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The Sun Daily-final edition-16102020 Flipbook PDF
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INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS
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SME urged 2 to go online
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Work from 3 home hurdle
NO TRESPASSING ... Military personnel installing barbed wire fencing at a roadblock in Jalan Penjara, Penang, on Wednesday night following the imposition of an enhanced movement control order in the Penang Remand Prison area. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN
ON FRIDAY
OCTOBER 16, 2020 No. 7640 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my
BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI [email protected]
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ETALING JAYA: Fake news has a way of spreading through social media that bona fide information can never match. To ensure that she gets the right updates on the Covid-19 situation, student J. Subashini visits the official Facebook and Twitter pages of the Health Ministry daily. “The information here is more easily digestible,” she told theSun yesterday. However, Subashini is part of only a very small minority. For the most part, people lap up all the information and misinformation they receive on social media, and they end up with a cocktail of twisted facts, fake news and outright lies. To overcome these problems, experts say, people must learn where to seek the right information, and that a more systematic approach to disseminating updates
o People must learn where to seek
correct info; systematic approach to providing Covid updates needed on Covid-19 be put in place. Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr M. Subramaniam said the task of educating the people on the dos and don’ts when dealing with Covid-19 should fall under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry. “A sizeable proportion of the population still do not understand fully how the coronavirus spreads,” he told theSun yesterday. “Fines to scare people into obeying the rules would not work.” He believes that only a handful of people actually take the time to read and stay updated on the Covid-19 crisis. Another problem, he said, is the millions of foreign workers - both
documented and otherwise - who may not be as well-informed of the real situation in Malaysia. “It could be a language barrier. The Communications and Multimedia Ministry should look at ways to effectively communicate with this important group,” he said. Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is of the view that both the Health and Defence ministries should share the task of disseminating information and providing updates. The Health Ministry should be solely in charge Turn to of giving out data on — Covid-19, such as the page 3 number of new infections, he said.
MOTORING STUFF
Get it right
2 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Vernacular press digest
PLAYING SAFE ...
Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur was a picture of desolation on Wednesday night as people heed the conditional movement control order amid fears of escalating Covid cases recently. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN
Not time to be choosy about jobs BY KONG SEE HOH [email protected]
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Traffic on highways ‘normal’ oNo increase recorded in days prior to or during CMCO, says PLUS BY ELLY FAZANIZA [email protected]
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PETALING JAYA: Traffic on highways managed by PLUS Malaysia Bhd did not spike on days ahead of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) coming into effect in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrjaya on Oct 14. There was no balik kampung exodus unlike just before the MCO on March 18 when Klang Valley residents jammed the highways.
PLUS head of corporate, community and public engagement Syed Mohammed Idid said the average number of highway users was about 1.5 million each day ahead of the CMCO. “There has not been an increase since the CMCO was imposed,” he told theSun yesterday. He said Malaysians have probably accepted the order to stay at home and are not as anxious as in the initial MCO. “As Malaysians have weathered the storm and know what to expect, we have adapted to the new norm, which includes not being anxious,” he added. Under the CMCO, movement in and out of districts is not allowed. Workers who need to cross districts would need to present a work pass or a letter of permission from their employer. A maximum of two people from the same
household are allowed to go out for necessities and all schools, institutions of higher learning, training institutes, kindgergartens, nurseries, tahfiz centres, public parks and leisure centres are closed. All places of worship are to be closed and all sports, recreational, social, cultural activities, including weddings, will be banned during the CMCO. Entertainment centres and nightclubs are also not allowed to operate. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris mental health expert Dr Fauziah Mohd Sa’ad agreed with Syed Idid, saying that staying in and working from home is for the greater good of the nation. “There is definitely a change in mindset. We have become more cautious, matured and understand that this issue will need a long-term solution, apart from a community effort to flatten the curve,” she added.
SME urged to go online to keep up SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has urged small and medium enterprises (SME), especially those in the retail business, to go online rather than depend on the traditional ways of doing business. Selangor senior executive councillor and chairman of the Standing Committees for Investment, Industry and Commerce and Small and Medium Enterprises, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, said by going online, SME would be able to generate sales and income even during the movement control order (MCO) and conditional MCO (CMCO). “During Ramadan this year, the state government sponsored RM1 million in discount vouchers for SME, which went
online by registering with e-commerce platform Shopee for E-Bazar Raya. Before this programme, we had 2,000 SME registered with Shopee but during this programme, the figure jumped to 6,400. “The result is overwhelming. We managed to record RM11.7 million in revenue from the programme, 11 times more than what we invested,” he said during a virtual press conference after officiating the fifth Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Conference yesterday. To make the E-Bazar Raya a success, he said the state government will organise an online shopping festival with the cooperation of two e-commerce platforms, Shopee and
Lazada. “The 11.11 programme will be launched very soon by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and he will provide all the details about this programme in a few days.” During his opening speech, Teng said that as a result of the MCO and CMCO to curb the spread of Covid-19, SME have been forced to go online. He said SME have to embrace digitalisation to cope with office closures, restricted movement and supply interruption. He added that the digitalisation of businesses is not a one-off piecemeal project but rather a comprehensive journey. – Bernama
Sabah serious about SOP compliance KOTA KINABALU: A total of 1,800 staff from various agencies in 248 teams have been assigned to ensure compliance to standard operating procedures (SOP) to contain the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the state, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said yesterday. He said the agencies involved are the Armed Forces, People’s Volunteer Corps, Health Ministry, Civil Defence Force, Immigration Department and local authorities. He said to date, more than 1,800 arrests
have been made and 1,454 compounds issued against violators of SOP to curb the spread of Covid-19. Among the offences committed were failure to wear face masks, holding large gatherings and not practising physical distancing. “We will not compromise in making arrests and issuing compounds against those who defy the SOP,” he told a media conference at the Sabah police contingent headquarters. Hazani said police are also investigating the dissemination of an offensive voice message on
social media two days ago that accused Sabahans of spreading Covid-19 in Johor following the state election recently. He said the individual from Johor accused Sabah residents who returned to the state after voting in the election of spreading Covid-19. “I call on the people not to be influenced by the voice message,” Hazani said. “The message is very crude, which does not reflect our culture as Malaysians. No police reports have been lodged but we will still investigate,” he added. – Bernama
THE chances of fresh graduates landing a job right after graduation are extremely low now, especially with the third wave of the Covid-19 infections hitting a number of states. Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said up to 50% of them took an average of six months to secure a job, which does not necessary match their skills. He said one could only say these new kids on the block have merely found a job because to land one in their career of choice would be an added challenge. “They can’t wait for the right job, but to grab what comes along. “How much they get paid is not the point, what is important is to accrue skills and experience to increase their marketability,” Shamsuddin was quoted by China Press as saying in a report yesterday. He said most employers have put recruitment on hold, and even if they are recruiting, it is for temporary staff. Companies that have laid off workers during the first wave of the pandemic are even less likely to hire new staff, he added. Asked which sectors are more likely to require an injection of new blood, Shamsuddin said apart from companies that produce personal protective equipment needed by frontline health workers, most businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water. He added that the plantation sector is in need of manpower but because of the nature of the job, fresh graduates find it tough to fit into this line of work. “Many fresh graduates are contributing to the gig economy, taking up temporary jobs such as delivery riders and e-hailing drivers.” He pointed out that some 500,000 people were already in the gig economy before the coronavirus hit. He estimated their numbers would grow to 2.8 million by the end of the year. He said although the gig economy has seen a slight upswing, the large number of people taking up employment in this sector means heightened competition among them. Shamsuddin suggested the government look into the welfare of gig workers, including providing a social safety net for them and a channel to mediate work disputes.
Financial aid for entrepreneurs KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government here, through the Entrepreneur Development Foundation, has so far channeled RM4.38 million to 333 entrepreneurs affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Foundation chief executive officer Ahmad Farhan Abdul Wahab said the loan extended to each individual was between RM5,000 and RM50,000, depending on the losses they incurred. “The allocation through the Terengganu SME Rehabilitation Fund is syariah-compliant and interest-free and the loan repayment period is five years. “It is hoped that this special loan will enable the entrepreneurs to restructure their business strategies to survive and recover post-Covid-19,“ he said yesterday. Among those who benefited from the funds were entrepreneurs involved in the food and agro-based products, tourism, personal care and cosmetics, retail, textile and handicraft, manufacturing as well as information technology sectors. He said the foundation also had to cancel several business promotion programmes for Terengganu entrepreneurs in view of a sharp spike of Covid-19 cases of late. “We will continue to assist them to get promotional space at supermarkets as the focus will be on local tourists,“ he added. – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
TELLING IT AS IT IS
Says ...
Let’s do the right thing, for everyone’s sake Graphics_1 > Graphics Logos >The Sun Masthead .ai
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BY YEOH GUAN JIN
IF anything, the last six months must have worn everyone down. The restrictions on movement, the need to keep our mouth and nose covered, and not being able to sit together over lunch or tea, is not the way to live. We are social animals. Apart from the odd person who does not like being in the company of others … and the current situation would suits him fine … we thrive on having friends and family, loved ones and even acquaintances.
But now, we struggle to get through the day. Working from home is not for everyone. Some people just can’t do without the partitions around his workstation at the office. Turning to the guy next to you to run an idea by him is no longer possible. If you’re among those who are forced by your bosses to go to the office daily come what may, the fear of infection is very real. Danger hangs in the air as you commute on public transport to the office. Even if capacity in the train or
bus is reduced extensively to ensure social distancing, there is little reassurance. The man just a few feet away on the platform who has pulled down his face mask briefly to pick up a call on his newly purchased iPhone 12 could be spewing out the coronavirus as he speaks. To put it simply, this thing is just driving us crazy. It is no wonder that there has been a sharp increase in mental illness. The spike in the number of new cases lately has only deepened our worst fears – that this pandemic will
only get worse. The frustrating thing is that it is in our hands to keep this from happening in the first place. We could have prevented the spike if only we had put in a little more effort. Every day, we read about hundreds of people arrested across the country for failing to observe the standard operating procedures. The recent elections in Sabah was another problem. The spike could have been prevented if the politicians and their supporters had taken the initiative
Work-from-home hurdle for firms
to observed the SOP strictly. It is unbelievable that with all the technology we already have in hand, we still could not cast our votes remotely. It is time we all sit up and act responsibly. Countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan have shown that it is possible to keep Covid-19 at bay. A recent photo of Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Arden posing for a selfie with supporters – all without face masks on – shows that it can be done. If we do the right thing …
Nadiah working the wok at the restaurant. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN
oInfrastructure in country not optimally conducive to encourage remote operations: SME association chief BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR [email protected]
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PETALING JAYA: Businesses are still unprepared to go full swing into work-from-home mode, and the government is partly to blame. SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said the government failed to provide the incentives to prompt business to adopt digitalisation quickly despite the experience gained from the country’s first movement control order (MCO). “Without the proper infrastructure to go digital fully, it is difficult to allow employees to work remotely,” he told theSun yesterday. “There is a lack of urgency in the government and that will leave many companies incapacitated if staff are allowed to stay away from the office,” he said. “Therefore, we have no choice but to insist that employees return to the office despite the health risks involved,” he added. Kang said that for many small companies, it is a matter of survival now, so giving employees the option to work from home would seem luxurious. “But the bottom line is that the government has not prepared businesses for this second round of lockdown.” “The government had ample lessons to learn from the first MCO, from the damage it has done to livelihood across the nation.” He said businesses are aware of the fact that allowing employees to work remotely could reduce the number of people at the office and thereby ensure social distancing. However, Kang commended the government for introducing various schemes such as the National Economic Recovery Plan and SME Financing Scheme to help put businesses back
on their feet. Nonetheless, he said efforts should be made to expedite the approval process for such grants. “It takes a long time, even for grants as small as RM5,000.” Kang also acknowledged that big companies such as Microsoft in the United States, Fujitsu in Japan and Tata Consultancy Services in India have adapted easily to the new normal and allowed employees to work from home. “But SME in Malaysia are not ready for that yet,” he said. Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan agreed that improvements in infrastructure are essential to make remote work possible. “Right now, the infrastructure is not adequate. Phone reception is spotty, internet connectivity is less than perfect and there are not enough security tools to remotely keep personal data safe,” he said, adding that the work-from-home culture has yet to catch on in Malaysia. “Most people like to work together as a team,” he pointed out. “I don’t think Malaysian companies are prepared to give employees the option to work remotely on a permanent basis.” “It will be a challenge to try to introduce this concept if there are no improvements (to the infrastructure),” Shamsuddin said. “The government has to help businesses by providing the right tools to manage issues such as confidentiality so that they will be empowered to encourage their employees to work from home,” he added.
‘Ministries must constantly update info’ “On the other hand, official social media the Defence Ministry, accounts constantly From through the National updated and readily front Security Council, should accessible to all page be given the task of members of the public. providing updates on “Fake news is a big everything pertaining to the concern, especially now that standard operating procedures we are facing a global (SOP) and protocols,” Lee, who pandemic,” Lee said. is chairman of the Alliance for “It is all the more important Safe Community, said. that people verify every piece Such information, he said, of information before passing could be disseminated through it on,” he added. the websites or social media Su b a s h i n i’s w ay i s t o pages of the two ministries. stay away from most social He said both ministries m e d i a posts and should keep their c o m m e nt s, especially
those t hat seem questionable. “I have received messages that can cause panic so I usually check this against the information on the official websites or social media accounts,” she said. Her preferred source is the Health Ministry website that, she said, is “a little more trustworthy”. “I believe it provides more accurate information because it deals directly with the problem,” she added.
From flying high to frying dishes GEORGE TOWN: A former Malaysia Airline (MAS) flight attendant has turned to her culinary skills to make a living during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nadiah Mohd Azmi, 25, was forced to resign last November to take care of her ailing father, Mohd Azmi Elias.
She later attempted to return to work as a cabin crew but MAS had to reduce operating costs due to losses during the outbreak. She has been working at a Thai restaurant in Tanjung Bungah since August.
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS More than half of Malaysians believe health and physical wellbeing is key to happiness, matching the world average. How Malaysians match up in the health and happiness index with other nations: PERU
77%
WORLD AVERAGE
INDIA
31%
57% MALAYSIA
55%
US
43% AUSTRALIA
43% UK
41%
JAPAN
39% SOUTH KOREA
37% CHINA
31% Survey conducted July 24 to Aug 7, 2020. 19,516 adults across 27 countries, including 500 in Malaysia, surveyed. Source: Ipsos
4 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Marginal drop in Covid cases oOf 589 new cases recorded yesterday, 150 infections detected in Selangor PETALING JAYA: Selangor recorded 150 Covid-19 cases as of noon yesterday, with 105 new cases registered under the Utama cluster. Overall, the country saw a slight improvement in the daily tally, with 589 new cases. “The index case for the Utama
cluster (case 15,023) is a 28-year-old Nepalese security guard at one of the shopping malls in the Petaling district,” Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said during his daily briefing. “The index case began to experience symptoms such as fever,
cough and flu on Sept 22 and tested positive on Oct 8 through close contact screening and was admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital.” Of the 589 new cases, 586 were local transmissions while three import cases involved two individuals who returned from Indonesia and one from Ukraine. Sabah continued to have the highest infection rate among states, with 304 cases, or 51.6%, Noor Hisham said. The other cases were in Perak (52),
Kedah (31), Penang (16), Negri Sembilan (11), Kuala Lumpur (nine), Labuan (six), Malacca (two), Kelantan (two) and Putrajaya (one). Currently, there are 103 cases being treated at intensive care units, with 31 needing respiratory support. The nation’s cumulative cases stood at 18,129, with 5,945 active infection cases and 12,014 recoveries. The number of patients who recovered from the disease in a day hit a new peak, with 409 cases. There were three more deaths, bringing the
Labuan placed under CMCO BY RAJVINDER SINGH [email protected]
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need not worry about buying goods, and should not resort to panic buying.” Ismail Sabri said business premises are operating as normal, and supermarkets and wet markets are still open daily. A total of 390 individuals were detained for ignoring the recovery movement control order yesterday, of which 386 were issued compound fines while the remaining four were remanded. Ismail Sabri said 23 illegal migrants and three suspected smugglers were also detained under Ops Benteng. “A task force seized five boats and five vehicles during the operation to prevent the entry of illegals into the country.” He added 20 santisation operations were carried out in eight states and Putrajaya.
Labs boost capacity to handle surge KUALA LUMPUR: The capacity of laboratories to conduct Covid-19 tests will be increased to keep up with the rise in new infections. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said this is particularly essential in red and yellow zones. The higher capacity will also be needed for increased screening and contact tracing, he said in a statement yesterday. As of Wednesday, 42% of available capacity at Covid-19 laboratories across the country had already been used up, he added. Adham said in Sabah, the Kota Kinabalu Health Laboratory as well as those at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, with a combined capacity of 2,500 tests, are already operational. Additional samples that have to be tested are sent to the peninsula on Royal Malaysia Air Force flights. “Besides that, the laboratory at Tawau Kubota Health Clinic is being equipped to conduct the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and is expected to be able to operate soon.” Adham said the Health Ministry continues to strengthen its preparedness in facing the pandemic, including increasing the capacity of Covid-19 laboratories to conduct 54,706 RT-PCR tests daily. It was achieved through the integrated cooperation of 61 laboratories under the ministry, Armed Forces, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, public and private universities as well as private laboratories, he said. Meanwhile, 13 laboratories at public universities under the Higher Education Ministry and private laboratories are also mobilising their resources to the maximum, he added. – Bernama
BRIEFS
PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territory of Labuan will be placed under a conditional movement control order (CMCO) from tomorrow until Oct 30, Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday. He said this was necessary due to the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days. “We need to take steps to curb the spread of the infection.” This makes Labuan the third federal territory to come under a CMCO. On Wednesday, Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya came under similar restrictions.
Ismail Sabri said anyone who wished to travel within Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya is not required to obtain a police permit. “Kuala Lumpur is considered one district in itself, and so is Putrajaya,” he said, adding that those who wished to travel to other districts would be required to obtain permits. Application forms can be downloaded from the police Facebook page. The completed forms have to be signed by the officer in charge at the nearest police station. Ismail Sabri said to stem the spread of the virus, especially from red zones, employees should be allowed to work from their homes if their workplaces are in a different district. He said standard operating procedures for the movement control order will be maintained. “People living in CMCO areas
PREVENTIVE MEASURES ... A firefighter disinfecting the Maahad Sains Al-Quran Al-Amin private school in Bandar Sunway in Selangor yesterday.
