œ  INSIDE page TELLING IT AS IT IS First batch of Covid vaccine may not be enough: Expert 4 page Lab-grown meat not suitable for vegans, vegetarians 5 ON MONDAY DECEMBER 21, 2020 No. 7685 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

GENTLE LIFT ... Policemen helping in operations to evacuate residents yesterday after floods hit Kampung Pulau Tempurung in Kemaman, . – BERNAMAPIX Covid casualties █ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR launched various initiatives to help those [email protected] o most badly affected by the economic fallout While the coronavirus has killed many, of Covid-19, but many still fall through the ETALING JAYA: If there is one cracks. person who has witnessed the worst it has also made numerous others broke While the Welfare Department does not of the economic impact of Covid-19, have any data on such cases, the growing it is Pandan Indah state and homeless lines at soup kitchens is a telling sign. Passemblyman Izham Hashim. Volunteers at Kembara Kitchen, a social “I used to get one or two persons coming enterprise that focuses on feeding the to our community service centre every six have seen their income dwindle to almost Last week, The Borneo Post reported that a homeless, have reported an increasing months to ask for help because they faced nothing, leaving them unable to even pay family from Bintulu was found sleeping on a number of families being evicted for failure financial difficulties,” he told theSun recently. utility bills, much less the rent. five-foot-way at a row of shops in Miri Times to pay the rent. “But since the Covid-19 pandemic began Unfortunately, the problem is not Square. Its co-founder William Cheah said job in March, we have had more than three confined to Pandan Indah. There have been The husband and wife had failed to land offers for many have fallen through and persons coming in to beg for help every many reports of families being evicted from jobs as labourers, and after the bus fare savings have dried up. month,” he said. their homes because they were no longer home, they did not have any money left for Pertiwi Soup Kitchen founder Datuk Constituents in Pandan Indah account for able to pay the rent. food. Munirah Abdul Hamid said her a large proportion of the urban poor. A family of five was found “living” at the The situation is dire. Almost 100,000 organisation has begun to “Most are petty traders and hawkers and Awan Besar highway rest stop along the Shah people have already lost their jobs this year. distribute food twice a day in Turn to for every day that they don’t work, they don’t Alam Expressway after being evicted from The unemployment rate hit a high of 5.3% in the hope that her regular “street — get paid.” their rented property, according to a recent April, up from 3.9% in March. clients” will be motivated page 3 Izham said a significant number of them report by news portal Malaysiakini. In response, the government has enough to look for jobs. 2 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Govt pledges justice for deceased firefighter’s family BALING: The government has given to be in the final stage. as the perpetrator of the crime been none.” Jaya Fire and Rescue station, died on an assurance that it will take “An inquest was held in court, the needed to be identified. Since the Takiyuddin said this while Dec 17, 2018 from serious injuries he appropriate action to provide justice coroner or judge hearing it made a verdict says unknown persons, hence commenting on the disappointment sustained during a riot at the Sri to the family of a firefighter, the late verdict that the cause of death was the prosecution could not take any of Muhammad Adib’s family with the Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, said due to criminal action by two or more action. proposal to hold another inquest into on Nov 27 the same year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s unknown persons,” he told reporters “I understand that the the death of the firefighter, because reported. Department (Parliament and Law) after a meeting with the mayor and Attorney-General’s Chambers has they have already been patient for too On Sept 27 last year, the Shah Datuk . heads of local authorities in asked the police to conduct further long to get justice. Alam Coroner’s Court ruled that the He said the Attorney-General’s yesterday. investigations, and I understand Muhammad Adib, 24, who was a firefighter’s death was the result of a Chambers is waiting for the results of “Due to the coroner’s verdict, the that the police have proposed member of the Emergency Medical crime committed by more than two a police investigation, that is believed prosecutor could not charge anyone a new inquest. But so far, there has Rescue Services unit from the Subang unknown persons. ‘Seat distribution statement misinterpreted’

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s statement that seat distribution talks are no longer based on discussions between Umno and PAS but between (BN) and (PN) has been misinterpreted, said BN secretary-general Tan Sri . “What Asyraf Wajdi means is the final consultation, because we respect PAS’ position as a member of PN, and this is what it means,” he told reporters at a food and face mask aid distribution programme for Taman Segar Flats residents in Cheras yesterday. “So, maybe in the negotiations, PAS will be involved but on a PN platform. Similarly, on Umno’s side, it will be BN, so that once negotiations among Umno, MCA, MIC, Parti Bersatu Rakyat (PBRS) are done, then we will already have a framework. “We can then sit together on behalf of BN and also PN, that is at the level of the steering committee and the consultative committee chaired by Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.” According to Annuar, Umno is still in negotiations with PAS and BN component parties, before it is taken to the next stage for discussions between BN and PN. “Negotiations are ongoing and would next be at the coalition level where we will have discussions individually. Umno-PAS, Umno- MCA, Umno-MIC and Umno-PBRS, and the same applies to PN, and they have four parties as well.” – Bernama

Illi Najwa and Manpreet Singh tied the knot in Mithapur near Jalandhar, Punjab, on Wedesday. – PICTURE COURTESY OF TRIBUNE ‘FOLLOW SOP FOR CIRCUMCISION EVENTS’ BANGI: Those intending to hold circumcision events are reminded to adhere to the prescribed standard BRIEFSoperating procedures (SOP) to curb the Govt asks woman to spread of Covid-19. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said organisers are required to make compulsory the wearing of face masks by all those present and to ensure explain religious status they exercise physical distancing throughout the event.. Referring to the Marzuk Shaary said the government is very distribution ceremony for fishermen and “Khatan Is’aadul Usrah 2020”, a circumcision oM’sian to be questioned sensitive about the matter and the woman farmers at Panchor yesterday. programme organised by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah yesterday, he on return from Punjab after will be called as soon as she returns. “Currently, we are thinking positively that said the programme was held in He said the ministry is still waiting for an the woman is still a Muslim but the customs compliance with the SOP set by the marriage to Indian hockey official decision by the Islamic Religious she went through there contradict our National Security Council and the Health Department on the woman’s religious status. religion. If she is still a Muslim, then she must Ministry. – Bernama “We understand that she is from Johor and repent.” team skipper according to preliminary information we Earlier, the media reported that Manpreet obtained, she is still a Muslim and so far, the wedded Illi Najwa in Mithapur near CHERAS BRANCH OF IRB government has not received an application Jalandhar, Punjab. PARTIALLY CLOSED KOTA BARU: The government has asked a from her to marry abroad. Manpreet, 28, wore a Punjabi wedding suit : The sixth and ninth floors Malaysian woman, Illi Najwa Saddique, who “In fact, from what I have read on social complete with turban, while Illi Najwa looked of the Cheras Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is married to Indian hockey team captain media sites, it is said that the woman is still a charming in a Punjabi wedding dress, when branch will be temporarily closed for Manpreet Singh Pawar, to explain their Muslim and the man is said to have converted they exchanged vows. sanitisation from today until further notice. religious status. to Islam at the end of last year, but we will wait This raised questions among “This temporary closure involves all local Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s for confirmation when she returns.” netizens about the woman’s religious status. counters handling tax counselling Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad He said this after a monsoon season aid – Bernama services and special government aid counters dealing with Bantuan Sara Hidup, Bantuan Prihatin Nasional and Geran Khas Prihatin,” it said in a statement yesterday. However, the stamp duty and property Unlimited Valley travel package unveiled gains tax counters on the seventh floor are not affected and will operate as normal KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to encourage Users can purchase the My30 at all Wing of KL Sentral station and Central according to working hours during the domestic tourism, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd customer service counters at Light Rail Market,” it said yesterday. current conditional movement control (Prasarana) has launched the “My30 Plus 30 – Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), KL This package is an initiative announced by order period. Queries can be forwarded to Buy 1, Free 1” package for the purchase of Monorail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri IRB via its Hasil Care Line at 03-8911 1000 or My30 unlimited travel passes, which will be stations in addition to eight selected bus hubs as a domestic tourism recovery 603-8911 1100 (if calling from overseas), available from today until March 31. at Pasar Seni, KLCC, Section 2 , plan, led by the Malaysian Tourism HASiL Live Chat or through the feedback Prasarana said Rapid KL train and bus Greenwood, Sri Nilam, Sunway Pyramid, Promotion Board. The My30 initiative offers form at IRB’s official portal at fast link service users can use the free package for Pearl Point and Utama. unlimited travel via the LRT, MRT, KL https://maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov. renewal next month and the redemption “Redemption for this campaign can only Monorail and Rapid bus services in the Klang my/MaklumBalas/ms-my/. — Bernama period is between Jan 15 and March 31. be made at two locations, namely the East Valley at RM30 per month. – Bernama theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Rail problem with HSR project Economist Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah sees it as the government would not proceed with the “This will ensure that at least some of the oThe line will now end in “odd” considering that the objective of the project given its high cost. money stays in the local economy,” he told HSR is to enhance connectivity between Kuala But in June, Senior Minister for Trade and theSun. Johor instead of Singapore Lumpur and Singapore. Industry Datuk Seri said He said this will not only create “A large number of people travel between both countries have agreed to extend the employment for but also enhance the two countries every day and stopping the deferment of the project until Dec 31. efforts to develop local talents and expertise. █ BY HAKEM HASSAN train in Johor will not reduce the daily Then in November, current Prime Minister He said materials could also be sourced [email protected] commute to Singapore,” he told theSun. Tan Sri announced that locally, and there is always the possibility that However, he concedes that there are Malaysia would continue with the project the line can eventually be extended : Another new development benefits to be reaped as well. “At the very least, without Singapore. northwards, all the way to Bangkok. has added to the already numerous Malaysia will have greater autonomy in He followed this up with another statement “Connectivity between Malaysia and controversies surrounding the High-Speed engaging project partners to handle on Dec 2 saying that both countries have gain Singapore is not an issue. It can be adequately Rail (HSR) project between Kuala Lumpur and construction, and this will make it easier to “a good understanding” of each other’s met by other means, such as the rapid transit Singapore. handle maintenance issues later,” he said. position on the project. system, the Johor Causeway and the Second Reports have emerged that the line will now Singapore and Malaysia agreed to the Rajah believes the issue is not so much the Link. end in Johor rather than Singapore and, project in 2016, but the huge price tag - RM60 benefit the HSR will bring, but more the lack of He said that including Singapore in the according to a report in the news portal The billion to RM70 billion - drew a lot of transparency. package would only enlarge the catchment of Malaysian Insight, Malaysia is prepared to pay criticisms. “When so much money is involved, you passengers for Changi Airport since up to RM300 million in compensation for The original plan was for eight stops from need to be more open,” he said. Malaysians living in the south would rather fly abandoning its southern neighbour. Kuala Lumpur through , Seremban, Transport planning expert and managing from Changi where there are more flights and As expected, some have raised questions Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar director of MDS Consultancy Dr Rosli Azad more choices compared with KLIA. about the rationale for scaling down the Puteri before terminating in Singapore - a Khan said that with Singapore out of the “That would be more to Singapore’s benefit project but others seem unperturbed by the distance of 350km. picture, Malaysia can now insist that all rather than our own. Why surrender out change, preferring to see the benefits rather However, then prime minister Tun Dr component suppliers set up their production international air market to Changi at our own than the drawbacks. announced in 2018 that facilities here. expense?” he asked.

FUN TIME AGAIN ... Zoo Negara greeted its first visitors in months Sunflower field is when it reopened to the public last Friday. It was forced to close in October as the government reintroduced the conditional movement Bagan Datuk’s latest control order in the and Sabah following the third wave of Covid-19 infections. – BERNAMAPIX tourist draw BAGAN DATUK: The public can enjoy the view of a big sunflower farm in Bagan Datuk. The 0.8ha farm in Bagan Sungai Burung offers visitors a panorama of more than 2,000 sunflowers at any given time. According to owner Khor Weng Kiang, 46, an average of 400 people visit the farm everyday to take pictures with the giant sunflowers as well as enjoy activities such as feeding fish and ducks. Khor, who set up the farm with his elder sister and five friends last year, said it is open every day from 9am to 7pm and visitors are charged RM5 to RM13 each according to age. “The idea to open this farm struck us after seeing tourists take pictures using sunflowers grown by the roadside as backdrop,” he said yesterday. “We realised sunflowers are an attraction and we want this farm to become a tourist location in Bagan Datuk.” Since sunflowers have a short life cycle, Khor has to plant them staggered in three lots to ensure the farm does not run out of blooms and disappoint visitors. “Actually, sunflower seeds are very cheap but the cost of caring for the plants is very high because they are always damaged by insects and need optimum care,” said Khor. He said his farm is also the location of choice for many newlyweds. “They are from all races and they come to take photos for remembrance.” - Bernama ‘More can be done Union wants Covid-19 vaccine priority for teachers KUCHING: Teachers in the country should be 19,” he told reporters after STU’s 25th biennial “Some teachers have to use their own given priority as Covid-19 vaccine recipients delegates conference here yesterday. mobile data (to conduct online classes) which for the homeless’ after frontliners. Adam also urged the relevant authorities can be very costly,” he added. Teachers Union (STU) president to expand high-speed internet access to all Adam said STU also suggested that more “But for now, the priority is to ensure that Adam Parkash Abdullah said this is in line with schools in Sarawak and provide internet data Sarawakian teachers be trained as religious they do not go hungry,” she said. United Nations Children Fund’s (Unicef) allowance to teachers to assist them in teachers through the Postgraduate Diploma Bukit Gasing assemblyman recommendation that teachers be given conducting online classes. in Education programme. Rajiv Rishyakaran believes that priority to obtain the vaccine, once available. He said the issues of poor network He said this is to overcome the shortage of From there should be a social safety “Teachers should be given priority after coverage, internet costs and device religious teachers in the state when teachers front net so that no Malaysian frontliners as recommended by the Unicef affordability among students were still very from the peninsula get transferred to their page becomes homeless. due to their risk of getting infected by Covid- significant in the sate. state of choice. - Bernama However, even getting a home under the Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR), or people’s housing programme, can prove impossible for some. Blind couple help others by donating blood Rajiv cited the case of a couple with a 10- year-old daughter whose application for a KUCHING: They are blind but Tazlan Jen, 53, “My wife and I operate a massage and because we never know when we need the house under the programme was rejected only and his wife Nur Atirah Voon Abdullah, 33, reflexology centre and coincidentally, one of same help from others and we are happy to because the wife is a foreigner. have such a big heart to help save the lives of our customers is a blood donor and he asked play a part in helping society,” he said. “The authorities failed to see that the child others that they donated their blood at a us whether we wanted to donate blood. We Tazlan said he was born without any vision was born and raised in Malaysia and the family donation drive at the Kuching South City were excited about it and decided to join the impairment but he began to have nerve is essentially Malaysian,” he said. Council community hall, here, yesterday. effort and that was how we started,” Tazlan damage complications at the age of 25 while As Cheah pointed out, more can be done. It was the third time the couple donated said . being a timber worker and eventually “For instance, there are many abandoned their blood since their first in June this year He said since then, this customer would became blind. flats in the city. These can be converted into after years of keeping their wish but unable pick him and his wife whenever they were Nur Atirah, meanwhile, became blind after halfway homes for the homeless. If only there is to do so as they were unsure of the ready to donate blood. suffering from glaucoma and the couple now the will to start such as initiative.” procedure. “We want to help those in need of blood have three children. - Bernama 4 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS 1,340 new More vaccine doses needed Covid cases, oInitial batch expected to arrive early next year 441 in may be insufficient for population, says expert █ BY NICOLAS ANIL look for more vaccines to procure. [email protected] With this in mind, the new normal PETALING JAYA: The country will continue beyond the first quarter recorded 1,340 new Covid-19 cases PETALING JAYA: While everyone of next year,” he said. yesterday, with Selangor registering waits for the Covid-19 vaccine to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin the highest among states, at 441 arrive next year, a health expert have Yassin recently announced that the cases. cautioned that the supply will not be government will purchase vaccines Health Director-General Tan Sri sufficient for our general population. for 70% of the population, and has Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this As such, he said we may have to inked an agreement with brought the cumulative figure of live with the new norm well into 2021. pharmaceutical firm Pfizer for 12.8 positive cases to 93,309, with 15,563 As the number of cumulative million doses. being active cases. national Covid cases edge closer to Malaysia also confirmed that it has Only three of the new cases were the 100,000 mark, epidemiologist secured a coronavirus vaccine from imported while 1,337 were local Prof Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang AstraZeneca, with a deal to be signed transmissions. Mahmud said the virus is entrenched today for immunisation of about 20% “The Federal Territory of Kuala within our community, and will not of the population. A factory worker getting a nasal swab during Covid screening in Klang. New Lumpur recorded 284 cases, Sabah - disappear just like that. Meanwhile, the Malaysian cases registered daily are expected to remain high due to mandatory testing in 196, Negri Sembilan - 169, Johor - “The infections have taken root Medical Association (MMA) said the some sectors. – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN 156, - 30, - 27 and among Malaysians and non-locals, number of new cases will remain -12,” he said in a statement. and it is now difficult to suppress to high due to mandatory screening of Datuk M. Subramaniam. Subramaniam warned of a further “ detected 10 cases, Kedah lower levels,” he told theSun. foreign workers under a programme He added that a majority of spike during Christmas and New Year had six and Sarawak recorded three, Awang Bulgiba said everyone has by the Social Security Organisation. foreign workers were still living in if the public continues to flout safety while the Federal Territory of to play a part to contain the virus, “Most of the screenings are cramped conditions, and a delay in procedures as they make holiday Putrajaya and Terengganu had two such as wearing face masks and done by doctors at construction addressing this concern will continue arrangements now that inter-state each, and and had practising physical distancing even sites and factories. We have 1.7 to put these workers at risk of travel is allowed. one each.” after the vaccines have arrived. million documented and an infection. “People should take extra care or There were four deaths related to “Only a certain number of vaccine estimated three to four million This is the result of the Teratai they can unknowingly spread Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total doses have been agreed for undocumented foreign workers to cluster, which is the biggest cluster in infections from red zones to green number of fatalities to 437. procurement in 2021. This number is test. It’s the government’s policy to the country with over 5,000 cases zones. Stricter enforcement is also As of noon, 116 patients are under not adequate for our population, so test all workers but it will take involving factory worker dormitories needed to ensure everybody fully intensive care with 57 requiring the government will likely need to time,” said MMA president Prof in Meru, Klang. comply,” he said. ventilator assistance. Meanwhile, 672 people were detained on Saturday for breaching Frontliners, elderly should get priority: Doctor movement control order (MCO) rules. █ BY KONG SEE HOH to reduce the risk of complications Senior Minister (Security) Datuk [email protected] from the coronavirus.” Seri said the Vernacular press digest On the possible side effects from number was more than double the WHO should be among the first to the vaccines for high-risk people who figure of 249 on Friday, indicating receive Covid-19 vaccines? This is an “If you look at other countries, their 40s and 50s accounted for the are suffering from chronic diseases, there are still many who take Covid- issue hotly being debated worldwide, more or less the same high-risk bulk of Covid-19 cases reported in Lai said the overall, the benefits will 19 lightly. but medical experts unanimously groups are given priority for the Malaysia. outweigh the side effects. Of the total, 643 were agree that frontline health workers Covid-19 jab. First priority is given to The highest death rate also “For example, for bronchitis compounded while 29 individuals and high-risk groups should be given medical frontliners, followed by occurred among people in this age patients, we are worried that the were remanded. priority to receive the vaccines. senior citizens who are suffering from bracket, he pointed out. vaccine might produce side effects. “Among the offences committed In giving his thumps-up to such chronic diseases as these people are “If you compare a 35-year-old with But to me, (although) side effects were engaging in activities at priority, family doctor Datuk Dr Lai at increased risk of developing someone who is 75, who is at greater cannot be prevented, not all such entertainment centres (442), not Kwong Choy said after all, the aim of complications once they are infected risk if both are infected with Covid- patients would experience side wearing face masks (90), failing to vaccination is to protect high-risk with the coronovirus.” 19? Surely the 75-year-old. effects. practise physical distancing (78), groups, especially those at higher risk In a China Press report published “Therefore, the vaccines should “Overall, the advantages outweigh failing to provide equipment to of dying from diseases. yesterday, Lai noted that people in be given to them (senior citizens) first the disadvantages,” he said. record customer particulars (37) and others offences (25),” he said in a statement. Seven construction sites Flood boost for roti canai business nationwide which were checked yesterday were found in compliance KEMAMAN: A shop in Kampung not expect video to go viral, with dough was already prepared, I might wonderful memory, especially when with standard operating procedures Seberang Tayor here has become the many people contacting him to get as well continue to make and sell the many residents who were also set to curb the spread of Covid-19. talk of the town after a video details of his location. roti canai. As the rain continued, the affected by the floods stopped by to Ismail Sabri said 89,479 featuring several customers enjoying “On the night before the video, I water started to enter the shop, with eat at his shop. individuals had returned to the roti canai while sitting in knee-deep had prepared almost 10kg of flour more customers arriving.” “The roti canai sold out within country between July 24 and floodwater went viral on Facebook and planned to open the shop as Mohd Khairul, who has been four hours after opening at 7am. Saturday, of which 8,384 were on Saturday. usual,” he said yesterday. selling roti canai since 2018, said it Many came, including the village undergoing quarantine while 532 The owner of the shop ,Mohd But at 5am, the floodwaters was the first time such an incident head, and some even called to make have been sent to hospitals and Khairul Anuar Hamzah, said he did started to rise. I thought since the had taken place and it would be a reservations,” he said. – Bernama 80,563 were sent home. theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Ethical poser over lab-grown meat

