those religions you do not
like. If you think other religions contain no
truths, then why recite the Rukun Negara with
“Belief in God” as the first tenet?
How should we build up the Malaysian
Family? In the previous article, we laid down a
case for establishing a National Interfaith
Council for Climate Change.
Every Malaysian would have seen on
television the scale of natural disasters being
inflicted on human populations now, from the
Covid-19 pandemic to the killer heatwaves and
monstrous floods.
To dampen climate change, we need every
religion to stir the masses into taking bold and
necessary action steps. This climate interfaith
council should comprise member religions of
the Malaysian Consultative Council of
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism
and Taoism. The chairperson would rightly be
We would like to wish our Malaysians
A HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY
Stay Strong . Stay Safe . Stay United
change needed
the minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department for religious affairs. In
linguistic usage, the term “religious
affairs” implies that it is a multifaith
portfolio. An Orang Asli who is a
loyal practitioner of the indigenous
faith in nature should be adviser of
this climate interfaith council.
In bringing together at least six
religions to map out a “stop further climate
change” action plan for all religious adherents
to adopt, the religious afairs minister must be
willing to walk into the eye of the storm and
take bold unpopular moves.
The eye of the storm is this common belief
held by many religious authorities that human
population must not be obstructed from
expanding to fill the Earth quite literally.
We have not just filled the Earth; we have
overfilled it.
“Population growth will lead to
environmental damage,” wrote Assoc Prof
Murray Hunter in theSun (Aug 25). Among the
list of dreadful consequences, continued
population growth will “deplete the stock of
world forests”, warned Hunter.
When human population reaches 10 billion
in 40 years (it is now 7.8 billion), the world
forest cover will disappear by another 20%.
There is no way to find space for two billion
new humans except by pushing deeper into the
forests and converting them into towns, farms
and industrial sites. This means substantially
lower absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere,
even while humans generate more Co2
emissions further increasing the global heat.
Climate change became noticeable to
scientists from 1950 as they began seeing
From all of us at
temperatures creeping up year on year. Global
human population also started increasing at
2% a year from 1950, slowing only in the
recent decade. The two parallel events were
no coincidence.
Runaway population growth is the root
cause of climate change. From 2.5 billion in
1950, the number of humans will have
quadrupled to 10 billion by 2060.
The link with climate change is
incontestable. However, many religious
authorities continue to encourage baby booms.
A number of scriptural verses appear to justify
such action. But every verse in any scripture
must be interpreted within its context. Taken
out of context, a statement that is valid –
relative to its context – will turn into a
dangerous falsehood.
Anthropologist Mahmood Mamdani
explained the context justifying large families
in the distant past. Children were the economic
support system providing needed labour and
physical security in the absence of a managed
economy and police force.
There are political and theological reasons
as well. The political motive for large families
has been prominent since the 1950s as
religions battle for electoral majority in plural
constituencies across a swath of democratic
nations. Theology also provides a strong
underlying reason for uncontrolled births.
Religions either propagate the view that human
births are rare and hence every birth is
necessary or that a soul waits to be created
whenever a married couple embrace. This is a
misunderstanding of scripture.
The correct understanding of “soul” is to be
found in the Upanishads, a collection of Hindu
scriptures. There, it is stated that your
innermost self is the Atman. What is Atman?
Take 1,000 mirrors and lay them on a big open
field at high noon.
You have created 1,000 suns. But the truth is
that each sun in the mirror is just a reflection of
the one sun. The mirror is our physical body
containing a divine reflection.
Buddhist scriptures are sprinkled with the
term anatman or anatta, which means “no
soul” in Sanskrit and Pali. However, there is
strong recognition in Buddhism that
consciousness predates life and survives death.
Individual consciousness is like a stream of
water that comes from and flows back into the
ocean. Science finds no evidence of soul, but
has discovered that consciousness exists
beyond death.
The proposed National Interfaith Council
for Climate Change must take this “baby step”
of initiating a global religious action plan to
stop unnecessary human births in every
country. We must prevent a Usain Bolt of
climate change from bolting towards the
finishing line, at all cost.
India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh is
leading the way for all religiously-inclined
nations to dampen climate change. It has
introduced a two-child family policy under a
UP Population Control, Stabilisation and
Welfare Bill 2021. A third child is permitted
only if a couple have two daughters. The draft
bill contains penalties for offenders such as
barring access to government subsidies and
benefits, as well as jobs in government services.
The writer champions interfaith harmony.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
 TECH
2 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
A
VICIOUS cycle is how
you might describe the
over-reliance of
American companies on
automated recruitment software.
This technology was intended to help
companies find the best possible
candidates for vacant positions, but it
has ultimately led to an
overabundance of applications that
are rejected without any real reason.
This is often caused by the filters
companies use in this software.
The Harvard Business School
report suggests that automated
recruitment software is a
contributing factor to the US’s
“broken” hiring system. These
programmes are widely used in the
US, among about 75% of American
employers. This figure rises to 99% for
Fortune 500 companies. However,
millions of viable candidates are
reportedly being rejected each year,
the study’s authors say, due to the use
of overly simplistic criteria to sort
suitable candidates from supposedly
unsuitable applicants.