– ASYRAF RASID/THESUN
illegally, one is in the Seberang Prai Utara district, seven in Seberang Prai Tengah and the remaining three in Seberang Prai Selatan,” he said when answering a question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubok) at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday. Jagdeep said that as of September this year, a total of 34 enforcement operations
WARNING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSERS
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public were reminded not to misuse social media platforms by uploading or sharing any form of provocative content that could affect public order. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement yesterday that sharing of offensive and menacing content is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. “The provision carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year, or both.” Anyone with information on social media abuse is advised to lodge a report at https://aduan.skmm.gov.my or via email at [email protected]. – Bernama
SIX HELD FOR FAILING TO WEAR FACE MASKS
11 illegal plastic factories found in Penang GEORGE TOWN: Eleven plastic recycling factories were found to be operating illegally in Penang, said State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo. He said there were a total of 102 plastic recycling factories in the state, all of which are located in Seberang Prai. “Of the 11 factories that are operating
cumulative toll to 170. “Death case number 168 involved a 54-year-old Malaysian woman at Queen Elizabeth Hospital who had underlying health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease as well as thyroid gland problems. “Death case 169 was a 68-year-old non-citizen at Tawau Hospital who had a history of diabetes while the third fatality was a non-citizen woman aged 100, at the Duchess of Kent Hospital.”
had been conducted, and 16 notices and 11 compounds were issued to factory owners for non-compliance with the law. On enforcement constraints faced by the authorities, he said it was quite difficult to obtain complete information about the companies operating the factories for the purpose of documentation and instituting legal action in court. – Bernama
PORT DICKSON: Six people who failed to comply with standard operating procedures of the recovery movement control order were fined RM1,000 each. They were not wearing face masks in public places, and were rounded up by a police task force during inspections at several business premises in Lukut and here on Wednesday. Port Dickson district police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said all of them were told to settle the fines at the Port Dickson Health Office within seven days. – Bernama
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
Rosmah’s court hearing postponed
BRIEFS
KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor will have to wait for another two weeks before she goes back to court for her corruption trial, due to the implementation of the conditional movement control order (CMCO). The hearing for her case involving the tender for the supply and installation of solar energy equipment for 369 schools in Sarawak was scheduled to continue on Oct 20. However, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, said the court vacated the hearing date in response to the implementation of the CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya on Wednesday. The new hearing date has been fixed for Nov 2. “We (the prosecution) received the notification (concerning the new trial date) from the court through an email yesterday,” he told Bernama via WhatsApp yesterday. Former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, who is the fifth prosecution witness, is set to be recalled for cross-examination by the defence when the trial commences before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. On the same date, the court will hear the prosecution’s application to include an audio recording of the alleged conversation involving Rosmah and her husband, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, as evidence in court. The prosecution had told the court they expected to complete their case by early November with 23 witnesses to be called to testify. Rosmah, 69, is on trial on one charge of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd’s former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
NABBED FOR STEALING ITEMS FROM SHIP
KOTA KINABALU: The marine police arrested three men yesterday in response to complaints that several items had been stolen from a ship in Sabah waters on Oct 12. The marine police operations base commanding officer here, ASP Enturan Lageh, said the trio, aged 31 to 42, were nabbed during an operation codenamed Op Landai Khas. “Acting on a public tip-off, a police team arrested the men in Kampung Pondo, Pulau Gaya,” he said. The arrests were made following a complaint that several items were missing from the vessel Shasvada. Police also seized two refrigerators estimated to be worth RM1,900 from one of the suspects’ house. – Bernama
MAN HELD AFTER RUNNING AMOK
KUALA LUMPUR: A Myanmar man, who ran amok after allegedly stabbing a shop assistant in Selayang near here on Wednesday, has been arrested. Gombak district police chief ACP Arifai Tarawe said police were alerted at about 2.20pm and investigations showed that the suspect entered the hardware shop to take away a children’s bicycle when he was stopped by the shop assistant, a Bangladeshi. “The suspect, left and later returned to the shop with a knife and stabbed the assistant on the left shoulder. – Bernama
Crimes that shook the nation
Violently killed for propositioning GRO oUniversity lecturer beaten up, slashed repeatedly with sword before being set on fire by woman’s boyfriend and friends BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN [email protected]
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FOR failing to make the grade, she was booted out of university and went to work as a guest relations officer (GRO) at a nightclub in Subang Jaya. Having pursued a course in sports science at Universiti Technology Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam for about two years between 1999 and 2001, Siti Rahmah Azman Subramaniam, then aged 22, harboured hopes of being reaccepted by the university to continue her studies. She was dejected when her appeal was ignored by the university.
One night in January 2002, while working at the nighclub, her hopes were renewed when a UiTM lecturer she knew, and his friends stepped into her workplace As she entertained them, the lecturer, Bakarudin Busu, then aged 35, made an offer to reinstate her to the university. The lecturer’s offer was not done out of mere goodwill. There was a price Siti Rahmah had to pay. Bakarudin demanded sexual favours for a night in exchange for pulling the strings to get her back to UiTM. Over the next days, she received calls from the lecturer, who pestered her into giving in but she rejected his offer.
Disgusted by his demands, she confided in her boyfriend Sulkarnain Alias, a 25-year-old sales executive at the time, and told him to admonish Bakarudin. Infuriated by what he had heard from his girlfriend, Sulkarnain called up Bakarudin and demanded a meet-up. The lecturer, who was a sports journalist with a Bahasa Malaysia newspaper before joining UiTM, agreed to meet them. On Feb 12, 2002, Sulkarnain gathered several friends before meeting Bakarudin at SS19, Subang Jaya at about 9.30pm. What began as a civil discussion escalated to violence before Bakarudin was killed. He was beaten up, slashed repeatedly with a sword and pushed into a monsoon drain before being set on fire. Sulkarnain and his friends then left the scene. He told Siti Rahmah that Bakarudin was dead. Hours later the victim’s body was found and police went to work to bring the perpetrators to book.
Woman jailed for causing death in car crash JOHOR BARU: A motorist who was involved in a three-vehicle collision which killed a navy personnel near Plaza Pelangi here last Saturday was sentenced to six years’ jail and fined a total of RM11,300, in default 19 months’ jail, by the magistrate’s court yesterday. Magistrate Suhaila Shafi’uddin handed down the punishment on Nur Fatin Nasrah Suhaimi, 23, after she pleaded guilty to all four charges in connection with the fatal crash. She also lost her eligibility to hold and renew her driving licence for five years. Nur Fatin was jailed six years and fined RM8,000, in default six months’ jail, on the first charge with driving under the influence of drugs. On the other three counts, she was charged with driving without a
valid driving licence, using a vehicle without a road tax and insurance. She was fined RM1,500, in default six months’ jail, RM1,000 (four months’ jail) and RM800 (three months’ jail) for the charges respectively. The crash occurred at a traffic light intersection at Km4 Jalan Johor Baru-Kota Tinggi at 8.24am on Oct 10. She was also charged in another magistrate’s court with selfadministration of methamphetamine and amphetamine under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 on the same day. Magistrate R. Salini sentenced her to seven months’ jail and to be placed under probation for two years, with the jail sentence to be served consecutively. – Bernama
Nur Fatin being brought to the court on a wheelchair. – BERNAMAPIX
Do more for workers’ safety, says NGO KUALA LUMPUR: In July, 54-yearold math teacher Rosli Abdul Aziz fell to his death from the balcony of the first floor of a building at Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Gajah in Kelantan. He was inspecting the plumbing system in preparation for the opening of the new school term on July 15. In another incident, a factory worker in Sabah sustained injuries when the machine he was handling blew up. Unfortunately, his employer did not offer any aid or compensation. These are among numerous cases of workplace accidents that, more often than not, were the result of the employers’ failure to comply with occupational safety and health regulations. Provisions to ensure the health and safety of workers are contained in the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Osha) that comes under the purview of the
Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health vice-president II Zanuddin Kisman said under Osha, it is the obligation of every employer and selfemployed person to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees. However, he said, many employers have a nonchalant attitude towards such concerns. He cited statistics from DOSH showing that from January to June, the department instituted prosecution in 85 cases of violation of provisions under Osha and another five in relation to offences under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967. Penalties for these offences added up to more than RM1.28 million. He said DOSH’s National Occupational and Disease Main Indicators report for 2019 also
revealed that the accident rate for the 15 million-strong workforce nationwide was 2.71 per 1,000 workers and the fatality rate was 3.83 per 100,000 workers. Of the 10 sectors cover, the manufacturing sector is the worst. In 2019, a total of 214 employees ended up with permanent disabilities and another 4,661 suffered nonpermanent disabilities as a result of workplace accidents. The report also showed that the construction sector recorded 84 fatalities, the highest among the 10 sectors. Zanuddin urged employers to enhance workplace safety to reduce the risk of accidents, and to appoint a coordinator to handle all issues related to the health and safety of workers. At the same time, he added, employees must also comply with the rules to ensure their own safety. – Bernama
Within days, Siti Rahmah, Sulkarnain and three of his friends were traced and nabbed. Not long after, Siti Rahmah, Sulkarnain, forklift driver Noorman Ab Wahab, 24, Azizul Azual Jailani, 18, and Muhammad Zakwan Ahmad Zaki, 18, both college students at the time, were charged with Bakarudin’s murder. The following year, the murder charge against Siti Rahmah was dropped and she turned prosecution witness. Among the witnesses called up during the hearing was Bakarudin’s wife Mawarni Muhamad, 36, also a UiTM lecturer, who had taught Siti Rahmah when she was studying at the university. As the trial progressed, Muhammad Zakwan was also acquitted in 2007. When the verdict was read by the High Court two years later, Sulkarnain, his best friend Noorman and Azizul received the death sentence. In 2015, the trio exhausted their final appeal against the penalty when the Federal Court upheld the death sentence.
Anwar to be quizzed by cops KUALA LUMPUR: Police will be recording a statement from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today pertaining to a list of 121 MPs he claims support him to form a new government. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the police headquarter’s Classified Criminal Investigations Unit will be handling the case. “Police are still carrying out investigations regarding the matter and Anwar has been asked to be present at Bukit Aman tomorrow (today) to give a statement,” he said. So far, 113 police reports had been received concerning the claim. The case is being investigation under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for making remarks “with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public”. The accused could face a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or both. On Tuesday, Anwar had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara to provide documentation to support his claim that he had majority support in the Dewan Rakyat to be appointed Malaysia’s 9th prime minister. He had announced the same at a press conference on Sept 23. This was followed by a slew of police reports against him by MPs whose names were allegedly on the list but denied that they backed him. – Bernama
France imposes curfew in Paris PARIS: France has become the latest European country to tighten anticoronavirus measures, imposing a curfew in Paris and eight other cities from tomorrow, while Germany and Ireland also ramped up restrictions. One third of France’s population of 67 million will be put under nightly curfew to tackle a surging second wave of the coronavirus. The curfew applies to the Paris region, Marseille, Toulouse, Grenoble, Montpellier, Rouen, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Lille that have a combined population of about 20 million people. President Emmanuel Macron in
oA third of population in eight cities to be affected by tighter restrictions annoucing the measure stated that now was not the time for conviviality. “We’re in a second wave. We have to act. We need to put a brake on the spread of the virus,” he told public television, announcing a shutdown between 9pm and 6am that will remain in force for as long as six weeks. The curfews will last an initial four weeks but Macron said the
government would seek a two-week extension from parliament, meaning the measures will be in place until Dec 1. France, like other European countries, is grappling with how to slow the virus’ spread and ease pressure on a once-again strained healthcare system while keeping its €2.3 trillion (RM11.25 trillion) economy open and protecting jobs.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced tougher measures on gatherings and maskwearing. “I am convinced that what we do now will be decisive for how we come through this pandemic.” New infections in Germany continued to rise on Wednesday, pushing past 5,000 cases in 24 hours, a level not seen since a lockdown imposed on Europe’s biggest economy in the spring. “We’re in a situation where I think we can still flatten the exponential growth,” said Lothar Wieler, head of Germany’s disease control agency. – AFP/Reuters
BRIEFS
6 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
SEASONAL FLOWERS ...
A couple takes a selfie surrounded by full bloom cosmos at Nokonoshima Island Park in Fukuoka, Japan yesterday. – AFPPIX
RICKSHAW USED FOR LEARNING
PORAC: When the pandemic shut schools in the Philippines, a group of teachers living near the indigenous Aeta people initiated a novel approach to help them – learning by rickshaw. “We had to think of an alternative way to bring the lessons to the children,“ said Christopher Semsem, one of the teachers behind the project from the Villa Maria Integrated School. Using old bookshelves and wooden boards, the teachers built a makeshift learning centre complete with a large monitor mounted on top of a motorcycle rickshaw that can bring learning to the villages in the rural province of Pampanga. Teachers pre-record videos on their mobile phones that are played on the monitor to avoid face-to-face contact with the children. – Reuters
INDIA MOVIE-LOVERS IN FOR GOOD NEWS
NEW DELHI: The films may be old, masks mandatory and the usual lavish menus absent but Indian cinema-owners hope movielovers will still flock back when theatres begin reopening after a nearly seven-month coronavirus shutdown. The pandemic has clobbered cinemas around the world but in India, it has upended a culture that treats movies as something of a religion and its stars as gods. After the recent loss of several luminaries, the world’s most prolific film industry is desperate for some good news. INOX Leisure Ltd, India’s secondlargest multiplex operator said, “Right now, we are working on getting the confidence of the people back”. – AFP
Advert giving anti-maskers the finger withdrawn
New UK lockdown would be a disaster: PM LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that a new UK-wide lockdown would be a “disaster” but refused to rule it out as demands grew for a temporary shutdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind a two-week “circuit break” to stop a surge in cases of Covid-19, after the proposal was endorsed by the government’s scientific advisory committee. Starmer accused the prime minister of being “behind the curve” and ignoring the science, warning
that “time is running out” to take decisive action. Devolved authorities in Northern Ireland added to the pressure on Wednesday by announcing plans to shut pubs and restaurants for four weeks, tighten restrictions on social gatherings and extend the mid-term school break to counter soaring case numbers there. Johnson is reportedly mulling a similar move in England which experts suggest could coincide with school half-term holiday starting on Oct 23. Johnson is desperate to avoid a
repeat of the devastating outbreak in March when the coronavirus swept across the UK, leaving more than 43,000 confirmed deaths so far, the worst toll from the pandemic in Europe. But his own MPs are also railing against anything that would inflict further damage on an economy set to shrink by almost 10% this year, according to the IMF. Johnson insisted: “We will do whatever it takes to fight this virus and to defeat it.” But he said the regional approach he outlined only on Monday, with
England divided into three levels of restrictions depending on the severity of the local outbreak, was the best approach. “The whole point is to seize this moment now to avoid the misery of another national lockdown into which he wants to go headlong, by delivering a regional solution.” If properly implemented, Johnson said the plan would reduce the reproduction rate of the virus “that we need in order to avert what none of us want to see... and that is the disaster of a national lockdown. We don’t want to go there.” – AFP
Cyber warriors sound alarm on working from home TALLINN: Cyber warriors on Nato’s eastern edge are warning that the growing number of people working from home globally due to the pandemic is increasing vulnerability to cyber attacks. The Baltic state of Estonia hosts two cyber facilities for the Western military alliance, set up following a series of cyber attacks from neighbour Russia more than a decade ago.
“Large scale use of remote work has attracted spies, thieves and thugs,” Jaak Tarien, head of Nato’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, told AFP. The increased amount of information travelling between institutional servers and home networks is creating new challenges for employers. “Tackling these new challenges is complicated and requires a lot of
resources as well as a different kind of approach,” Tarien said. “We are likely only scratching the surface in assessing the magnitude of malicious activities taking place in the Covid-era busy cyberspace.” An European Union-wide survey in September found that around a third of employees were working from home. The concerns are echoed at Nato’s Cyber Range, a heavilyguarded facility in the centre of the
capital Tallinn run by Estonian defence forces. The server rooms inside serve as a platform for Nato cyber security exercises and training. “Specialists have set up the work infrastructure but they cannot control the way people use their home internet or how secure it is,” said Mihkel Tikk, head of the Estonian defence ministry’s cyber policy department.
BERLIN: The German capital has pulled an advert that featured an elderly woman wearing a face mask flipping the finger to those who do not follow rules aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus after a storm of protest. The advert entitled “We stick to the corona rules” was launched on Tuesday but immediately drew flak from social media users, with commentators saying the image was divisive. Above the image of the woman wearing a floral-patterned mask and giving onlookers the finger, the poster said: “The wagging finger for anyone without a mask.” “It is a provocative image,” said Christian Taenzler, a spokesman for the Visit Berlin organisation that promotes the city. He said the ad had attracted positive and negative feedback, adding that while this image would be dropped, a campaign launched last month seeking to play on the city’s dry humour to promote coronavirus rules would continue. Marcel Luthe, a member of the Berlin senate, said he had made a complaint to the police about the ad, saying it incited hatred against those who cannot wear a mask, such as young children and those with hearing or other health issues. Thousands of people have joined several protests held in Berlin in recent months to demonstrate against lockdown measures and mask-wearing rules that have been imposed since the pandemic erupted in March. – Reuters
7 * NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
Trailing Biden by 17 points, US president admits he is worried WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump continued to trail his presidential challenger Joe Biden by as much as 17 points in the national polls and acknowledged his concern during his latest rally appearance in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday night, telling the crowd: “For me to only be up six (in Iowa), I’m a little bit concerned, I’ll tell you that.” In a further sign of desperation, Trump later tweeted an astonishing plea to voters in the solidly-Democratic state of California, asking them “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?” in voting for him, according to a report
in The Independent. That came as Facebook and Twitter censored a New York Post article that claimed a connection between the former vice president and his son Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine, a story the Biden camp have hotly refuted but which has inspired fresh gloating from Trump, who called the emails it concerns “Smoking Gun” evidence of a corruption. Meanwhile, Dr Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious diseases expert, who prides himself on steering clear of politics, has been pulled into the closing stage of Trump and Biden’s
battle for the White House. Just weeks before election day, the Trump campaign released an ad portraying Fauci as praising his actions on the pandemic. This prompted the 79-year-old doctor to issue rare public criticism of a move by Trump that in turn was seized on by Biden, who has pledged to listen to his advice if elected. Fauci, the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has become a revered figure on the left while facing widespread criticism from the right this year. The final stretch of the electoral campaign,
however, is posing a unique challenge. “It’s frustrating to him to see himself be politicised, when he spent... 40 years not being political and trying to avoid that issue,” Zeke Emanuel, chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, told AFP. Asked why Fauci’s endorsement has been sought after, Emanuel said: “Integrity and credibility, it’s just that simple. The man has integrity, he says what he sees in the science, therefore, he has credibility.” – The Independent/AFP
Palestine PM: God help us if Trump wins
Thailand declares state of emergency oBans rallies and gatherings of more than four as protests swell BANGKOK: The Thai government declared a state of emergency banning gatherings of more than four people and outlawing online posts deemed a threat to national security yesterday in a move to end simmering pro-democracy protests. The order was aimed at stamping out the “unconstitutional” protests and came after demonstrators demanding the prime minister’s resignation rallied outside his office in Bangkok overnight and scuffled with royalists opposed to the youth-led movement’s calls for reforms to the monarchy.