regular meat,” she said. disease – should be carefully produced from in-vitro cultivation of oConsumer perception should be carefully “To mimic the real muscle-based assessed.” animal cells. livestock meat with respect to taste, Malaysian Vegetarian Society “It is not about the process of considered, with specific attention on appearance, mouth-feel and president Raj Kumar Sheth said ‘slaughtering’ that makes meat nutritional value would be the focus growth mediums such as fetal bovine unclean for consumption. philosophical and religious issues, say experts to improve the lab-grown meat. serum are added to samples of stem “It is the idea of eating to please “This is currently at the laboratory cells and collagen for the cells to the palate that is by itself unethical.” stage but if it is marketed later, the grow. As for its acceptance in veganism █ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI approval” by Singapore. perception of consumers of this “These mediums come from the and vegetarianism, he said it cannot [email protected] Senior lecturer at the Department product should be carefully blood drawn from cattle fetuses after be accepted. of Food Sciences of Universiti considered, with specific attention on the pregnant cow is slaughtered. “Those who are serious about PETALING JAYA: Lab-grown chicken Kebangsaan Malaysia Dr Salma the philosophical, ethical and Obviously, lab grown meat is not keeping a vegan or vegetarian diet has made a debut in a Singaporean Mohamad Yusop said lab meat is religious issue. vegan/vegetarian and will have would have developed ahimsa and restaurant after the country became cultured or in-vitro meat that is “For Muslim consumers, the ethical issues associated with this,” he sattvic nature and the idea of eating the first to approve the sale of produced by tissue engineering. crucial question is whether cultured said. flesh would be repugnant to them.” laboratory cultured meat. “It is a promising and emerging meat is halalan toyyiban. For “While it is significantly less cruel Ahimsa is an ancient Indian The meat was served at 1880 field in cellular agriculture, still at an example, whether the source of the from our society’s perspective, it still principle of non-violence which Singapore, a private member’s club early stage, but it paves the way for cells of which the meat was cultured involves the killing of animals, just applies to all living beings, while in Robertson Quay, on Saturday. The protein production that are more or grown, and any possible use of fewer of them,” he added. sattvic nature is practised to achieve a lab meat was produced by US start- sustainable, animal welfare- serums and or growth enhancers in Malaysia Hindu Sangam life that is pure, vital, energised, up Eat Just, which was given the conscious, with potential to match lab-grown meat production – that president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan clean, conscious, true, honest and “first-in-the-world regulatory the nutritional aspect of traditional or may be potentially unclean and carry said cultured meat is still meat as it is wise. Ku Nan to know RM2m graft case verdict today Artist raises funds via KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Territories of attention as two other high-profile an interest in and is known to AKSB as being book sale for societies minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku corruption cases – one involving former related to his official duties. Mansor will know his fate on his RM2 million Penang chief minister , 60, and The Putrajaya MP was accused of █ BY NICOLAS ANIL graft case today. the other, Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung committing the offence under Section 165 of [email protected] It comes a day after his 70th birthday Moktar Radin, 60, who is also Sabah Deputy the Penal Code at CIMB Bank Berhad at its yesterday, and how he will live his Chief Minister, and his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Pusat Bandar Damansara branch on June 14, PETALING JAYA: The Society for the Severely septuagenerian life will be determined when A. Samad, 41, would also come up for 2016. He faces imprisonment of up to two Mentally Handicapped (SSMH) and the the High Court gives its decision on the case, mention at separate sessions courts today. years or a fine, or both. Malaysian SLE Association (PSLEM) are hoping whether he walks out of the courtroom a free Tengku Adnan, better known as Ku Nan, On Dec 7, Tengku Adnan was given a to raise close to half a million ringgit to support man or is convicted of the offence. was charged in his capacity as a public discharge not amounting to an acquittal by their associations through the sale of the Birds of All eyes will be on the Kuala Lumpur servant, namely minister of Federal another High Court on a charge of accepting a Malaysia book by bird enthusiast and artist courthouse as Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan Territories, with having received for himself a RM1 million bribe from businessman Datuk Yeow Teck Chai. is expected to deliver his verdict at 9am. total of RM2 million from a businessman, Tan Tan Eng Boon, who had pleaded guilty to an SSMH is an association which attends to the Mohamed Zaini had initially fixed Nov 17 Sri Chai Kin Kong, who is Aset Kayamas Sdn alternative charge of abetting the politician, needs of children with multiple disabilities, for a decision, but it was adjourned following Bhd (AKSB) director, via a Hong Leong and was fined RM1.5 million. Judge Mohd while PSLEM cares for women suffering from enforcement of the conditional movement Islamic Bank cheque belonging to the Nazlan Mohd Ghazali made the decision after Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a chronic control order. company. The amount was deposited into a being informed that the prosecution did not autoimmune disease of unknown cause. Apart from Tengku Adnan’s case, the Kuala CIMB account owned by Tadmansori wish to continue due to new developments in Yeow will donate 80% of his book sales to Lumpur Court Complex will be at the centre Holdings Sdn Bhd, which Tengku Adnan has the case. – Bernama both associations, which will each receive 40%. SSMH president Fadilah Yakin said her association needs RM35,000 a month to run the centre, which cares for 20 teenagers. “We need the funds to run the place and buy equipment. All these teenagers, who come here daily, have multiple disabilities. Some are hearing and sight impaired, and all of them cannot walk. “They all need to be given personalised training programmes, hence the high costs,” she said. Yeow, who is an avid supporter of both organisations, has previously contributed through his painting sales at exhibitions. PSLEM president Dr Heselynn Hussein said the funds from the book sales would go a long way to help women suffering from SLE. “We are still providing subsidies and assistance for needy patients. “Our association exists on funding from well- wishers and corporate bodies, so these funds cover our running costs and our activities,” she said. Stranded siblings to return home YALA: Three Malaysian siblings, stranded in Thailand since last March following the closure of the Malaysia-Thai border due to the Covid-19 pandemic, are expected to return home today. NOSTALGIC EXPERIENCE ... Tourists riding a bullock cart taking in the sights and sounds of Kampung Tambak Bugis, Telok Mas in Malacca. The Muhammad Adam Danel Mohd Rozi, 11, process of making a bullock cart takes about a month to complete provided there are enough materials, especially quality wood to make the body, seven-year-old Muhammad Arash Raihan and wheels and awning. – BERNAMAPIX three-year-old Muhammad Muhaimin Putra, together with their Thai mother, Sakina Museh, 38, will enter Malaysia through the entry point at Sg Golok-Rantau Panjang, in Kelantan. Probe into death threat against Johor police chief “I am very grateful for the assistance by the Consulate-General of Malaysia in Songkhla JOHOR BARU: Police here are investigating a Police view any form of threat or “I am not sure what the issue is about and the Thai government for helping my family death threat sent to their chief, Datuk Ayob intimidation against officers as a serious because I left Bukit Aman a long time ago as to return to Malaysia,” Sakina said. Khan Mydin Pitchay, two weeks ago by matter. the assistant director of the anti-terrorism She took the children back with her to individuals they believe were three members “We received a call two weeks ago by a division of the Special Branch. I do not handle Thailand on March 16 to renew her visa as she of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers (LTTE) member of the public, informing us that the terrorism issues any longer. had no one to leave the children with in group. three men involved were said to be coming to “There are rumours that LTTE wants to be Malaysia, following the death of her husband, Johor police have asked their counterparts Johor from Selangor to kill me. removed from the list of terrorist groups, so I adding that two days later, the Malaysian in Selangor to track down the individuals, “We believe these people are locals am not sure, or maybe there are certain government announced the movement who are said to be in that state, Ayob Khan because the call was made in Bahasa Malaysia parties who want to take the opportunity to control order and closed the border. said yesterday. to a personal assistant in my office. play up the LTTE issue again.” – Bernama – Bernama 6 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS UK says new virus strain ‘out of control’ Susan Hopkins of Public Health England It was a dramatic step-up after Johnson said oLondon and southeast England under strict lockdown told Sky News that the agency notified the last week that it would be “inhuman” to “cancel government on Friday when modelling Christmas” by banning family gatherings, revealed the full seriousness of the new strain. though he urged people to have small LONDON: British health secretary Matt control. We have got to get it under control.” She confirmed the figure given by Johnson celebrations. Hancock said yesterday that the government Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the new virus strain could be 70% more “It is with a very heavy heart I must tell you has imposed a strict Christmas lockdown in on Saturday that millions must cancel transmissible while saying this was an initial we cannot continue with Christmas as London and southeast England because a new Christmas plans and stay home because the figure. planned,” Johnson told the nation. strain of the coronavirus was “out of control”. new strain was spreading far more quickly. The aim of the new restrictions is to slow the “Alas when the facts change, you have to He warned the strict measures could stay in Hancock told Sky News that the situation spread of the new strain to areas where it is not change your approach.” place until the virus vaccine is fully rolled out. was “deadly serious”. yet prevalent. “This virus has taken off, it’s moving fast, and “We acted very quickly and decisively,” “It’s going to be very difficult to keep it under Under the measures that take effect from it’s leading inevitably to a sharp increase in Hancock told Sky News, justifying the “stay at control until we have the vaccine rolled out. yesterday, non-essential shops will be closed in hospital admissions,” said Patrick Vallance, the home” order and closure of non-essential This is what we face over the next couple of London and other affected regions. government’s chief scientific adviser. shops affecting around a third of England’s months.” Only one person from one household will be London mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital population. It emerged that scientists first discovered the allowed to meet one person from another “faces its toughest Christmas since the war” “Unfortunately the new strain was out of new variant in a patient in September. household in a public place, outside. referring to World War II. – AFP Facebook removes CHEER AMID GLOOM ... A woman wearing a anti-vaccine ‘fake news’ protective face mask walks past Christmas decorations TEL AVIV: Facebook has taken down content at Ginza shopping district in that spread lies in Israel against coronavirus Tokyo on Saturday. vaccinations as the government seeks to drum – REUTERSPIX up support for the programme, the justice ministry said yesterday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday became the first person to be vaccinated in Israel. Opinion polls show some two-thirds of the public want to follow suit. The justice ministry said that, at its request, Facebook took down four groups at the weekend that had disseminated texts, photographs and videos with “deliberately mendacious content designed to mislead about coronavirus vaccines”. Such “fake news” included arguments that vaccines would be used to plant government tracking chips in recipients’ bodies, to poison them and thus cull the population or to subject them to medical experimentation, the ministry said in a statement. A Facebook spokesman confirmed that four Hebrew-language groups had been taken down as part of the company’s policy against “spreading misinformation regarding the vaccines”. With a population of nine million, Israel has logged 373,368 coronavirus cases and 3,074 deaths. – Reuters

MODERNA VACCINE BEGINS ROLLOUT NEW YORK: US distribution of Moderna Inc’s Covid-19 vaccine began on Saturday,

BRIEFSwith more than 3,700 sites due to start receiving and administering shots as soon Sydney isolated from rest of Australia as today, vastly widening the rollout CANBERRA: Sydney was isolated from the state border to help enforce the new Sydney will be limited, with household started last week by Pfizer Inc. Amid record rest of Australia yesterday after all of the declaration of greater Sydney as a Covid-19 gatherings capped at 10 participants and coronavirus infections and deaths, Moderna has already moved vaccine country’s states and territories imposed travel hotspot. hospitality venues at 300, among other supplies from its manufacturing plants to restrictions on its residents as a coronavirus South Australia state imposed a 14-day restrictions. warehouses operated by distributor cluster in the city grew to around 70. quarantine for Sydney arrivals yesterday and “We must take this action now to ensure McKesson Corp. Workers on Saturday were The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) sent banned travellers from affected suburbs. we keep on top of this outbreak.” packing vaccines into containers and a stern “do not come to us” message to The island state of Tasmania took similar She also urged people in the greater loading them on trucks. Moderna said a Sydney, the country’s most populous city of steps on Saturday. Western Australia state Sydney area to wear masks in public, panel of outside advisers to the US Centres more than five million people, warning its imposed a hard border closure. although it was not mandatory. for Disease Control and Prevention voted residents they would be quarantined for 14 Travellers from elsewhere in NSW, where “If you’re going grocery shopping on Saturday to recommend its vaccine for days if they arrived. Sydney is the state capital, will require anywhere in NSW, please wear a mask, if use in people aged 18 and older. The “If you are not an ACT resident and have documents showing they are not coming you’re going to a place of worship in NSW, Advisory Committee on Immunisation been in greater Sydney ... our message is from the affected Sydney suburbs if they wish please wear a mask and do not get on public Practices panel voted 11-0 in favour of the simple: do not travel to the ACT,” the ACT to cross state borders. transport unless you’re wearing a mask.” vaccine. – Reuters health department said. About a quarter of a million people in Until last week, Australia had gone more The states of Victoria and Queensland, and Sydney’s northern beach suburbs where the than two weeks without any local SOUTH KOREA REPORTS the Northern Territory, banned people outbreak has occurred have been put into a transmission and had lifted most restrictions RECORD COVID-19 CASES arriving from Sydney as of today. strict lockdown until Christmas Eve. ahead of Christmas. The Sydney outbreak and SEOUL: South Korea reported a record Queensland police will reintroduce road NSW state premier Gladys Berejiklian said border restrictions have thrown Christmas 1,097 new coronavirus cases yesterday as checkpoints at the New South Wales (NSW) yesterday public gathering across the rest of holiday travel plans into chaos. – Reuters the country’s latest wave of Covid-19 worsens. With daily infections over 1,000 for a fifth consecutive day, some medical experts and politicians criticised the Thailand to test over 10,000 people government for being too loose with social BANGKOK: Thailand plans to test more than Pathom, Thailand’s Covid-19 taskforce The new cases include 19 locally distancing rules. The daily total exceeded 10,000 people after a record daily surge in spokesman Taweesin Wisanuyothin said. transmitted cases in Bangkok and in Samut Wednesday’s record 1,076, according to coronavirus cases to over 500, most of which “Active case findings will continue in Sakhon province, where the 516 infections data from the Korea Disease Control and were among migrant workers linked to a several provinces, actually across the country.” were also found. All of them were linked to Prevention Agency. The new cases brought shrimp market near the capital, an official said Thailand, the first country outside China to the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. the total coronavirus infections to 49,665, yesterday. report coronavirus infections, has largely kept There were also 41 imported cases. with 674 deaths as of Saturday midnight. A By Wednesday the authorities aim to the outbreak under control with 4,907 cases Most of the migrant workers in Samut prison in southeastern Seoul had 188 conduct 10,300 tests in the southwest and 60 deaths. Sakhon are from Myanmar, which has inmates and staff infected, bringing the province of Samut Sakhon, where the Thailand yesterday confirmed 576 new suffered a far worse outbreak than Thailand, total number of infections linked to the outbreak appeared, and such nearby infections, including 516 migrant worker where health authorities credit early action facility to 215. – Reuters provinces as Samut Songkhram and Nakhon cases announced locally the day before. with limiting the spread of the virus. – Reuters theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 7 8 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Thailand holds provincial elections Prayuth rejects accusations that overthrown in 2006, has posted on oFirst test of democracy since general election last year he engineered the general election to Twitter to encourage people to keep power. support the party ahead of provincial Although the party backing him in elections, in which powerful families BANGKOK: Thais voted nationwide “It’s my duty to vote,” said 27-year- Polls closed at 5pm. parliament is not formally putting up traditionally hold local sway. yesterday in provincial elections that old bank worker Korkiet Akaraparn, Among the parties putting up candidates in the provincial “I voted for candidates who are mark the first test of democracy since voting in his first provincial election candidates is the Progressive elections, contestants in races across relatives of the former chief,” said a general election last year that drew in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Movement, which has its roots in the the country are making clear their Charoen Buaperm, 60. accusations of manipulation and Bangkok. now banned Future Forward Party of loyalty to his camp. Provincial administrations are helped spawn months of protests. “I hope that there will be new Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. The elections are also a test for the responsible for the provision of local The elections in Thailand’s 76 people from this election who bring Thanathorn had emerged as the Pheu Thai Party linked to populist services and development plans and provinces outside the capital change.” most vocal challenger to Prayuth. former prime minister Thaksin run their own budgets. Bangkok are the first since Prime Polling officials reported a steady When he and his party were Shinawatra. In opposition, it remains The Progressive Movement seeks Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, who turnout despite Thailand’s biggest banned from politics, it prompted the largest party in Thailand’s to devolve more power to provinces kept power after last year’s ballot, daily surge in coronavirus cases on protests demanding the removal of parliament. from Bangkok, which is not yet overthrew an elected government in Saturday in a province outside Prayuth, a new constitution and Thaksin, who rarely comments in holding its own local election. a military coup. Bangkok. reforms to the powerful monarchy. public from self-exile since being – Reuters