One example involves using
criteria such as work history. Some
systems automatically reject
candidates who have gaps of more
than six months on their resume,
without ever seeking the cause of that
gap. Joseph Fuller, one of the study
authors, gave some further examples
to the Wall Street Journal. An
American hospital was, he says,
refusing all candidates who did not
have computer programming
experience on their CV when
recruiting workers to enter patient
data into a computer. Here, computer
programming experience is clearly
unnecessary, yet it caused dozens – if
not hundreds – of resumes to be
A Chinese company has revealed its robot-unicorn
AFTER the dog-bots and the lizard-bots, now
it’s time for the unicorn-bots! Xpeng Robotics,
a Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles,
has given a preview of its next project, which,
for the Chinese group, represents the future of
mobility. The Asian company plans to market
this four-legged unicorn robot for children as
soon as possible, although no production
schedule has been announced.
The company has indicated that the smart
pony, dubbed “Little White Dragon”, is
equipped with power modules, motion
control, smart navigation and intelligent
emotional interaction capabilities. The robot
can interact with its environment, detect
obstacles to avoid, as well as react to a
human’s voice, touch and body language.
Part of a smart mobility ecosystem
The Chinese electric vehicle maker said it
plans to release a four-legged robot pony
aimed at children, which it hopes will become
their first ‘smart vehicle.’ While Xpeng did not
show off a physical version of the robot pony,
it did release a video and photos of the toy.
The company also did not reveal the
dimensions of the product, but the video
shows that it is as big as a child and intended
to be ridden by one.
How spatial audio is helping immerse users in the metaverse
IN theory, spatial audio lets listeners
enjoy unparalleled sound quality, no
matter how they might position or
move their heads, with audio that
sounds like you’re genuinely in the
middle of a crowd or a game, for
example, the idea being that the
sound comes from all directions and
that listeners are therefore in the
midst of the action.
This concept was introduced
earlier this year by Apple, via Apple
Music. To try it, you need compatible
headphones, in this case the AirPods
Pro or Max. And while the offer is
currently quite sparse (Apple Music
and Netflix, for example, have some
Overly strict filters
oHow millions of people are being shut out of the job market by
recruitment software
rejected. Similarly, recruitment for a This likely contributes to the
retail sales position routinely turned problem of “hidden workers” – the
down applicants who did not list people who are able and willing to
“floor buffing” as a skill, even if they work, but who are prevented from
met all the other criteria for the job. finding a job by underlying problems
Co-founder and CEO of Guangzhou-
based Xpeng indicated on social network
Weibo that the company would use its
capabilities in autonomous driving, voice
recognition and smart manufacturing” to
enter the field of robotics.
The objective of this rideable robot is
above all to help build a whole intelligent
compatible content), the
phenomenon is still in its infancy.
With the rise in the concept of the
metaverse (from “meta” and
“universe”) – or veritable parallel
worlds – spatial audio makes
particular sense. Experiencing what’s
now referred to as a metaverse – a
shared virtual world – can take
different forms, from attending a
concert or dancing in a nightclub as
an avatar, walking virtually in the
jungle or, more mundanely, holding a
meeting between colleagues in a
virtual office. In all cases, 3D sound
will help give the illusion of being
there for real. – ETX Studio
in the labour market. Because of the
increased demand for employment,
and increased
applicants, some companies have
responded by imposing sometimes
eco-system that can then be reused for
other products from the Chinese brand.
The CEO stressed the importance of being
able to interact with humans at a high
emotional level. So your child’s next four-
legged best friend may well be a robot that
looks more like a unicorn than a dog. – ETX
Studio
Automated
recruitment
software is
contributing to
a flawed hiring
system in the
US, research
suggests.
too strict filters in the automatic
software.
Reassuringly, companies seem to
be aware of this issue. About nine in
10 executives surveyed in the report
said they recognised that automated
software mistakenly screens out
potentially employable candidates.
But to get around the problem, other
approaches should be explored when
hiring candidates. Indeed, in
conclusion to their study, the authors
state that “many aspects of the hiring
numbers of system” should be reviewed,
including how such software and its
filters are used. – ETX Studio
Your cat’s new
Little White
companion
Dragon is THE Japanese love cats ... so much so
the project that they invented little robots to keep
name for these pampered pets busy in their
Xpeng’s absence. The Cat Jara Sitter 2.0 is one
robot such invention, which, beneath its
unicorn. appearance of a connected vacuum
cleaner, has the soul of a cat companion.
Designed by the company Neko No
Tomosya, this little robot has no purpose
other than to entertain cats. It looks like
a small connected vacuum cleaner, but
this little toy has holes on the side from
which colorful feathers come out
randomly, a game that will endlessly
surprise (or annoy, depending on the
cat’s personality) the animal.
The Cat Jara Sitter 2.0 is actually an
evolution of a product released in 2018.
Quieter and with three speed settings,
this version is suitable for all breeds of
cats. Note that the unit is stationary and
that the robot can therefore be easily
positioned at a strategic place where the
cat passes. In the absence of its masters,
the robot can be set to be activated at
regular intervals.
This unique and amusing cat toy
works with batteries and is already
available online for the modest sum of
3,980 yen (US$36). – ETX Studio – ETX
The Cat
STudio
Jara Sitter
2.0 is
available in
Japan.
Spatial audio
promises
greater
immersion in
music or
other audio
environments.