Student activists have staged huge demonstrations since July calling for Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who took power in a coup six years ago, to step down. The state of emergency allows for the seizure of “electronic communications equipment, data, and weapons suspected to cause the emergency situation”, a government spokesman said. Tensions flared on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators rallied around Democracy Monument in Bangkok ahead of a scheduled afternoon drive-by of a royal motorcade carrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family. While police had cordoned off most of the protesters away from the royal route, dozens were still present as the motorcade passed. Queen Suthida could be seen staring from a limousine window as protesters held up
three-fingered salutes, a gesture of defiance the pro-democracy movement has borrowed from the popular Hunger Games books and films. Such overt challenges to the monarchy are unprecedented in Thailand, where the royal family’s influence permeates every aspect of society. Those calls have prompted a backlash from Thailand’s staunchly pro-royalist establishment. The King is the most powerful figure in Thailand and is supported by the kingdom’s powerful military and billionaire clans. He spends much of his time in Europe but he and his family have been in Thailand in recent days for an annual Buddhist meritmaking ceremony. Wednesday’s drive-by was the first encounter the royal family has had with the protesters. – AFP
‘N. Korea’s nuclear programmes a global threat’ WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has said that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes pose a global threat, after Pyongyang’s unveiling of previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles at a predawn military parade. The appearance of a new intercontinental ballistic missile during a weekend parade in North Korea captivated many Western analysts. But officials in South Korea were far more concerned by the display of new multiple launch rocket systems and fast,
manoeuverable short-range missiles that would be ideal for striking targets in the South. Speaking before the start of a meeting with South Korea’s Defence Minister Suh Wook at the Pentagon, Esper said: “We agree that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes remain a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.” “The United States remains committed to the security of the Republic of Korea,” Esper said. He added, however, that South Korea and
the United States must find a more equitable way of sharing defence costs so it “doesn’t fall unequally on the American taxpayers”. US President Donald Trump, who has touted his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has repeatedly said Seoul should pay for a larger share of the cost of US military forces deployed in the South. Some 28,500 American troops are deployed in South Korea, in what is seen as a deterrent to Pyongyang that also sends a message to China about US influence and capability in Asia. – Reuters
BRIEFS
A pro-democracy protester cycles in front of riot police in Bangkok yesterday. – AFPPIX
PALESTINE: The Palestinian prime minister has said that it will be disastrous for his people and the world at large if President Donald Trump wins re-election next month. Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the last four years of the Trump administration have greatly harmed the Palestinians. “If we are going to live another four years with President Trump, God help us, God help you and God help the whole world,” Shtayyeh said, repeating comments he made in a remote meeting with European lawmakers. The Palestinians have traditionally refrained from taking an explicit public position in American presidential elections. Shtayyeh’s comments reflected the sense of desperation on the Palestinian side after a series of US moves that have left them weakened and isolated. The Palestinians severed ties with Trump after he recognised contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in late 2017 and subsequently moved the American Embassy to the holy city. Trump has also cut off hundreds of millions of dollars of American aid to the Palestinians, shut the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington and issued a Mideast plan this year that largely favoured Israel. The Palestinians have rejected the plan out of hand. – The Independent
CREW REACHES SPACE STATION IN RECORD TIME
ALMATY: A three-person crew successfully reached the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket after the fastest ever journey from Earth of just over three hours. The mission of the Soyuz space craft carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one Nasa astronaut was of immense importance to Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, coming as the SpaceX programme relaunches manned spaceflight from the United States and ignites fresh talk of a space race between the two countries. Roscosmos said “a new record for flights to the International Space Station was set, the total time from launch to docking of the Soyuz MS-17 was three hours and three minutes”. Roscosmos has had the job of ferrying US astronauts to the ISS since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011. – AFP
A$1 MIL REWARD FOR INFO ON COLD CASE MURDER
SYDNEY: Australian authorities have announced a A$1 million (RM2.9 million) reward for information that will help solve the murder of a young German tourist in a small town in 2005. School teacher Simone Strobel was last seen at a caravan park in the small east coast city of Lismore after a night out with her boyfriend and friends in February of that year. The 25-year-old’s body was discovered under palm fronds at a nearby sports ground six days later. No one has ever been charged over her death. This week’s reward comes on top of a €10,000 (RM49,800) offer announced by officials in Bavaria, her home state, in 2014. Australian police this year credited an A$2 million reward for helping crack the 32-year-old cold case murder of American tourist Scott Johnson. The New South Wales state government yesterday said the money would be given to anyone providing information that led to the killer’s arrest and conviction. – AFP
8 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 SPEAK UP
Pardon Trump if he loses election I █
BY SEAN O’GRADY
F Donald Trump loses the election, what will he do? A lot of people couldn’t give a Trump, frankly. He can go back to reality TV, write some self-serving memoirs, or have them ghost written, and promote a new line in Trump presidential memorabilia. They’d sell well: “I Made America Great Again” hats, Trump Superman dolls, toadstool-shaped love toys. He could spend more time with Melania, whether she likes it or not, and more time on the golf course. Who cares? Of course it isn’t quite that simple. If only it were. I suspect he might be a bit of a sore loser, you know. And we’ll be subjected to years of mad conspiracy theories about how “they” rigged the election. Trump needs to do all that to keep up the pressure on his persecutors, who are also not inclined to fade away. Most of all, Trump has to escape from the personal legal entanglements that have complicated his presidency – and that means nothing less than a full presidential pardon. It seems outlandish, and it is. It’s been an idea kicking around since special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and then after the first steps towards Trump’s impeachment a couple of years ago. At times, Trump is supposed to have thought he could pardon himself (even he must know he can’t). A few weeks ago, Trump’s former lawyer Mike Cohen suggested a pardon could be granted by a briefly installed President Mike Pence, and last week the idea surfaced again via social media, albeit a bit randomly and with something of a Democrat spin on it. Still, a pardon for Trump makes sense for everyone, for America, for Pence as well as Trump. America needs to get the Trump era, or error, over. As with the resignation and pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974, America has to heal from the trauma of the past few years. A lengthy trial, or trials, of Trump would do nothing to ease the tensions and end the pain that Trump has done so much to inflict on his country.
In fact it would give him ample opportunity to carry on regardless, rallying angry supporters given to violence and generally undermining the nation’s fragile race relations. In the words of then president Gerald Ford in 1974, America’s long, national nightmare will only be over when the legal processes are ended. It will be, as the Book of Ecclesiastes says, a time to heal. And we know that Pence is a good man. When he introduced himself to America in 2016 he called himself a Christian first, an American second and a Republican third. Now is his chance to do his Christian duty, his democratic duty and repair his party all at once. It would be the right thing to do. He might be “the man who pardoned Trump” but also the man who helped bind up America’s wounds. Trump himself obviously has plenty of incentive to do the deal of his life. He will in due course face a variety of serious charges currently grinding their way through New York courts, and perhaps fresh ones too relating to tax. These were bad enough to see some of his closest associates sent to jail. Trump knows that, and will concentrate on making sure he avoids becoming the first president to be incarcerated. His personal nightmare is just beginning: suffering Covid-19 and then possibly losing to Joe Biden. He’s becoming “a loser”, or “Crooked Donald” as Hillary Clinton would call him. A pardon helps him dodge that intolerable fate and a few months or more in a cell, his business organisation, reputation, fortune (if any) all destroyed. For it now seems improbable that Trump will be able to stay in the White House by bullying everyone and threatening lawsuits. The margin of Biden’s victory might be so big it would be foolish to even try to dispute the result. If things are tighter he might still judge it worth a try, but there is the risk, in fact overwhelming probability, that the Supreme Court will throw Trump’s objections out summarily. Suddenly, Trump no longer looks invincible. The author of The Art of The Deal must realise he is in a weak
Biden vs Trump poll average – Sun, Oct 11
50
Biden: 51.9
45
“Trump himself obviously has plenty of incentive to do the deal of his life. He will in due course face a variety of serious charges currently grinding their way through New York courts.
Trump: 42.1
40
Televised debate
12
Biden: +9.8
3 Jan 2020 Feb
Mar
Source: RealClearPolitics
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Data as of 09:30GMT, Mon, Oct 12
bargaining position, but not an impossible one. After Nov 3, the deal with Pence, and the wider political establishment, would be this: “Grant me, Donald John Trump, a presidential pardon and I will resign the office of president immediately; I will abandon all legal proceedings on my behalf and by me personally to set aside or challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election; I will voluntarily and unconditionally accept the people’s verdict; I will not organise any political campaign to challenge the result; I will shut up, just like Joe told me to.” From the point of view of President Pence, who will be a caretaker until Biden is sworn in on Jan 20, he will do what Ford did in 1974, and put the wider interests of the US first. He would re-establish some faith in the democratic process. Biden would help matters if he acquiesced in the move; he does not wish to be distracted by a running battle with the Trumpites. The alternative, after all, would be a deep feeling of resentment and betrayal among the Trump base that “their” president, and they, had been cheated and robbed of their victory. The stab-in-the-back myth and conspiracy theories would still get around, as they always do, but Trump would be actively discouraging them this time, or at least staying off Twitter. There would be no campaign for a Trump comeback. He can retire to Mar-a-Lago. He can claim, quite truthfully, that he never wanted to be president in the first place.
Aug
Sep
Oct
© GRAPHIC NEWS
So here then, just to be helpful, is something like the text of the necessary presidential proclamation, based on Ford’s post-Watergate text of Sept 8, 1974. See how it makes you feel as you read this possible near future: “As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Donald Trump has become liable for possible indictment and trial for offences against the United States ... “It is believed that a trial of Donald Trump, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. “In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former president of the United States. “The prospects of such a trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States. “Now, therefore, I, Michael Richard Pence, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant, a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Donald Trump for all offences against the United States which he, Donald Trump, has committed or may have committed or taken part in through Nov 3, 2020.” I bet you’re feeling better already. – The Independent
LETTERS [email protected]
Stubbing out illegal cigarettes needs more than just enforcement IN a recent interview with BFM radio, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz highlighted rightly that the government needs to address issues related to the shadow economy, singling out illegal cigarettes in particular. Estimates put the Malaysian shadow economy or black market to be 21% of the formal economy or around RM300 billion. The illegal cigarette trade is likely the largest sector in the shadow economy. Latest studies have found that six out of 10 cigarettes sold in Malaysia today are illegal, which causes the government to lose more than RM5 billion annually in uncollected excise tax. In order to disincentivise this endemic illegal cigarette trade, the approach has to be multi-pronged including enhancing enforcement, excise reforms and public education.
When it comes to enforcement, the authorities must carry out periodic and consistent action at the retail level where actual distribution of illegal cigarettes take place. The goods must be confiscated and these traders must be charged to the fullest extent of the law. In order to enable greater effectiveness and efficiencies by the authorities, the government must empower them with the required resources. Nevertheless, the boom of the illegal cigarette trade in Malaysia over the recent years has clearly shown that enforcement is not enough to curtail this problem. We also need to address the issue about price factor because naturally, legal products lose out to illegal cigarettes at the price point alone.
Price factor is an issue related to the income of society as the demographics of smokers today are dominated by the lower income and blue-collar workers. Our current Poverty Line Income (PLI) is at RM2,208 for 2019 and some 5.6% of households fall into this category while our Relative PLI is at RM2,937. Assuming a pack of 20 cigarettes costs RM17.40, if one smokes 20 packs a month, that’s RM350 a month – or equivalent to 16% of PLI and 12% of Relative PLI. With such high concentration in expenditure, it is natural that consumers will demand something cheaper, especially since illegal products are sold at just one-third the price of legal ones. With Budget 2021 around the
corner, the government should re-look the high excise duty structure in Malaysia for the tobacco sector. The government’s lost revenue is just too huge, more so the socio-economic ills that come with the illegal cigarette trade. Closing the price differential between legal and illegal products could trigger lower incidence of illegal cigarette trade as margins will then be eroded for these perpetrators. Last but not least, education is critical when it comes to wiping out illegal cigarettes and the shadow economy. We need to step up efforts to educate the public against buying contraband products or fake goods. In most cases, black market
products may differ from genuine products, and this may be even be detrimental to the health of the consumers. In conclusion, the finance minister hit the nail on the head when he said the objective should be to garner a larger tax base and revenue for the government. Effectively tackling the shadow economy is a step in the right direction. With that, the government would have greater flexibility in development spending, allowing it to further spur business activities, create more job opportunities and elevate Malaysia to the status of high-income nation. Pankaj Kumar Investment analyst
S E C U R I T I E S
S D N.
B H D.
197201001092 (12738-U)
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad
Participation
Bought
Sold
Net
%
RM m
RM m
RM m
45.5
Institutions
2161.1
2160.4
0.7
40.9
Retail
1962.3
1915.4
46.9
13.6
Foreign
621.2
668.8
-47.6
4744.6
4744.6
0.0
100.0
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Burs Malaysia
KL MARKET SUMMARY October 15, 2020
INDICES FBMEMAS FBMKLCI CONSUMER PRODUCTS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS CONSTRUCTION FINANCIAL SERVICES ENERGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS HEALTH CARE TRANSPORTATION PROPERTY PLANTATION FBMSHA FBMACE TECHNOLOGY
CHANGE
10,977.90 1,513.95 560.56 144.25 161.04 12,463.50 708.80 573.23 4,169.11 640.52 604.47 6,912.71 13,173.20 10,875.80 58.73
TURNOVER 6.291 BIL
-47.60 -9.30 -1.16 -0.01 +0.23 +12.64 -0.72 -3.66 -18.80 -0.04 -1.31 -56.70 -80.20 -95.40 +0.02
VOL
MTRONIC ASB LUSTER SAMAIDEN ESCERAM
CLSG (sen)
330,692,300 265,955,500 169,431,100 155,271,800 142,341,600
-3 +1 +0.5 UNCH +8
5 TOP GAINERS October 15, 2020 STOCK
VOL
NESTLE BURSA AMTEL LCTITAN IMASPRO
73,100 3,467,100 1,019,500 30,586,500 373,500
CLSG (RM)
RM
141.50 8.80 1.23 2.55 2.27
508.55
8.60
119.50
91.49
19.27
KLCI 1,513.95
STI 2,523.62
HANG SENG 24,158.54
SCI 3,332.18
NIKKEI 23,507.23
TSEC 12,827.82
KOSPI 2,361.21
2.10 0.32 0.295 0.20 0.17
KUALA LUMPUR: Mah Sing Group Bhd aims to venture into glove manufacturing via Mah Sing Healthcare Sdn Bhd by converting a warehouse in Kapar, Klang, into a manufacturing facility and the new business is expected to contribute over 25% of its profit in future. Mah Sing Healthcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mah Sing Plastics Industries Sdn Bhd (MSPI), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mah Sing Group. The group said the venture will be executed in two phases with an initial rollout of 12 production lines with a capacity of 3.68 billion pieces of gloves a year, while the subsequent phase will see an additional 12 production lines with an equal capacity, which would amount to a total of 7.36 billion pieces annually. According to group CEO Datuk Ho Hon Sang, production will start with six lines which are expected to be in operation in the second quarter of next year, followed by
another six production lines which will be ready by third-quarter 2021 (Q3,21). Phase 2 expansion is targeted to happen when demand outstrips supply for Phase 1. “We have already received several letters of intent from prospective customers for our glove products and we are confident about this new venture,” Ho told the media at a virtual press conference yesterday. He expected the glove manufacturing business to contribute to the group’s revenue as early as H1’’21. “The revenue contribution from the glove manufacturing will provide more recurring income to the group and will be complementary to our property business.” In regard to the new venture, the group has entered into several agreements with machine suppliers, raw material suppliers and a number of prospective customers. Mah Sing founder and group managing director, Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum highlighted that there is excess demand for gloves as the top four producers’ supply lines are booked solid into 2021 and even early 2022. “We have received letters of intent for
5 TOPOctober LOSERS 15, 2020 STOCK
F&N CARLSBG RUBEREX AJI KESM
VOL
CLSG (RM)
23,100 444,700 16,829,800 65,100 50,900
EXCHANGE RATES Foreign currency 1 US DOLLAR
RM
32.40 18.90 7.70 14.98 8.50
0.60 0.36 0.32 0.30 0.30
Bank buy
TT/OD
TT
4.2100
4.0820
Bank buy OD 4.0720
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
3.0220
2.8990
2.8830
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR
3.0990
3.0080
3.0000
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR
3.1980
3.1100
3.0980
1 EURO
4.9530
4.7900
4.7700
2.8110
2.7070
2.6910
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR
3.0990
3.0080
3.0000
1 STERLING POUND
5.4880
5.3110
5.2910
1 SWISS FRANC
4.5950
4.4880
4.4730
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR
100 UAE DIRHAM
115.9600
109.8800
109.6800
100 BANGLADESH TAKA
5.0570
4.7250
4.5250
100 CHINESE RENMINBI
N/A
N/A
N/A
54.9000
52.1400
51.9400
100 INDIAN RUPEE
5.8400
5.4800
5.2800
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH
0.0297
0.0267
0.0217
100 JAPANESE YEN
4.0070
3.8800
3.8700
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR
100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 100 PHILIPPINE PESO
Mah Sing expects the glove manufacturing business to contribute to the group’s revenue as early as firsthalf 2021. – AFPPIX
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Bank sell
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.6200
2.4500
2.2500
8.7900
8.2700
8.0700
100 QATAR RIYAL
116.8700
110.9500
110.7500
100 SAUDI RIYAL
113.4400
107.6900
107.4900
100 THAI BAHT
14.0800
12.4900
12.0900
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama
31.13 S&P/ASX200 6,210.30
Mah Sing sees gloves as key future growth driver BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI [email protected]
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7 20.5 14.5 80.5 90
31.97
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Editorial: Tel.: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising: Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected]
9.30
oGroup converting warehouse in Klang into manufacturing facility, new business expected to contribute over 25% of profit
VALUE RM4.744 BIL
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SunBIZ
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2020
indicative orders which already exceed our estimated output capacity for both phases of our Kapar factory and there are more prospective customers from both local and overseas who are still enquiring,” he said. Leong said he is optimistic about the new venture and aims to gradually expand to 100 production lines with a potential capacity of 30 billion pieces of gloves a year if demand permits. “We always aim high and we target to be one of the top 5 producers in Malaysia.” For the healthcare expansion, the group has allocated a capital expenditure of RM150 million to set up the first phase glove manufacturing via a RM100 million convertible bond already in the pipeline. Alternatively, it could use its cash reserves of RM1.13 billion as at June 30, 2020. For the business, Mah Sing said it would carry out both OEM as well as own brand manufacturing for nitrile and rubber glove products and it is in the process of securing certification from the US Food and Drugs Administration and CE for exports to the US, Europe and the rest of the world. It has also secured interim approval from the International Trade and Industry Ministry for the manufacturing licence for surgical, examination, and other gloves. Asked about the rationale for the move into the increasingly crowded glove sector, the group’s executive director, Datuk Ng Poh Seng, said demand will continue to grow, underpinned by an aging population, more stringent guidelines and low per capita usage in some markets. He cited the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association which said the outlook of the industry has been encouraging with an average growth of 8-10% in the past 25 years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are not new in manufacturing as we have over 40 years of experience in plastics manufacturing and our track record of fast turn around for our projects. In addition, we are gathering a team of professionals in this line,” said Ng. He pointed out that the plants Mah Sing are commissioning are fully automated. “With the automation, the plant will be more efficient and at the end of the day it is all about cost management.
Sunway, Jetro select five Japanese tech startups for expansion in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Five Japanese startups – Allm Inc, Smart Drive, Value Drivers, BTM Blockchain Technology and Japan Learning – have been selected for expansion in Malaysia after a 10-month accelerator programme by Sunway iLabs, in collaboration with the Japanese External Trade Organisation (Jetro). Sunway Group chief innovation officer and Sunway iLabs director Matt van Leeuwen said the accelerator programme, which started in November 2019, is to drive the expansion of selected Japanese technology startups in Malaysia, leveraging Sunway’s world-class smart and sustainable city and innovative eco-system, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur. He said Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is also a living laboratory where innovative
ideas are generated and incubated to address challenges facing humanity. “We developed the Sunway iLabs-Jetro Kuala Lumpur accelerator programme and helped facilitate discussions between industry partners and researchers, and connected the Japanese start-ups with the local eco-system, including venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs and corporates. “We will look into designing similar programmes in future to attract foreign direct investments into Malaysia,” he said in a statement yesterday. Two of the selected startups – Smart Drive, a Japan-based pioneer in mobility service and data solution and Allm Inc., a technology provider for the healthcare industry – recently set up their offices in
Malaysia at Sunway Future X. Sunway Future X is a new skills-building and innovation hub focusing on developing technologies around five key verticals – Smart Cities, Agrifoodtech, Edutech, Digital Health and eCommerce. Meanwhile, Jetro Kuala Lumpur managing director Mai Onozawa said many Japanese firms are increasingly looking to identify new innovations from foreign companies to bring new ideas and technologies to the Japanese market and network of global clients. “With the right catalysts such as Sunway Group that has opened up its networks and resources to build collaborative efforts, we can intensify partnerships and collaborations between our two countries,” Onozawa said. – Bernama
10 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 SUNBIZ
FGV seeks clarification from US Customs for WRO PETALING JAYA: FGV Holdings Bhd said it has sought clarification from the US Custom and Border Protection (CBP) over the withhold release order (WRO) on its palm oil products imposed on Sept 30 and the steps expected for its revocation. According to the group’s Bursa disclosure, the US agency, during a conference call on Oct 8, could not reveal any of its findings which led to the action with the exception that it had identified the 11 International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators of forced labour in FGV’s practices. The CBP also did not disclose any further information about its findings including the nature or locations of any incidence linked to such indicators. However, the CBP informed FGV it would consider a petition for the revocation of the WRO together with information or reports arising from audits from credible, unbiased, third
oLaw enforcement agency says it will consider petition for revocation of withhold release order backed by reports from credible, unbiased third party auditing firms party auditing firms. “In relation to this, FGV is already in communication with several independent organisations to explore options for an imminent audit of FGV’s operations. FGV expects to finalise the appointment of such audit firm in the next couple of weeks and to proceed with the audits shortly after,” FGV said. It reiterated that it is committed to taking all necessary steps and measures towards the revocation of the WRO. In addition, the group expressed
its appreciation to the CBP for its readiness to discuss the matter. Simultaneously, FGV stated that it remains committed to the implementation of its action plan under its affiliation with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). It highlighted that the action plan underscores the group’s commitment to the esponsible recruitment of migrant workers, strengthening of grievance mechanisms, regularisation of undocumented migrant workers, improving monitoring systems and remediation and enhancing stake-
holder engagement, among other things. The group stated that its next progress report for the implementation of the action plan is slated to be published on March 31, 2021. In a separate exchange filing, FGV said it had received an expression of interest from Perspective Lane (M) Sdn Bhd (PLSB) to participate in FGV via an injection of plantation assets into FGV, for share consideration. PLSB would potentially become the single largest shareholder of FGV upon completion. “The board had decided on Oct 15 to deliberate upon the matter and has resolved to explore and evaluate the proposition. The board wishes to assure shareholders and key stakeholders that it will discharge its fiduciary duty in any such deliberation,” it said.