SUDAN SENDS TROOPS TO ETHIOPIAN BORDER KHARTOUM: Sudan has sent “significant military reinforcements” to the border

BRIEFSwith conflict-hit Ethiopia, state media said on Saturday, days after the army said troops were ambushed there by Ethiopian forces. Soldiers were deployed in the eastern Al-Fashaqa border region, the site of sporadic clashes, where Ethiopian farmers cultivate fertile land on territory Residents claimed by Sudan. “The Sudanese salvage items armed forces continued to from their advance on the front lines inside destroyed Al-Fashaqa to recapture the stolen lands and take up houses after positions on the international tropical lines,“ Sudan’s Suna news agency depression said. Sudan’s army said troops Vicky hit were attacked on Dec 15 in an Lapu-Lapu City “ambush by Ethiopian forces and in Cebu island militias inside Sudanese on Saturday. territories”. Sudanese media said – AFPPIX four soldiers were killed and 27 wounded. – AFP

FIJI CYCLONE SPARKS DISEASE FEARS SUVA: Disease threatens to worsen an already desperate situation in Fiji, an official warned yesterday, where thousands of lives have been devastated in the wake of the deadly super cyclone Yasa. Agencies rushed food and clean water to areas where the storm smashed into the northern islands of the South Pacific nation on Thursday night, forcing more Eight dead in Philippine floods as thousands flee homes than 23,000 people to flee their homes. Four people died and MANILA: Nearly 10,000 people were Floodwaters reached waist-deep and the release of water threatens to Saturday in the central province of entire villages were wiped out, evacuated from their homes in the in 14 towns in the Cagayan Valley in aggravate the flooding, civil defence Leyte. with crops and livestock northeastern Philippines as heavy the northeast of the main island of officer Francis Joseph Reyes said. The Philippines is hit by an destroyed. “We’re going to be rain across the country left at least Luzon – which saw the worst Authorities said at least six people average of 20 storms and typhoons doing a lot of work around shelter eight people dead, authorities said flooding in decades last month. drowned in two provinces on the every year, which typically wipe out and the provision of clean water yesterday. That forced nearly 10,000 people major southern island of Mindanao, harvests, homes and infrastructure because we have seen the The storm – which has inundated to seek shelter in emergency centres. which was also hit by torrential rain in already impoverished areas. diseases that follow these villages and destroyed scores of The rain, which was intensified by in recent days. At least 148 people were killed in cyclones ... leptospirosis, houses in recent days – is the latest the northeast monsoon, has filled Two elderly women were also a succession of typhoons in recent diarrhoea (and) dengue,“ Fiji Red to batter the archipelago. Magat dam near to its critical level killed in a rain-induced landslide on months. – AFP Cross director-general Ilisapeci Rokotunidau said. – AFP

LAWMAKER TARGET OF Trump says cyberattack ‘under control‘ KABUL CAR BOMBING KABUL: A car bombing in Kabul targeting a lawmaker killed at WASHINGTON: President Donald Pompeo about both the source and administration spokesmen There was no immediate reaction least nine people, officials said Trump on Saturday downplayed a the severity of the attack. scrambling to reconcile the from China. yesterday. Lawmaker Khan massive cyberattack on US Pompeo had said the breach – conflicting takes. Among the US government Mohammad Wardak survived the government agencies, declaring it which cyber experts say could have CNN said White House officials agencies affected by the cyberattack, blast but is among 20 injured “under control” and undercutting far-reaching impact and take had made plans on Friday to release according to media reports, are the including women and children, the assessment by his own months to unravel – was “pretty a statement directly blaming Russia, departments of State, Treasury, Afghan interior minister Massoud administration that Russia was to clearly” Russia’s work. before it was abruptly pulled back for Commerce and Homeland Security. Andarabi said. It is unclear blame. “There was a significant effort to unclear reasons. Also targeted were the National whether the explosive was “I have been fully briefed and use a piece of third-party software to It was far from the first time the Institutes of Health – at a time of planted in a car parked on the everything is well under control,” essentially embed code inside of US president has played down apparent keen interest in coronavirus vaccines lawmaker’s route or if a vehicle Trump tweeted in his first public government systems,” Pompeo told threats from Russia, starting with his – as well as the Energy Department with the bomb was being driven comments on the hack. interviewer Mark Levin, alluding to refusal to recognise interference by and National Nuclear Security by a bomber, the minister said. He tweeted that “Russia Russia widely used security software from Moscow in the 2016 election despite Administration, which manage the No one has claimed responsibility Russia is the priority chant when Texas firm SolarWinds. the clear finding of US intelligence nuclear weapons stockpile. for the blast. Afghanistan has anything happens” and suggesting “This was a very significant effort agencies. Nato said it was checking its seen a sharp rise in violence, particularly bombings, in recent without offering evidence that China and I think it’s the case that now we Russia has denied involvement in computer systems but had found weeks as the Afghan government “may” also be involved. can say pretty clearly that it was the the latest attack, but several officials “no evidence of compromise”. and Taliban hold talks to find an Trump’s response was in sharp Russians that engaged in this in and out of the US government The European Commission said end to the country’s almost contradiction to comments a day activity.” have pointed the finger at Moscow, it had not found any computer 20-year-long war. – Reuters earlier from secretary of state Mike Trump’s tweets left and none at Beijing. system intrusion. – AFP theS ON DNSDAY | NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES THE OBJECTIVES BELIEF THE SUPREMACY OF TO achieve greater unity TO maintain a TO create a just society in which IN GOD THE CONSTITUTION among Malaysians democratic way of life the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared LOYALTY TO KING THE RULE COURTESY AND TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich TO build a progressive society which shall be AND COUNTRY OF LAW MORALITY and diverse cultural traditions oriented to modern science and technology

theSUNtheS ONON DNSDAYMONDAY | DECEMBER | 21, 2020 9 NEWS WITHOUT SPEAKBORDERS UP RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES THE OBJECTIVES BELIEF LOYALTY TO KING TO achieve greater unity TO maintain a TO create a just society in which IN GOD AND COUNTRY among Malaysians democratic way of life the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared THE SUPREMACY OF THE RULE COURTESY AND TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich TO build a progressive society which shall be THE CONSTITUTION OF LAW MORALITY and diverse cultural traditions oriented to modern science and technology Not out of the woods yet HE mostly keenly vaccines will have side effects Now that we have learnt to accept this, with just occasional laughter and anticipated event for but if they are outweighed by and comply with the requirement to heads popping from the water. 2021 is the arrival of the benefits, there is much covert ourselves for fear of being The food haunt, Gurney Drive was the vaccine and to be gained. “All vaccines chastised or reprimanded by even in a pitiable state with just a handful of Thow it will be administered All of us want our lives people you don’t know, the mask has stalls open with the operators across the globe. to return to what it was will have side become an ornament we can’t do frantically trying to attract attention For past weeks the before experts predict that without. from passersby. discussion intensely in it will not be any time in the effects but if With blessings from the The scene was the antithesis of circulation was about how near future. government, I decided to venture out what it should have been, compared soon the vaccines can arrive to There have been talks that they are of Klang Valley to Penang, on a short with the same season last year. save lives. despite the vaccines showing up in sojourn. A hawker whom I spoke to said Conversely, the narrative has various brands and packaging, nothing outweighed by The white sandy beaches, and the many stall owners had resigned to the shifted to why we should refrain from will return to normalcy for another two deep blue and green seas looked the fact that the situation is beyond adopting the vaccine, “so soon and too years or so. the benefits, same but somehow there were silent redemption and had since moved on fast”. If you are one of those who is whispers, mournfully complaining to other things. The arguments from both sides are waiting to burn the face masks with a there is much about the days that turned into weeks The lure of what Gurney Drive has numerous with scientifically backed revenge like never before, hang in and months without human died for good with the hawkers theories to mere rumours from there, for a while longer. to be gained. connection. bidding themselves farewell. mongers. The masks will stay on even when The popular picnic sites were What we do know is that all the vaccines are here, we are told. unforgivingly barren in a season like Comments: [email protected]

COMMENT by Benedict Lopez LETTERS [email protected] Pakatan needs broad-based History shaped Rawang’s reputation, leadership alternative growth pushes it forward DAP veteran leader has they debate in public and go through said that it is more urgent for Datuk Seri various states campaigning, and finally a IN its heyday, Rawang was one of the heartlands of here because of Rawang’s pull factors: cost- to consolidate the strong candidate for the presidency is the now defunct tin mining industry in Malaysia. competitiveness and the amenities required for Opposition before the next general chosen among them by party Rubber and oil palm plantations also featured their businesses. election, instead of trying to topple the supporters. prominently in the landscape around this satellite Landed property is relatively inexpensive, but Perikatan Nasional government. In the Malaysian scenario, it is about town not too far from Kuala Lumpur. prices are rising with people from Kuala Lumpur The DAP leader’s statement makes electing a prime minister who has a In 1894, Malaya’s first electric generator was buying property here. sense on the basis the very obsession to broader support among the community. installed in Rawang, mainly to serve the needs of New housing estates have been developed on toppled a government through cajoling could adopt this British tin mining companies. former rubber and oil palm plantation land. With of opportunistic MPs to jump ship model but modifying it to the context of It was also the first town in Malaya to have street all this built development, the place bears little seems to be centred on a particular Malaysian laws and realities. lights and a railway station (now demolished) with resemblance to the famed Rawang of old. leader’s individualistic ambition and It would need brainstorming among lamps and fans. But some positive attributes have withstood the moves that tend to override the the enlightened intellectuals and The town is home to the first cement factory in test of time: a friendly town still relatively consensus aspect of coalition politics. community leaders in the coalition. Malaya, Rawang Works, launched by the then inexpensive for personal and household items, The question is, does coalition Pakatan Harapan should evolve to Associated Pan Malayan Cement Company in and eating out. politics in Pakatan Harapan merely has create more leaders who are ready to 1953. Check out the prices for household items, to do with the consensus of its elite take over the country instead of The plant was built on some land vacated by foodstuffs, tailoring, spectacles and picture frames, leaders, or does it genuinely represent depending on a single leader who the tin mining industry, which had moved and you will notice the vast difference compared the grassroots communities, NGOs, seems to be less answerable to the westwards to Batang Berjuntai. with KL prices. environmentalists and the marginalised grassroots communities. Many Indian Malaysians of Malayalee descent I now get my spectacles done, and shirts and in its national consolidation? Therefore, it’s time Pakatan Harapan worked at this cement plant. pants tailored in Rawang for less than half the price Too much of politicking has blinded create a broad-based leadership among The Malayalee community was so deeply in Bangsar. Tailors in Rawang do a good job, and Pakatan Harapan leaders on the its coalition by bringing its best leaders rooted in this company that even the cement they are more reasonably priced than in Bangsar. importance of hearing the voice of the to helm Malaysia in the years to come. brand was nicknamed “Malayalee Cement”. But The Indian mini-markets here sell a variety of complex grassroots communities and What the rakyat needs is a leadership the Malayalees rendered assistance to people of Indian foodstuffs at much lower prices than in KL. currently we are in the midst of the next that emerges from the grassroots and all. My favourite bottled pickles cost a ringgit cheaper general election, which could be called not elite and urban-driven leaders that Rawang is one of the few towns in Malaysia with than similar retail outlets in Brickfields. anytime in 2021. characterises much of the Pakatan a Gurkha settlement. A Gurkha village is located My friend and I make it a point to make the While it might be too late, it is vital for Harapan leadership in the current form. on the outskirts of Rawang, its inhabitants mostly most out of every visit to Rawang, doing as much Pakatan leaders to envision an Reforms should start from within the descendants of Gurkha military personnel whom shopping for our needs as we can. innovative approach to how it elects its leadership which respects grassroots the British brought in. Our visit is not complete without a sumptuous leadership, especially for prime aspirations and its complex web of For those who once served in Rawang, lunch at a restaurant which is etched in Rawang’s ministerial candidate in the future. political reasoning, before one could nostalgia still overflows each time they visit this history. The third-generation owner still sustains We could learn from the primaries in envision consolidation and a distinctive little town. the culinary traditions of his father and the United States presidential election alternative. When I was transferred from Teluk Intan to grandfather before him. where various candidates with their Rawang in September 1986, it was still a sleepy Nowadays, I only drive to Rawang using the old own strengths and leadership qualities Ronald Benjamin hollow with only two main streets, Jalan Welman road through Templar’s Park. Even the countryside offer themselves for the presidency and Ipoh and Jalan Maxwell. here has been transformed. Back then, the town had only one bank, and a In contrast to the 1980s, concrete development few merchandising outlets and a trickle of Chinese has taken its toll on the environment with the Looking with hope to a brighter 2021 and Indian restaurants that dotted the streets. construction of residential property and highways, The office where I worked, the Labour resulting in much less greenery – an ominous price AS 2020’s final chapter unfolds, we the best in our multi-cultural, multi- Department, and the adjacent courthouse - to pay for this new milieu. could easily be drawn to look at the religious society, have the capacity and perched on a hill - are no longer a part of the Upon reaching the fringes of the town, I see negatives that have challenged us, the will to support each other and help town’s landscape. Missing too are the nearby new buildings and business enterprises, including perhaps to the point of breaking. turn things around. playing field and library. I left Rawang in March a supermarket, flank both sides of the road offering True the debilitating pandemic has Let’s find ways to work together, both 1991. customers a variety of products and services. ravaged lives, our economy has taken a at the public level and within our Fast forward more than 29 years later, and this About half a kilometre after the junction at Jalan beating, and the way we live, work, learn families and communities, to keep hassle-free little township is today a hive of activity Welman lies the new mini-township, home to a and simply interact with each other has moving forward towards a better that is beyond recognition. Even crossing the road range of retail establishments serving the local changed, possibly forever. tomorrow. in Jalan Welman nowadays can often be community and nearby hamlets like , But rather than sinking in self-pity Let’s be hopeful that we can and will challenging, a far cry from the 1980s when it was a Bukit Beruntong and . and harping on how bad everything positively change for the better, because breeze. From a town which was once eclipsed by KL, around us may be, let’s focus on a we’re all one people, wanting the best Even the route to the well-known St Jude’s Rawang has carved a niche for itself with its own brighter future in 2021. for us, our fellow Malaysians and our Catholic Church, built in 1955, is now different. identity. It has awakened from its slumber and is Undoubtedly, the many who are still nation. The architecture of the church may be the same, no longer bypassed or used as a mere stopover for afflicted by Covid-19 need healing. With God’s help, trust in each other but the road to this church is no longer the one people travelling up north. Those who have lost loved ones need and the determination to succeed, let’s adjacent to the old police station. Now it passes comfort and those whose livelihoods truly believe the best is yet to be. near shophouses in the new mini-township. Benedict Lopez was director, Mida Stockholm cum were snatched away need assistance to A few industrial estates have sprouted in the economic counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia in recover. Rueben Dudley area. Companies have moved their operations Sweden. Comments: [email protected] We, as a caring people, born out of Petaling Jaya 10 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 MEDIA & MARKETING New face of food consumption

your family, around a good oThe art of eating better, differently, with homemade meal prepared together, with fresh and local products, a table less in 2021 set up the old-fashioned way, and, as a preamble to the main event, a little cocktail made with spirits N 2020, the global health crisis returning to time-honoured options (consumption of which is trending, turned patterns of food (a home-cooked meal shared with rivaling wine in some areas). And to consumption upside down: four the family), taking the time to cook add a bit of exoticism to this return to new needs are emerging, carefully selected foods, while roots, you’re not opposed to taking a Iredrawing the outlines of this new- anticipating meals as much as little culinary journey through a nice Stand a chance to win RM1,000 worth of 7-Eleven e-Cash voucher. generation consumer. A need for possible (many consumers are using little recipe with flavours evoking a control, for comfort, practicality and tools and applications to plan their distant land. creativity on a daily basis. meals): for many, food has been a And for tomorrow morning? As with any major crisis, new way to feel better about themselves – That’s easy, since you have more It’s ‘Time to Gift’ at needs are emerging. Which ones are you are what you eat, after all. Food time, it’s all about crepes and shaping the new face of food as a way of soothing mental and pancakes. Food as a source of consumption in the world of physical concerns. comfort. 7-Eleven Malaysia tomorrow? The need for comfort: a return to The need for practicality: the art of IT’S the most wonderful time of user ID at the counter. Lastly, The need for control: a new time-tested favourites buying well the year again! This is the purchase any gift cards at any 7- paradigm If you’re over 40 years old you may Our approach to shopping has also season of giving gifts and Eleven stores and remember to The content of your plate is the last belong to this demographic of evolved with many shoppers putting a smile on the faces of keep the original receipt as stronghold when you no longer feel consumers in search of reassurance, perceiving gigantic supermarkets as those you care for. If you are proof of purchase. Each like you’re in control of your daily security and deep-rootedness. This unsafe, conducive to circulation of thinking of giving a convenient scanning of the My7E App user life. Consumers, in the midst of a need for meaning, utterly the virus. While consumers like and unique Christmas gift, you ID followed by the purchase of a health crisis, have gone into a mode comprehensible during a period of shopping at discount retailers and can never go wrong with a gift card at 7-Eleven stores is of controlling everything about their instability, strengthens family ties places they can find everything they point-of-sales activated (POSA) entitled and valid as one entry. eating. Eating healthier food, turning and transmission. So you find need, they visit them less often and gift card that can be purchased Participants may submit as to more organic, more local sources, yourself on a Friday evening with stock up, with many no longer going at 7-Eleven stores nationwide. many entries as they wish to multiple times a week. As a result, In collaboration with increase their odds of winning. they pay special attention to InComm Payments and Razer 7-Eleven Malaysia’s General expiration dates and choose foods Merchant Services, 7-Eleven Manager of Marketing, Ronan that keep well. Many are turning to Malaysia recently launched its Lee said: “With the festive online shopping and delivery. ‘T1me 2 Gift’ contest from Dec season upon us, gift giving is a Consumers are increasingly taking 12 to Jan 12, 2021. sweet little gesture to show your the time to cook, with more high-end By joining in the contest, gratitude for your friends, family products; for them, local produce is a customers stand a chance to members or co-workers. guarantee of healthy products (and walk away with RM1,000 worth Providing convenience is what they’re reorienting their budgets of 7-Eleven e-Cash vouchers in we do best, and the ‘T1me 2 towards better quality food). Food which a total of 12 winners will Gift’ contest is the ideal way for consumption in careful mode. be selected at the end of the our customers to enjoy this contest period. festive season and in return, Creativity: doing better with less To satisfy the various needs stand a chance to be gifted with Against an anxiety-inducing of customers, these POSA gift attractive prizes totalling up to background, creativity allows for cards come with different RM12,000!” regeneration. In France 62% of denomination values, ranging “At 7-Eleven Malaysia, we consumers tried new ingredients from Google Play or PlayStation always strive to enhance our during successive waves of for games fanatics, Spotify customers’ shopping lockdown. Cooking has become a Premium for music enthusiasts experience by providing further territory to explore, in the same way to Netflix for movie lovers, convenience with the variety that a chef would. Many home cooks among others. range of POSA gift cards have invested in professional To grab this opportunity to available in stores. To enjoy a cooking utensils and decided to learn win the amazing prizes, wide array of online services new techniques. DIY cooking, participants just have to follow that require subscription homemade snacks, cooking based on three simple steps. Firstly, renewal or reload, customers one ingredient used in several download My7E app on Google can simply grab their favourite recipes, zero-waste recipes, cooking Play Store or App Store and sign gift cards at the nearest 7-Eleven with cupboard essentials. Exploring up as a My7E loyalty app outlet throughout the country,” new horizons through food. – AFP- member. Secondly, scan your Lee added. Four new needs are emerging for the new-generation consumer. Relaxnews MONDAY SECURITIES SDN. B HD. 197201001092 (12738-U) DECEMBER 21, 2020 A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Editorial: Tel.: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected] % RM m RM m RM m Advertising: Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 39.0 Institutions 1744.2 1676.3 67.9 Email: [email protected] 34.9 Retail 1604.3 1461.6 142.7 26.1 Foreign 1038.1 1248.7 -210.6 Sun21.86 9.04 179.78 BIZ9.98 43.28 8.97 1.75 81.20 100.0 4386.6 4386.6 0.0 KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200 Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 2,772.18 Source: Burs Malaysia 1,652.49 2,848.98 26,498.60 3,394.90 26,763.39 14,249.96 6,675.47

KL MARKET SUMMARY December 18, 2020

INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 11,890.40 -141.20 FBMKLCI 1,652.49 -21.86 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 608.51 +0.64 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 175.69 -0.05 CONSTRUCTION 185.83 -2.98 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,425.00 -301.20 ENERGY 908.05 -27.82 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 658.38 -4.96 HEALTH CARE 3,702.31 -6.90 TRANSPORTATION 769.38 -10.67 PROPERTY 740.76 -12.02 PLANTATION 7,349.80 -79.58 FBMSHA 13,334.40 -83.81 FBMACE 10,447.60 -155.60 TECHNOLOGY 67.87 +0.93

TURNOVER VALUE 8.062 BIL RM4.386 BIL 5 MOST ACTIVES December 18, 2020 A man holding a physical STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) imitation of a Bitcoin. VSOLAR 397,992,100 4.5 +0.5 Cryptocurrencies have been TECHNAX 363,754,800 19 +0.5 among the big winners this FOCUS-WD 313,531,200 3.5 UNCH year, with Bitcoin leading the HIAPTEK 199,015,200 44 UNCH surge with a year-to-date gain MNC 156,314,400 5.5 +0.5 of 232.7%. – AFPPIX 5 TOP GAINERS December 18, 2020 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM NESTLE 90,800 140.90 3.30 Biggest winners and PETDAG 646,700 21.24 1.30 F&N 146,300 32.80 0.90 UNISEM 4,629,400 6.80 0.80 MPI 165,400 24.60 0.56 biggest losers of the year

5 TOP LOSERS █ BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI December 18, 2020 [email protected] oFortunes and performance of equities and STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM PBBANK 12,247,300 20.64 0.86 PETALING JAYA: This year, the fortunes commodities have been largely determined CARLSBG 967,900 23.00 0.82 and performance of equities and KLK 717,000 24.08 0.72 commodities have been largely determined by challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic HENGYUAN 9,702,400 5.77 0.40 by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 PETRONM 1,311,100 5.12 0.28 pandemic, which first surfaced at the end of last year. producers have faced downward pressure As the novel coronavirus outbreak YEAR ENDER 2020 after reports of factory employees testing EXCHANGE RATES DECEMBER 18, 2020 evolved into a full-fledged pandemic, many positive for Covid-19. economies and sectors were forced to the frontline efforts to curb the spread of the Top Glove has been named in several Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy contend with the new normal of social virus. reports detailing the poor conditions in its TT/OD TT OD distancing, high volatility, closed borders Bursa Malaysia-listed Top Glove Corp workers’ dormitories, after the country’s 1 US DOLLAR 4.0980 3.9700 3.9600 and subdued demand. Thanks to these Bhd, the world’s number one glove largest Covid-19 cluster originated from its restrictions, some clear winners and losers manufacturer, has seen its shares Teratai factory in Meru, Klang. The Teratai 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1370 3.0110 2.9950 have emerged over the course of the year. appreciate from RM4.70 with a market cluster has seen over 5,000 individuals test 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0870 2.9940 2.9860 capitalisation of RM35.36 billion as at end- positive which resulted in the temporary 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2130 3.1250 3.1130 The winners 2019 to close at RM6.64 per share last Friday closure of its factories in the area, and the 1 EURO 5.0290 4.8620 4.8420 The elevated levels of uncertainty have with a market capitalisation of RM53.3 death of one worker. wreaked havoc on the currency market due billion. Elsewhere, Kossan reported 427 Covid- 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.9400 2.8300 2.8140 to the outsized disruption to fundamentals, Supermax Corp Bhd, another glove 19 positive cases at one location after 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.0870 2.9940 2.9860 as the underlying cross-border trade, and manufacturer, was also included in the screening close to 7,000 employees 1 STERLING POUND 5.5550 5.3790 5.3590 commodities prices, has seen a high level of constituent FBM KLCI stocks, following the groupwide, while Hartalega saw 35 positive 1 SWISS FRANC 4.6170 4.5050 4.4900 volatility. semi annual review of the FTSE Bursa cases out of its total of 8,772 employees. In this high volatility environment, Malaysia Index Series earlier this month. 100 UAE DIRHAM 112.8300 106.9100 106.7100 cryptocurrencies have emerged as a clear Consequently, rubber glove The losers 100 TAKA 4.9210 4.5940 4.3940 winner in 2020, as Bitcoin saw a steady manufacturers reported a slew of bumper Due to the fact that travel restriction is the 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 62.8000 60.3000 N/A ascent from US$7,179.96 on Jan 1, to breach net profits in the quarter ended Sept 30, led primary defence against the transmission of 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 53.4000 50.7100 50.5100 a record high of above US$23,000 on Dec 17. by Supermax which posted close to a 32- the pandemic, the aviation sector has been As at 10pm yesterday, the world’s most times improvement in net profit to the biggest loser this year as country after 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.6600 5.3100 5.1100 popular currency traded at US$23,890.82 RM789.52 million. Hartalega Holdings country enacted cross-border travel 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0301 0.0271 0.0221 (RM96,387), a year-to-date gain of 232.7%. Bhd’s net profit went up 5.2 times to restrictions beginning from the first quarter. 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.9740 3.8470 3.8370 In addition to the heightened volatility in RM544.96 million and Kossan Rubber Earlier this month, the International Air 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.6000 N/A N/A the market, the sector is reaping the benefits Industries Bhd reported a net profit of Transport Association (IATA) estimated that from a “fear of missing out” which fuelled RM348.74 million, a sevenfold jump year on airline losses are now forecast to top US$118 100 RUPEE 2.6000 2.4300 2.2300 the previous all-time high as its steady gain year. billion this year and nearly US$39 billion in 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6500 8.1500 7.9500 throughout the year has attracted the entry Meanwhile, Top Glove saw a net 2021. The industry is expected to 100 QATAR RIYAL 113.7200 107.9500 107.7500 of institutional investors. profit of RM2.4 billion, a 21-fold continue burning cash at a rate of Turn to 100 SAUDI RIYAL 110.4000 104.8000 104.6000 Aside from cryptocurrencies, the rubber increase year on year for its first almost US$7 billion a month in the glove industry has seen a similar meteoric quarter ended Nov 30. — first half of 2021. 100 THAI BAHT 14.3800 12.7500 12.3500 rise this year, given the heightened demand Despite the sector’s newly found page 12 As of October, over 43 commercial Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama for the product as it is a crucial element in position as Bursa’s darling, glove airlines have failed, which indicates 12 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 SUNBIZ Should GST make a comeback?

T’S A matter of time implemented properly, exempt supply of goods, needs to be before GST is should not be affected as re-examined so that the tax burden reintroduced. Why? they are mere tax collectors does not fall on sections of society throughout the supply whose income will be regressively IThe government chain until the goods or affected. cannot keep on services are consumed by Any reintroduction should be borrowing or extracting the ultimate purchaser. The supported with a reduction in funds from government- choice to pay GST is in your income tax as taxpayers cannot be linked companies (GLCs) hands. If you spend more, you burdened with increased taxation, to fund the budget deficit. It pay more. especially with the lower and middle will need to increase tax collection to income groups. reduce the gap. There is a limit to What should be avoided in the The aim here should be to keep which you can squeeze existing reintroduction of GST? the total tax paid by the lower and taxpayers to pay extra income tax With the experience we have and past middle income groups unchanged. It through scrutinising their tax returns, mistakes we made, it is time to may require subsidies to be given to investigating and auditing. Piling introduce a set of rules that are clear the lower income group, who do not more pressure on the same taxpayers and significantly reduce the scope for pay income tax. will be counterproductive and lead to discretionary powers exercised by the The choice to pay GST is in your hands. If you spend more, you pay more. – businesses moving offshore. authorities. The 2015 experience was REUTERPISX The way forward Politically, it may not be the right fraught with ambiguities and Since we have had significant time to reintroduce GST, but it is uncertainties which then led the experience that should not be payments to the legitimate taxpayers, experience of the problems faced in inevitable to reduce the budget authorities to issue clarifications and repeated. who made up the majority. This implementing and discontinuing deficit. It is far superior to the current pronouncements which ended up in The refund mechanism promise experience should be avoided at all GST. The next time we introduce GST, sales tax and service tax, which is not confusing businesses and was not adhered to by the authorities. cost in the future. the authorities should provide clear entirely transparent to the ultimate consumers. This resulted in extra The promise made was that the concise rules with very little consumer, and has a cascading and costs which rightfully should not refunds would be made within 14 How to counter the regressive discretionary powers to avoid compounding effect through the have been borne by the businesses days if returns were filed effect of GST on the lower income ambiguities. Expect GST to come supply chain, which results in the since they were supposed to be only electronically or 28 days, manually. group? back sometime in the future. consumer paying tax on tax. tax collectors. This promise was not realistic. This This was already provided for in the The simple reason for introducing Even today, after the tax was became evident as, unfortunately, a previous GST regime where the This article was contributed by it is to bring in added revenue to the repealed in September 2018, there few taxpayers attempted to defraud essentials were zero-rated or Thannees Tax Consulting Services government. This tax has significant are numerous disputes that have not the system. The Customs should not exempted. However, the Sdn Bhd managing director SM advantages and businesses, if it is been resolved. This is a bad have gone overboard on delaying implementation, especially the Thanneermalai. Bank Islam named Malaysia’s strongest Islamic retail bank KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has been named as Malaysia’s Strongest Islamic Retail Bank for 2020 by Cambridge International Financial Advisory (Cambridge IFA) at the sixth Islamic Retail Banking Award 2020, held virtually on Dec 15. In a statement yesterday, Bank Islam said this was the second time that it had received the award, which it won for the first time in 2015. Chief executive officer Mohd Muazzam Mohamed said the award demonstrates the bank’s readiness to become the first and only listed Islamic bank in Malaysia and the region. The slowdown in “We will continue to innovate and deliver economic activity comprehensive financial solutions by leveraging due to the the latest technological advancements to cater Covid-19 to the needs of a diversified portfolio of pandemic customers, while continuing to deliver value for wreaked havoc our stakeholders,” he said. on oil prices. The Islamic Retail Banking Award was . – AFPPIX hosted by Cambridge IFA – a United Kingdom- based financial intelligence house – to highlight, acknowledge and honour success Global aviation sector, oil market hit by turbulence stories in the Islamic retail banking sector. The adjudication for the award was based on that they have ceased or suspended opera- decision to close or terminate the carrier’s of 21.1% from US$66.25 pb reported for Jan 2. a path-breaking Islamic banking efficiency tions, according to travel data company parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group This unprecedented situation is best study conducted by Cambridge IFA, which Cirium. Although the figure might appear to Bhd (MAGB), has not yet been finalised and reflected by the price of West Texas ranks over 130 Islamic retail banks. – Bernama be in line with the 46 and 53 failed airlines depends on the outcome of its negotiations Intermediate (WTI) futures turning negative reported in 2019 and 2018 respectively, Cirium noted failures typically occur in with creditors and lessors to restructure in April to as low as -US$37.63 pb, as traders the last few months of the year, as the the company. avoided having to take physical delivery of the first and fourth quarters are typically At the same time, he stated that the oil and incur storage costs against a backdrop Drop ‘unreasonable’ the toughest with the bulk of carrier From sovereign fund, Khazanah Nasional of heightened oil inventories and an acute revenues generated in the second and page 11 Bhd, which owns MAGB, has injected lack of storage space. demands, UK tells EU third quarters of the year. about RM28 billion into the company. In response, the Organization of the To survive this harsh period, carriers However, during a Ministers’ Question Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies LONDON: Britain insisted yesterday that the worldwide have been looking towards Time session earlier this week, Deputy Finance (Opec+) agreed to institute a record European Union (EU) should shift position to consolidation, outright sale or government Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said the airline’s production cut of 9.7 million barrels per day open the way for a breakthrough in post-Brexit support in tandem with the aggressive cost- restructuring is expected to be completed by (bpd) for May and June 2020. trade talks, with health minister Matt Hancock cutting measures. Dec 31. MAGB’s current total liabilities to be Subsequently, Opec+ at its meeting in saying the bloc should drop its “unreasonable IATA pointed out that since the onset of the restructured are estimated at RM16 billion. December sealed an agreement to ramp up demands”. pandemic, governments have helped airlines Malaysia’s listed airlines AirAsia Group and production by a maximum of 500,000 bpd With less than two weeks before Britain survive the crisis with approximately US$173 AirAsia X also face a similar prospect. In beginning in January. leaves the EU’s orbit, both sides are calling on billion in various forms of financial support. October, AirAsia X proposed a debt Due to these developments, the US Energy the other to move to secure a deal and safeguard The association is urging governments to add restructuring, which will see the RM63.5 billion Information Administration has projected an almost a trillion dollars worth of trade from market stimulation measures to the support it owes scheme creditors be restructured and average price of US$49 pb for Brent crude in tariffs and quotas. they are giving to keep aviation financially reconstituted into an acknowledgement of 2021, from an anticipated average of US$43 pb Talks to reach a trade deal have been largely viable such as temporary waivers or indebtedness by AAX for a principal amount of in the last quarter of 2020. In the first half of hamstrung over two issues – the bloc’s fishing suspensions of government charges taxes and up to RM200 million, payable annually over a next year, it expects an average of US$47 pb rights in British waters and creating a so-called fees, route subsidies, and passenger travel period of up to five years. before improving to US$49 pb in the later half. level playing field providing fair competition subsidies among others. In the commodities sector, the slowdown Headway into the deployment of vaccines rules for both sides. On local shores, the fate of flagship carrier in economic activity has wreaked havoc on oil in the US and the UK has slowly spurred Hancock again referred to what Britain has Malaysia Airlines is still hanging in the prices. demand for oil across the globe, despite described as new demands introduced by the EU balance as Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Brent crude price closed at US$52.26 per mixed results in the containment of Covid-19 earlier this month, saying they were Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz revealed that the barrel (pb) last Friday, a year-to-date decline across different countries. “unreasonable” and should be dropped. –Reuters theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 13 SUNBIZ Learn to be resilient, learn from every mistake

kBonia Corp Bhd executive director Datuk Seri Daniel Chiang If you could have an hour with any thought leader in the world, who would it be and tells SunBiz that it’s important to anchor oneself with humility why? A glass of wine with Anthony Tan would be and gratitude in order not to lose sight of one’s purpose marvellous. There are parallels between me and him: we are both around the same age, young fathers and business leaders. It would We all know about the industrial be a great opportunity to compare SUCCESS: revolution, are we in for a technological experiences, see how he thinks and get his THE INSIGHT STORY revolution? Your thoughts. perspective on life. I have a feeling we’d have a In my view, it’s more of an evolution than a lot to talk about. revolution. And it’s already happening, so we What traits do you look for in your must learn and adapt to these ever-changing What has been the biggest challenge you’ve talent or how do you decide who is times. It doesn’t mean we’ll be closing down faced, and what did you learn from it? right for a job? brick and mortar stores anytime soon. Finding and managing the right people. It’s a Confidence and adaptability. Instead, we’re building an online platform constant challenge because people can be Someone steadfast in their decisions that can accompany the physical one while unpredictable, but I’ve learned to play to who is able to make the best of any strengthening both. people’s strengths. Someone may struggle in situation. Most important, they have one role but thrive in another, so it’s important to show a genuine passion and belief How has mentorship made a difference in to be flexible enough to help others fulfil their in the brand. To me, these are strong your professional life? potential. markers of a future leader who can Having a good mentor is an invaluable asset. aid in furthering our vision. Especially when you’re starting out, it’s always What man-made innovation confounds beneficial to have an experienced eye to help you? Why? How do you think the industry you navigate the numerous challenges of I find rockets and space travel in general you are in will evolve in the running a business. I’ve been fortunate equally fascinating and confounding! I can future? enough to have a wise and experienced understand and appreciate Elon Musk’s Like everything else, this industry mentor in my father. He built Bonia from the business model but when it comes to Space X is always headed towards a more ground up and is the epitome of hard work launches, I’m blown away. That said, I am very digital future. As I see it, e- and determination. excited about humanity’s inevitable venture commerce will continue to grow towards the final frontier. exponentially, and data will be What do you want to accomplish in the next more valuable than ever. The five years? A must-read for every business ability to harness data is a Bonia’s journey is focused towards becoming owner/manager is ... tremendous asset. All the while, a lifestyle brand. Walter Isaacson’s autobiography of Steve Jobs. making sure to keep enhancing My priority is to hit that goal within five Apple is more than a tech company, it’s a the customer experience online. years and elevate the brand beyond its lifestyle! As I am on the same journey with I’m excited about this journey, already prosperous position. Along the way, I Bonia, it was fascinating to not only dive into especially with a dedicated am looking forward to nurturing budding how Jobs led that revolution but also how he workforce behind me. leaders and bright minds. completely disrupted the industry – and the world – as we knew it. What advice can you offer those Best piece of advice you ever received on looking to start their career/own your career. How do you expect policies on climate business? Stay humble. It’s important to anchor yourself change to impact businesses in the future? Learn to be resilient. with humility and gratitude in order not to Sustainability is high on my priorities for Understand that building lose sight of your purpose. Bonia in the very near future. For businesses a business has its many that are not already looking into increasing challenges. Every How do you stay abreast of issues affecting their sustainability efforts, this will be a wake- obstacle, no matter your industry? up call. The coming decades will be how big or small, The best lessons are learned through transformative with innovations that propel may easily trip you. firsthand experience. To put it simply, I stay the ‘green movement’ forward. It’s only a But the trick is to up to date on issues by maintaining a matter of time. learn from every proactive role within the company. I’ve also mistake, pick built a significant network over the years – What are the top three factors you would yourself up again people with valuable insights into the attribute your success to? and rebuild stronger industry that help me to stay on top of an Staying humble, being a supportive leader, and than ever. ever-changing industry. having an appetite for continuous learning. Cosentino continues to see great opportunities in Malaysian market