Malaysia Airlines or Firefly? It’s Khazanah’s call KUALA LUMPUR: As the sole shareholder of the country’s national airline, Khazanah Nasional Bhd is on the brink of making the call on whether to provide another lifeline to Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) or simply skip out on the ailing carrier. There is no crystal ball to tell whether MAB would make it through this time even if Khazanah should decide to continue pumping in money given that the government has already given financial support to the airline over the past 20 years. Like it or not, a decision is imminent as liabilities and debts continue to pile up. As at end-2018, MAB’s liabilities were just below RM5.5 billion and on Oct 6, the airline announced an urgent restructuring of a whopping RM16 billion worth of debt. Aviation analysts believe it’s time for Khazanah to reduce its ownership and look into a full privatisation as the best option to resuscitate MAB as the government doesn’t have enough budget to power the airline. Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has consistently said the government would not inject any cash or capital into MAB and it is solely up to Khazanah to resolve the matter. It was reported that MAB’s parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG), has warned leasing companies that Khazanah would stop pumping funds into the group and was ready to shut it down if the ongoing debt restructuring exercise failed.
Firefly operates a fleet of 12 twin turboprops mainly within the country. – BERNAMAPIX Malaysia Airlines still retains over 12,000 employees across the group but a salary cut has been implemented since March this year. The employment number has stayed despite the unprecedented event of Covid-19 as the airline took several measures, including extensive salary cuts, voluntarily unpaid leave and non-renewal of staff contracts. According to a report, if the plan to restructure RM16 billion worth of debt fails, the airline group would consider executing Plan B, which is injecting funds into Firefly, a lowcost airline that is fully owned by MAG. Firefly, which operates a fleet of 12 twin turboprops mainly within the country, could become the country’s national airline if Khazanah proceeds with the backup plan. Venturing into the low-cost segment would give Khazanah more room to play in the market as it is
tougher to survive in the premium segment with MAB struggling to make payments to its creditors and lessors. Endau Analytics aviation analyst Shukor Yusof believes Khazanah has the capacity to turn Firefly into Malaysia’s new national airline. “As long as Khazanah is ready and willing to inject rakyat’s money, any Malaysian company with a valid air operator’s certificate (AOC) can be the new national airline. Who can stop Khazanah?” he told Bernama. Bernama has reached out to Firefly for comments but was unsuccessful. Another aviation expert, who requested anonymity, said Firefly’s niche has always been domestic services through its turboprop fleet. Therefore, keeping to the status quo will not give it any comparative advantage to become a national carrier. “However, by having less financial burden compared to MAB,
it would be a good opportunity for Firefly to rescale, especially with a lot of narrow-body planes in the second-hand market and leasing market with low rates. “While the tourism industry as a whole has not picked up, it may be an opportune time to rescale Firefly before travel demand gains traction in the future,” he said. On the outlook as a new low-cost national carrier, he said it would be reasonable to assume that Firefly could compete with AirAsia Group for domestic services but on a regional scale, AirAsia has developed a strong foothold in the Asean market. “It will, of course, take time for Firefly to establish its presence regionally once international travel demand has picked up,” he reckoned. What does the future hold for Malaysia Airlines? It is Khazanah‘s call. – Bernama
M’sian rubber gloves added to US list of goods produced by forced labour KUALA LUMPUR: Rubber gloves manufactured in Malaysia are among six items the US Department of Labor (DOL) has added to a list of goods produced by forced labour this year, the department said in a report. For Malaysia, the department had already listed electronics and garments as goods produced by forced labour, and palm oil as produced by child labour and forced labour.
“There are reports that adults are forced to produce rubber gloves in Malaysia. Forced labor predominately occurs among migrant laborers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Nepal working in more than 100 rubber glove factories throughout Malaysia,” the department said in the report, dated September. The DOL said reports showed an estimated 42,500 migrant workers were employed in the rubber glove industry, and were frequently
subjected to high recruitment fees to secure employment that often kept them in debt bondage. The workers were also forced to work longer hours than allowed under Malaysian law, and in factories where temperatures could reach dangerous levels, the department said. Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association president Supramaniam Shanmugam, said in a statement the report was retrospective
and the industry abided by Malaysian laws and regulations, and by standards imposed by importing countries. He said several major glove manufacturers had since June announced commitments of more than RM250 million to remediate recruitment fees foreign workers paid to agents in their home countries that their Malaysian employers were unaware of. – Reuters
Maybank offers Malaysia’s first Social Impact Deposit account PETALING JAYA: The Maybank Group through Maybank Islamic Bhd yesterday introduced Malaysia’s firstever Social Impact Deposit, a campaign under its Islamic Fixed Deposit account (IFD-i). Customers are offered to place a fixed deposit and, at the same time, help in extending financial relief to those whose incomes have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This special account is designed to provide support to beneficiaries comprising Maybank Islamic customers identified and assessed by the bank to be in dire need of financial assistance due to a loss of income or employment as a result of the pandemic. Maybank Islamic CEO Datuk Mohamed Rafique Merican said this initiative was in line with Maybank’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to its customers who are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The impact of the virus has been devastating for so many and we believe that we are in a unique position to assist those who are still rebuilding their lives at this time. Hence, we have come up with this initiative to enable members of the community who also share the same sentiments to join hands with us.” The public can participate in this social cause by making a minimum placement of RM1,000 into an IFD-i account for six months. While customers will receive the prevailing board rate for their deposits, Maybank Islamic will separately contribute 0.3% a year to a special account – Social Impact Assistance Account – for every deposit made during the offer period, which started yesterday and runs until Dec 31 2020. Customers can make their placements via Maybank2u or at any Maybank/Maybank Islamic branch.
AWC in JV with Techkem, bags maiden water infrastructure deal PETALING JAYA: AWC Bhd has entered into a joint venture with Techkem Utilities Sdn Bhd and Techkem Resources Sdn Bhd via its whollyvowned unit DD Techniche Sdn Bhd, to formally explore and finance water-related opportunities in Malaysia and the Asean region. In a statement, AWC said the partnership yielded immediate results, as the JV on Sept 18 accepted a letter of award from Real Teamtrade Sdn Bhd for sub-contract works relating to the supply and installation of mechanical and electrical works for a water treatment plant in Sarawak for a contract sum of RM7.3 million. AWC group CEO/president Datuk Ahmad Kabeer said, “Water is such a valuable resource and we foresee that this will be a huge part of the group in the near future. We are therefore very excited to formalise this partnership with Techkem following the MOU signed in July 2020. As seen by the contract win, this partnership has already yielded positive results for AWC.” Techkem group managing rirector Ng Kam Meng said: “Our newly formalised partnership with AWC is off to a fine start as we begin to execute our first project together. We look forward to winning more such projects in the future.”
TELLING IT AS IT IS
ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
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BY ADELINE LEONG
F
OR most of us, a great slice of cheesecake is a guilty pleasure we happily indulge in, but sometimes we want something more than the classic New York Cheesecake. This is where Cat & the Fiddle saves the day with its various Asian and locally-inspired cheesecake flavours, such as King Cat of the Mountain (Mao Shan Wang Durian) and Milo Dinosaur (cheesecake topped with Milo powder).
The culinary mastermind behind these delicious premium cakes is the award-winning Singaporean celebrity pastry chef Daniel Tay, who is trained in the art of classical French pastry and dessert-making. One could almost say that he is following in his father’s footsteps – the elder Tay once ran a popular confectionery shop in Marine Parade on the island republic beginning in the 1960s. In an email interview, Tay said of his choice to become a pastry chef: “There was no decision to be made, it’s in my blood, I was born to a family of culinary chefs and grew up smelling bread. It was
oCat & the Fiddle serves some of the best and most innovative cheesecakes in town second nature to me.” Today, with almost three decades of experience in the culinary arts, and nearly just as long in the business world, Tay is one of the most renowned figures in the luxury desserts industry in Singapore. In 1998, he founded Baker’s Inn (later named Bakerzin), which became the first bakery chain to sell French pastries in Singapore.
He later founded the state-ofthe-art food solutions company Foodgnostic, which produces and sells cakes and pastries through Cat & the Fiddle and Old Seng Choong. While the latter focuses on traditional Chinese pastries, Cat & the Fiddle appeals to more modern, adventurous tastebuds. Tay said that he plans on opening
100 stores for the brand across Asia over the next three years. Tay explained the origins of the brand’s quirky name. “Cat & the Fiddle is inspired by the famous nursery rhyme – Hey Diddle Diddle – which focuses on its whimsical take on cheesecakes,” he said. “We want to create a fun brand that consumers can relate to and associate with birthdays and celebrations.” He added: “By focusing only on one key product, cheesecake, we can therefore e n s u r e consistenc y and top quality in every cheesecake offering.” With that said, Cat & the Fiddle’s cheesecakes are indeed to die for. The cheesecakes are also halalcertified by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore (MUIS). Not knowing which flavours to choose for ourselves, we were recommended to try the aptlynamed Fickle Feline, which will please even the most fickle guest. The Fickle Feline offers a selection of the ten best cheesecake flavours:
Sicilian Wild Cats (Tiramisu), The Russian Whiskers (Mango), Madam Roselle (Roselle Flower Tea), Paws of Fury (Yuan Yang/ Yin Yong), Over The Moon (Classic New York), Sweet and Smokey Taffy (Salted Caramel), Maneki Neko (Lemon Yuzu), The Modern Duke’s Pudding (Oreo Cookie), The Emperor’s Romance (Lychee) and Queen of Hearts (Strawberries). The cakes arrived from Singapore in a neatly packaged box. I liked that they came with little cards to indicate each cake flavour. This made sharing and choosing which cake to eat first easier, too. My colleagues and I enjoyed tasting as many flavours as we could, as the Fickle Feline is designed for sharing among friends. No matter which cake I ate, I could taste the rich and creamy smooth cheese in each bite. Certain flavours, such as The Modern Duke’s Pudding (Oreo Cookie)
(left, and above) Some of the unique cheesecake creations dreamed up by Cat & the Fiddle founder Tay (right) . – COURTESY OF CAT & THE FIDDLE
and Russian Whiskers (Mango), come with a cookie base which gives a nice crunch and texture without the messy crumble. And even after trying all ten flavours, it is tough to choose only one to recommend, so you’ll just have to try them all. Fortunately, cheesecake lovers can have the cheesecakes delivered directly to their door by ordering online at www.catandthefiddle.com.my/ cheesecakes. What sweetens the deal is that a portion of each purchase of Cat & the Fiddle cheesecakes will be channelled to various worthy causes, such as the Cat Welfare Society, The Children’s Aid Society and other organisations which aid the differently-abled. Asked if he had any advice for other budding pastry chefs and bakers looking to become successful entrepreneurs, Tay said that it is important to remember that “being a chef is not about gaining fame, but creating joy for your consumers.” And judging by delight my colleagues and I experienced as we tried our cheesecakes, he has certainly managed to do that.
12 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 BUZZ
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BY THE BUZZ TEAM
S
INCE going out and to the cinemas for that matter is out of the question due to recent developments, why not chill at home, grab some snacks and rekindle the romance with your partner with these saccharine sweet movies. Here are a few of our movie selections for your romantic viewing pleasure.
1. To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You In this sequel to 2018’s surprise hit To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo) are now officially a couple and giddy to spend their first Valentine’s Day together. Of course, if things remain lovey-dovey and
oKick back and relax by enjoying a movie date with your significant other at home 2. Her Blue Sky This Japanese anime focuses on the relationship between four individuals in the town of Chichibu with a dose of magical realism. Aoi, an aspiring musician, is cared for by her older sister Akane after their parents died. Akane has given up her dream to
move to Tokyo – as well as her boyfriend, Shinnosuke – to look after Aoi. After years apart, Shinnosuke returns to town with lingering feelings for Akane. At the same time, a boy named Shinno appears too. Aoi falls in love with Shinno, not realising he is actually Shinnosuke’s younger self who travelled from the past. everyone lives happily ever after, we won’t have a movie. To make things interesting, trouble looms in the form of John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher), another recipient of Lara Jean’s ill-advised love letters. John’s arrival puts Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship in an awkward situation. Who will our heroine ultimately choose in the end? Watch the movie and find out!
3. Emma This stunning film is based on a novel of the same name by Jane Austen, and stars the lovely Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role. The movie follows the misadventures of Emma Woodhouse, a young socialite who is addicted to playing matchmaker to the people around her. Blind to the dangers of meddling in other people’s lives, it doesn’t take her long to cause more problems
than planned. In the midst of the chaos, she discovers her own unique love story and what it means to be loved. 4. Shrek Shrek has been around for close to two decades but still remains one of the most bankable film franchises in the market today. The first film tells the story of how an ogre in the
swamp gets the girl with some help from his sidekicks. The movie is packed with characters we used to read about in storybooks, yet it’s also suited for adults. Even if you’re not into the love story, the catchy songs are addictive! 5. When In Rome Beth (Kristen Bell), an ambitious New Yorker who is unlucky in love, is forced to attend her younger sister’s impromptu wedding in Rome. There, she meets Nicholas Beamon (Josh Duhamel) whose charming ways slowly but surely make her believe in
love again. Disaster strikes when Beth sees him locking lips another woman. She throws a drunken tantrum and steals a bunch of coins from a fountain in disgust before flying home. Little does she know that the fountain has a legend says if you take coins from it, the owner of the coin will fall in love with you. Upon reaching home, Beth finds herself having to fend off a host of suitors due to the coins she took. The film’s ending provides a twist which sets it apart from other romantic comedies.
Don’t stop moving! WHILE most of us are staying home more just to be safe during the pandemic, it’s also important to adapt our exercise routines to maintain our health. If you’re looking for the motivation to move, take the opportunity to compete in Compresspor ts Virtual Run Series! Compressports is organising the virtual run to promote healthy living and social distancing in a fun manner among Malaysians during this unfortunate time. The virtual run is open to all residents in Malaysia. All contestants can run anywhere and anytime, as long as they clock in their time using sports tracking apps such as Strava, Garmin, Zwift, Training Peaks and more. The registration fees are very
low, at US$0.99 for 9.99km run and US$9.99 for the 99.99km run. Runners can choose to complete the 9.99km or the 99.9km run as individuals or teams. The registration period ends on Oct 31, 2020. The Challenge Period starts from Nov 1 to 21, 2020. Grand Draw winners will be announced on Nov 30, 2020. The Finisher rewards will be delivered from Nov 30 onwards. Individual runners get to bring home a sports goodie bag, custom made Finisher tee, and prizes for the Top 5 Male/ Female runners. The teams which complete the challenge will receive Team Finisher Rewards along with prizes for Top 5 teams. To compete in teams, there must be a minimum of five members
(but no maximum number of runners) who will all run the same distance. The Top 5 winning teams who complete the distance in respective categories in the shortest time will receive prizes. All runners will receive a goodie bag and an e-certificate of completion worth RM20. For those who complete longer distances, they get to bring home Compressports tees. The top five individual runners will receive extra goodies worth over RM500 as well.
Exclusive for
TELLING IT AS IT IS
readers!
Be the first 500 readers to sign up for the 9.99km event and run for FREE! Click the ICON to sign up now!
13 BUZZ
theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
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BY ADELINE LEONG
H
ALLOWEEN plans for this year are in disarray, no thanks to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases. While being under Conditional Movement Control Order put a wrench in a lot of plans, I managed to get a head start on my Halloween. Perhaps, you could even DIY it yourself at home. I went back to Bliss Nail Studio, the same nail salon where I had my Spooktacular nails done to perfection last year, featuring a dark background theme showcasing Tim Burton’s Jack Skellington character and a shimmery night sky. This time round, I was tempted to go for a spooky design featuring dripping blood and Scream’s Ghostface masks, but decided to choose something cheerier.
oGet ready for Halloween in style with these paranormal designs from Bliss Nail Studio What drew me to the new selection of Halloween nail designs were the adorable ghosts, bats and pumpkins. These characters seem to be having a fun time partying together in their own little worlds. Coincidentally, I was told the designs I chose last year and this year were both designed by the same manicurist. Looks like I have found my official Halloween nail technician! I do enjoy coming back to Bliss Nail because the manicurists are always neat and detail-oriented. My nails are always gently shaped before the actual painting begins, and I’m always at ease in the chair while they
work on my nails. As always, I appreciate that they take extra care to make sure each customer goes home with smooth and neatly manicured nails. While the manicurist expertly worked on my fingernails, I decided to try something different and have my toes done as well. I toyed with the idea of having a ghost cat as well as a black cat on my big toes. It was a design which I had spotted online, and thought it would match the cute theme on my fingernails. After choosing the right shade of orange befitting the spirit of pumpkins, the manicurist set right off
to work to bring my wish to life like a fairy godmother. At the end of the session, I happily walked home with cats on my toes and a party of ghosts,
pumpkins and bats on my fingers. Together, I imagine they had a happy Halloween night out, which is also something I wish for everyone.
THESUNBUZZ x Bliss Nail Studio giveaway TO get a bit of Halloween cheer for yourself, Bliss Nail Studio is giving away a complimentary nail and pampering session to 10 lucky readers. For further details and instructions on how to enter the giveaway, please scan the QR Code.
Happenings
Comedy Crossing: The Animal Crossing Standup Comedy Show When? Oct 17 @ 10am (Oct 16, 7pm PST) Where? Zoom link will be sent before the show It’s the world’s first-ever standup comedy show inside the Animal Crossing game. The free online show is open to all and will be streamed live on Zoom and hosted by Jenny Yang.
Click the ICON for more info
YouthSpeak Forum by AIESEC
Night at the Library (Comedy)
Borneo Virtual Marathon
When? Oct 24-25 @ 1.45pm – 5.15pm
When? Nov 23- 28 @ 7pm- 8pm
When? Nov 6- Dec 6
Where? Online event
Where? Online event
Where? Online event
The first-ever YouthSpeak Forum organised by AIESEC at HELP University aims to help youths practice an entrepreneur mindset in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Leaders from various sectors will share their experience and impart some valuable insights into key issues.
Click the ICON for more info
Take a break from the horrors of 2020 and join the creators, authors and comedians taking over the National Library Singapore for a night of humour and laughter. This week-long comedy run may be just what we all need to cheer us up during these dark times.