KUALA LUMPUR: Although the Navarro said Cosentino has been Covid-19 pandemic has affected the working and investing in research construction sector, Cosentino and development efforts to develop Group continues to see great new products that are versatile, opportunities in the Malaysian while focusing on environmental market. issues at the same time. A global market leader in “We are here to grow with our surfaces for architecture and design fabricators/ partners, especially projects, the Spanish group during these unprecedented times. entered the Malaysian market in “Malaysia will see more 2019 with the grand launch of Asia’s investment from Cosentino in the largest Cosentino Centre in Kuala coming years as demand increases,” Lumpur. he said. Within a year, the company has Navarro noted that solid surfaces captured 10% of the local market used to be a crowd favourite, but share in the kitchen and bathroom quartz surface has emerged as a segment. market leader recently. Cosentino’s ROW (Rest of the He added that Cosentino’s World) vice-president Ginés Silestone Quartz and Dekton Navarro said 2021 is set to be a great Ultracompact products are being year for the construction sector, used not only in the making of once the world has recovered from kitchen countertops, but also in the pandemic. facade claddings, flooring and “Even though no one was vanities, among others. prepared for this, I don’t think it “The surfaces industry is will affect us in a negative way past constantly growing in Malaysia, it “The designs and concept of centres in the northern and “We are investing with a long- the second quarter of 2021. We see has become one of the main surfaces has evolved a great deal, it’s southern part of Malaysia after term view, and the Kuala Lumpur ourselves growing stronger,” he features in the construction becoming part of our everyday life,” demand outstrips the service centre has plenty of time before we told Bernama in an interview industry since it was introduced in said Navarro. capacity of its centre in Kuala outgrow its capabilities,” he added. - recently. Malaysia during the 70s. He said Cosentino plans to set up Lumpur. Bernama 14 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 SUNBIZ SMIC says US blacklisting will hurt its advanced chip technology R&D HONG KONG: Semiconductor blacklist on Friday. that SMIC has worked with the fusions efforts within China,” the controls on dozens of Chinese firms Manufacturing International In a filing on the Shanghai stock Chinese military on developing official said. over alleged ties to China’s military. Corporation (SMIC), China’s biggest exchange, the chipmaker said it did short- and medium-range ballistic The designation means US China’s commerce ministry said it chipmaker, said yesterday that being not expect the US decision to have a missiles and exoskeletons for companies must apply for a licence “firmly opposes” the move, and put on a US trade blacklist would major negative impact on its short- soldiers, but had been in talks with before exporting to SMIC, and vowed to “take necessary measures” pose a significant adverse impact to term operations and finances. SMIC for months on a way to avoid specifically targets the Chinese firm’s to safeguard Chinese companies’ its research and development in its SMIC said it would keep the designation. ability to acquire materials for rights. 10-nanometre and more advanced communicating with the US “We’re adding SMIC to the entity producing chips of 10 nanometres or The ministry accused the United chip technology. government and take all possible list mostly because we need to make smaller, the best class in the States of “abusing export controls and The United States added dozens of steps for a solution. sure US intellectual property and industry. other measures to continuously Chinese companies, including SMIC In a call with reporters on Friday, a manufacturing capabilities are not In response, Beijing on Saturday suppress” foreign entities, and urged and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ senior Commerce Department being used by SMIC’s clients to accused the US of “bullying” after Washington to “stop unilateralism DJI Technology Co, to a trade official said Washington has evidence continue to support the military-civil Washington announced export and bullying”. – Reuters, AFP Indonesian president S’pore gets shot in the arm inaugurates ‘strategic’ port in West Java

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Patimban sea port in West Java from global drug demand yesterday, saying the new gateway would have a “strategic” role in boosting the nation’s pandemic-hit economy. oFactory activity has held The 43.2 trillion rupiah (RM12.35 billion) port in the town of Subang, 140km east of the up, thanks partly to capital Jakarta, is one of the government’s priority infrastructure projects, designed to countries rushing to boost Southeast Asia’s largest economy and relieve pressure on Jakarta’s congested Tanjung stockpile medicines during Priok port. Speaking via link from the state palace, the the Covid-19 pandemic president, widely known as Jokowi, said the first of three phases of the strategic project in SINGAPORE: Scientists in protective clothing Indonesia’s most populous province had been work in a high-tech laboratory at a finished. pharmaceutical plant in Singapore, whose “Amid the pandemic, one of the national coronavirus-hit economy has received a shot strategic projects, Patimban, has been in the arm from robust global drug demand. completed,” he said. “With its strategic location, The city-state is on course for its worst- I am sure that Patimban will be key in ever recession this year but factory activity has connecting different sectors, from industrial held up, thanks partly to countries rushing to manufacturing to agriculture, and increasing stockpile medicines during the pandemic. exports.” The nation just half the size of Los Angeles Built with funding from the Japanese has become a centre for drug makers and is government, the port is expected to boost home to more than 50 factories, owned by big Indonesia’s economic recovery, after the players including Pfizer, Roche, Southeast Asian nation entered a recession for GlaxoSmithKline and Takeda. A biochemist walking inside a buffer preparation room used for manufacturing medical products the first time in 22 years in the third quarter. Singapore’s drug sector “plays an at Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Asia Pacific) in Singapore. – AFPPIX The government has targeted the port to important role in the global pharmaceutical boost the competitiveness of Indonesia’s industry supply chain”, Rajiv Biswas, Asia tourism sector has been particularly hard-hit storage tanks, Takeda’s facility grows cells exports, particularly in the automotive Pacific chief economist at consultancy IHS with arrivals falling to just 13,400 in October from hamster ovaries to make ingredients for sector. Markit, told AFP. from 1.7 million in January. drugs to treat haemophilia, a rare disorder Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said And in 2020, “governments and private- Singapore’s outbreak has been relatively that affects the blood’s ability to clot. an operational trial of the port had been carried sector firms have been building up mild, however, with the city-state recording The final product is flown to Switzerland, out this month, ahead of the first official day of inventories of critical drugs as a result of the around 58,000 cases and 29 deaths, while the Vienna or California where it is mixed with operation on Sunday. severe supply chain disruptions in many economy began recovering in July-September other ingredients and put in vials, before Expected to be finished in entirety by 2027, countries during the pandemic”, he added. as restrictions were eased. being sent to Belgium for packing and then the port is also expected to generate up to five Data highlights the benefits for the trading The city had long been a major exporter of shipped worldwide. million jobs in West Java. – Reuters hub – biomedical manufacturing, which electronics, from microchips to computer “Overall, the pharma industry in covers pharmaceuticals, has grown strongly, hard disks, but has sought to diversify its Singapore has not been adversely impacted with output expanding 90% on-year in manufacturing sector. by the pandemic,” George Lam, who heads September alone. The biomedical industry – which also the company’s Singapore manufacturing site, US Congress set to vote Exports also defied expectations of a covers making high-tech medical devices told AFP during a visit. collapse and posted growth most of the year, such as pacemakers – now employs more “Because we are not affected we continue on Covid aid package helped by drug shipments, although they than 24,000 people and accounts for about to manufacture, we continue to export our slipped back in October and November. 20% of the manufacturing sector, according to drugs to the global markets... A number of WASHINGTON: The US Congress appeared While much attention has focused on risk consultancy Fitch Solutions. pharma companies in Singapore are doing poised to vote yesterday on a US$900 billion vaccine development, strong demand for Singapore, with a population of 5.7 million, life-saving medicines.” (RM3.63 billion) coronavirus aid package after medicines to treat illnesses ranging from is one of the few countries that exports more The health of Singapore’s drug sector is a senators struck a late-night compromise to asthma to epilepsy has underpinned the pharmaceuticals than it imports – in 2019 it rare bright spot for the city’s economy, and clear one of the final hurdles, a dispute over continued good fortunes of the shipped pharma products worth US$8.1 also for trade worldwide. Federal Reserve pandemic lending authorities. pharmaceutical giants in the city, industry billion (RM32.7 billion) while importing “We expect recovery next year to be gradual Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer players and analysts say. US$3.1 billion-worth, according to Fitch. and uneven because of recurrent waves of told reporters at the US Capitol late on Saturday It is a much-needed boost after Authorities have promoted cutting-edge infection in other countries, and the night: “If things continue on this path and Singapore’s economy shrank more than 13 research to grow the economy, committing to uncertainties associated with the pace of nothing gets in the way, we’ll be able to vote percent in the second quarter when the invest nearly US$20 billion in research and vaccine production, distribution and tomorrow.” country introduced tough virus curbs. innovation for the next five years. vaccination,” said Trade Minister Chan Chun Congressional leaders plan to attach the With borders largely closed, the key Amid a network of stainless steel pipes and Sing. “We will not return to the pre-Covid world.” coronavirus aid package, which includes $600 direct payments to individuals and a $300 per week unemployment compensation supplement, to a US$1.4 trillion spending bill China could limit bank tie-ups with fintech platforms, official suggests funding government programmes through September 2021. BEIJING: China’s former finance minister Saturday, Lou, who remains influential as the China has vowed to strengthen oversight But they face a new government funding Lou Jiwei suggested that China could restrict external affairs director at a top advisory body to of its big tech firms, which include the likes of deadline of midnight on Sunday, risking a the number of banks a single fintech platform the Chinese government, warned that a fintech Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent government shutdown without action. can partner with, to prevent any platform platform with an oversized market share can Holdings that rank among the world’s largest US President Donald Trump, whose from gaining too much market share, state lead to bad debts, Securities Times said. and most valuable. Many of these companies administration has largely left negotiations up to media reported yesterday. “We can limit the number of banks that have gathered large amounts of user data in congressional leaders, complained early yesterday China’s regulators last month warned the any single platform can work with, so as to let the course of providing their services. morning that a deal had not been reached. country’s tech giants that they face closer scrutiny. more platforms do similar businesses under A securities watchdog official said Beijing “Why isn’t Congress giving our people a A planned US$37 billion (RM149 billion) listing of the same conditions,” he said, adding that should consider imposing a digital tax on Stimulus Bill? It wasn’t their fault, it was the fault Alibaba’s Ant Group, scheduled to be the world’s fintech platforms should not be allowed to technology companies that hold copious of China,” Trump said on Twitter. “GET IT largest, was then abruptly suspended. grow to the point of “winner takes all” and amounts of user data, state media said last DONE, and give them more money in direct Speaking at a wealth management forum on “too big to fail”. week. – Reuters payments.” – Reuters theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 15 ENTERTAINMENT

CELEB SPEAK

█ BY AZIZUL RAHMAN ISMAIL ATRICK NAMASIVAYAM The rhythm SESHASHI’S journey in music began 15 years ago when he formed the band PPistah Few. After winning several awards in the Tamil music industry, and of the beat championing Tamil hip hop for years, he reinvented himself in 2020 as Shesha and started a new label, oTamil hip hop artiste Bimasakti Records. “I started in the independent Shesha has some advice underground scene in 2005. But I officially released a song in 2012. for aspiring young talents Before that, I was mainly doing underground gigs. I don’t get into the underground gigs any more because there are not many hip hop gigs now,” said Shesha. He explains that the golden age of the Tamil and Malay hip hop scene was between 2005 and 2011. And the evolution of the medium of music from physical to digital changed it all. “It opened the doors for many new musicians. However, not everyone knew what they were doing at the time. They had no strategy. Some even shied away from signing up with At the end of the year, Shesha is labels because they were planning to release his first album worried that the labels were Shesha has come under this new moniker. The album going to change their image,” a long way in his explores experimental concepts and said Shesha. career as a features three different music styles In his experience as a musician. and three different languages. producer, Shesha has – COURTESY OF “The core of it is still Tamil hip hop. encountered many young But we are trying a new concept. There PATRICK talents, some with innate abilities is a story to it. Bintang is set in the K52 and others brimming with NAMASIVAYAM universe, something like the charisma. However, music is a SESHASHI multiverse we see in comics and talent that can be learned and a movies,” said Shesha. skill that can be polished. Although the EP is listed to only “I encountered people have three songs, it has four tracks. who wanted to do a song or Beginning with an introduction, the wanted to do an album. But four tracks tell a story beginning with they said they didn’t know young talents to continue their “There is this three-letter magic an exploration of space, the discovery how to record a demo, so journey to learn and improve on word. If you want something, you have of a new alien race, and an ending with we met in person. whatever they lack, and to try again to do this. It’s ‘ask’. When you want a celebration. Sometimes, it is difficult to later and not to give up. something, you have to ask,” said The whole EP is also said to focus tell them that they do not For aspiring young musicians, the Shesha. on digital sounds, with only one live sound as good as they best thing that they can do for In his own experience, Shesha has instrument in the second track. think they do. themselves is to approach encountered two types of young talent. “I chose to go experimental “I have gone through established musicians and learn “There are young talents that churn because I talked to Rick Barker, the that feeling myself. When from them, advised Shesha. There out beats like a factory. They are very former manager of Taylor Swift. I was I was in a reality show, I are many veterans of the good. But they are affected by timing, kind of lost. It is very difficult to was told that I was tone- industry that are always looking funding, and the lack of knowledge of understand Tamil music listeners deaf by a panel judge. I out for new talents and are the system. because a lot of the music is coming was ashamed, but I willing to share their “It took me a couple of years to from movies from India. They are used that experience to knowledge. understand what public relations spoiled for choice, thanks to all these learn what he meant “Approach them, that’s meant before I walked into Universal film-based music. and improve my what I did. I was young Records. I learned that these are some “So when I was talking to Barker deficiencies. It back then and they of the things I needed to do to be and after he did his research, he said motivated me, but how told me what I successful. Beyond just making music. that no one has tapped into this style of many people would should do, “There are also young musicians music yet in the Tamil music audience. take it that way?” and what who think that making music is just for That said, I designed this album to The right way to do I should fame. But that is just the wrong have mass appeal and not sound it, he said, is to advise improve. attitude,” said Shesha. experimental,” said Shesha. Harry and Meghan sign podcast deal with Spotify PRINCE HARRY and Meghan The company did not say how in California, but the power of their Markle have signed a deal with much the deal with the royals was voices rests in their status as citizens Spotify to produce podcasts that tell worth. of the world.” The Duke and “uplifting and entertaining stories”, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex The company said Harry and Duchess of Sussex. the audio streaming service said on said in a statement that “what we Meghan will release a “holiday Dec 15. love about podcasting is that it special” this month featuring “stories Since ceasing royal duties and reminds all of us to take a moment of hope and compassion from moving to California this year, the and to really listen”. inspirational guests”. couple have launched various In an introductory trailer, the Their first complete series will be creative ventures, and begun legal prince introduces himself: “Hi guys, available next year. actions against British tabloids over I’m Harry.” The couple said the “challenges of privacy violations. He says their podcasts will “bring 2020” made it particularly important They signed a deal with streaming forward different perspectives and to hear everybody’s stories, to be giant Netflix in September to voices that perhaps you haven’t “reminded of how interconnected produce “impactful” films and series, heard before”. we all are”. while Markle, a former television Markle adds that the podcasts will “So many people have been actress, narrated a wildlife “celebrate kindness and through so much pain this year,” documentary on Disney+. compassion”. Harry said. Shares in Spotify, which has 144 Spotify was launched in Sweden The duchess wrote a first-person million subscribers, jumped 2% on in 2008 and describes itself as the opinion piece in The New York the morning of Dec 15 after the news world’s most popular audio Times in November about broke. streaming subscription service. miscarrying her second pregnancy. It has previously signed celebrity Spotify’s chief content and The couple will host and produce podcasters including Barack and advertising business officer, Dawn podcasts through Archewell Audio, Michelle Obama, and Kim Ostroff, said in a statement: “The their recently created company. – Kardashian West. Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live AFP-Relaxnews 16 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT A surprising success

Sahel Sounds usually cuts vinyl oWhatsApp records, but in January it decided to release monthly EPs online which recordings throw artists record on mobile phones, and send to Portland over WhatsApp. lifeline to Sahel artists The lo-fi method has proved a surprising success, removing studio costs and earning some of the LI Traore, dressed in black, participating artists handsome sums sits down to record in his from fans who pay to download lively courtyard in Mali’s tracks. capital Bamako, with For talented artists from remote childrenA frolicking on the dirt ground areas – sometimes without the credit between parked mopeds and stray cards or PayPal accounts needed to jerrycans. market music online themselves – it He starts to strum an acoustic also offers a way to showcase their guitar and sing of his longing for the music. desert dunes around his native “It’s essentially an experiment to Traore (right) is seen setting his phone to record a new track in his courtyard in Bamako. Niafunke, a town in the centre of the see how can we break down these turbulent Sahel state. barriers of entry for artists in West says the success of her WhatsApp recording ... in such a short time”. scene. Poor internet access meant A drummer sitting on an indigo- Africa,” Sahel Sounds founder recordings “really helped us during But their motivations aren’t people traded tracks on their phones blue mat beside him keeps the beat Christopher Kirkley says of the this difficult time, with coronavirus”. always just financial. using Bluetooth. on a calabash, as Traore, 26, breaks project, dubbed “Music from She has earned more than 3,000 Traore, who earns good money “The only way to get a song would into a smile mid-song. Saharan WhatsApp”. euros (RM15,000) from downloads of gigging in Bamako, told AFP his be to physically meet up with He is recording the jam session on Many countries in the region rank her work – dreamy songs of WhatsApp EP might bring him someone (and) transfer, in this sort of his smartphone and will later send among the world’s poorest, and a friendship and life in her native international exposure, for example. peer-to-peer metaphoric internet,” he the file via WhatsApp to his producer brutal jihadist conflict raging in Mali, village near the desert town of He dreams of making it as big as says. in Portland, in the US west-coast state Burkina Faso and Niger also Agadez, in northern Niger. his uncle, Mali musical icon Afel A decade later, WhatsApp has of Oregon. aggravates economic woes. Sahel Sounds keeps the mobile- Bocoum. replaced Bluetooth as smartphones “A label from Mali can’t take you to recorded EPs online for only one have proliferated. Most access the the United States or to do Virus boost month. All download proceeds from A model for the future? internet using mobile devices. international tours,” says Traore, The WhatsApp recordings began the one-year project go to the artists. Kirkley founded Sahel Sounds in “I wanted to launch this project explaining his interest in working before coronavirus struck, much as it The sound quality can be high, 2009, initially as a blog, after falling that played with that idea,” says with Sahel Sounds. seems tailored to respond to the although Kirkley – who produces the for the region’s music through Kirkley, noting that he wanted to The record label specialises in travel restrictions, venue closures WhatsApp tracks in a matter of days – Bocoum. challenge traditional recording, Africa’s semi-arid Sahel, a vast and and economic hardship caused by says it varies depending on the He spent several years travelling where studio producers can have an often lawless region with a rich the pandemic. mobile phone used. the Sahel in search of lesser-known outsize influence on the final sound. musical tradition, focusing on artists Amariam Hamadalher, a member He adds that some artists are musicians, recording them on the fly, “Maybe this could be a model for predominantly from Mauritania, of the Tuareg band Les Filles de “shocked at how much money when he noticed the importance of future work,” he suggests. – AFP- Mali, Senegal and Niger. Illighadad (Daughters of Illighadad), they’ve made off of a cell-phone mobile phones in the local music Relaxnews Sexism still rife in Hollywood despite #MeToo uproar THREE years after the #MeToo reporting unwanted sexual scandal roiled Hollywood, causing attention. dozens of powerful men to lose The commission, chaired by their jobs, two-thirds of women law professor Anita Hill, said who took part in a survey of the Hollywood had made progress in entertainment business released tackling “significant culture and last Tuesday, report continuing climate issues of harassment and incidences of sexual harassment. discrimination” but more must be The survey by the Hollywood done. Commission also asked about The commission applauded racism, and found that fewer new diversity standards for future than half of those who took part Oscar contenders to win a believe that Hollywood values best picture Academy Award, a diverse backgrounds and points of pledge by Netflix to donate view. US$100 million (RM400 million) The online survey, launched in to Black-owned financial November 2019, was billed as the institutions, and an initiative by largest ever in the industry, actor Michael B. Jordan to increase embracing workers in television Black voices behind and in front of and film, commercials, live theatre, the camera. Director Simon Valastro, pianist Christiphe Vazan and singer Texier rehearse at the Bastille Opera in Paris. music, broadcast news, talent Recommendations by the agencies, public relations, and commission included limiting corporate settings. confidentiality and nondisclosure Paris Opera singers go digital Almost 10,000 people agreements, prohibiting bullying, responded. Some 67% of women increased mentorship, and JUST five days before they were due especially because some pieces of currently cannot perform. Because reported experiencing gender bystander training that helps to perform before a live audience for music that will be played have never we, as artists, are incomplete without harassment during the prior 12 employees defuse racist or sexist the first time in almost two months, been recorded”, said French soprano the public,” Fernando Escalona, a months, with 42% of women incidents. – Reuters the singers of the Paris Opera learned Pauline Texier. countertenor from Venezuela, said. they could not re-open before France’s government announced People from the arts and January as France’s coronavirus cases in November that a lockdown entertainment world protested in remained stubbornly high. imposed at the end of October to Paris last Tuesday against the So they decided to film their tackle a second coronavirus wave government’s decision. performance of works by a young would be partially lifted by Dec 15 Castex said extra financial aid Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and 18th and would include the re-opening of would be granted to artists and there century French composers Chevalier cultural venues. would be a Jan 7 meeting to see if de Saint-Georges and Andre Gretry But last Thursday Prime Minister some reopening was possible. and offer it on a new video-on- Jean Castex said museums, cinemas Not being able to perform in front demand portal launched last week by and theatres would not re-open of an audience has “become the new the Opera de Paris, which runs the before at least the beginning of normal”, American bass Aaron Garnier and the Bastille opera January as the target of keeping daily Pendleton said. “But we’re still able to venues. new infections below 5,000 had not share our work and we’re still able to “Of course it is sad, but we’re very been met. work so we’ve been lucky to have lucky to be able to film this concert, “For me, it’s really a shame that we that,” he added. – Reuters Morning sun rise on the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 17 FASHION

HETHER toted by All of them are “very Conservative leader instagrammable,” he says. Margaret Thatcher or “Who doesn’t want a picture of Sex and the City actress themselves with a nice bag?” says the SarahW Jessica Parker, handbags pack a fashion blogger who claims to have 5 powerful punch, a British exhibition million followers on China’s Weibo. reveals. Sometimes a bag can carry a The Victoria and Albert Museum political message, however, such as is showing some 300 items at the the bag bearing the slogan “My Body exhibition called “Bags: Inside and My Business,” created by US-Swedish Out” that opened recently. artist Michele Pred. They range from a 16th-century A final section of the exhibition embroidered purse to a examines the techniques used to contemporary plastic rucksack by make bags, including quirkier British designer Stella McCartney. designs such as the US designers The decorative arts and design Thom Brown’s handbag from last museum has chosen to focus on the year in the shape of a dachshund, accessories for its first exhibition inspired by his dog Hector. since England’s lockdown was lifted As fast fashion falls out of favour, in early December. designers are looking at new It looks at the “It bag” craze that technologies and recycling to reduce kicked off in the 1990s, with women environmental impact. A pioneer in flocking to buy a certain designer this area, Stella McCartney, used style, influenced by celebrity images. plastic waste taken from the sea to One such bag on show is a purple make a rucksack on display. sequined Fendi baguette bag once The contents of a handbag remain carried by the Sex and the City sacrosanct, especially in the case of character Carrie Bradshaw, played by Queen Elizabeth II, who has Parker in the hit show. remained loyal to the conservative There is also a formidable leather Launder brand and has several of its handbag once carried by Thatcher, bags. known as her “secret weapon”. Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street with her Asprey handbag. Visitors to the show can see one Thatcher’s assertive armoury of from her collection, bags even led to the creation of a new known as the verb: “to handbag”, or browbeat into Traviata, but the submission. contents remain “These portable, yet functional Carry on firmly off accessories have long fascinated men bounds. – AFP- and women with their dual nature Relaxnews that combines private and public,” oBritish exhibition delves into handbags said Lucia Savi, the exhibition’s curator. The second part of the exhibition Jean-Louis Dumas met the British- From the Hermes Kelly to Lady Dior looks at bags and identity: what a bag born actress Jane Birkin on a plane. Bags are a connecting link between says about the owner and their These days it is social media the home and the outside world and aspirations. that fuels desire for the latest bag. allow people to carry money or Some have become closely important documents out of sight. associated with celebrity owners, Instagrammable The exhibition’s first part looks at such as Hermes’s “Kelly”, a bold On video, Chinese the different uses bags are put to. trapezoid-shaped bag. It was influencer Tao Liang, An imposing Louis Vuitton trunk renamed after the icily stylish actress known as Mr Bags, talks from the early 20th century was made Grace Kelly was photographed about the designs he for long voyages while a tiny leather carrying it. has collaborated on bag measuring just 16 centimetres Others include the Lady Dior, with top luxury can squeeze in a purse, an opera known as a favourite of Princess brands such as The ‘Lady Dior’ glass, a notebook and a mirror: all you Diana, and the Hermes’ Birkin bag Burberry and was a favourite need for a night at the opera. created after the fashion house’s head Chanel. of Lady Diana.

Aoki’s ‘Pajamas The covid-era’s answer Suit’ is half suit, Medical gear modelled on half pajamas. Chinese runway to the suit and tie THIS season’s must-have is not a also showcasing firefighters and flashy designer handbag but power maintenance outfits. breathable, disposable protective “Our medical protective products, medical gear – as seen on models including the masks and protective striding along a catwalk in clothing, are expected to have a total northeastern China. export volume of more than 70 Although the country’s economy billion US dollars this year,“ Li was battered by coronavirus Lingshen, deputy head of the China lockdowns early this year, industries National Textile and Apparel Council, quickly bounced back: exports of told CCTV. medical products like masks has Overseas shipments of textiles, rocketed. including face masks, had surged 33 Over the weekend, hopeful percent in the first 11 months Chinese manufacturers showcased according to customs figures this their wares in Liaoning province at a week, with governments abroad HAS the Covid-19 pandemic pajamas or suits? evolve, with comfort and elegance protective clothing expo – for putting in place measures to contain definitively put an end to the suit The Aoki Holdings company now coming together. The aim is to example, touting thicker but more the virus. and tie? Since the first lockdowns, has resolved the issue, coming up look distinguished, but only if you airy gear that helps doctors to sweat But economists have cautioned suit sales have plummeted with “THE” ideal solution to the feel good in these clothes. Aoki’s less wearing them. that many Covid-related purchases worldwide, and brands are now current evolution of men’s work “Pajamas Suits” are the perfect Potential buyers could see models will not happen again, with vaccines working on more casual outfits. attire needs: the “Pajamas Suit”. In answer to these societal changes. sashay past wearing the gear – and around the world soon expected to Japan-based Aoki Holdings has short, the basis of the clothing of Available to buy in Aoki stores, not limited to coronavirus suits, but be rolled out. – AFP-Relaxnews even presented its first “Pajamas the future. Clothes that will allow as well as on the company’s e- Suits”, a hybrid creation between these gentlemen to no longer have shop, these new types of suits are suit and pajama for men seeking to choose between home clothes distinguished by the materials comfort and elegance. and work clothes, which will offer used. While they may in some The global health crisis has only them the possibility to be ways resemble a traditional suit in reinforced and accelerated a trend comfortable in any circumstance. terms of design, they are made that was already in the spirit of the from a comfortable, stretchy fabric, times. While suits have always Combining comfort and which allows wearers to feel as been de rigueur, in recent years elegance comfortable as they would in many men have taken the liberty of Make no mistake, while homewear pajamas. The objective is to look jettisoning their ties when may be the big winner when it neat, in videoconferencing as well temperatures soared. But comes to fashion inspired by the as for a few minutes outdoors, lockdowns seem to have finished year 2020, it is not a fleeting trend while being able to move freely. this outfit, worn all around the directly related to lockdowns. This The first “Pajamas Suits” are world. After all, why wear a suit need for protection, comfort and available in navy or gray. Aoki also when you’re at the home office? even cocooning should continue offers models for women, in black You might as well go casual ... next year ... with one exception. On or grey. The ensemble starts at unless you have to deal with video both sides, brands and consumers 9,980 yen (RM394) for a jacket and conferencing all day long. So alike, the trend is expected to pants. – AFP-Relaxnews Chinese manufacturers showcased their wares in Liaoning province. 18 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 ZEST

S the pandemic continues to rage and trigger fear, anguish and loneliness, could music help us fight theseA negative emotions? A group of researchers has shown that some aspects of music could help us detox Music heals emotionally as the holiday season approaches. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, some people tend to get overwhelmed by negative emotions. negative emotions Especially during this year, with the troubling health crisis dominating news and preoccupations and a oListening to music should be done in certain holiday season marked by social distancing and celebrations with conditions to reap maximum benefits limited numbers of friends and family. With so many questions about our near future and so few clear answers, how can we manage not to sink into toxic thinking? The answer is simple: try an emotional detox. “Emotional detox consists in regulating emotions that are toxic to us. Science has demonstrated that negative emotions can harm our mental balance as well as our physiology,” said Sean Luzi, wellness consultant for music streaming platform Qobuz. Though it may seem surprising, music can help us to sort out the feelings that are detrimental to our physical and mental well-being from those that can be beneficial to us in this climate of anxiety. “Recent studies have highlighted the fact that music has an anti-stress power, which can be particularly useful in regulating toxic emotions. Music has a very profound effect on our nervous and neuroendocrine systems,” says the expert. listening to music triggers 13 different kill time while commuting or eating, “decompression rituals” after a long musical pieces remind us of happy It is however worth wondering emotional states. They referred to or working from home. According to day of work, in order to clearly moments in our lives more than whether songs by Rihanna, The some of these emotions using those Sean Luzi, these habits won’t help separate the professional and the others,” said Sean Luzi. He added that Rolling Stones and Paul Anka have terms: amusing, annoying, you fight toxic emotions. private spheres. We can also set up a sharing music with our loved ones the same beneficial effects on our energizing, erotic, indignant, goose “Background music has some cozy atmosphere in our home allows us to reinforce the soothing health, while we work on perfecting bumps and triumphant. properties, but it is worth trying to through furniture and lighting but aspect of music. our end-of-year playlists. A team of favour mindful listening moments. It also with musical elements and our At a time of the year when many researchers from Berkeley studied Create emotional well-being is fairly easy to take music breaks of listening space. web users post their music this phenomenon. They analysed the ‘bubbles’ between 10 and 20 minutes, during While jazz and classical music are retrospective of the year on social emotional reactions of 2,500 While the positive effects of listening which time you dedicate yourself known to encourage calm, other media, don’t be ashamed of the participants in the USA and China to music may be undeniable, fully to listening to an album or a musical genres can become songs you loved as a teen that still while listening to music samples listening to music has to be done in playlist. Music stimulates our brains emotionally therapeutic if they are make you feel good. These songs may comprising hit song The Shape of You certain conditions to reap the most more during these dedicated linked to positive memories. “Music be your best allies during your by Ed Sheeran as well as the Jaws benefits. Many people are used to sessions,” says Luzi. is correlated to emotional states. It is upcoming emotional detox. – AFP- soundtrack. They discovered that listening to their favourite artists to He also advises to set up therefore not surprising that certain Relaxnews The best type of mask for Covid-19 protection GOOD VIBES FACE masks have become part of everyday Dream big even in the life since the onset of the pandemic, but they should be chosen with care to effectively darkest hour limit the spread of Covid-19. A research team in the US has investigated the filtration IN this fast moving efficiency of various types of mask worn by century, with the public and professionals. They found mounting pressure that when worn properly, certain nylon from all directions masks could be up to 79% effective at and growing blocking particles that could carry the virus. demands of time, In partnership with the US unless one becomes Environmental Protection Agency, scientists tough-minded, it is from the North Carolina School of Medicine difficult to keep pace studied the levels of protection offered by with tough times. Why “When I combine the several types of face mask, from medical should you be tough? power of self-belief masks to consumer-grade masks and You should be tough to with pure motives, improvised face coverings. They assessed see your house, built there is very little I the protection that each mask offers to its with hard-earned money, cannot achieve.” wearer when exposed to others who may be being reduced to rubble, infected. To achieve this, they used a method to see your business making huge losses and yet based on the Occupational Safety and stay alive and start afresh with renewed vigour. Health Administration (OSHA) Fit Test to You need to stay alive in your spirit. This can determine the fitted filtration efficiency of As for consumer-grade masks, it was the “While modifications to surgical masks only happen if you keep yourself motivated all the the masks. In total, 12 types of facial “two-layer woven nylon mask, with ear can enhance the filtering capabilities and time. It is an art through which you will have the protection were tested, worn by an adult loops and nose bridge, washed, no insert” reduce inhalation of airborne particles by courage and faith to dream big even in the male who made a series of repeated which came out on top (79%), closely improving the fit of the mask, we darkest hour. To remain active and enthusiastic movements of the torso, head and facial followed by the “two-layer woven nylon demonstrated that the fitted filtration are the basic ingredients needed to achieve muscles. mask, with ear loops and nose bridge, and efficiencies of many consumer-grade masks success. Published in the journal, JAMA Internal one non-woven insert” (74.4%). Note that a were nearly equivalent to or better than 0 As soon as you wake up say, “I choose happiness Medicine, the research reveals that cotton bandana folded “bandit” style proved surgical masks,” said co-first author Phillip today and I am going to make the most of today.” improvised masks can prove effective, so 49% effective, while a three-layer woven Clapp, PhD, an inhalation toxicologist and 0 Ten times a day strongly affirm, “Day by day in long as they are properly fitted and worn. cotton mask with ear loops was the least assistant professor of pediatrics at the UNC every way, I am getting better and better.” Moreover, the researchers explain that effective choice (26.5%). School of Medicine. 0 Say aloud, “I can do all things with the strength of unmodified medical procedure masks with As for medical masks, the 3M 9210 As well as informing consumers about God.” ear loops – commonly known as surgical NIOSH-approved N95 respirator mask the effectiveness of the various types of face 0 Boost your ego by saying, “I feel great.” masks – offer 38.5% filtration efficiency. proved most effective (98%), while a surgical masks on offer, and the best ways of wearing 0 Strongly affirm, “I can, I can.” However, this can be improved to 60.3% mask with ties offered 71.4%, effectiveness. A them, the findings could also help when the ear loops are knotted in a specific surgical mask with ear loops was 38.5% contribute to designing the “ultimate” face Bridget Menezes is the author of Second Edition way to tighten the fit, or to 80% by adding a effective, unless its loops were tied and mask to help halt the spread of the virus. – of Self-Empowerment and Spiritual Counsellor. layer of nylon. corners tucked in (60.3%). AFP-Relaxnews Email her at lifestyle.bridget @thesundaily.com. theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 19 FEATURE

Kassmadi painting a Alberta dad gets mural for the Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak building. tattoo to match son’s birthmark

A CANADIAN father endured painful hours under a tattoo needle to help his “self- conscious” son accept a birthmark on his torso. Edmonton-based Derek Prue Sr was inspired to get inked after noticing his son did not want to take off his shirt when he went swimming. “I knew he was self-conscious and that made me want just to show him that he wasn’t the only one, like, we both have the same mark,” Prue said. The inking was much more intense than he anticipated, he said. “It felt good to do it. It’s a long process to do it. I thought it was going to be a few hours. It was, like, 30.” Prue unveiled the surprise to his son, also named Derek, as he played in a hotel pool earlier this month. “He took off his shirt, and then there was a huge tattoo of my birthmark there,” the 8- year-old boy recalled, adding he felt happy - and a little confused. The dad’s red-wine coloured tattoo covers part of his chest and belly and extends under his left arm. The dad is much larger than the son; so the tattoo had to be larger, too, to be in proportion. No matter where on the body, the inking hurts, said the artist, Tony Gibbert, owner of Juicy Quill Tattoo Studio in Stony Plain, Expressing his creativity Alberta. “Pretty much everywhere he wants to get disrupted our work and there was also an a tattoo is all, like, just pain,” Gibbert said, oMural artist Kassmadi occasion when Daud almost fell from the laughing. “None of it’s easy.” – Reuters ladder while painting on the upper part of the Morshidi finds his canvas on wall,” he added. every wall Niah Caves Just like the mural they created on the wall of the Sarawak Foundation building that has █ BY HAMDAN ISMAIL withstood the effects of the weather and passing years, the two friends’ determination OR local mural artist Kassmadi to create beautiful murals has not waned one Morshidi, any bare wall serves as space bit too. for him to express his creativity. He may When met by Bernama recently, Kassmadi have had no formal training in art but and Daud were engrossed in their latest Fever since he took up mural painting two patron who requested us to draw a mural in a project – painting a mural for the Radio decades ago, his skills have been sought-after kindergarten in Kuching,” said Kassmadi, Television Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak building by building owners wishing to brighten up recounting how they went into mural art here. their premises. seriously. “For the RTM building, we have been asked “Unlike painting on a piece of drawing to draw a mural depicting the Niah caves (in paper, creating a mural is much more difficult Artistic journey Miri) and their natural surroundings,” as the space is extensive which requires us to Kassmadi and Daud never looked back after Kasmadi said, adding that RTM has also be more detailed so that our artwork meets that first “assignment” as they received request requested them to draw murals for its other everyone’s satisfaction, whether they are after request to paint murals. Their most stations in Sarawak. looking at it from near or from afar,” said memorable assignment to date involved Kassmadi, who used to teach at an art Kassmadi, 42. painting a mural for the Sarawak Foundation institute in Miri before quitting last year to He paints his murals with the assistance of building in Petra Jaya here in 2010. focus fully on mural art, said his burning desire Daud Bujang, 40, who was a part-time “For that project, both of us worked hard for is to draw a mural featuring the line-up of cartoonist before he teamed up with Kassmadi two weeks before successfully completing the leaders who have served as Sarawak chief in 1990. mural measuring 613 square metres – it is the ministers since independence. The duo’s partnership kicked off after they biggest mural we’ve ever done,” said Kassmadi. “It will remain my cherished dream until created some paintings on a burger stall that However, creating a mural of that size did I’m given the space and opportunity to draw they operated together. not come without challenges. this mural … it will be a new attraction for this “Our work attracted the attention of a “It was the rainy weather then which state,” he added. – Bernama Prue and his son Derek. A US museum is encouraging home cooks to share their family recipes

FANS of good food largely agree that cooking is videos and tales about this place of sharing and about sharing, before anything else. That’s why transmission. Sharayna Ashanti Christmas, the National Museum of Women in the Arts Aletheia Hyun-Jin Shin, Tsedaye Makonnen (NMWA) in Washington DC has decided to and Lauren Von Der Pool are among the artists launch a virtual exhibition about culinary featured. transmission. This initiative also encourages But these female artists are not the only ones web users to share their own family recipes. to take part in the exhibition, as interested web Smeared with tomato sauce or olive oil, users can share their own kitchen recipes until handed over from one generation to the next, Jan 18. To take part, you’ll need to share your list recipe notebooks used to be key in preparing of ingredients for the recipe, a photograph and traditional meals; now, however, they have instructions as well as some anecdotes and been replaced by smartphone apps that show family stories concerning the dish. The main us in a few seconds how to master chefs’ goal of this participatory initiative is to create a recipes. digital portal where recipes will be sorted by The Washington Museum of Women in the keywords, establishing links between Arts wants to rehabilitate those family culinary ingredients and culinary experiences. traditions with “RECLAMATION: Recipes, “Now more than ever people are looking to Remedies, and Rituals”. This digital show will be interact with one another in meaningful ways,” on view from Jan 18 until Dec 31, 2021 on the US said Melani N. Douglass, NWMA director of institution’s website. It will examine “food as a public programmes. “We are exploring how and creative medium for visual art and a connective if an exhibition can be a source of comfort and tool for exploring intergenerational and care during a time like this by connecting with intercultural experiences.” artists and visitors at one of the most intimate Nine interdisciplinary artists will open their spaces in the home: the kitchen table.” – AFP- Cooking is about sharing, before anything else. kitchen doors, sharing a series of photographs, Relaxnews 20 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 FEATURE

█ BY S. INDRA SATHIABALAN Roland’s house used to draw visitors because of its IKE many other celebrations elaborate light decorations. – this year, Christmas too will be a low key affair due to the PICTURE COURTESY OF pandemic. However, the spirit ROLAND XAVIER Lof Christmas is very much present, with the hope that things will get back to normal next year.