Click the ICON for more info
Joining the Borneo Virtual Marathon is a good way to maintain our fitness goals. Participants will get a finisher medal, dry-fit shirt and a finisher tee (21km & 42 km only) mailed to their doorstep upon completion. Remember to register your spot before you begin!
Click the ICON for more info
14 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 BUZZ
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BY ADELINE LEONG
M
Y FIRST encounter with BLACKPINK was when I worked for an event company which brought them to Kuala Lumpur. For weeks, the office blasted their iconic song DDUDU DDU-DU and it felt as if I was working in their studio. Needless to say, I got hooked on their songs too. So when I got wind of a BLACKPINK documentary on Netflix, I knew I just had to watch it. BLACKPINK: Light Up The Sky shows how each member of the group – Jennie, Lisa, Rose and Jisoo – started from the bottom as trainees in YG Entertainment. They underwent rigorous training with many girls for years before they got to debut as the hit girl group we know today. In the documentary, Blinks (BLACKPINK fans) get to see the group’s early days when they were just inexperienced rookies. They faced harsh criticism over their singing and their dance moves. There were also moments where they felt like throwing in the towel and giving up. But they are where they are today because they were resilient and kept pushing forward. The synergy of the four together was apparent early on. No matter which group they were put in, the four of them would shine and vibe together. Teddy, the producer and songwriter behind all of their music, commented that their four different nationalities, backgrounds and personalities really gave BLACKPINK a special vibe and identity. Each of their personality was also shown on screen. Lisa has laser-sharp focus and is a source of positivity, Jisoo rarely cries but is comedic, Rose is headstrong and a foodie, and Jennie is a perfectionist and has a heart of gold. The documentary also took viewers behind-the-scenes of their world tour. There were times I could empathise with their tiredness after travelling and performing day after day. I could see the fatigue fighting to take over their whole self but they always manage to perk up right before the big show on stage. The highlight of the show was when BLACKPINK was the first KPop group to perform in Coachella. The group was understandably nervous and afraid that no one would come to watch them. They were shocked when so many people turned up to watch them perform. Jisoo was also feeling really ill during the day of the performance but had to power through for the fans. If they hadn’t revealed that, I wouldn’t be able to tell from the clips of the show. All the years of intense training paid off that trying day. As promised, the performances were fiery, catchy and powerful. Since they achieved so much success at home and abroad, it was surprising to learn that there were also days where they questioned their
oFans of Korean super group BLACKPINK will not want to miss this documentary on Netflix
decision to pursue music as their career. During the years of training and then performing, they had to give up their social life, leaving them feeling empty. Jisoo shared that she learned how to finally have fun on stage after performing at Coachella, and the sentiment was echoed by Lisa. Lisa also said that after all of their successes, “it doesn’t matter if we grow old and get replaced by a new young generation. As long as there’s still someone talking about us, they will still remember how we shone so bright.” What was clear to me was that their success also affected the people around them. They have grown close with their team, from the recording studios to the makeup chair. Many girls would be able to identify themselves with Jisoo when she visited her makeup artist to finally learn how to draw her brows properly. Like most girls, she didn’t know how to use makeup on herself and had to learn along the way. Jennie’s Pilates teacher who helped keep her in tiptop shape has fond memories of her. She treats Jennie as her little sister and close friend. E v e n towards the end,
the waiter who served them food during their trainee days still remembered them. I could see why Blinks love them. They are all not only beautiful but smart, independent and resilient women. Together, they inspire everyone to be strong in tough times. W a t c h BL ACKPINK: Light Up The Sky on Netflix today!
Scan the ICON to watch the trailer
15 * SUNBIZ
theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
Powerwell secures contracts worth RM22m PETALING JAYA: Kejuruteraan Powerwell Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Powerwell Holdings Bhd has accepted two letters of intent from Sunway Group for contracts totalling RM 9.1 million. The two contracts involve the design, supply and installation of low-voltage switchboards for six elevated stations of the Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3) worth RM3 million and design, supply and install LV switchboards for a mixed development project along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, worth RM6.1 million. Aside from the contracts secured from Sunway Group, Powerwell had also since September 2020 secured contracts totalling RM3.7 million from other contractors to supply its products to other stations of LRT3. New additions to the group’s order book since September 2020 comprise a mixed development project worth RM1.9 million, a data centre project located in Cyberjaya worth RM1.4 million, semiconductor factories in Kedah and Johor worth RM3.3 million as well as contracts in Vietnam worth RM2.3 million for an exhibition centre and a customs office.
LPI’s Q3 pre-tax profit up slightly oGroup’s insurance arm registers impressive results with earnings before tax improving by 15.6% PETALING JAYA: LPI Capital Bhd achieved a 0.6% marginal increase in its profit before tax for its third quarter ended Sept 30 to RM112.1 million from RM111.4 million reported in the previous corresponding quarter while its net profit registered 1.8% lower at RM86.2 million from RM87.8 million. LPI’s investment income for the quarter under review was partly affected by lower dividend and interest incomes from its investments. The group’s net return on equity increased to 4.9% from 4.6% previously while earnings per
share reported marginally lower at 21.63 sen. Meanwhile, Lonpac Insurance Bhd, the group’s wholly owned insurance subsidiary, recorded an impressive result in the third quarter with profit before tax improving by 15.6% from RM97.4 million reported in the previous corresponding quarter to RM112.6 million while its underwriting profit registered a 14% increase to RM86.3 million from RM75.7 million. “The strong technical results of Lonpac were attributed to lower claims incurred ratio of 39.5% as
compared to 43.6% reported in the previous corresponding quarter. Despite the dampened economic conditions which affected demands for insurance, Lonpac managed to maintain its gross premium income at RM380.6 million while its net earned premium income registered 1.6% lower to RM254.2 million from RM258.3 million previously due to higher technical reserves,” said group chairman Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow. For the first nine months, the group’s net profits stood at RM241.5 million, a 2.4% improvement over RM235.76 million reported in the same corresponding period of the previous year. Meanwhile, its revenue stood at RM1.2 billion, a 0.4% decline from RM1.203 billion reported previously. Lonpac’s profit before tax improved by 8.7% to RM293.5 million from RM270 million
reported in its previous corresponding period while its underwriting profit also registered an impressive 8.6% improvement to RM226.2 million from RM208.3 million achieved previously. The group booked in gross premium income of RM1.2 billion for the period under review while its net earned premium income registered 0.4% lower at RM742.8 million. Teh commented that the various additional economic stimulus announced recently by the government is expected to further support the government’s efforts to revive the economy. “For the group, we need to continue assessing the range of possible future scenarios and develop corresponding strategic actions to address these possible scenarios in order to thrive in the new reality,” he said.
Samaiden makes sizzling debut on ACE Market Chow (left) and executive director Fong Yeng Foon at the listing ceremony.
Dataprep, RIDAA team up for ICT projects PETALING JAYA: Dataprep Holdings Bhd entered into a memorandum of collaboration with RIDAA Associates Sdn Bhd to work strategically on potential information and communication technology (ICT) projects in Malaysia. RIDAA Associates is primarily involved in mechanical and engineering services for accommodations, office buildings, and other building facilities or premises. In a Bursa filing yesterday, the group said the memorandum will be effective for five years, from Oct 14. Dataprep said they will be working with RIDAA by leveraging on each other’s strengths in areas such as providing consultancy and marketing of ICT solutions for various projects and industries including telecom towers, public safety and surveillance, network systems, extra low voltage system, andbig data infrastructure and analytics. The ICT opportunity areas for the group include telemedicine, digital and contactless payments, as well as online platforms which enable elearning and e-meeting. Dataprep aims to explore business opportunities in the public sector, and is participating in government project tenders under the wide spectrum of ICT services.
PETALING JAYA: Samaiden Group Bhd opened at RM1 at its ACE Market debut yesterday, representing a 108.3% premium over its initial offer price of 48 sen with an opening volume of 9.23 million shares. The solar photovoltaic systems and power plant engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contractor raised RM29.3 million in its initial public offering. From the proceeds, the group will utilise RM7 million for the purchase of a new corporate office, RM2.5 million for its business expansion and marketing activities and RM16.6 million has been earmarked for capital expenditure and working capital. The remaining RM3.2 million will be used to defray listing expenses. The market presented a strong demand for Samaiden shares. Of the public issue of 61.155 million new shares, 10.5 million were made available for the Malaysian public, which were oversubscribed by 56.52 times. “Here, with the renewable energy sector’s glowing outlook, rest assured that Samaiden will not be too far behind in doing its part in the renewable energy sector and complement the sector’s growth over the next few years,” said managing director Chow Pui Hee at the listing ceremony. She said the debut marks a meaningful milestone for the group and its success will spur it to pursue growth. “We are now ready to take on new challenges. Our business expansion plans in the pipeline will continue to augment Samaiden to its full potential with its multiple avenues of growth prospects.”
Econframe IPO oversubscribed 40.23 times PETALING JAYA: Econframe Bhd has seen strong interest by investors as its initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 40.23 times ahead of its Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market listing. For the exercise, Econframe has received a total of 11,827 applications for 670.02 million new shares with a value of RM187.6 million from the Malaysian Public for the 16.25 million new shares. Its bumiputra portion saw 6,105 applications for 297.61 million new
shares were received, which translated to an oversubscription rate of 35.63 times, while the remaining public portion saw 5,722 applications for 372.42 million new shares, which is an oversubscription rate of 44.84 times. On the other hand, 3.25 million new shares allocated for eligible directors and employees have been fully subscribed. The private placement of 13 million new shares available to selected investors as well as 32.5 million new shares available to
identified bumiputra investors approved by the International Trade and Industry Ministry have also been fully subscribed. Furthermore, the offer for sale of 32.5 million existing shares have also all been fully placed out. Managing director Lim Chin Horng commented that he is encouraged by the strong response and market confidence towards the group’s growth prospect. “Since our establishment 19 years ago, we have since built up a resilient
business with strong foundation and solid fundamentals,” he said in a statement. The group’s IPO entailed a public issuance of 65 million new ordinary shares and an offer sale of up to 32.5 million existing shares at an issue price of 28 sen per share. From the public issuance, it will raise an estimated RM18.2 million. Notice of allotment will be posted to successful applicants before Oct 22. Lim stated that part of the proceeds will be utilised to expand Econframe’s
production capabilities to include wooden doors, which will translate to better control on cost while reducing reliance on third party suppliers. The group also intends to acquire a piece of land and construct a manufacturing plant to house all of its facilities under one roof. The managing director stated that the new factory will be equipped with advanced robotic technology to boost operational efficiency. Econframe is slated to make its ACE Market debut on Oct 27.
16 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 SUNBIZ
Australia’s unemployment rate ticks up to 6.9% oWork hours fall most in Victoria state as Melbourne remains under a months-long virus lockdown
BRIEFS
SYDNEY: Australia’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.9% in September, as the coronavirus kept the brakes on hopes of a speedy economic recovery. The country’s statistical agency said yesterday that unemployment grew 0.1% from 6.8% in August, with around 20,000 more people leaving the workforce entirely. Australia – with a population of 25 million – is experiencing its first recession in almost 30 years. The latest unemployment figures were
ROLLS-ROYCE PRICES £2B EQUIVALENT BOND OFFERING
LONDON: Rolls-Royce said it had successfully priced a £2 billion (RM11 billion) equivalent bond offering in three tranches, more than the £1 billion it was aiming for due to strong demand from investors for the notes. Rolls, whose finances have been strained by the pandemic, said yesterday the bond offering was expected to close on Oct 21 and the proceeds would be held in escrow until the successful completion of its rights issue. – Reuters
MORE BREXIT DRAMA, THEN A THIN DEAL: GOLDMAN SACHS
LONDON: Goldman Sachs said yesterday that there could be drama at the EU summit over Brexit but that a thin Brexit trade deal was likely to struck by early November. “Neither the UK prime minister’s Oct 15 deadline nor the EU Commission’s Oct 31 deadline constitutes a hard stop on Brexit negotiations,“ Goldman analyst Sven Jari Stehn said. “This week’s EU Council may well feature an additional dose of political drama.” – Reuters
FAST RETAILING EXPECTS 2021 RECOVERY FROM PANDEMIC
TOKYO: Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, forecast a 64% recovery in operating profit in the year through next August, following a 42% slump in the year just gone due to Covid-19. For the year just ended, it posted a ¥149 billion (RM5.9 billion) operating profit, beating the market’s consensus foreast of ¥137 billion. – Reuters
slightly better than forecasts of 7%, but underlying figures suggest enduring economic pain. The number of hours worked fell most notably in Victoria state, where the country’s second-biggest city Melbourne remains under a months-long virus lockdown. Almost one million Australians have lost their jobs and many more have been forced to take pay cuts or seen hours slashed. The government and central bank have embarked on a vast stimulus spending
programme to avert a full-blown depression, putting the country on track to post a record budget deficit of Aus$213.7 billion (RM633 billion) this year. Last week, the government announced billions in tax cuts, with plans to bring forward reductions in income tax, offer new breaks to businesses and subsidise jobs for young workers. By 2024, overall gross debt is predicted to rise to over one trillion Australian dollars, or around half of the country’s GDP, versus roughly a quarter in this year. In further measures aimed at supporting the coronavirus-buffeted economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia has signalled it could cut record low interest rates of 0.25% even further when it next meets in early November. – AFP
TSMC’s Q3 net profit jumps 36%, beating market forecasts TAIPEI: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) reported a 36% jump in quarterly net profit, boosted by robust demand for products requiring highend chips and as Apple Inc readies a new iPhone. July-September net profit for the world’s largest contract chipmaker came in at T$137.3 billion (RM19.9 billion), well ahead of the T$124.9 billion average of 19 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. TSMC’s advanced chips are used in highend smartphones such as Apple’s newly unveiled 5G iPhone 12 as well as in telecommunications technology and artificial intelligence. The chip sector has also been one of the rare industries benefiting from the coronavirus pandemic with more people investing in premium devices as they spend
longer hours at home and as corporations seek to add more bandwidth for remote workers. That has helped TSMC offset a loss of orders from Huawei after the US imposed extensive restrictions on sales to the Chinese telecommunications giant. A US proposal to also put Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp on the same trade blacklist has also caused some of the Chinese chipmaker’s clients to preemptively switch over to its Taiwanese rival, analysts have said. TSMC’s revenue for the quarter climbed 29.2% to US$12.1 billion (RM50 billion), above the company’s prior estimated range of US$11.2 billion to US$11.5 billion. Shares of TSMC have jumped about 36% so far this year, giving it a market value of US$414 billion. – Reuters
US stimulus hopes dim as Mnuchin says negotiators ‘far apart’ WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday said despite some progress, he still has not reached an agreement with Democratic lawmakers on a stimulus package, dampening hopes the US economy would get a new injection of cash before the presidential election. Wall Street sunk on the downbeat comments from Mnuchin, who has been negotiating for months with Democrats over passing a measure to restore expired provisions of the US$2.2 trillion (RM9.1 trillion) CARES Act approved as the coronavirus pandemic struck in March. “We continue to make progress on certain issues, on certain issues we continue to be far apart,“ Mnuchin said during a virtual appearance at an economics conference. The official has been leading negotiations on behalf of President Donald Trump, and said he had a lengthy conversation with his Democratic counterpart House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday morning. Pelosi aide Drew Hammill confirmed the talks and said they would continue yesterday. “One major area of disagreement continues to be that the White House lacks an understanding of the need for a national strategic testing plan,“ he tweeted. “The Speaker believes we must reopen our economy and schools safely and soon, and scientists agree we must have a strategic testing plan.” The two sides are deadlocked over how much to spend and what form to spend it in, with Democrats demanding aid for struggling state and local governments that are on the front lines of delivering aid. “We continue to have discussions and try to compromise on a broader package,“ Mnuchin said, adding Pelosi rejected a standalone measure to fund airlines that have furloughed tens of thousands of workers this month. Under their latest proposal, Democrats want to enact a broad measure costing US$2.2 trillion, but the Trump administration’s latest offer was for US$1.8 trillion. – AFP
Trump administration mulls adding China’s Ant Group to trade blacklist WASHINGTON: The US State Department has submitted a proposal for the Trump administration to add China’s Ant Group to a trade blacklist, according to two people familiar with the matter, before the financial technology firm is slated to go public. It was not immediately clear when the US government agencies that decide whether to add a company to the so-called Entity List
would review the matter. The move comes as China hardliners in the Trump administration are seeking to send a message to deter US investors from taking part in the initial public offering for Ant. The dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong could be worth up to a record US$35 billion (RM145 billion). The latest swipe at China also comes in the run-up to the Nov 3 election, in which US
President Donald Trump, trailing in the polls against his Democratic rival Joe Biden, has made a tough approach to China an important foreign policy platform. While the Alipay payment app is currently unavailable for American users in the US, Trump administration officials fear the Chinese government could access sensitive banking data belonging to future US users. – Reuters
RED MEANS
ONFRIDAY FRIDAY ON OCTOBER 16, 2020 NOVEMBER 23, 2018
STOP!
THINK OF YOUR
LOVED ONES
A Community Campaign by
5th-generation City is here H ONDA Malaysia on Tuesday launched the fifth-generation, allnew City, which is “set to raise the stakes in its segment with pioneering advanced technology, unparalleled performance and eye-catching design” – offering an overall package that is “beyond” the B-segment. Among the four new variants being introduced, Malaysia is the first country in the world to launch the RS e:HEV variant. The “e:HEV”, which simply means hybrid, replaces the “hybrid” moniker on the City. The new City is now 111mm longer, 54mm wider and 10mm lower than the fourthgeneration City. Of the four variants – S, E, V and the only hybrid, the RS e:HEV (the red one in these photos), only the latter has a new gloss black front grille, new carbon patterned front lip, new rear bumper with diffuser to give a sporty impression as well as new boot spoiler and new gloss black door mirrors for a two-toned expression of the body colour. The V and RS e:HEV variants feature new LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new LED foglamps and new LED taillamps. Both variants are also fitted with 16inch alloy wheels that complement the car’s sleek appearance. For the first time in Honda Malaysia’s lineup, the RS e:HEV variant is powered by an intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain that delivers 106.5hp maximum output and 253Nm best-in-class maximum torque. When combined with electric continuous variable transmission (e-CVT), it delivers a powerful and smooth acceleration equivalent to a Dsegment naturallyapirated engine torque. The i-MMD powertrain and intelligent power unit (IPU) system can seamlessly regulate between the three driving modes of EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive in the most efficient way. The RS e:HEV variant also comes with a deceleration selector paddles that let driver to use them for power regeneration and slowing down the vehicle, without the need to step on the brake pedal. The S, E and V variants come with a new 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC powertrain, the newest engine in its segment. Coupled with CVT, this powertrain is able to produce up to 119hp, which is the highest in its class and a maximum torque of 145Nm. The interior styling emphasises high-quality textures and functional approach to achieve sophistication and comfort for both driver and passengers alike. The rear passenger legroom has been expanded and rear air conditioning ventilation now comes as standard across all variants for added comfort. The RS e:HEV variant features seven-inch interactive thin film transistor (TFT) meter cluster, sport pedal pads, ultrasuede seats* and red stitching at interior areas. Meanwhile, the V variant is trimmed with leather seats* and ivory highlights* at inner areas. The E, V and RS e:HEV variants are available with eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The new City also boasts a couple of Bsegment firsts, setting a benchmark with features that are equivalent with C, D and SUV segments. The Honda LaneWatch fitted in the V and RS
e : H E V variants is a camerabased advanced safety technology which helps monitor blind spots within an infotainment system. The RS e:HEV variant’s new first-in-segment electric parking brake provides convenience to the driver with just a lift of a button, while appearing trendy. Another advanced feature, the remote engine start, is also a first-in-segment to be offered in the E, V and RS e:HEV variants. This technology allows driver to start their car while the doors are locked and to activate the airconditioning in order to cool down the cabin, with a simple push of a button on the keyless remote controller. To enhance the package, the RS e:HEV variant comes with the most complete advanced safety feature in the B-segment, Honda Sensing, which was developed to realise “the vision of a collision-free mobile society”. Its advanced safety system utilises front wide-view camera to better recognise road boundaries during day and night driving conditions. The suite of driver assistance safety systems in Honda Sensing consists of the following: 0 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) 0 Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) 0 Forward Collision Warning (FCW) 0 Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) 0 Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) 0 Lane Departure Warning (LDW) 0 Auto High Beam (AHB) Safety-wise, the V and RS e:HEV variants are
equipped with six airbags. Other standard safety features for all variants include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Isofix rear seat and new rear seatbelt reminder.
Reverse sensors with multi-angle reverse camera are in the E, V and RS e:HEV variants. Meanwhile, the RS e:HEV variant is also equipped with auto brake hold (ABH) feature, where the vehicle’s stationary position is held with only a push of a button without the driver having to continuously step on the brake. The all-new City’s prices are (variant, with sales tax exemption** and without sales tax exemption**): 0 V: RM86,561.45, RM89,800 0 E: RM81,664.82, RM84,800 0 S: RM74,191.27, RM76,800 The RS e:HEV variant will only be available in January next year and its price will be announced “in due time”. There are five colours – Passion Red Pearl***, Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic***, Lunar Silver Metallic and a brandnew colour, Platinum White Pearl***. *Combination leather. **On-the-road price without insurance. Sales tax exemption period ends on Dec 31. Terms and conditions apply . ***RS e:HEV variant only available in these colours. ****Due to the ongoing pandemic and Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) being implemented in some areas, the dealerships that will open will depend on the situation and updates by the Malaysian government.
18
Out & About
theSun on friday OCTOBER 16, 2020
Customise your Almera Turbo EDARAN Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd yesterday released the Optional Accessory Packages pricing menu that allows customers to personalise their all-new Nissan Almera Turbo. Every accessory is backed by a three-year warranty and can be financed when ordered at time of purchase. There are four accessory packages, with the first package being the Interior Styling Package priced at RM400 (with 30% savings*). This package includes LED room lamps, a boot tray with anti-slip surface that keeps your items in place and help keep the boot clean from dirt or spills and stainless steel kick plates with etched Almera logo at front and rear side sills that protect against scuffs and scratches. The Exterior Styling Package goes for RM950 (with 23% savings*) that comes with door visors, carbon fibre pattern finish door handle protectors (two pieces) and gloss black boot lid spoiler, for VL and VLP variants. As for VLT variant, customers can enjoy the same package at RM350 (with 24% savings*) only, as the boot lid spoiler is standard on this variant. For customers who place importance on security, they can opt for Protection Package at RM1,950 (with 28% savings*). This package comes with Solar Gard Armorcoat tinting films that reduces solar heat and is a deterrent against smash-and-grab incidence. Also included in this package is the dualchannel camera (front and rear) driving video recorder that captures accidents or collisions as evidence, when needed. Additionally, customers can also choose the Protection Plus Package at RM2,750 (with 31% savings*) to upgrade to V-Kool Elite tinting films that is able to reject up to 94% of solar heat. *Calculated against individual purchase prices. Those who prefer individual items may choose from the optional accessories list with the following prices (inclusive of installation): 0 LED room lamp: RM150 0 Boot tray: RM220 0 Kick plates (front and rear): RM200
R18 rolls in!
0 Door visor: RM400 0 Door handle protector (two pieces): RM60 0 Gloss black boot lid spoiler (VL and VLP variants only): RM780 0 Dual-channel camera driving video recorder: RM1,200 0 Solar Gard Armorcoat tinting film: RM1,500 0 V-Kool Elite tinting film: RM2,800 0 Combination leather seats with dark grey
accent (VL variant only): RM1,380 All accessories come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty, whichever comes first. Members of public are also invited to experience the new Almera Turbo at selected Nissan showrooms and stand a chance to win 15 iPhone SE (128GB) worth RM 2,199 each when test-driving it. Terms and conditions apply.
Passat R-Line launched VOLKSWAGEN Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched the new Passat R-Line. The sportier big brother of the Passat Elegance, the new Passat R-Line is priced at RM203,411.18 (without sales tax) and is assembled at the Volkswagen plant in Pekan, Pahang. Taking its inspiration from Volkswagen’s R models, the RLine range was created for drivers to express their individuality and make a sporty statement, while still providing great value. The Passat R-Line completes the current Volkswagen R-Line range in Malaysia. The dynamic saloon is decked with special performance interior and exterior trims that enhance its overall appearance. This includes new R-Line front and rear
bumpers, side R-Line badge, chrome trims and 19-inch Verona alloy wheels. As for the interior, the R-Line trim is evident on the Nappa carbon-style black leather seats, steering wheel and aluminium sports pedals and black roof headliner. Driving experience is enhanced with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and Driving Mode Selection that allows for the driver to customise and select up to 15 driving style preferences. As with all Volkswagen models, convenience and comfort go hand-in-hand and features such as a personalised Digital Cockpit, wireless App-Connect Apple Car Play provide instant connectivity for the driver. Front seats are 14way ErgoComfort seats in Nappa carbon-style black leather, while
the driver seat also comes with massage and memory function. This weekend (Oct 17-18), Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be hosting a virtual event featuring detailed walkthroughs of the new Passat RLine, where customers are invited to send in their questions and interact with sales consultants via
Facebook Live. Those who place a booking this weekend will enjoy additional RM2,000 rebate on top of RM3,500 exclusive savings on the full Passat range, via the Volkswagen eShowroom. There will also be an additional RM1,000 rebate on other Volkswagen models, with the exception of the Polo.
Save more than 50% on a one-month Captur trial RENAULT’S Formula 1 team celebrated its first podium (since returning to F1) last Sunday during the Eifel Grand Prix in Nurburgring, Germany. The brand is (still) celebrating and those who wish to experience Renault’s motorsports DNA with the Renault Captur crossover can now take advantage of a new limited promotion on the Renault Subscription 1-Month Trial Plan to enjoy savings of more than 50%. Available for pre-owned Capturs, the trial plan is now offered at a reduced rate of RM699 (normal price is RM1,499) inclusive of road tax, insurance, regular servicing and unlimited mileage. No booking fee or
security deposit is needed. The offer ends on Oct 31 and only 100 units are available, on a first-come first-served basis. The promotion is available exclusively via Shopee Malaysia and Renault Malaysia E-Store. Customers who have made a booking can redeem their special offer on the 1-Month Trial Plan between Nov 16 and Jan 15 next year. All pre-owned Captur vehicles are pre-facelift versions and have passed thorough inspections to meet Renault quality and safety standards. The Captur, like many other Renault vehicles, has benefited from the brand’s long-standing passion of more than 118 years for motorsport, which includes 40
years of deep involvement in F1. Through its competitive activities over the decades, millions of Renault road users are now enjoying the benefits of engineering breakthroughs like turbocharging and downsizing, improved powertrain architectures, better aerodynamics, new material development, greater fuel economy, more efficient energy recovery systems and enhanced driver response. Powered by Renault’s downsized turbocharged TCe 120 engine mated to a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission, the stylish and versatile Captur not only delivers performance equivalent to a traditional 1.8L engine but also enables powerful acceleration from low revs.
BMW Motorrad Malaysia recently introduced the all-new BMW R18, the brand’s new large-capacity boxer cruiser combining numerous iconic hallmarks from the history of BMW Motorrad and modernises its ride with a uniquely bold character. It borrows from famous models such as the legendary BMW R5 both technologically and visually, shifting the focus back onto the motorcycle essentials: purist, no-frills technology and its boxer engine as the “epicentre of riding pleasure”. The exclusive “First Edition” variant combines the classic BMW R18 look with exclusive equipment features in paint and chrome. It features the First Edition logo with pinstripe design on gloss black paint, complemented by its chrome handlebars, shifter lever, handle end caps, cylinder head covers, crank covers and air intake. Malaysia receives only 18 units of the R18 First Edition. Other features include a 16-litre fuel tank, LED headlamp, LED rear and brake lights included in the rear indicators, engine housing cover made of milled aluminium, circular instrument with multifunctional display, keyless ride system and reverse gear. The biggest displacement boxer engine BMW has ever built boasts a 1,802cc displacement, capable of a maximum torque of 158Nm at 3,000rpm. Together with its six-speed transmission, the bike and its rider can go up to a maximum speed of 180km/h. The front suspension is a classic telescopic fork with fork sleeves and cantilever suspension strut with travel-dependent damping, while the rear is a steel swing arm with central shock strut. Stopping power is provided by a 300mm twin discs with four-piston fixed callipers in front and a single disc at the back. safety features include an integral anti-lock braking system (partially integral, actually), engine drag control system and automatic stability control (ASC). There are three riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain. The retail price (on the road, without insurance, three-year warranty and three-year roadside assistance programme) for the R18 First Edition is RM149,500.
19 ENTERTAINMENT
theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020
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BY BISSME S.
A
CTOR Shah Iskandar is playing against type in his latest TV drama Ryan Aralyn, which is currently airing on TV3. His character Zarul is a nasty piece of work. He abandoned the woman who loved him, after she was involved in a car accident. She had to be confined to a wheelchair, and Zarul refused to accept a paralysed woman as his wife. In real life, the Singapore-born actor is the total opposite of Zarul, and is always talking about his wife, Siti Sarah, in the most endearing manner. She is a chemist who runs her own beauty spa. The 28-episode television series Ryan Aralyn is directed by Riza Baharudin and stars Zul Ariffin and Raysha Rizrose as the titular Ryan and Aralyn respectively, and also features Fify Azmi, Sharifah Husna, Kodi Rasheed and Raja Azura. Besides his new series, Shah is also embarking upon a new chapter in his life: he and his wife welcomed their first child, a boy, on Oct 10 after four years of marriage. In this interview conducted shortly before the birth of his son, the actor addressed questions about his career and fatherhood. You are going to be a father. Describe your emotions to us? “My wife could give birth at any time. I take my wife wherever I go. I want to be the one who drives her to hospital when she has to deliver our baby. I do not want to miss the moment my child enters the world. “I am nervous and excited about my new role as a father. I am ready to change the dirty diapers and to face the sleepless nights. “My greatest fear is if I am unable to calm my child when he cries his heart out. For the time being my wife and I have not decided on a name yet.” Can you describe your own relationship with your father? “I lost my father when I was 24. He was only 55. He was suffering from lung cancer and at the same time, my mother was battling breast cancer. My mother managed to beat her cancer. But my father did not. It was
Embracing fatherhood
Shah and Siti are embarking on a new journey as parents. – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN
oFirst-time dad Shah Iskandar speaks about his joy and fears going into this new phase of life the darkest period in my life. “My father was strict. He brought me up with the belt. I do not blame him for beating me. I was a rebellious, naughty kid. The more he beat me, the more rebellious I became. “One of the sweetest moments between my father and I was when he bought a Batman bag for me when I was seven years old. I remember kissing him [for it]. “One advice he has given me is that family should come first, and that I should always love my wife.” You will be turning 40 in two years’ time. Some actors are afraid of getting old. Are you in the same boat? “Some actors have grown old gracefully, like Rahim Razali and Jalaluddin Hassan, and I want to follow in their footsteps. I am not afraid of ageing. “The only thing I am afraid of is that these days I gain weight far too easily. I have been told that I should take care of my weight. That I should learn to cut my food intake. Cleaning the house is my only gym routine!” You have taken a diploma in Film Studies. Do you have plans to be a film director? “If I ever go into directing, I would not direct a film or a television series. I would love to direct an entertainment magazine show like Melodi or a singing reality show like Akademi Fantasia. “Personally speaking, I would like to go back to doing hosting again. In the early years, when I was starting my entertainment career, I was hosting a handful of shows. Then I stopped and focused on acting. I miss
hosting shows.” You seem to detest social media. Why is that? “I am not active on social media. I do not like to broadcast every little thing I do. I don’t believe in everything that goes viral. “But I have to change my perception of social media. I cannot deny its importance. “You need social media to get job offers and to let your fans get in touch with you. I have lost a lot of fans because I was not active on social media. Social media is important for the growth of my career.” You have been acting for more than 10 years, do you have a dream role in mind? “I would love to play a ‘soft’ guy in a realistic manner. Some actors give over-thetop performances as ‘soft’ guys. “I really admire the way Que Haidar played a ‘soft’ guy in the telefilm Pencipta Pegang Waktu recently. He is my favourite actor. “My other dream role is to play a guy with autism like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. When I was younger, I used to teach children with autism. I have observed their behaviour. I believe I can play the role convincingly.”
Eye on China JERYL LEE PEI LING, was making inroads into the Chinese music market before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Lee was a household name after making it to the finals of Chinese reality show Sing! China in 2016. She has been taking part in major competitions since she was 12 beginning with Taiwanese singing competition Chinese Millions Stars and won the Watercube Singing Contest for Overseas Chinese Teenagers held in Beijing, China when she was 14. Lee recently recorded and released the song Respect 1,000,000 that was a homage to frontliners battling the Covid-19 pandemic. “All thanks to my [manager Ong Peng Chu of On Muse Sdn Bhd]. He received this song and straight away sent it to me and wanted me to record it. “After listening to the demo I recorded it straight on my phone without any hesitation, because I wanted to dedicate this song to all the frontliners.” During this uncertain time, Lee said she has been busy doing online shows and also recording songs that she dedicates to frontliners. She is also taking extra care of her voice. “I used to not care too much about my vocals, but now I avoid eating too
Lee hopes to motivate people with her songs. – ON MUSE SDN BHD
much oily and spicy food. I also take less ice and less sugar in my beverages, because my throat is more sensitive now.” Not many people can claim they are a role model to other young people. “I feel thankful because I am able to motivate people by singing songs, or replying to their messages and comforting them when they have no one to talk to. They choose to trust me. I wish that in the future I can do more things to motivate people to be confident, positive and to love themselves more.” As a target of cyberbullying in the past, Lee now takes in all in stride.
“Actually whenever I receive messages that are very inappropriate I will straight away block and report the user. It makes me feel more comfortable than just ignoring it.” When asked if she had planned to enter more singing competitions before the pandemic, Lee said she had, and hopes to be able to make further inroads into the China music market in the near future when the pandemic is over. As for the near future, Lee said: “I am planning to launch my own clothing brand and I am also planning the concept for it now. But it will take some time before it is ready.” – by S. Indra Sathiabalan
20 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT
Patiently waiting oHong Kong performers long for the stage as the pandemic drags on
Young Guillaume poses with his medal of Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music. – REUTERS
Meet the sixyear-old pianist who plays Rachmaninoff WHEN Guillaume Benoliel sits at the piano stool rehearsing Rachmaninoff’s Italian Polka for a forthcoming concert, his feet dangle in the air. “I’ve met talented people in my career but not like him,” said Benoliel’s teacher, Serguei Kouznetsov. Guillaume is six years old. His parents, Claire and Dominique – both of them amateur musicians – sent him for his first piano lesson aged four after they realised he could hear a tune and play it back for himself. He also has perfect pitch. In late August, Guillaume had his moment in the spotlight in Salzburg, the Austrian city and birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Guillaume was selected to perform on stage in a concert after winning two prizes in the Grand Prize Virtuoso competition. He picked up first prize in the young musician category, and a special prize in the exceptional young talent category. Away from the concert halls, music is simply a fun experience that he shares with his family. They sometimes play together, and in the evenings Guillaume gives mini-concerts for his parents in the living room of their home southeast of Paris. “Every day is full of adventures and pleasure because we both love music,” said his mother Claire, who works in management consulting. As for his future career, she said she and her partner will let their son decide. But she said whatever path he takes, she hopes music will still be present in his life. – Reuters
H
ONG KONG’S performing arts community has been brutally hit by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left theatres empty and stage lights cold – and there appears to be little hope on the horizon even as entertainment venues begin to reopen. The same pain felt by performers in Broadway and the West End is being experienced by artistes in Asia, even while governments there have had greater success at tackling the coronavirus. The region has had a much better track record of keeping down infections, but the often drastic social-distancing measures used to combat the virus have kept entertainment venues shuttered. In her cramped Hong Kong apartment that has served as a studio, stage and gym for the past six months, ballerina Irene Lo fastens her
pointe shoes and effortlessly lifts one leg into a full split. “We’re all missing the stage so much,” she tells AFP. “I did zero shows so far and most of my teaching has been cancelled,” said Lo, 42, who has multiple lead roles under her belt including Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Clara in The Nutcracker. She is currently missing out on the HK$20,000 (RM10,709) per performance she would usually make before the virus hit, while video lessons bring in barely half of what she earned from in-person classes. Hong Kong bills itself as one of Asia’s top performing arts cities, although its cultural dominance has been eclipsed in recent decades by the artistic rise of mainland China and South Korea. Artistes and performers now complain that
Professional ballerina Lo practising in the living room of her Hong Kong flat.
A journey of eight million steps THE series Walking the Yangtze with Ash Dykes, a two-part traveladventure show following explorer and extreme athlete Ash Dykes (right) on his record-setting journey as the first person to ever walk the entire length of the Yangtze River, will premiere on National Geographic on Oct 20 and 27 at 9pm. Pushed to the limit in this 6,437km challenge, Ash travels an estimated eight million steps from the Yangtze’s source in the melt-waters of the Jianggendiru Glacier high up on the Tibetan Plateau, to its delta where it meets the East China Sea in Shanghai. Undeterred by the river’s sheer length, the perilous terrain, extreme weather, and a multitude of dangers, Dykes pushes on to make a new entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Follow along as Dykes deals with a series of trials, including being stopped by local police, followed by a pack of wolves, and interrupted by a blizzard and landslide.
the city’s government has provided little in the way of vital subsidies or support to keep their livelihoods going. While the recession-hit city has released billions in subsidies and job retention schemes, many performers are freelancers and are ineligible. “In the entertainment circle, there’s no help at all,” complained Rock Fang, a 42-year-old hip-hop dancer and teacher who says he has lost 80% of his income since the virus struck. He says his sole payout has been a one-off payment of HK$10,000 (RM5,354.80) that all permanent residents received. Kitty Wong, 24, dreamt of the limelight after graduating from theatre school in May but currently works in a liquor shop to make ends meet. But she still practises at home, reciting by heart her favourite monologue from the play Saint Joan. For now, all she can do is wait and hope that audiences will one day return to theatres. “I would say maybe it’s not my time,” she says. “So I will just wait until my time comes.” – AFP-Relaxnews
Some of the more notable moments from the show include: 0 Experiencing everything from altitudes above 5,000m to temperatures as low as -20°C; 0 Traversing the deep canyons, broad plateaux, steep mountains and plunging valleys; 0 Facing extreme isolation as his crew are struck with altitude sickness and leave him to face the mission unsupported;
0 Persisting in navigation despite poor instructions, partial satellite guidance, and no reliable local information; 0 Avoiding animal attacks, poisonous insects and the ferocious Tibetian Mastiffs that protect their owners and territory as if their lives depend on it; 0 Learning to sing Huangmei opera and performing for the locals in the square.