Christmas in London Maria Cazaly, is a Malaysian-born nurse who now works and resides in London. “I came to the UK to work in 1997 and never planned on staying. Meeting my husband soon changed all the best laid plans and the rest as they say, is history!” Speaking about what makes Christmas special for her, Maria said: “From my childhood until today, the Maria celebrating Christmas with her days leading to Christmas have friends. – PICTURE COURTESY OF always been as special as Christmas MARIA CAZALY Day itself. I grew up participating and attending Nativity plays, Christmas perfect for any festival. The venture carol services with my family and only started a couple of months ago. friends, and helping my mother with the meal preparations for the A time to bond with family Christmas Day celebration.” For as long as Helen Sta Maria can “The precious memories of the remember, her family’s Christmas past have helped me make very celebrations begin from Dec 20 with a similar memories with my husband Christmas party for approximately 40 and mother-in-law. Before the underprivileged kids held at her pandemic, my mother-in-law and I parents home in Kg Pasir, Jalan Rasah made a special trip to London to in Seremban. celebrate a traditional Christmas “On Dec 24, the whole family carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall. (used to be just seven of us 30 years The Christmas season for our family The spirit of Christmas ago, now the family has grown to 24, has always been about spending time including 10 grandchildren) will attend Christmas mass at Visitation Church, followed by supper and oIt doesn’t have to be a Silent Night sharing of gifts at my parents’ home. The night would go on until the wee this Christmas hours of the morning. On Dec 25, we would host an open house at my parents’ home and on Dec 26, my together as we live far apart.” “This year, we are not putting up brother Anderson would host an “This year, we are travelling on the lights. Mainly, it is because of the open house at his home in Rasah Christmas Eve to spend time with my pandemic. We feel that we have to do Kemayan. From Dec 27 to 30, we will mother-in-law and hopefully cook a our part. A lot of people asked why we pack the whole family, including pets, traditional Christmas dinner. The day are not putting up the lights. We are for a Christmas getaway at A’Famosa will start with meal preparations, then just going to put our Christmas tree in Malacca. We do this every year!” a long walk with our dog, a call to my downstairs and that’s about it,” said This year, some things will be parents and family in Malaysia, then Roland. different. sitting down to Christmas dinner at On what initially influenced him “Except for the children’s either 2pm or 3pm, depending on how to put up his elaborate display of Christmas party (due to the numbers, long it takes for the roast to be ready!” lights, Roland said: “What influenced we will just be giving gifts, minus the “For me, Christmas is about me was the impact of the lights. I once party) our open house will go on! remembering the birth of Christ. Over travelled to a remote village that was However, to reduce the number of the years, it has become a season of in Shah Alam. One of the houses was guests, there will be four open houses reflection and a reminder to me that it lit up (for Deepavali celebrations) this year at each of my siblings’ is also a time of sadness, loneliness and while the others weren’t. It made a homes, starting from Dec 25 to Dec pain for many people. The pandemic huge difference. It conveys a certain 28. This is for crowd control.” has definitely reinforced the joy.” “When I was a child, it was always importance of spending quality time He pointed out that even though about the whole family getting with loved ones. Presents are not you don’t celebrate the same festivals together, dressing up in our best for compulsory!” as other people, but when you see midnight mass, opening presents and them light up their homes for their having good food!” Keeping it simple own celebrations, it can’t help but “In recent years, Christmas has Roland Xavier’s home in USJ 11, make you feel happy. become about being more like Jesus, Subang made the news several times Seeing the effect of decorative spreading love and bringing hope to for its elaborate Christmas decorations lights, Roland and his partners those who are lonely, lost and that drew in visitors. started off a business venture called rejected. He moved there 10 years ago and The Joy Factory, involving disabled “It’s about reaching out to those in has been putting up lights for and underpriviledged people who need and letting them know that Christmas for almost 15 years, work from home, assembling there is light in the midst of the Helen’s family off to Christmas mass. – PICTURE COURTESY OF HELEN STA MARIA beginning with his old home in USJ 9. decorative light features that are darkness.” Covid, cancer can’t stop Mrs Santa Claus in Brazil DESPITE the coronavirus pandemic impoverished areas in the country. Parents for their part took home A needy child and her recent battle with cancer, She was all too aware of the risk baskets full of food – especially touches Fatima Sanson was determined to involved this year but decided to go welcome this year, given that low- Sanson who keep her Christmas tradition of ahead with it. income workers have been hit hard is dressed up dressing up as Mrs Claus and giving Not only does her age put her in by the economic fallout of the as Mrs Claus, out toys and hugs to impoverished the high-risk group for Covid-19, but pandemic. in Belo kids. the pandemic began just as she was “I hope better days are coming Horizonte, So the 61-year-old made herself a coming off a fight with breast cancer. and that next year we’ll be able to give Minas Gerais plastic “hug curtain”, found an Brazil has the second-highest real hugs, be able to feel that human state, Brazil. assistant to disinfect it between Covid-19 death toll worldwide, after warmth that everyone’s been embraces, dressed up in her bright the United States, with more than missing,” said one mother at the red suit, and set up her annual toy 178,000 people killed. charitable event, house cleaner and food giveaway in a poor But neither the virus nor the Valmira Pereira. neighbourhood in Belo Horizonte, in protective layer of plastic got in the Sanson was happy to be able to southeastern Brazil. way as Sanson spread her Christmas give hugs at all. “It felt so good to be able to give cheer to her young public. “It’s so good to hug and be hugs again during the pandemic,” “I really liked getting a nice, warm hugged. We’re ‘infecting’ each other said Sanson, who has spent nearly hug from Mrs Claus,” said one of the with our hugs, our affection, our five decades doing charitable work in children, Daphne Victoria. love,” she said. – AFP-Relaxnews theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 21 SPORTS

LL the world’s top players, Dubai respectively from Jan 10-13, including 20-time Grand with players arriving in Melbourne Slam champion Roger from Jan 15 on special charter flights Federer, are expected to be for their quarantine. inA Melbourne for the coronavirus- Ready to deliver Tiley said they would constantly disrupted Australian Open, be tested for Covid-19 but allowed to tournament organiser Craig Tiley Fed Ex training, committed to playing Australian Open: Tiley train for five hours a day in a bio- said. secure bubble, although with just The opening Grand Slam of the expected. and his team and it’s been three days Federer has won the Australian one other player. year, in front of at least 50% of normal Tiley said he had been in touch now, he’s hit for the first time in Open six times. But after losing in the They will be shuttled between crowds, has been pushed back three with the 39-year-old and he was Dubai. He’s in his normal pre-season semifinals to Novak Djokovic, designated hotels and Melbourne weeks until Feb 8 with all players to going through his normal pre-season training routine. missed the rest of the Covid- Park, where the tournament is held undergo a mandatory 14-day training routine in Dubai. “He did say to us that Feb 8 was a interrupted 2020 season following and if anyone tests positive, they will quarantine on arrival. “Every player, including Roger, more suitable date for him in terms surgery and could only watch as need to isolate in their room. The delay could be pivotal for has made a commitment to travel to of preparing for the Australian Rafael Nadal matched his record 20 “If there are any breaches (of Federer, who admitted last week he Melbourne to play,” he said after Open,” Tiley added. “But a lot will Grand Slam titles with a 13th victory quarantine) the player will be was in a “race against time” to be fit confirming the new start date on depend on how he responds to his at the French Open. immediately removed from the as his recovery from two rounds of Saturday. surgery in the next two to three The men’s and women’s country as well as being fined,” Tiley knee surgery takes longer than “We have been in touch with him weeks of training.” qualifiers will be held in Doha and warned. – AFP

Australia’s Matthew Wade Hazlewood out plays a shot on the third day of the first of the shadows Test match against India in in Adelaide Adelaide. – AFPPIX JOSH HAZLEWOOD has sometimes been overshadowed by his fellow members of Australia’s attack, but at Adelaide Oval on Saturday he stepped firmly into the limelight with a blinding spell that humiliated India in the first Test. Working in tandem with Pat Cummins, the world’s top-ranked bowler, Hazlewood bagged the most economical five- haul by an Australian bowler in 73 years as India were bundled out for 36, their lowest ever innings score. The big quick from rural New South Wales bowled three maidens in his five overs, dismissing Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari at the cost of just eight runs. A committed team man, his first instinct was to pay tribute to Cummins for taking the first three , although his partner did report that at one stage Hazlewood cheekily suggested he might take more wickets than concede runs. “(We knew we had) something special going, and I just felt like if we kept bowling in those areas that nicks were going to keep coming,” Hazlewood recalled after the The ‘Great Indian Collapse’ match. A CRICKET-MAD India reacted the Indian batsmen who were sponsored by a learning app, “We just didn’t let up really. It was just with shock and disbelief yesterday dismissed for 36. could fail a Test. one of those days when everything went to after Virat Kohli’s men registered “No this is not a phone Some former players were plan, we kept putting it in on that spot and 322 Notices the country’s lowest Test innings number. It’s the score of the more sympathetic though. the nicks kept coming. score in the opening day-night Indian line-up (in order of “With the way India batted & “It happened so quickly, it was over In the Matter of contest against Australia in dismissal) in the 2nd innings at bowled in the 1st innings, they before we knew it.” the Companies Act, 2016 and Adelaide. Adelaide,” the newspaper said. were in the driver’s seat, but the The dismissal of Ashwin gave Hazlewood In the Matter of SAKURA VENDING SDN. BHD. More than the eight-wicket The Indian Express printed the Aussies came back really hard…” his 200th Test wicket, the 17th Australian to 201001030510 (914431-T) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) defeat inside three days, it was photo of the manual scoreboard tweeted batting great Sachin reach the milestone. the spectacular meltdown of at the Adelaide Oval on its front Tendulkar. It was a remarkable turnaround to a Test Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the India’s vaunted batting lineup in page reflecting India’s batting “That is the beauty of Test match which had been finely poised after Special Resolutions set below were duly passed by the members of the Company the second innings which capitulation in the day-night test. cricket. It’s never over till it’s over. two days. Hazlewood admitted the on 15-12-2020. dominated discussion in India. The daily called it a Day & India was outclassed in the 2nd Australians had been as surprised as “That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of A photo of Kohli with lowered Nightmare Test and devoted an half. Congratulations to Australia!” anyone. the Companies Act, 2016 and that Mr Teo Mong Nguan NRIC No. 490423-01-5197 head was printed on the front entire page to mourn “The Great The four-Test series continues “We were probably a bit more stunned from Advance Management Services Sdn. page of the Times of India Indian Batting Collapse.” with matches scheduled in when we came off from bowling,” the 29- Bhd. 197901008899 (53183-M), be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator of the newspaper, along with the 10 Fans on social media Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. year-old said. “The mood didn’t change too Company for the purpose of such winding- up at a fee to be approved by the Director. single-digit scores recorded by wondered how the India team, – Reuters much throughout the whole game to be

That the said Liquidator be empowered fair.” – Reuters to distribute part or the whole of the Company’s assets either in cash, specie or in kind in pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act, 2016. SHORTS They combined for a 10-under 62 campaign. and he leaves behind a team smarting That the said Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, that left them sharing sixth, four shots “Really good chance to chase from their shellacking inside three days losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and Tiger cub wows at PNC behind Matt Kuchar and son Cameron. everything,” said Kim. “If I play well after being shot out for 36, India’s lowest discharge of his duties in relation thereto.” Championship Vijay Singh and son Qass were in tomorrow, good chance.” innings total, in Adelaide. Dated : 21-12-2020 Yap Seng Kiong second, two shots adrift, with Australian England's Georgia Hall (68) had a As if that was not bad enough, Shami Director CHARLIE WOODS wowed his 15-time Greg Norman and son Greg Jr another relatively quiet start to the day with retired hurt after a painful blow to his In the Matter major champion father Tiger with an shot back and tied with Tom and Sean eight pars and a lone bogey on the front bowling arm from a Pat Cummins of the Companies Act, 2016 And impressive eagle for Team Woods in the Lehman and David and Brady Duval. nine but stormed home with five birdies bouncer. In the Matter of SAKURA VENDING SDN. BHD. PNC Championship family tournament over her last eight holes to sit alone in “He was in a lot of pain, could hardly 201001030510 (914431-T) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) in Orlando, Florida, yesterday. Kim leads Ko in season finale third place and three shots back of Kim. lift his arm,” Kohli said at the NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Charlie, 11, put his drive in the Five players are tied for fourth at 9- presentation ceremony, adding the team creditors of SAKURA VENDING SDN. BHD. fairway at the par-5 third hole of the DEFENDING champion Kim Sei-young under, including past champions Charley were awaiting Shami’s scan results. 201001030510 (914431-T) which is being voluntarily wound up are required on or Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, then hooked a of South Korea held a one-shot lead over Hull (2016) and Lexi Thompson (2018) Kohli’s departure also robs India of before 21-01-2021 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their five-wood approach around some trees. compatriot and world No. 1 Ko Jin- and world No. 6 Brooke Henderson. their batting mainstay as they try to stay debts and claims, and of any security held by them, and the names and addresses of The ball bounced short of the green young after the third round of the afloat in the four-Test series under their solicitors (if any) to:- and settled three feet from the pin, LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Shami injury adds Ajinkya Rahane. Teo Mong Nguan (Liquidator) Charlie giving a fist-pump just like his Championship in Naples, Florida. “I’d definitely have loved it for a fact if Suite 19-02D, 19th Floor, Menara Zurich, to tourists woes No. 15, Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir, 80300 old man's before rolling in the putt. Kim, who carded six birdies through we had won this game, leaving with Johor Bahru, Johor A beaming Woods had a hug for his her first 13 holes and was blemish-free A POTENTIALLY series-ending injury to victory would have been great,” Kohli and if so required by notice in writing from the aforesaid Liquidator, or personally son, noting as they walked off the green on the day until a bogey at last, shot a 5- seamer Mohammed Shami has jolted said in a virtual press conference or by their solicitors required to write in and prove their said debts and claims at “First eagle!” under 67 that brought her to 13-under India’s bid to bounce back in the Test yesterday. such time and place shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they “It was some of the most incredible on the week at Tiburon Golf Club. series against Australia, a task the “Having said that, this is Test cricket. will be excluded from the benefit of any golf shots,” Woods said with a laugh. If Kim can close out the win it would tourists will have to accomplish without Anything can happen at any stage and distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. The Woods duo got off to a hot start, be the first time she has successfully their talismanic captain Virat Kohli. I’m pretty confident that the team’s Dated: 21-12-2020 with six birdies and an eagle on the front defended a title and make her the only Kohli will miss the last three Tests to going to bounce back strongly in Teo Mong Nguan (Liquidator) nine. three-time winner of the 2020 attend the birth of his first child in India Melbourne.” 22 theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 SPORTS

IONEL MESSI scored his 643rd goal for Barcelona yesterday to equal Pele’s record of goals for a single club as the Spanish giants were held 2-2 by Valencia. LMessi, 33, headed in from Jordi Alba’s cross Barca lose more ground after his first-half penalty was saved to equal the mark set by the Brazilian great for Santos. Messi equals Pele goal record but Catalans fall further behind “These figures are impressive, we will never have a player so effective at this club,“ admitted “We know we’re a team that always likes to header from a corner after half an hour. Barcelona went ahead thanks to a superb coach Ronald Koeman. attack and score goals, but there are also times Antoine Griezmann earned the penalty that scissor kick from Uruguay’s Ronald Araujo. “That’s why he is the No. 1. What he’s done for when you have to defend and control the game. led to Messi’s record-equalling goal when the But Valencia’s pressure was rewarded when this club, it is impressive.” “But the race for the title is not yet lost, we are France attacker was nudged over by Jose Gaya. Maxi Gomez got in front of Barca central defender But Messi was eventually left frustrated as a far behind, but it’s a very complicated season for Messi’s spot-kick was saved by Jaume Oscar Mingueza to turn in a cross and equalise. dogged Valencia forced a draw to leave Barcelona everyone. In two months, the situation may be Domenech but the ball rebounded and from Luis Suarez scored twice from close range in a eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who totally different.” Alba’s dinked cross, the Argentina forward 3-1 victory for Atletico to move Diego Simeone’s beat Elche 3-1 earlier in the day. Barcelona started slowly and went a goal headed the ball into the net to draw level with side three points clear at the top. “There were times tonight with good football, behind to Mouctar Diakhaby’s unchallenged Pele. Substitute Diego Costa, who has been we had total control of the match, especially after relegated to the bench since Suarez’s arrival, fired leading 2-1 where we tried to get the third, but Valencia’s Jose Luis in a penalty with 10 minutes remaining to wrap up there were also times when we lost the ball in the the three points for Atletico. Gaya Pena (left) vies danger zones,” added Koeman. “I’m very happy to be able to play again,” Costa “What worries me is that sometimes the team with Barcelona’s told Movistar after the game. doesn’t know what the game is about. Sergino Dest during “I have taken some hard blows but I always their Spanish league pick myself up again. It’s hasn’t been easy but I match at the Nou have enough strength to fight.” Camp yesterday. Real Sociedad stay second but remain three – AFPPIX points behind after giving up a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at Levante while Villarreal are fourth thanks to a 3-1 win over Osasuna. – AFP 5214/2020 20/12/2020 (SUN)