The life of Ghosn FUGITIVE auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn (below) and his wife will take part in a documentary and a miniseries about his life, according to co-producers Alef One of France and MBC of Saudi Arabia. The ex-Nissan chief was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on financial misconduct charges and spent 130 days in detention, before he dramatically jumped bail and smuggled himself out of the country late last year. The 66-year-old businessman for the first time appeared in public in Lebanon in January, claiming he was a victim of a plot by
Nissan and Japanese officials. The documentary and six-part series will trace Ghosn’s colourful story, “from his status as one of the most powerful bosses in the automobile industry to that of Japan’s most wanted fugitive after his escape to Lebanon where he now resides,” the producers said. “Both productions will include exclusive contributions by Carlos and Carole Ghosn,“ they said in a statement. Shooting for the documentary started last month in Beirut and is to continue until the end of the year on location in France, Japan and the United States, said the producers, and will include interviews with the Ghosn couple and other key figures. As director, they hired Briton Nick Green, whose documentary work includes A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad. The six-episode Ghosn series, to be shot in 2021, will be directed by Charlotte Brandstrom. – AFP-Relaxnews
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Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SHAH ALAM (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. BA-28NCC-231-05/2020
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Home Repairs Maintainance
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KIDS COLONY SDN. BHD. 201301035302 (1065130-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up)
Home Repair
At a General Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company held on 13-10-2020, the following special resolution was duly passed:-
Expert Plumbing, Tiling, Wiring and A/Cond
“THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr. Lai Chung En and Ms. Chan Bee Lee (f) of StanleyCo Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd., Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor be and are hereby appointed as Liquidators for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given under section 456 and the Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016.”
From RM60 onward Call :
017-320 8888
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Dated this 16-10-2020 LEE KIT MEI (F) Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KIDS COLONY SDN. BHD. 201301035302 (1065130-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up)
Distributors Agents Wanted
Notice is hereby given that the Creditors of the above Company, which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 16-11-2020 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and of any security held by them and the names and addresses of their Solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidators at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidators are by their Solicitors or personally to come and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved. Dated this 16-10-2020 CHAN BEE LEE (F) LAI CHUNG EN Liquidators
NOTICE To whomever with knowledge of and/or information in relation to the biological mother of a baby boy born in Hospital Alor Star at Bandar Alor Setar, 05100 Alor Setar, Kedah, on 15.10.2003, 4.47pm, kindly contact Messrs Kee Sern, Siu & Huey by or before 30.10.2020. Tel: (03) 9212 2688 PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO: PA-38-220-06/2020 Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 0799SC2016021453 bertarikh 05/07/2016 ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah HSD 46851 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 ANTARA Public Bank Berhad (No. Syarikat: 6463-H)
...PLAINTIF
DAN Ong Chin Teng (No. Kad Pengenalan: 820816025010)
...DEFENDAN
Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di PULAU PINANG mengenai Perintah Jualan dan Perintah bertarikh 19 November 2019 dan 3 September 2020, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan AKAN MENJUAL SECARA LELONG AWAM Pada Hari Khamis, 5 November 2020, Pada Jam 11:00 pagi, SECARA ELEKTRONIK Dl LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan agar membuat carian Hakmilik secara rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanggungan, bebanan serta mengenal pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum jualan lelongan dijalankan. Sila layari https://elelong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK: No. Hakmilik No. Lot Mukim / Daerah / Negeri Pegangan No. Petak/No. Tingkat/No. Bangunan Keluasan Tanah Pemilik Berdaftar Syarat Nyata Sekatan Kepentingan Bebanan I Lain-Lain
: : : : : : : : : : : :
HSD 46851 PT 1289 15 / Seberang Perai Selatan / Pulau Pinang Hakmilik Kekal 1216.00 kaki persegi 113.00 meter persegi Ong Chin Teng Rumah Teres
LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH : Hartanah tersebut adalah Single storey Intermediate terraced house yang beralamat pos di 89, Lorong Hijauan Valdor 41, Hijauan Valdor, 14200, Sungai Jawi, Pulau Pinang. HARGA RIZAB : Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu harga rizab sebanyak RM 330,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: TIGA RATUS TIGA PULUH RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank Draf di atas nama PUBLIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya kepada PUBLIC BANK BERHAD dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120) hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:Firma Guaman : Alamat : No. Telefon No. Fax No. Rujukan
: : :
WONG-CHOOI & MOHD NOR NO. 27, 1ST & 2ND FLOOR JALAN MAJU JAYA PUSAT PERNIAGAAN MAJU JAYA, 14000, PG, MY 04-5398855 04-5395855 WCMN(BM)/PBB-HL/2019-433/OCT(RS/j)
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Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF
1) ASTAJAN DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD. (284354-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) 2) DARUL BAYU SDN. BHD.(241570-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) 3) LIRA SDN. BHD.(140223-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) duly convened and held at Business Suite 19A-19-2, Level 19, UOA Centre, 19 Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan on 13th October 2020, the following resolutions were duly passed: 1) SPECIAL RESOLUTION MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARILY WINDING-UP ‘THAT approval be and is hereby given for the Company to be wound up voluntarily by way of members voluntarily winding up in accordance with Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016’. 2) ORDINARY RESOLUTION – APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR ‘THAT Mr. Yow Yew Voon of Business Suite 19A-19-2, Level 19, UOA Centre, 19 Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up’. Chairman Dated : 16th October 2020 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF 1) ASTAJAN DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD. (284354-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) 2) DARUL BAYU SDN. BHD.(241570-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) 3) LIRA SDN. BHD.(140223-D) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovementioned Companies which are being voluntarily wound up, are required, on or before 16th November 2020 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and the addresses of the their solicitor (if any) to the undersigned liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. LIQUIDATOR YOW YEW VOON Busines Suite 19A-19-2, Level 19 UOA Centre, 19 Jalan Pinang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan
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IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF AIMPRO EVENTS & SERVICES SDN. BHD. 201801033461 (1295488-U) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding Up) At a General Meeting of the Member of the abovenamed Company held on 13-10-2020, the following special resolution was duly passed:“THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr. Lai Chung En and Ms. Chan Bee Lee (f) of StanleyCo Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd., Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor be and are hereby appointed as Liquidators for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given under section 456 and the Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016.” Dated this 16-10-2020 LEM CHU HONG (F) Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF AIMPRO EVENTS & SERVICES SDN. BHD. 201801033461 (1295488-U) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding Up) Notice is hereby given that the Creditors of the above Company, which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 16-11-2020 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and of any security held by them and the names and addresses of their Solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidators at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidators are by their Solicitors or personally to come and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved. Dated this 16-10-2020 CHAN BEE LEE (F) LAI CHUNG EN Liquidators
Dated : 16th October 2020
Dalam perkara BINA PURI CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT: 181471-P) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan 466 Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat, 1972 ANTARA RNC INTEGRAL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT: 436178-D) … PEMPETISYEN DAN BINA PURI CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT: 181471-P) … RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 21 Mei, 2020, dikemukakan oleh RNC INTEGRAL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya dibicarakan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Shah Alam pada 2 November, 2020. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di di Lot 515, Block A, Kelana Business Centre, 97 Jalan SS 7/2, 47301 Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan LY Yang & Co., beralamat di A3-3-5, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. T.T ……………………………….. Tetuan LY Yang & Co Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA : Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan LY Yang & Co yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12pm pada 1 haribulan November 2020 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan LY Yang & Co., peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3-3-5, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
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Notices
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Notices
Tel : 016 2099 807 Faks : 03-2726 8827 E-mel : [email protected]
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM GUAMAN NO: BA-A72NCvC-1387-08/2020
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM GUAMAN NO: BA-A72NCvC-1389-08/2020
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM GUAMAN NO: BA-A72NCvC-1385-08/2020
ANTARA
ANTARA
ANTARA
KOI TROPIKA JOINT MANAGEMENT BODY (No. Daftar: MPSJ/COB PC 0035) …PLAINTIF DAN
KOI TROPIKA JOINT MANAGEMENT BODY (No. Daftar: MPSJ/COB PC 0035) …PLAINTIF DAN
KOI TROPIKA JOINT MANAGEMENT BODY (No. Daftar: MPSJ/COB PC 0035) …PLAINTIF DAN
NUR SHAREEN BINTI MOHD ZAINI (No. K/P: 790929-10-5514) …DEFENDAN
RAVI A/L KRISHNASAMY (No. K/P: 661201-10-5617) … DEFENDAN
1.TAN SIEW KEAM (No. K/P: 780522-12-5100) 2.TAN TWAN KHA (No. K/P: 820831-12-5247) … DEFENDAN-DEFENDAN NOTIS
NOTIS
NOTIS
Kepada: 1.TAN SIEW KEAM (No. K/P: 780522-12-5100)
Kepada:NUR SHAREEN BINTI MOHD ZAINI (No. K/P: 790929-10-5514)
Kepada: RAVI A/L KRISHNASAMY (No. K/P: 661201-10-5617)
2.TAN TWAN KHA (No. K/P: 820831-12-5247)
SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam, dalam Guaman No. BA-A72NCvC-1389-08/2020 oleh Koi Tropika Management Body (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di Management Office, Koi Tropika Serviced Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar caj penyelengaraan dan ‘sinking fund’ atas hartanah di alamat, Unit D-23-08, Block D (Taisho), Koi Tropika Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, faedah dan kos.
SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam, dalam Guaman No. BA-A72NCvC-1385-08/2020 oleh Koi Tropika Management Body (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di Management Office, Koi Tropika Serviced Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar caj penyelengaraan dan ‘sinking fund’ atas hartanah di alamat, Unit C-18-01 Block C (Shusui), Koi Tropika Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, faedah dan kos.
SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam, dalam Guaman No. BAA72NCvC-1387-08/2020 oleh Koi Tropika Management Body (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di Management Office, Koi Tropika Serviced Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar caj penyelengaraan dan ‘sinking fund’ atas hartanah di alamat, Unit E-08-01, Block E (K-Boulevard), Koi Tropika Condominium, Batu 13 ½, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, faedah dan kos. DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 24.08.2020 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui pos berdaftar ke alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam dan mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa tujuh (7) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 14 haribulan Oktober, 2020
DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 25.08.2020 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui pos berdaftar ke alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam dan mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa tujuh (7) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 14 haribulan Oktober, 2020
…………t.t………… TETUAN A. BASKARAN & CO Peguamcara Plaintif
………t.t……… TETUAN A. BASKARAN & CO Peguamcara Plaintif
NOTIS ini telah diisukan oleh Tetuan A. Baskaran & Co, peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit 2-1, The Cube, Jalan 6/18A, Taman Mastiara, Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Ruj:ABC.1706/K.30.6/BAS/L/PMT/2020 Tel: +603-6179 4711 Fax: +603-6179 5711 Emel: [email protected]
NOTIS ini telah diisukan oleh Tetuan A. Baskaran & Co, peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit 2-1, The Cube, Jalan 6/18A, Taman Mastiara, Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Ruj:ABC.1708/K.30.8/BAS/L/PMT/2020 Tel: +603-6179 4711 Fax: +603-6179 5711 Emel: [email protected]
DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 24.08.2020 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui pos berdaftar ke alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada alamat terakhir kamu, menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam dan mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa tujuh (7) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 14 haribulan Oktober, 2020 …………t.t……… TETUAN A. BASKARAN & CO Peguamcara Plaintif NOTIS ini telah diisukan oleh Tetuan A. Baskaran & Co, peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit 2-1, The Cube, Jalan 6/18A, Taman Mastiara, Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Ruj:ABC.1701/K.30.1/BAS/L/ PMT/2020 Tel:+603-61794711 Fax:+603-61795711 Emel:[email protected]
NOTICE NOTICE 2020 Pre-University / Diploma / University Scholarship. The Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Teo Chew Association Scholarship Fund Committee Members of this Association (other than members of this commitee) & other children of poor Malaysian families who have fulfilled entry Qualifications to local or overseas universities / colleges of Higher learning & currently pursuing courses in such universities, colleges but not enjoying any scholarship from other institutions, may apply to the committee for the above scholarship. Application forms are obtainable from the Secretariat of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Teo Chew Association Scholarship Fund Committee, at Level 13A, Menara Teo Chew, No. 1, Jalan Lumut, 50400 Kuala Lumpur & completed forms together with relevant documents must be submitted to the above address on or before 14th November 2020. Any late application will not be entertained. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF JAMIN MARKETING SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200501025984 (708117-P) (Incorporated in Malaysia) (IN LIQUIDATION) (MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members held on 12 October 2020, the following resolutions were duly passed :1. Special Resolution - Winding Up “That the Company be wound up voluntarily.” 2. Ordinary Resolution Appointment of Liquidator “That Mr. Chun Chia Kai of Block C, Lot C-7-1 (Level 9), Menara Uncang Emas (Ue3), 85, Jalan Loke Yew, 55200 Kuala Lumpur be appointed liquidator of the Company.” CHAIRMAN ............................ YOONG CHOI HAR Dated : 16 October 2020 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND JAMIN MARKETING SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200501025984 (708117-P) (IN LIQUIDATION) (MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntary winding up, are required, on or before 12 November 2020 to send their names and address with particulars of their debts and claims, and the names and address of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said liquidator, are, by their solicitors and personally to come and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. CHUN CHIA KAI LIQUIDATOR BLOCK C, LOT C-7-1 (LEVEL 9) MENARA UNCANG EMAS (Ue3) 85, JALAN LOKE YEW 55200 KUALA LUMPUR Dated this 16 day of October 2020
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF: LABA UTAMA SDN. BHD. (204953-U) (In Members’ Voluntarily Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the Company will be held at Business Suite 19A-19-2, Level 19, UOA Centre, 19 Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan on Tuesday 17th November 2020 at 10.00am for the following purposes: i) To receive an account from the Liquidation showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. ii) To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidators thereof, shall be disposed of. Yow Yew Voon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Dated : 16th October 2020 NOTE: A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on his behalf. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing the proxy must be deposited with the Liquidator at the abovementioned address at least forty-eight hours before the time appointed for the Meeting.
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BRIEFS McIlroy likes Masters tuneups RORY MCILROY is looking for two good weeks of Masters preparation starting today at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek even as he tries to emulate Bryson DeChambeau’s ballblasting style. The four-time major winner from Northern Ireland, who could complete a career Grand Slam by winning the green jacket next month at Augusta National, has not played since last month’s US Open was won by DeChambeau. “I’m excited, after three weeks, to get back at it again,” McIlroy said. “With how good the greens are here and how slopey, how fast and how the course is set up, it’s actually not a bad place to prepare for Augusta. McIlroy plans on sneaking in a couple of trips to Augusta for practice rounds before the Nov 12-15 event. “I’ve heard it can be beautiful in November,” McIlroy said. “I’ve heard it can be quite cold. I think it’s really luck of the draw what weather we get. It’s something we’re just going to have to adapt to.”
… and tries the Bryson's way SOMETHING all golf stars are adapting to is the success of Bryson DeChambeau, whose style of driving as far as possible no matter where the ball lands produced a US Open triumph. “He’s just trying to move as fast as he can, and it’s trying to get your body used to moving that way and sort of making the target irrelevant for a time being,” Rory McIlroy said. “He’s definitely the most talked about man in golf right now.” And McIlroy is paying attention. “From what I’ve done and what I’ve been trying – sort of experimenting with the last couple weeks – it’s the fastest I’ve ever moved the club, the fastest my body has ever moved,” McIlroy said. “I think it’s the way the game’s going. I’m just trying to keep up with the way it’s going.”
… as loaded field looms in LA DEFENDING champion Justin Thomas returns to action at this week’s CJ Cup in Las Vegas where four of the world’s top six players head an elite field warming up for next month’s Masters. Initial favourite Dustin Johnson withdrew from the no-cut, 78-player event after a positive Covid-19 test but even without the world No. 1 the tournament has a very strong field. Joining world No. 3 Thomas at Shadow Creek are Spaniard Jon Rahm (two), Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (four), PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa (six) and Xander Schauffele (eight). Thomas is hoping to increase his speed and distance over the next two weeks before he takes time off ahead of the Masters. “The absolute No. 1 thing is I’m continuing to stay injury-free,” said Thomas, who has won the event twice in its three-year existence. “But if I can do that while incorporating some more speed, then that’s big.”
Nortje clocks in at 156kph as Capitals down Royals SOUTH AFRICAN quick Anrich Nortje (below) clocked the fastest ball of the Indian Premier League at 156.22kph and claimed two key wickets to help Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by 13 runs yesterday. Nortje bowled England’s Jos Buttler, for 22, and Robin Uthappa, for 32, as Royals faltered in their chase of 162 to manage just 148 for eight in Dubai. Nortje, who was ably supported by fellow Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada, consistently bowled at over 145kph through his four overs of fearsome pace in a match where Royals quick Jofra Archer returned figures of 3-19. “No idea I bowled at 156ks tonight but good to hear it,” said man of the match Nortje. Delhi skipper Shreyas Iyer made 53 and opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 57 as Delhi scored 161 for seven after electing to bat first. In reply, England’s Ben Stokes hit an attacking 41 but the knock went in vain as the Steve Smith-led Royals lost regular wickets and managed just 25 runs from their last five overs.
22 theSUN ON FRIDAY | OCTOBER 16, 2020 SPORTS
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A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad
Azzurri lose top spot I
SIDENETTING Brazil win tainted, says Peru president
… but keep De Boer’s Oranje waiting for first win TALY lost top spot in their Nations League group after a 11 draw against the Netherlands in Bergamo yesterday. The Azzurri had won 1-0 in Amsterdam last month but have now been held in three of their last four matches, including Sunday’s goalless draw against Poland in Gdansk. Roberto Mancini’s side drop to second in League A, Group 1 on six points, one behind the Poles who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0. The Netherlands are third with five points, with all still to play for as three teams chase a place in the competition finals with two group games left in November. “We will win the next two,” warned Italy coach Roberto Mancini. “The match against Poland will not put pressure on us: we will
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win the next two and qualify.” Italy broke through after a quarter of an hour with Nicolo Barella splitting the Dutch defence with a pass for Lorenzo Pellegrini, who made no mistake from close range. But Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek drew the Dutch level less than 10 minutes later when he fired home on the rebound from Memphis Depay’s shot. Ciro Immobile missed two chances to put the hosts ahead with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen denying the Lazio striker shortly before Van de Beek struck, and again just after the hour mark. “They changed their tactical setup,” said Mancini, who extended his unbeaten run as Italy coach to 19 matches.
“It hasn’t happened to us for a long time. It was a hard-fought game, we had the best opportunities. “The Netherlands are a strong team, we knew it was going to be a tough match.” New Dutch coach Frank de Boer has not yet won since taking over after Ronald Koeman’s departure for Barcelona. But de Boer was pleased with how his side pushed the Italians, despite missed opportunities with a Luuk de Jong’s free header off target before the break and Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Depay on 55 minutes. “I’m quite disappointed because we want to finish first,” said de Boer. “We had to win, unfortunately it didn’t happen. But on the other hand I can say that it was positive
because if we play like tonight, it gives us confidence and bodes well for the future.” The Italian national team was playing in Bergamo for the first time in 14 years, the match also a tribute to a region devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. “We are sorry not to have won for this city that hosted us,” said Mancini. Only 1,000 spectators were allowed into Atalanta’s Gewiss Stadium, including 243 mayors from the Bergamo province and front-line health workers who have grappled with the pandemic. Both teams have two fixtures left with Italy hosting Poland on Nov 15 and the Netherlands at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the final round of games three games later. – AFP France’s Kylian Mbappe (right) reacts as he scores past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic during their UEFA Nations League Group A3 match at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb yesterday. – AFPPIX
PERU’S 4-2 loss to Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifiers was tainted by the referee’s “gross errors” and should be reviewed and corrected, Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra said yesterday. The action-packed game at Lima’s National stadium on Wednesday was level until the last few minutes when Brazil scored two decisive goals. The Brazilians won 4-2 with the help of two penalties, both converted by Neymar, and a stoppage-time fourth goal that came after Peruvian defender Carlos Zambrano was sent off for elbowing an opponent. “Unfortunately, I have to speak as a fan, as a citizen; the (Chilean) referee threw a finely poised game off balance,” Vizcarra said. “May FIFA, through its own internal measures, correct these resounding mistakes that affected the team, affected the fans and the whole country. We still have hopes of qualifying for the finals, (and we are) hoping that the gross errors that changed the game are not repeated in the future,” he added.
Lewandowski stars for Poland ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI showed his predatory instincts as he scored two superb goals to help Poland to a 3-0 home rout of 10-man Bosnia in their Nations League top-tier Group 1 match yesterday. The Bosnians were on the back foot from the start but their task was made more difficult in the 15th minute after central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic was shown a straight red card for tripping Lewandowski with the striker through on goal. Lewandowski broke the deadlock with an unstoppable shot in the 40th minute, as Kamil Jozwiak teed him up with some neat footwork. Karol Linetty made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime with a clever downward header into the far corner past goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic. Lewandowski put the icing on the cake for the home side with another trademark finish in the 52nd minute.
PSG-United clash to go ahead
Mbappe strike maintains Les Bleus unbeaten run FRANCE stretched their unbeaten run against Croatia to eight games after a late goal by Kylian Mbappe gave the world champions a 2-1 win in their Nations League top-tier Group 3 match yesterday. The result left France second in the group on 10 points from four games, behind Portugal on goal difference after the European champions brushed aside Sweden 3-0. Croatia have three points and the Swedes none. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 World Cup final before defeating them by the same score in last month’s reverse Nations League fixture. “We knew we’d be in a real battle,” France
coach Didier Deschamps told French TF1 television. “We started very well and it’s a pity we didn’t go two goals clear as Kylian had a big chance. We did what we needed to do in the second half. “It’s not because we won a trophy in 2018 that you win by clicking your fingers. You have to look at the way the opponents play too.” Antoine Griezmann fired France into an eighth-minute lead but Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic equalised 20 minutes after the break. Substitute Paul Pogba missed a sitter for France before the visitors secured victory 11 minutes from time.
It was a crafty three-touch move as Pogba found Lucas Digne with a long pass from inside his own half and the left back volleyed a cross into the penalty area for Mbappe to slide in and steer the ball past keeper Dominik Livakovic. Croatia defender Dejan Lovren rued his team’s concentration lapses. “France are ruthlessly efficient and they will punish you every time you switch off, even for a split second,” he told reporters. “Playing against them is very frustrating because you can be as entertaining as you like but to no avail. The three points is all that matters.” – Reuters
Portugal brush off Ronaldo absence to outclass Sweden GOALS from Bernardo Silva and a brace from Diogo Jota gave Portugal a comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden in the Nations League yesterday as the hosts made light of the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo due to a positive Covid-19 test. Ronaldo’s only contribution to the game was a post on Instagram around kickoff time urging on his teammates as he remained in quarantine, and they proved more than equal to the task. Silva opened the scoring in the
21st minute as Portugal won the ball back in the middle of the field and quickly countered, with Jota firing a pinpoint pass to Silva in the penalty area for a perfect first-time finish. Jota got on the scoresheet just before halftime, lashing home Joao Cancelo’s cross from deep on the right to make it 2-0, and he added a superb third with a solo run and thumping shot in the 71st minute. “It was an excellent night, one of my best performances,” Jota said after the match.
“Representing my country for a second time and putting in a performance like this? It was a great result against Sweden and it wasn’t easy. We can be proud. “Pressure to replace Ronaldo? No, we are professionals and if the coach chooses 11 players to take to the field, those are the ones who have to work.” Teammate Bruno Fernandes says it felt like business as usual despite not having the Juventus star leading the attack. “We were not asked to play any
differently (without Ronaldo), our ambition remains the same,” the Manchester United midfielder told reporters. “The team has great values but it is obvious that it is easier to win with the best in the world.” With 10 points from four games, Portugal top Group 2 in League A on goal difference ahead of France, who beat Croatia 2-1 in Zagreb. The Swedes are bottom of the group after slumping to four straight defeats. – Reuters
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S Champions League opener against Manchester United next week will go ahead, but without spectators, despite the French government introducing a nighttime curfew in the capital, the country’s sports ministry told AFP. “Exemptions will be possible, with or without spectators depending on the time,” the ministry said yesterday when asked about sporting events going ahead after President Emmanuel Macron earlier announced the curfew. Residents in Paris and its surrounding region will not be allowed to be outdoors between 9pm and 6am from tomorrow, for a duration of at least four weeks, except for essential reasons. The curfew will therefore not stop the Champions League game at the Parc des Princes from going ahead, but will ensure that it does so behind closed doors.
Napoli to appeal no-show punishment NAPOLI are to appeal the 3-0 defeat and one-point deduction imposed by the Italian league on Wednesday for failing to turn up for their Serie A clash at Juventus earlier this month because of two coronavirus cases. The Serie A disciplinary commission ruled that there had been no “force majeure” preventing Napoli from travelling despite two players testing positive and the team in isolation. “Napoli have always respected the rules and the law,” the team said on Twitter. "(The team) confidently awaits the outcome of the appeal, firmly believing in justice.”
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EVENTY-TWO HOURS after their radical plans for major changes in English football became public, the American owners of Liverpool and Manchester United were given a blunt reminder on Wednesday of the simple reality of the very power structure they have sought to overturn. “Project Big Picture” called for the biggest six clubs in the Premier League, along with three other long-term members, to be given “special voting rights” that would effectively put them in command of the world’s most commercially successful league – and leave the rest as second-class passengers. But the obvious problem was that in order to bring that power shift about, 14 votes out of 20 clubs were needed and unsurprisingly the turkeys didn’t vote for Christmas. Given such a clear and obvious obstacle, the plans to reduce the size of the League from 20 to 18 and hand a bigger share of revenue and power to the biggest clubs, were destined to fail, and the question is why were obviously intelligent businessmen engaged in such a Kamikaze mission? The plan’s backers appear to have badly miscalculated how public opinion and the
After Premier League ceasefire – wooing or war? Rejection of Project Big Picture likely just a pause ahead of future battles. government would react to their proposals but even as they lick their wounds, the indications are that they are ready to fight on. Sources close to the project argue that the Premier League’s announcement of a new strategic review of the game’s structures and finances would not have happened without their efforts and they believe that process will allow them to push forward with their proposals. Indeed, far from being a definitive end to talk of power-shifts and even breakaways, Wednesday’s rejection of the project, is likely just a ceasefire ahead of future battles.
Clarke stays calm as confident Scotland roll on STEVE CLARKE believes Scotland have to stay calm ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 playoff final in Serbia after stretching an unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-0 Nations League win over the Czech Republic yesterday. Ryan Fraser scored the only goal at Hampden as Clarke’s men took a commanding grip on Nations League Group B2, holding a four-point lead over the Czechs with two games remaining. Winning the group could lead to a playoff to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, but Scotland’s immediate focus is on reaching a first major tournament for 22 years when they travel to Serbia on Nov 12. “We’re aware of how big the game is next month,” Clarke told Sky Sports. “It’s important to stay focused, calm, stick to what we are good at and improve again.” Scotland are beginning to reap the rewards of Clarke’s ability to organise a defence as they recorded a third clean sheet in a week after seeing off Israel on penalties in the Euro playoff semifinals and another 1-0 victory over Slovakia in the Nations League. “It shows the tweak we made last month seems like the right decision,” Clarke added on his switch to a 5-32. The home side had to ride their luck after smart play by Lyndon Dykes teed up Fraser to slot home the only goal on six minutes. “It just shows we’ve got the chance to come together and be successful,” said Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, who deputised for Robertson as captain. “The first thing we had to sort was keeping clean sheets, three clean sheets (in a row) is brilliant. “Hopefully we can use this as confidence going into the Serbia game.” – AFP
But if the big clubs are to get their way on their main issues of priority – a smaller League with less games and more power and money for the “star attractions” – they will now realise they face a formidable opposition. But while the Premier League’s condemnation of the plan was predictable, Football League chairman Rick Parry appeared surprised that the government immediately denounced the proposal as a “backroom deal”. The media chose to focus on the “power grab” aspect of the proposals while the main fans’ group, the FSA, portrayed the help for the
lower-leagues as a “sugar-coated cyanide pill offered up by billionaire owners who do not understand or care about our football culture”. It would be no surprise if John W Henry and Joel Glazer, the American owners of Liverpool and Manchester United, now set out to woo the ambitious middle-layers of the Premier League who fancy they might one day be among the elite. The only alternative, other than giving in, is the “nuclear option”, which Parry so noticeably refused to comment on – the threat of a breakaway and the destruction of the League itself. – Reuters
Giggs proud to end tough week on high RYAN GIGGS said he was a “proud” manager after watching his young squad extend their unbeaten run in competitive football to nine games with a 1-0 Nations League win in Bulgaria. Substitute Jonny Williams marked his 25th Wales appearance with his first goal, sweeping home Neco Williams’ near-post cross five minutes from time. The win was achieved without the stellar cast list of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, while other key figures such as David Brooks, Joe Morrell and Kieffer Moore were also absent. “I’m so proud of the players, it was a great performance,” Wales manager Giggs said after watching his side score a late group winner for the third time in four matches. “The players have got to keep believing in the way we play and that’s
not easy. “These young players have not experienced it before, but they kept their concentration and players off the bench made an impact. “I’ve said before it’s just that final bit of composure. We saw it in the second half when we could have scored more goals, but we’ll learn. “It’s a young team and the more you get in those positions the better your decisionmaking becomes. “It’s been a tough week.
Three away games, four different hotels, three Covid tests and a lot of suspensions and injuries. “We’ve had a lot to deal with as a group, but I was so proud of the players.” Although beaten by England in a Wembley friendly last week, Wales have not lost a competitive game since June 2019. It is a run that has included six consecutive clean sheets, with Wales not conceding a goal in over 10 hours of football. “We’re proud of the defensive aspect and that’s the team, not just the defenders or the goalkeeper,” Giggs said. “We want to press from the front and be aggressive, and we’re doing that. “The players put a real shift in. They’ve looked after themselves this week. “I’m really pleased with the result, but we also played some of the best football I’ve seen in a long time.” Finland had taken top spot in Group B4 before Wales kicked off in Sofia by beating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 at home. – The Independent
RESULTS NATIONS LEAGUE League A Group 1: Poland 3 (Lewandowski 40, 52 Linetty 45+1) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0, Italy 1 (Lorenzo Pellegrini 16) Netherlands 1 (Van de Beek 25). Group 2: England 0 Denmark 1 (Eriksen 35-pen), Iceland 1 (B. Saevarsson 17) Belgium 2 (Lukaku 9, 38pen). Group 3: Croatia 1 (Vlasic 65) France 2 (Griezmann 8, Mbappe 79), Portugal 3 (B. Silva 21, Jota 44, 72) Sweden 0. League B Group 1: Norway 1 (Dallas 68-og) Northern Ireland 0, Romania 0 Austria 1 (Schopf 76). Group 2: Scotland 1 (Fraser 6) Czech Republic 0, Slovakia 2 (Hamsík 16, Mak 38) Israel 3 (Zahavi 68, 76, 89). Group 3: Turkey 2 (Calhanoglu 57, Ozan Tufan 76) Serbia 2 (Milinkovic-Savic 22, Mitrovic 49-pen), Russia 0 Hungary 0. Group 4: Bulgaria 0 Wales 1 (J. Williams 85), Finland 1 (Jensen 66) Republic of Ireland 0. League C Group 2: North Macedonia 1 (Alioski 90+3-pen) Georgia 1 (Kvaratskhelia 74), Estonia 1 (Sappinen 14) Armenia 1 (K. Hovhannisyan 8). Group 3: Moldova 0 Slovenia 4 (Lovric 8, Vuckic 37pen, 42, 55), Greece 0 Kosovo 0. Group 4: Belarus 2 (Yablonski 36, Yuzepchuk 90+3) Kazakhstan 0, Lithuania 0 Albania 0.
Wales’s manager Ryan Giggs (right) hugs Jonny Williams after their UEFA Nations League Group B4 match against Bulgaria yesterday. – AFPPIX
Redknapp ‘feels sorry’ for Harry JAMIE REDKNAPP admits he “feels sorry” for Harry Maguire as his nightmarish season escalated yesterday with a red card in England’s 1-0 defeat to Denmark. “I feel sorry for him,” Redknapp said. “It would be easy to rip him apart. He’s having a moment. “He’s having a really bad moment in his career that he is somehow going to have to pull himself together and he’s got a big weekend coming up for him for Manchester United and he’s got to get his confidence back because he is a player really lacking confidence. “There is a lot going on in his life. I think
sometimes we forget that. You can genuinely see he is really struggling with his game at the moment. “I think his confidence is on the floor, it’s obvious. You don’t become captain of Manchester United if you don’t have a lot about you. You have a presence, you have a quality that people like. “Everything I hear about him is he’s a really good lad. But he’s making mistakes I didn’t see him make a couple of years ago. He’s got a lot on his mind, there’s no doubt at all. Some players can handle it. “Some players can play with things going on in their social life and it doesn’t
bother them – that (the pitch) is their sanctuary. But others can’t. They go on there and carry it onto the pitch. “You don’t know what’s going on in people’s minds, we are all very quick to judge, people ripping him apart on social media saying it’s the worst England display. “But you don’t know how someone feels when going onto the pitch. He’s making a lot of individual mistakes. “He has got to pick himself up and show something. He needs a good support system and I have no doubt that he will come through this.” – The Independent
QUOTE OF THE DAY I feel sorry for him. It would be easy to rip him apart. He’s having a moment. He’s having a really bad moment in his career that he is somehow going to have to pull himself together and he’s got a big weekend coming up for him for Manchester United…” Jamie Redknapp on Harry Maguire
FRIDAY • OCTOBER 16, 2020
Southgate hits back at Maguire critics after red card GARETH SOUTHGATE threw his support behind Harry Maguire after the out-of-sorts defender’s costly sending off in England’s shock Nations League loss to Denmark. Three days on from impressively coming back to beat Belgium, Christian Eriksen fired home a controversially-awarded penalty to seal a 1-0 victory in front of empty stands at Wembley. Frustration boiled over after the final whistle as full debutant Reece James was sent off for dissent, but the fallout from England’s first home defeat since September 2018 is sure to focus on Manchester United’s Maguire. Having started the campaign poorly after a truncated pre-season overshadowed by a well-documented Greek court case, the world’s most expensive defender received his marching orders after 31 minutes yesterday. Maguire could have no argument with either booking and Southgate has backed him to come through this sticky period, saying “he has been getting all sorts (of criticism) for a while from people who should know better”. Asked to clarify those comments, the England boss said: “No, I don’t think it needs elaborating on. “But he’s having a difficult period and in these periods you learn a lot about yourself, you learn a lot about other people. You learn who’s there for you in those difficult times. “He’ll come through it, he’ll be a better player and a stronger man for it. He knows there will be criticism after this, and you have to accept that. “To go down to 10 men is costly for the team, but we fully back him, we fully support him. He’s been a top player and is a top player for us. He’ll come through it. “He showed on Sunday why we think so
much of him with his performance against Belgium. He’ll get through this period and he’ll be back to his best.” Southgate says he has no intention of taking Maguire out of the firing line when England next meet up in November. The Three Lions boss has plenty to mull over before then and is sure to have a word with James after his sending off. “The sending off at the end I’m told was for dissent, so that’s obviously something as a young player he has to recognise is not acceptable,” Southgate said of the Chelsea youngster. Captain Harry Kane was disappointed to see England close out the international break by losing to Denmark, but despite the two red cards the captain insists the national team have no disciplinary concerns overall. “There were some decisions that didn’t go our way, but that’s football. From our point of view this is about preparing,” he told Sky Sports after the match. “I know (Maguire) would love to have (the tackles) back and not make them, but it’s part of the learning curve at international level. “Of course he’ll be disappointed but he’ll bounce back, he’s had a few great years at the top level and you have ups and downs in your career. “I don’t think we’ve got discipline issues. The one at the end was just something when you’re a professional athlete and things don’t go your way, that’s what happens. “It was a tough game, the boys gave it everything. After going down to 10 men and conceding the penalty we dug deep, they didn’t create many chances and we had a few ourselves. We’re disappointed we lost but I’m proud of the boys.” – The Independent
England’s Tyrone Mings and Kyle Walker (right) in action with Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen (left) during their UEFA Nations League A2 match at Wembley stadium yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
Double feature
Merseyside derby, Pep vs Arteta headline Premier League restart after international break FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS Click red icon to view interactive of results, standings and match stats.
TOMORROW Everton vs Liverpool Chelsea vs Southampton SUNDAY Man City vs Arsenal (12.30am in Malaysia) Newcastle vs Man United (3am in Malaysia) Sheff United vs Fulham Crystal Palace vs Brighton Tottenham vs West Ham MONDAY Leicester vs Aston Villa (2.15am in Malaysia) TUESDAY West Brom vs Burnley (12.30am in Malaysia) Leeds vs Wolves (3am in Malaysia) HOME AWAY DRAW
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HE English Premier League kicks back into action this weekend with two standout matches. Everton take on Liverpool in a Merseyside derby tomorrow (7.30pm Malaysian time) that has a very different feel. The Toffees are top of the table looking down at their fifth place neighbours, whose last match ended with a 7-2 drubbing from Aston Villa. Carlo Ancelotti’s team have won four out of four this season and will fancy their chances against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds. It will be precisely 10 years ago tomorrow since Everton last won a derby. Midfielder Leon Osman, who was a member of David Moyes’ side that defeated Liverpool 2-0 that faithful day at Goodison Park, believes Ancelotti has brought the feel-good factor back and hopes the 10-year hoodoo can finally be brought to and end. “It’s crazy to think it’s been 10 years since we beat them,” Osman told Sky Sport. “Hopefully with it falling exactly 10 years to the day, it’s a good omen and winning a derby is something
we can put behind us on Saturday. “Bringing in James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure has brought a real belief in the project under Carlo (Ancelotti). “Suddenly, those that were there before have not only raised their game to play alongside them. Players are seeing the direction the club is going in and that generates belief. “It has just taken a transfer window to get the right pieces to fit in to the way Ancelotti wants Everton to play. He’s picked some fantastic players to come in and help take the club forward.” Looking to tomorrow’s game, Osman said: “The team that defends the best will win the game. Both teams have incredible ability going forward but both teams have shown they can improve defensively. “Everton have beaten West Brom 5-2 and Brighton 4-2 so there is still the opportunity to tighten up. Liverpool have just conceded seven so whichever team is better defensively will win the game.” The other standout weekend fixture kicksoffs on Sunday (12.30am Malaysian time) when
Manchester City entertain Arsenal. Pep Guardiola will have to overcome his former assistant Mikel Arteta, who left Manchester to take over at the Emirates in December. The pair’s relationship stretches back over two decades, when Guardiola was winding down his playing career at boyhood club Barcelona and Arteta was following in his footsteps and emerging through the youth set-up, before the duo reunited as manager and assistant manager at City. City cruised to a 3-0 victory in Arteta’s first visit back to the Etihad since being appointing Arsenal manager last year, but he got his revenge with a 2-0 victory in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley in August. But there’s always been mutual admiration between the two. “Guardiola was an influence for me since I was 15 years old and we met at Barcelona, both as players,” Arteta said. “And in my coaching career and my personal life, he has an enormous influence. “If I have to talk about the person he is, his values, the way he has
treated me and how he deals with the players and the staff around him, it’s phenomenal. “As a coach, I have learned so much from him, we have spent some amazing moments together, some difficult ones as well, but the experience next to him has been incredible.” Guardiola has kept up the same respectful and flattering tone since Arteta left to succeed Unai Emery in London. “Arsenal were one of the elite clubs in English football for the last 20, 30 years,” Guardiola said. “I am pretty sure he (Arteta) is the right person to take them back to the position they were. “When the club supports him there is no better person to do the job than Mikel. “I have the feeling he is creating something unique. If he can be supported by the club with investment, get the players they need, they can be contenders for the next years.” The other weekend matches to look out for are Chelsea vs Southampton, Newcastle vs Manchester United and Tottenham vs West Ham. – Agencies
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