SPORTS TOTO MALAYSIA SDN BHD (8420 - D)

TOTO 4D PRIZE PAYMENTS GUARANTEED IN FULL 1st Prize 4458 2nd Prize 7740 3rd Prize 3684 Draw Date: 20/12/20 (Sun) Draw No: 5161/20 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB Special Consolation 0067 2484 0527 1414 1014 6877 0310 2306 4599 5669 3958 4771 1885 Ron at the double for Juve 5348 7642 3666 1907 7629 CRISTIANO RONALDO scored a double and UEFA Cup titles. 6364 7066 4566 0611 as Juventus thrashed Parma 4-0 yesterday “Whenever I come to Parma, there’s no 2225 to move within a point of Serie A leaders denying it, I always have this nostalgia AC Milan. within me,” said Buffon, who turns 43 next 2680 + 2186 5862 + 8027 9,989,827.26 The Turin giants, chasing a 10th month. 2417 + 5896 7417 + 8245 straight league title this season, remain “I spent 10 unforgettable years of my 4195 + 8779 8015 + 0089 4458 7740 7740 4458 unbeaten after 13 matches this term. life here and the people of Parma will 4458 3684 3684 4458 Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in the always mean so much to me.” 8643 + 1704 0400 + 5191 7740 3684 3684 7740 midweek 1-1 draw with Atalanta, made Instead, the visitors forged ahead 8800 + 9180 7668 + 3415 amends with his third brace in four midway through the first half as Dejan 160,915.26 games. Kulusevski side-footed home after good Winning combination of any 1 of Top 3 & any 1 of Special prizes. “Ronaldo was quite rightly angry with work from Alex Sandro. himself after missing a penalty,” Juve The game was all but over three RM10,858,728.60 coach Andrea Pirlo told DAZN. minutes later, as Morata crossed for “But fortunately he didn’t have much Ronaldo to power an emphatic header 4599 + 5348 5348 + 4599 1st Prize 4458 + time to stew over it and immediately got past home goalkeeper Luigi Sepe and into 4599 + 2225 2225 + 4599 2nd Prize 7740 + the chance to show just how much he the bottom corner. 5348 + 2225 2225 + 5348 loves to score goals.” The 35-year-old Ronaldo made 3rd Prize 3684 + OX “We’re slowly getting to what we all completely sure of the three points RM219,073.60 4th Prize Special Prize + want, not just me, but also the players,” shortly after the restart, collecting Aaron added Pirlo, whose side drew five of their Ramsey’s pass and drilling the ball into the 5th Prize Consolation Prize + first nine league games of the season. net left-footed. 6th Prize Any 4D drawn number Ronaldo started up front alongside Morata got the goal his all-round Alvaro Morata in Parma, with Paulo display deserved in the 85th minute, RM260,000.00 TOTO 5D & 6D PRIZE PAYMENTS GUARANTEED IN FULL Dybala not even on the bench after nodding in his 10th of the campaign in all 114 599 + SNAKE 61786 suffering a muscle injury. competitions. Juve made a slow start to the match, Elsewhere, veteran striker Fabio 775 348 +DRAGON RM2,743,749.00 1786 needing 42-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Quagliarella scored as Claudio Ranieri’s 91614 786 Buffon to make an excellent save to Sampdoria beat bottom club Crotone 3-1 77852 86 prevent Juraj Kucka giving Parma the lead. to move into 10th place, while seventh- 732 225 + BOAR RM1,823,207.60 Buffon was playing against his former placed Verona played out a 1-1 draw at club, where he won the 1999 Coppa Italia Fiorentina. – AFP 340994 612 680 412 186 275 862 318 027 092 417 365 896 337 417 288 245 34099 40994 524 195 738 779 198 015 750 089 3409 0994 Lewa fires Bayern to the top 728 643 401 704 280 400 315 191 340 994 NEWLY-CROWNED FIFA world player of 28 points with RB Leipzig, who sit third 388 800 679 180 827 668 973 415 34 94 the year Robert Lewandowski scored a after a goalless draw at home with double, including a dramatic injury-time Cologne. TOTO GAMES GIVES YOU MORE WINNING CHANCES! winner, as Bayern Munich beat Bayer Bayern are the first Bundesliga team to 32 20 28 36 53 Leverkusen 2-1 yesterday to usurp their beat Leverkusen this term, having also opponents at the top of the Bundesliga. ended Wolfsburg’s unbeaten league run 599 348 225 44,236,517.42 Lewandowski, who beat Cristiano this season in midweek. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the individual Borussia Moenchengladbach forward 125 20 26 30 33 award on Thursday, scored in the 93rd Marcus Thuram apologised after being minute to put the reigning champions sent off for spitting in an opponent’s face 9,849,674.04 RM607,725.10 two points clear heading into the winter during a 2-1 home defeat by Hoffenheim. 599 + 348 + 225 348 + 225 + 599 10 14 32 37 46 49 39 break. The France forward was shown a “What a year we have had, I hope we straight red card with 11 minutes left after 599 + 225 + 348 225 + 599 + 348 Jackpot 1 2,232,580.76 will continue to play like this in the New VAR spotted Thuram spitting at 348 + 599 + 225 225 + 348 + 599 Year,” Lewandowski told Sky. Hoffenheim defender Stefan Posch. Jackpot 2 100,000.00 “It’s always nice to score a goal in the The incident happened just after last few seconds, especially to get an Andrej Kramaric had equalised for the 3D Jackpot RM630,872.90 won on Toto 4D Jackpot 2 important victory. away side at Borussia Park. 19/12/2020 ! RM659,281 “This shows that we always want to “Something took place today that is win games like these.” out of my character and must never Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Lewandowski has 20 goals in 18 happen again,” Thuram later wrote on games this season in all competitions, Twitter. RM215,905 having also headed Bayern level just “I apologise to everyone – my won on 19/12/2020! before the break after Patrik Schick gave opponents, teammates and family. Of Visit www.sportstoto.com.my for e-Results and more info. Leverkusen an early lead. course, I accept all the consequences of Second-placed Leverkusen are level on my actions.” – AFP

Media: Sun Size: 26cm (H) x 6.3cm(W) theSUN ON MONDAY | DECEMBER 21, 2020 23 * SPORTS

EP GUARDIOLA admitted Manchester City must find “momentum” in front of goal if they are to challenge PLiverpool for the Premier League title Desperate for momentum after grinding out a 1-0 win at third- placed Southampton. Goal-shy City rely on solid defensive display to down Saints City slipped to 11 points behind leaders Liverpool prior to kickoff, Raheem Sterling for the only goal against Tottenham, how well they their previous 10 But the loss of top scorer albeit with two games in hand on the separated the sides. play. It’s no secret how good they are League games to Danny Ings on top of the champions, and once again had to Liverpool thrashed Crystal Palace but I told the guys ‘forget about it’. We start the day defeat dealt a blow to their rely on a solid defensive display to 7-0 away earlier on Saturday after were ninth in the table, think about four points quest to qualify for Europe. edge up to fifth in the table thanks to beating Tottenhan in a top-of-the- eighth, then seventh, then Europa and six “We can’t say now. I think it a seventh clean sheet in eight games. table clash on Wednesday. League, then Champions League.” p l a c e s is a hamstring problem,” Saints “We don’t have our momentum to And Guardiola insisted City have “Sometimes we could not control ahead of boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said. score goals,” said Guardiola, after his a long way to go to challenge Jurgen the game, they were able to – they t h e i r “Hopefully, it is not too bad.” side failed to score more than once Klopp’s men for the title. had enough chances in the second illustrious Reflecting on the game, the Saints for the ninth time in 13 league games “We are far away, look half to score more goals with our visitors. boss said: “I think it was a top game this season. at the table, it’s a lot momentum but our back four for the Premier League. “We have to accept it, but we have of points,” he added were brilliant with Rodrigo and “We played a better game to survive now being solid and put on the eight-point (Ilkay) Gundogan as well. than when we beat them in our desire and our heart into the rest.” gap between the “So this is a good victory the summer. This time Guardiola’s men were again guilty sides. “They still for us.” they scored and we of not being ruthless enough in front have momentum in Southampton had lost didn’t.” – AFP/The of goal with the few chances they did terms of goals. just once in Independent create, but one moment of quality “I saw their game that saw Kevin De Bruyne tee up

RESULTS ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 7 (Minamino 3, Mane 35, Firmino 44, 68, Henderson 52, Salah 81, 84), Southampton 0 Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16), Everton 2 (Holding 22-og, Mina 45) Arsenal 1 (Pepe 35-pen), Newcastle 1 (Wilson 64-pen) Fulham 1 (Ritchie 42-og).

CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham 1 Manchester City’s Middlesbrough 4, Brentford 3 Raheem Sterling Reading 1, Huddersfield 2 (left) vies with Watford 0, Luton 0 Bourne- mouth 0, Millwall 1 Nottingham Southampton’s Forest 1, Norwich 2 Cardiff 0, Theo Walcott Sheffield Wednesday 1 Coventry during their 0, Stoke 1 Blackburn 0, Swansea English Premier 2 Barnsley 0, Wycombe 1 QPR 1, League match at Rotherham vs Derby (post- St Mary’s Stadium poned). yesterday. – AFPPIX LA LIGA: Atletico Madrid 3 (Suarez 41, 58, Costa 80-pen) Elche 1 (Lucas Boye 64), Barcelona 2 (Messi 45+4, Araujo da Silva 52) Valencia 2 (Diakhaby 29, Gomez 69), Levante 2 (Roger 28, de Frutos 87) Real Sociedad 1 (Isak 22), Osasuna 1 (Torres 70-pen) Villarreal 3 (Gerard 7, 86, Nino 29), Sevilla 1 (Ocampos 31-pen) Bruce defends unambitious Magpies Valladolid 1 (Garcia 87). STEVE BRUCE admitted that Newcastle United cheaply and if you do that in the Premier weren’t good enough against Fulham after their League then, unfortunately, you will get SERIE A: Fiorentina 1 (Vlahovic 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. punished. 19-pen) Verona 1 (Veloso 8-pen), After starting the game in defensive mode “We did not play well enough.” Sampdoria 3 (Damsgaard 26, and allowing Fulham to have up to 62% Bruce then accepted that the result will give Jankto 36, Quagliarella 65) possession at one stage, Newcastle got back critics extra ammunition and reflected: “I am Crotone 1 (Simy 45+1-pen), into the game in the second half after the expecting what comes with it but there’s no Parma 0 Juventus 4 (Kulusevski visitors were reduced to 10 men and the denying we have to be better than what we 23, Ronaldo 26, 48, Morata 85). Magpies won a penalty. showed tonight.

BUNDESLIGA: RB Leipzig 0 But they could not build on Callum Wilson’s “I have to tell you it was against a Fulham Cologne 0, Borussia leveller from the spot and Fulham left with a side who are a very decent team.” Moenchengladbach 1 Hoffen- point. Bruce says some of the club’s coronavirus heim 2, Schalke 04 0 Arminia When asked about the angry fan reaction on victims are battling extreme exhaustion as they Bielefeld 1, Mainz 05 0 Werder social media and the fact that Newcastle lacked attempt to fight their way back to fitness. Bremen 1, Augsburg 0 Eintracht ambition to win the game, Bruce told “We have had the real kick in the teeth Frankfurt 2, Bayer Leverkusen 1 ChronicleLive: “Ambitious? In the end, I had because unfortunately, we have lost players Bayern Munich 2. every forward player we had on the pitch. through illness. “Look we didn’t play well enough so we are “It’s the fatigue of the lads where they have LIGUE 1: Metz 2 Lens 0, going to get criticised, the one thing we have to recovered but are not 100%. Marseille 1 Reims 1, Nice 1 Lyon do better, is create more, and look after the ball “That has been a concern but we don’t really 4. better than what we did. want to make excuses as we want to be better “Unfortunately, we gave the ball away too than we were today.” – Agencies Norwich stretch lead in Championship NORWICH stretched their lead “I can’t hide the fact I am listless in the convincing defeat, them to a 3-1 win against at the top of the English pretty pleased with our form,” telling WalesOnline: “We looked Reading. Championship to five points said Farke, whose side were leggy, we looked laboured at Aitor Karanka suffered a yesterday as Rotherham’s match relegated from the Premier times. We made errors that heavy defeat against his former with Derby was postponed due League last season, along with aren’t normally at our levels. club as Birmingham were beaten to a coronavirus outbreak. Bournemouth. “When you’re playing against 4-1 by Middlesbrough, who Daniel Farke’s men beat “We are pleased with our good teams, you can’t give them moved into the playoff places. Cardiff 2-0 at Carrow Road points so far and our position in opportunities like we did, Huddersfield claimed a 2-0 thanks to goals from Emi the league but there is a long especially at the start of the win against Watford, with a goal Buendia and Todd Cantwell, for a way to go. This is the toughest second half.” from Fraizer Campbell and an fifth consecutive win. league in the world and we just Swansea moved up to third own goal from Etienne Capoue. They pulled further clear of have to maintain the standards following a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday beat second-placed Bournemouth, we have shown so far.” Barnsley while Brentford are Coventry 1-0 while Stoke saw off who could only draw 0-0 at A frank Neil Harris admitted fourth after two superb strikes Blackburn by the same scoreline. Luton. his Cardiff City players looked from Bryan Mbeumo helped – AFP QUOTE OF THE DAY Ambitious? In the end, I had every forward player we had on the pitch. Look we didn’t play well enough so we are going to get criticised, the one thing we have to do better, is create more, and look after the ball better than what we did.” MONDAY • DECEMBER 21, 2020 Newcastle manager Steve Bruce Arteta bemoans bad luck, says Arsenal must ‘generate more’

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta seven games down to poor fortune League and are 15th in the table. hurting and fighting. The truth is top-four finish. says his team must be more on the day, as Everton moved up to “We are up against a big fight that they didn’t show much proof. “We have fantastic players on effective in both penalty boxes after second. but you can see how hard they are In midweek, Arteta said that he set-pieces, we score lots of goals,” the Gunners succumbed to another “Bad again, without conceding trying, the spirit is there. would “take the hits and take the Ancelotti told the BBC. “We work defeat in the Premier League. much, that we lost the game... with “I think we had 15 shots but only bullets” when criticism comes on this because we are very This time it was Everton who two key moments, an own goal and two on target, that ratio is really low Arsenal’s way, but he needs his dangerous. inflicted further pain on Arteta and a set-piece,” he said. if you want to be more consistent players to step up and put “We did very well in our last few his side, a 2-1 scoreline at Goodison “We reacted well, dominated the and win football matches but that is themselves on the line too, games – brilliant performances and Park coming after Yerry Mina’s game and created enough chances our reality. We need to generate otherwise the likes of Edu, chief fantastic results,” he said. headed winner. at least not to lose the game. We hit more to win matches. executive Vinai Venkateshem and “We showed more consistency. Arteta made reference to the the bar and I think the luck is not on “The boys are fighting, upset director Josh Kroenke may have a This season we started well, then we Toffees not needing to create a our side.” and together. We need to start big decision to make. had a difficult moment, but right large volume of chances to beat Arteta insisted that his team winning football matches. The At the start of the campaign, now I’m really pleased. Arsenal, while his own side toiled in were working hard enough to prove Premier League is the main priority Arsenal’s target was a return to the “We are pleased. The position in possession and rarely looked like their intent at trying to turn because we need to pick up Champions League next season. the table is really good. But as I said finding an equaliser. fortunes around, despite the fact points.” Now their focus is staying in the last week, it is not the end of the Speaking after the game to Sky the FA Cup winners have now won Only Arteta knows whether he Premier League, while it is the season, we have to keep fighting.” – Sports, Arteta put a fifth defeat in just twice in the last 11 in the believes that his players really are Everton who are contenders for a The Independent/Agencies

Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino (centre) his team’s first goal during their English Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. – REUTERSPIX

Reds’ Xmas warning Defending champions send out statement of intent with demolition job at Selhurst Park

S MUCH as a performance of Selhurst Park. After recent away matches in which “In the first half they had one or two half- champions, it was different individual There is also something instructive there, Henderson feels the reigning champions have chances, they’ve good players on the counter to displays of Liverpool’s exacting quality, given Spurs’ own performance at this stadium been somewhat profligate despite some create something but we limited that well as the and a goal of the month competition only six days ago. dominant performances, the midfielder game wore on. allA in one match. Jose Mourinho’s side had the lead and the believes this result “was coming” – but still isn’t “We don’t just look at the scoreline, we look Saturday’s 7-0 win over Crystal Palace was a chance to go top before such a crucial game, but a result to get overly excited about in terms of at overall performance. Midweek we were very victory as special and as era-defining as sat back and squandered it, before suffering the title race. good so we’ve just got to keep momentum anything we’ve seen in Jurgen Klopp’s half- from a similar approach at Anfield. Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane and Roberto going, keep working hard. decade in charge. And that in a season when Liverpool won that, moved up, and stepped Firmino had all scored by half-time to effectively “Over Christmas is difficult for everyone so they have been someway off their highest level. up to something so dazzlingly resounding at put the game out of Palace’s reach, but in we need to keep picking up the wins.” It was that good, that ominous for everyone Palace. They suddenly look in full command on between the first and second goals the home Klopp has repeatedly bemoaned the fixture else. It was also a record, as their biggest ever top, and close to their top level. side had plenty of their own chances, which scheduling that requires teams to play at away win in the League. This season of course has a habit of making Henderson noted at fulltime. Saturday lunchtime after Wednesday evening They raised it when required to rise above fools of people, and rendering predictions “We were ruthless today, we took our games, but his side suffered no hangover from the whole League – and a generally lower- ridiculous, so it could all change again so chances and dominated the game for large their exertions against Spurs. quality season. That may be the case in this title quickly in a matter of weeks. periods; we were a little sloppy at times but “The boys are capable of that. It will not race as a whole. It’s just Liverpool have a habit of making fools we’re delighted with the performance and happen every week but it can happen,” said the On that, it does have the potential to be a of people too, not least with the speed with result,” he told BT Sport. German. juncture week, and you could sense how which they can change a game. “It was coming, over the last few games we’ve “It just clicked today. After a really intense transformational the victory over Tottenham Jordan Henderson, who scored his first had chances and not taken them, costing us at period for the boys they should be really proud Hotspur might have been. You could see its League goal of the season, praised the team for times. Today we finished them and its important of how they came through that, results-wise.” – significance in the reaction, and the response at showing a clinical edge in front of goal. in football. The Independent/AFP theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected]