œ  INSIDE page TELLING IT AS IT IS Concern over public transport ‘full capacity’ move 2 page Penang relaxes rules for foreigners to buy property 6 ON FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2020 No. 7554 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my GOOD SIGN ... Local tourists from Bangi in Selangor enjoying trishaw rides at Lebuh Muntri in Penang after interstate travel was allowed with the implementation of the recovery movement control order on Wednesday. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

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New way to learn █ BY CINDI LOO [email protected] oCombination of home and school teaching ETALING JAYA: Both the modules the way to go, says national PTA head home and the classroom should jointly serve as centres of learning in the National Parent-Teacher educationist Chan Tuck Loong Pfuture. Association president Prof Datuk also agree with Mohamad Ali That is the consensus reached Mohamad Ali Hasan. that in line with such a among parties such as parents, National Union of the Turn to move, the number of teachers and educationists. Teaching Profession (NUTP) — Part of the learning process president Aminuddin Awang page 3 should be conducted at home, and and Chinese that will be supplemented by physical activities or project-based learning in school, according to stakeholders theSun spoke to PAPA, I LOVE YOU yesterday. “An integration of the two systems is the way to go,” said 2 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Passengers with face masks maintain social distancing while travelling on the MRT during the RMCO period. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

SOP must be Concern over full capacity followed: Minister

PETALING JAYA: Public transport and flights can now begin operating at full capacity, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday. public transport operation The senior minister (defence) said they include public buses, ferries, rail services and express following the relaxation of restrictions. their safety. buses nationwide. oCommuters fear risk Rehvathi Rajendhiran, 33, an office “Of course we are very concerned. The bus However, service providers and passengers are manager at an IT company in Kuala Lumpur, that I took everyday before the movement required to adhere to all standard operating of infection riding in said she would rather wait a little longer for a control order (MCO) was enforced was procedures (SOP) outlined by the government to train than board one which is cramped with packed to the brim with little room to move. ensure safety and minimise the risk of infection. cramped vehicles passengers. Can you imagine what will happen now with “Passengers must practise social distancing in “I’m not sure if it’s safe yet to operate at full the Covid-19 threat.” vehicles which allow people to stand. Additionally, capacity. Although it will save time, you have The 39-year-old said she would have everyone must wear face masks at all times, have █ BY AMAR SHAH MOHSEN to be concerned about your own health,” she preferred if the frequency of buses and the MySejahtera app on their phones and use hand [email protected] said yesterday. trains was increased, rather than passenger sanitisers when on board,” he said in his daily “Unfortunately, many of us do not have a loads. media conference in Putrajaya. PETALING JAYA: Public transport users have choice but to take public transport. The only One public transport operator that “As for flights, passengers’ temperature must be expressed concern over the government’s thing we can do is to wear face masks and use announced an increase in service frequency recorded before boarding, and the wearing of face announcement that vehicles for these hand sanitisers often.” is the Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd, which masks is compulsory. services can now operate at full capacity. The mother of two said even prior to the operates KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit. “In the case of express buses, which can now Malaysians, particularly those who rely on announcement, many Malaysians had The service will be available at 20-minute operate 24 hours, operators have to register all public transport to commute to work daily, disregarded social distancing in trains, and intervals during peak hours from June 15 passengers through the MySejahtera app or said while the move would help reduce allowing full capacity in public transport compared with 30 minutes during the MCO. manually. Buses must also be sanitised after every waiting time during peak hours, it would be at would only make things worse. Yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri journey.” the expense of safety. Insurance company manager Au Yuen Yee Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that flights Ismail’s announcement follows the lifting of Instead, they suggested that public said some of her colleagues who commute to and public transport could now operate at full various restrictions under the recovery movement transport providers increase their frequency work using public transport are now volume, including public and express buses, control order (RMCO), which started on to cater to more Malaysians returning to work considering buying cars fearing for ferries and rail services. Wednesday, including the lifting of restrictions on interstate travel. It also comes just a day after the minister First day of RMCO sees spike in highway traffic dismissed Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd’s announcement that it was ending social distancing measures for all PETALING JAYA: Highways recorded double 85,989 vehicles were recorded, as opposed to “Police will monitor the traffic situation its train services, claiming this restriction was still the volume of vehicles on the first day of the just 37,789 on Tuesday. nationwide, and will also keep an eye on rest applicable. recovery movement control order (RMCO) Ismail said the numbers are expected to and recreation (R&R) areas to ensure the Previously, all public transport was only and the reopening of interstate travel. increase over the weekend as more public obeys all SOP,” he said in his daily allowed to operate at half capacity, as the Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Malaysians return to their hometowns to media conference in Putrajaya. government looked to minimise contact among Yaakob yesterday said PLUS highways reunite with families. Ismail advised those planning for interstate passengers. registered a huge jump in the number of He added that the number of fatal accidents travel to continue exercising caution and Other than public transport, Ismail announced vehicles, from 1.2 million on Tuesday to 2.04 rose on Wednesday compared with pre-RMCO maintain safe social distancing at R&R areas. the lifting of the requirement to have only million on Wednesday. days, based on information provided by police, “Please don’t crowd public toilets or surau. members of the same family living under one roof On the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, but stopped short of mentioning figures. I would also like to remind all to drive safely.” to travel in the same car. Retail ceiling prices of petrol, diesel not revoked: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The government response to media reports that the products’ prices in line with global The change was to strengthen Act 2011. The gazetting is to enforce has not revoked the retail ceiling federal government had revoked the crude oil prices. enforcement and monitoring efforts control on retail prices of petrol and prices of petrol and diesel as price control order that sets ceiling He said on Feb 29, the ministry in the event of any violation of the diesel by oil companies and petrol reported, said Domestic Trade and prices. changed the mechanism for the directive under the Act. station operators so that they do not Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Nanta explained in a media control of retail prices of petrol and “From March 30, 2017, retail exceed the prices set by the Ministry Alexander Nanta Linggi. statement that the retail pricing of diesel through a directive issued prices of petrol and diesel have been of Finance.” “Don’t misunderstand it. We petroleum products using the under Regulation 12A of the Control regulated on a weekly basis and Nanta appealed to the public not have not removed the so-called Automated Price Mechanism and Supply Regulations 1974 under enforced by the ministry under the to make misleading statements about ceiling price, it is the same,” he said in formula is influenced by refined the Control of Supplies Act 1961. Price Control and Anti-Profiteering the matter. – Bernama theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

TELLING IT AS IT IS Says ...

Graphics_1 > Graphics Logos >The Sun Masthead .ai How we live and where it has taken us

█ BY EDDIE HOO occur through direct and indirect Covid-19 is said to be the latest to World War II. emissions, including 37% of all contact between animals and people. strike us. There are many theories on How we exploit the environment methane emissions and 65% of IT is a lesson that we have learnt Coming into contact with body the origin of the pandemic and the in the pursuit of growth has come at nitrous oxide. many times over. fluids of infected animals or areas leading one is that the virus made a very high cost. From deforestation On top of that, almost 50% of There was a proliferation of contaminated with pathogens puts the leap into humans at a wildlife to enable the cultivation of crops to grain produced in the world are fed zoonotic diseases in recent memory, humans at risk. market in Wuhan, China in late 2019. the building of networks of roads, we to livestock. such as Ebola, HIV, severe acute Since the pathogens can be The pandemic brought the have encroached into territories that It is not that our food production respiratory syndrome (SARS) and vector, food or water borne, we are dangers of zoonotic diseases back we take for granted as ours. and distribution are inadequate, but Middle East respiratory syndrome increasingly at risk of contracting into our focus. It has not only A rapidly growing human yet there are 800 million people (MERS), to name a few. zoonotic diseases. endangered our health but also population of 7.8 billion means suffering from malnutrition. They are caused by transmission The World Health Organisation triggered a collapse of global human settlements are destroying How we live and how much each of pathogens such as bacteria, estimates that 61% of all human economic activity. the original habitats of animals and of us consume will have a direct viruses, parasites or fungi from diseases are zoonotic in origin, while According to the World Bank, this forcing grave ecological changes. bearing on the world we live in. animals to humans. 75% of new diseases discovered in pandemic-fuelled global recession is Intensive animal farming accounts Unbridled consumerism and Cross-species transmissions can the last decade are zoonotic. expected to be the deepest since for large amounts of greenhouse gas greed have taken us down this path. Back to school SOP still lacking permanent committee be set up to Profession president Aminuddin learning is crucial now and for the oAdditional requirements need to be included review the SOP from time to time and Awang said the SOP should be impending future. to assess its effectiveness in ensuring reviewed from time to time to meet “Equip every household with a in guideline, says Parent-Teacher Association the safety of students and teachers. the needs of the prevailing situation. laptop for education purposes. “A health official and a local “We have conducted a study on Ensure fast connectivity to every authority representative should be pedagogue on the post-Covid-19 era home. Learning can be █ BY CINDI LOO AND IAN MCINTYRE the SOP outlined by the Education included in this committee.” for learning and teaching. supplemented with TV,” she said. [email protected] Ministry is good, there still is room for Other areas of concern, he said, “For example, we suggested that Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer said improvement. are security, the cohesiveness of the schools open only from 8am to noon, screening students when school PETALING JAYA: Several more “I believe it is not complete. There school environment for learning and teach only four subjects a day and the reopens partly on June 24 is a good requirements should be added to the are areas that have not been whether there is necessary sanitation movement of students in and out of way to reassure parents that safety standard operating procedures (SOP) addressed,” he told theSun. for facilities such as labs, washrooms school be made smoother,” he told and security precautions are in place. for the resumption of classes to For instance, he said there are no and the library. theSun yesterday. He urged pharmaceutical firms to ensure the safety of students, guidelines on checking vehicles that He said the parent-teacher Aminuddin said other lessons can subsidise the screening cost for according to parent and teacher enter or exit the school grounds. association of each school could help be conducted off-school or online. students as part of their corporate groups. “Neither is there a guide on by cleaning and sanitising the school Parent Action Group for social responsibility initiatives. National Parent-Teacher managing the crowd at the entrance grounds and facilities a week before Education chairman Datin Noor Rayer also reminded parents to Association president Prof Datuk to the school compound”, he added. school reopens. Azimah Abdul Rahim said it is ensure their children attend school Mohamad Ali Hasan said that while Mohamad Ali proposed that a National Union of the Teaching important to note that online and not play truant. ‘Speed up process for home-based learning’ students per class must also be He said NUTP had advocated reduced. From the need for smaller classes for Mohamad Ali said there front some time now but budget should also be a limit to the page constraints have made it number of subjects each impossible for the government student is allowed to take under to implement it. such conditions. Chan said alongside the need for The proposal for home-based children to spend part of their school learning has been receiving a lot of hours at home, there is also a need to attention lately in light of the need to have some lessons conducted in close schools to prevent the spread of school. Covid-19. Schools will reopen on “For that, we also need better June 24 beginning with those in internet access in schools. Teachers Forms Five and Six. have complained that current The Education Ministry has networks are not good enough to outlined a set of guidelines that enable them to download files or schools have to abide by when their complete tasks,” he said. students return. “As a result, teachers have to take Mohamad Ali pointed out that to some of their work home.” ensure there are no hitches in home- Chan added that while he based learning, the government must advocates the move to have fewer invest in adequate digital students per class, Chinese infrastructure to widen and enhance vernacular schools have not been internet coverage. able to make that a reality because of He said equal emphasis should be a shortage of space. given to both rural and urban areas. “With fewer students per class, we DEVOTED TO SAFETY ... Staff of the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple at Lorong Ipoh in George Town, Penang using tape “We must not forget the suburban are going to need more classrooms as social distancing markers yesterday to comply with the government’s standard operating procedures, after it was given areas or the urban poor as well. Many but there is no space for that,” he said. approval to reopen to the public starting today. – BERNAMAPIX of them may not be able to afford Malacca Action Group for Parents internet access,” he told theSun. in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin He added that the ministry should expressed the same concerns about Remote teaching a challenge for lecturers also decide how students can be online learning. assessed on their performance at He pointed out that if classes were █ BY KEVIN DAVASAGAYAM He was commenting on an data usage, said Omar. home. too big, the internet connectivity may [email protected] announcement by the Higher “For instance, instead of video Another important aspect is to not be able to cope with so many Education Ministry that teaching and files, they could change to audio files. ensure that education caters to the users at a time. PETALING JAYA: Imparting learning at the tertiary level will “However, if videos are needs and interest of the students. “We have raised this issue many knowledge remotely remains a great continue online until the end of the mandatory, reduce the file size to its “There should not be a one-size- times before but no action has been challenge and educators have to year. minimum.” fits-all mentality any more,” he said. taken.” constantly review their methods to Omar cautioned educators In addition, Omar said educators “This can be done by introducing He said a shortfall in good ensure effectiveness. against underestimating the could vary the way they impart a ‘packaged curriculum’ that caters to infrastructure and the lack of Prof Omar Yaakob, who chairs the difficulties in transforming in-class knowledge by incorporating off-line individual needs.” commitment from the government council of professors at Universiti face-to-face delivery into ERT or less data-driven activities. Aminuddin said there is a need to means that it will take a long time to Teknologi Malaysia, said institutions teaching mode in the new normal. He said it is also important to speed up the process towards making get the issue addressed. of higher learning should first He said lecturers should take into ensure that no one is left behind. home-based learning effective. Another issue is to convince understand that they are not consideration the limitations and “Special attention should be given “We should realise by now that IT parents that online learning is the delivering online teaching and challenges faced by students and to more vulnerable students, those plays a big role (in home-based way to go, he added. learning in the traditional sense. tailor the ERT process accordingly. who are academically below average learning) and it requires a big budget “Most parents and even students “It is more like emergency remote Infrastructure limitations could and those with special needs,” he from the government.” still prefer face-to-face lessons.” teaching (ERT),” Omar told theSun. force institutions to cut down on added. 4 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS 31 new cases, only 1 M’sian infected locally o16 of 19 foreigners who test positive are from a cluster in Negri Sembilan CLEAR EVIDENCE ... Perak health enforcement officer Mohamad Noor Faez Hassan showing mosquito larvae █ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR Five patients remain in obtained at a construction site kongsi in Meru, Ipoh [email protected] intensive care. yesterday during a spot check. – BERNAMAPIX Yesterday, 51 patients were PETALING JAYA: The number discharged from hospital, of new Covid-19 cases in the bringing the number of those country has risen but local who have recovered to 7,065. transmission among Malaysians Noor Hisham also remains at a very low level. highlighted the problem of a Of the 31 new cases reported relentless posting of fake news as of noon yesterday, only one is on the pandemic. a Malaysian who has been “The viral fake news has infected locally. spread within the community at At his daily media briefing on a much faster rate than the the pandemic yesterday, Health Covid-19 itself,” he said. Director-General Datuk Seri Dr “Conventional media Noor Hisham Abdullah practitioners are not the only announced that 11 of the new ones that are disseminating the cases were imported. Of the 20 news but these days, all the who got it locally, 19 were social media users have become foreigners. citizen journalists,” he said. The new Malaysian patient “The Health Ministry is tested positive at a screening grateful to those who spread session at a tahfiz school in Ulu accurate news with the correct Klang, Selangor. facts and figures. However, Of the 19 foreigners who also many of these citizen journalists tested positive, 16 were from a are irresponsible. Even worse, cluster in Pedas, Negri there are some who even Sembilan. The others are from a encourage others to ignore the tahfiz cluster in Kampung government’s standard Sungai Lui in Selangor, a operating procedures (SOP) and cleaning company in Kuala advice,” he said. Lumpur and a construction site, Noor Hisham said a total of also in Kuala Lumpur. 266 investigation papers have Noor Hisham said the new been opened in relation to the cases brought the tally now to dissemination of fake news 1,186 active cases. about Covid-19. Thirty people Another day passed without a have been brought to court, 11 of fatality, keeping the death toll at whom have been warned and 118. another 18 have admitted guilt. The going still tough for restaurants █ BY RAJVINDER SINGH days,” he said. [email protected] He pointed out that the workers are still being paid PETALING JAYA: Restaurants are despite working fewer hours. offering smaller menus and Muthusamy said despite an reducing their number of staff to increase in operating cost, stay afloat as their daily takings restaurant owners dare not are low. raise their prices as they canot Indian Restaurant Owners afford to lose their regular Association (Primas) president customers. T. Muthusamy said they are not Malaysian Muslim Restaurant drawing enough diners Owners Association (Presma) although their opening hours president Datuk Jawahar Ali have been extended. said the standard operating “We used to have customers procedures (SOP) for who patron our restaurants restaurants have an impact on after entertainment outlets had their business. closed,” he said yesterday. He said restaurants have to “We have lost this customer keep their prices low although base. Social distancing in the operating cost has gone up. restaurants has an impact on “Based on feedback from our business too. We used to our members we expect at least have 100 chairs but now we can 10% of restaurants to close if only place about 40 chairs in they do not get the necessary the restaurant.” help from the government,” he Restaurants do not need so said. many waiters since patronage “Our members do not have a is low, Muthusamy said. good working relationship with “Some owners rotate their banks, the government needs employees based either on to step in to help us overcome number of working hours or this problem.” theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 5 6 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Crimes that shook the nation A most foul and chilling mystery Seng, a general manager of an oil palm The woman, who suffered multiple stab However, with the footage they had in hand o plantation, when it came to identifying her wounds, was dead and had been sexually and a witness account of a man who was last Rape, murder of boutique body at the University Malaya Medical Centre assaulted. seen at Lee Fang’s boutique, police owner 15 years ago stumps mortuary. Police arrived at the scene minutes later investigators went to work. The victim, Goh Lee Fang, 26, was found and swept the place for clues. Days after her death, a businessman in his police raped and murdered in her barely three- Except for her handphone, her valuables 30’s was arrested, but he was later released month-old boutique on the first floor of the were found intact at the store, ruling out after he produced a strong alibi. newly-opened Curve shopping mall at robbery. As months went by, police came to a dead █ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN Mutiara Damansara in Petaling Jaya. Police were optimistic of solving the case as end in tracing the attractive boutique owner’s [email protected] Lee Fang, described as a stunning beauty the place was installed with highly- killer and the case went cold. and who co-owned the boutique with her two sophisticated closed-circuit television On her first death anniversary, her family girl should not be too beautiful friends, had opened her business for the day (CCTV) cameras, but it soon turned to had offered a RM10,000 reward for but just regular-looking.” These at 10am as usual. disappointment for the investigators. information that could led to Lee Fang’s killer. were the poignant words of a About three hours later, the first floor where As the mall was new and completion work Her family also shared fresh information distraught father after he lost his her boutique, which specialised in children’s was still in progress not all the CCTV cameras, with police, hoping it would lead to closure of daughter“A under very cruel circumstances on clothing, was located became a scene of chaos including the ones closest to Lee Fang’s the case. But everything led to a dead end. Feb 17, 2005. when her business partner arrived. boutique, were wired, denying police of the After more than 15 years, the cold-blooded She was the only girl among four siblings She found Lee Fang’s body sprawled on the strongest lead they had in tracing the victim’s killer who took Lee Fang’s life remains at and it proved too much to bear for Goh Eng floor in a pool of blood at the back of the store. attacker. large. Penang relaxes rules for foreigners to buy property Ministry to stimulate █ BY IAN MCINTYRE lowered from RM1 million to RM750,000. Despite the pressure to raise prices for [email protected] “It is worth noting that lowering the ceiling affordable units, Jagdeep said developers here retail activities price for real estate purchases for foreigners is have been told to keep with present market GEORGE TOWN: Penang has lowered the justifiable, taking into account the minimum prices. KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of threshold for foreigners to buy property by ceiling limits set by the federal government,” “Penang will continue to maintain low- and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is reducing the ceiling prices for foreign purchases Jagdeep said. medium-cost property prices at RM42,000 and looking at initiatives to help stimulate by up to 40%. He pointed out that land value in Penang RM72,500, unlike other states which have raised retail activities, including franchise The decision is part of efforts to arrest the was higher and that land plots suitable for their tags to RM60,000 and RM100,000, businesses affected by the Covid-19 overhang in the market due to the Covid-19 development were also limited. respectively. pandemic. pandemic. However, he stressed a balancing act “Affordable home prices will also be reduced Its deputy minister Datuk Rosol State executive councilllor Jagdeep Singh between disposal of the overhang units and the by 10% over a period of one year,” he added, but Wahid, said the ministry was working Deo said the lowered ceiling rate will be interest of local buyers needed to be considered. assured that quality would not be affected. towards boosting domestic trade and accorded to foreigners for one year. “Based on data by NAPIC (National Property “Despite the reduction in property prices, distribution activities, as well as For stratified properties on the island, the Information Centre) from 2017 to the first the quality of development will be maintained, consumer confidence in spending. ceiling price of RM1 million will be reduced to quarter of 2020, Penang showed a significant in line with the Construction Industry “The aim of the government is to RM800,000. and consistent decline in unsold units, at - Development Board’s Quality Assessment ensure companies are back to operating On the mainland, the (price) cap of 22.3% compared with Johor (+ 24.9%), Perak (+ System in Construction, or QLASSIC rating at optimum levels of production and RM500,000 will be reduced to RM400,000. 116.1%) and Selangor (+ 30.5%).” score, of not less than 70%.” manpower use before the crisis,” he said. For landed properties on the island, it has As global economies have been affected by The current overhang value in residential A survey revealed that franchise been reduced from RM3 million to RM1.8 the pandemic, so has the state’s economy, units is valued at about RM2.6 billion in operations were badly hit during the million, while on the mainland it has been including its real estate outlook. Penang. movement control order (MCO). “The outbreak not only affected franchise business activities in the country, but impeded efforts planned by the government to expand the local franchise business to foreign markets. “In addition, the shortage of workers, scarcity of raw materials due to logistics and operational costs were among the challenges faced during the MCO and enforced movement control order,” he said in a statement. – Bernama

GOVT TO FINE-TUNE COVID-19 BILL KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 31 ministries, departments and agencies have submitted proposals for inclusion BRIEFStowards a Bill on the Implementation of the Interim Measures to Reduce the Effects of Covid-19. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the recommendations will be analysed by a task force from the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department and refined by relevant READY FOR BUSINESS ... A bowling ministries. It would then be forwarded centre employee in Shah Alam, Selangor to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for carrying out disinfection work yesterday. drafting before being raised in – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN Parliament next July. – Bernama

12 DURIAN TRADERS ISSUED COMPOUNDS IPOH: Twelve durian traders in Perak Employers urged to prioritise locals over foreigners were issued compound fines of RM100 each for cheating customers by rigging KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister there is no need to hire a foreign worker. locals and youths who did not want to work in their weighing scales. Domestic Trade Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has urged employers “Likewise, at petrol stations, foreign workers the 3D industries, but in today’s extraordinary and Consumer Affairs Perak director to provide more employment opportunities to are allowed to work as pump attendants, but situation, with many losing their jobs, we have Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman said the traders were caught fleecing their Malaysians, especially youth and single we are also starting to see foreign workers to give them a chance,” he added. customers during checks conducted mothers, and those who have lost their jobs manning the station counters. I urge owners of Meanwhile, he said the government had by his office on Wednesday. “The due to the Covid-19 pandemic. pump stations to reduce (hiring foreign allocated RM1.5 billion through thenational ministry does not regulate the price “There are still business owners who workers),” he said. economic recovery plan and introduced the for durians, but traders are obliged to preferred to hire foreign workers over locals. With the economic crisis, he believes many employment incentive programme. comply with the law on price tagging, “I agree there are sectors that still require locals, especially youths, will be willing to He said it was meant to encourage as well as using a valid weighing foreign workers because we (locals) are not venture into the dirty, dangerous and difficult employers to hire locals and is expected to machine or scales,” he said in a ready yet. For example, the plantation sector. (3D) industries. benefit more than 300,000 job seekers. statement. – Bernama But for a clerk’s position in the plantation sector, “Before this, there might have been some – Bernama theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Team Trump wants retraction of poll that Hundreds of suspected child shows Biden ahead WASHINGTON: The Trump campaign has demanded that CNN retract a poll virus deaths in Indonesia showing Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election, is in the lead. malnutrition”, which includes stunting, and CNN’s poll, conducted by survey and oHealth officials say malnutrition, anaemia and an anaemia among mothers, and obesity, market research firm SSRS, showed according to the UN Children’s Fund. President Donald Trump trailing Biden ill-equipped healthcare system are underlying factors Nearly one in three Indonesian children by 14% among registered voters. under five is stunted, it says. In the poll, 55% of participants said “The nutrition status impacts children’s they would vote for Biden if the election JAKARTA: Hundreds of children in Indonesia coronavirus case in March it has recorded 2,000 immunity. That’s important in mitigating was held today, compared to 41% who are believed to have died from Covid-19, giving deaths, the highest in East Asia outside China. Covid-19 infections,” Jakarta-based paediatric said they would vote for Trump. the country one of the world’s highest rates of A total of 715 people under 18 had pulmonologist Dr Nastiti Kaswandani said. The poll also showed Trump’s child deaths from the novel coronavirus that contracted the coronavirus, while 28 had died, Paediatricians said the ill-equipped approval rating at 37%, which is the experts around the world say poses little danger according to a health ministry document dated healthcare system was also a problem. worst it has been since January 2019. to the young. May 22 and reviewed by Reuters. “The biggest discrepancy in Indonesia is the In a letter to CNN president Jeff Paediatricians and health officials in the It also recorded more than 380 deaths availability of paediatric intensive care units,” Zucker, the Trump campaign claimed world’s fourth most populous country said the among 7,152 children classified as “patients paediatric doctor Shela Putri Sundawa said. the poll was “designed to mislead high number of child deaths from a disease that under monitoring”, meaning people with severe The health ministry declined to provide data American voters through a biased mostly kills the elderly was due to underlying coronavirus symptoms for which there is no on care units for children and a senior official questionnaire and skewed sampling”. factors, in particular malnutrition, anaemia and other explanation but whose tests have not said the system had not been overwhelmed. The letter, signed by the campaign’s inadequate child health facilities. confirmed the infection. Equipment shortages are more pronounced senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis, said the “Covid-19 proves that we have to fight Even the official figure for children who have outside the capital. poll presented a misleading view of against malnutrition,” Achmad Yurianto, a died, at 28 as of May 22, would give Indonesia a Paediatrician Dominicus Husada said a support for the president and senior health ministry official, told Reuters. high rate of child death, at 2.1% of its total. hospital he worked at on Madura island, in East demanded a “full, fair, and conspicuous He said Indonesian children were caught in Different countries use different age Java, did not have ventilators for children. retraction, apology, and clarification to a “devil’s circle”, a cycle of malnutrition and brackets in statistics but deaths for those under An 11-year-old died from the coronavirus correct its misleading conclusions”. anaemia that increased their vulnerability to 24 in the US are a little over 0.1% of its fatalities. there in March. “To the extent we have received legal the coronavirus. In Brazil, the number of suspected Covid-19 Iyansyah, whose nine-month-old son died threats from political leaders in the past, He compared malnourished children to deaths under age 19 is 1.2%. from Covid-19 on Lombok island, told Reuters they have typically come from countries weak structures that “crumble after an In the Philippines, deaths of those under 19 the hospital did not have care units for children. like Venezuela where there is little or no earthquake”. are 2.3% of its coronavirus toll. “If the hospital I went to had complete respect for a free and independent Since Indonesia announced its first Indonesia suffers from a “triple burden of facilities, he’d probably have survived.” media,” CNN’s general counsel David Vigilante said. – The Independent

MAN BEQUEATHS LAND TO TWO ELEPHANTS NEW DELHI: An Indian landowner has willed most of his land to two elephants. Akhtar Imam, 50, from a BRIEFSvillage in the eastern state of Bihar, said he changed his will to bequeath 2.5ha to Moti and Rani. Imam, who runs a wildlife trust, raised Moti, 20, and Rani, 15, from when they were born. He said they saved him from “gun-carrying criminals” who he said tried to kill him last year. “When I opened my door to see why the elephants were trumpeting, I saw they were chasing criminals nearby,“ he said. Imam said he would also bequeath a smaller amount of land and his house to his wife and children, but they weren’t entirely happy. – AFP

ONLY HK CAN SOLVE UNREST: UK MINISTER LONDON: The British government has said any solution to the unrest in Hong Kong must come from the former colony itself and not from Artists perform at Beijing, and it urged China to Botero Square as part reconsider a new security law that has of an awareness sparked renewed protests. “The campaign to stop the solution to this unrest and its spread of the underlying causes must come from coronavirus in the Hong Kong, and cannot be imposed Colombian city of from mainland China,” foreign Medellin on minister Dominic Raab said. “Britain says the way through the current Wednesday. – AFPPIX situation is clear. All sides must invest in dialogue and reconciliation, underpinned by a robust, independent inquiry.” – Reuters No proof fake accounts are coordinated: Facebook CHINA HIT BY FLOODS MANILA: Facebook has yet to find evidence impersonation and fake accounts had policies,” the social media giant said. AND RAINSTORMS that user-reported accounts that spiked. Filipinos top the world in time spent on BEIJING: Floods and mudslides in proliferated in the Philippines at the The University of the Philippines first social media, according to a recent study. south China have uprooted hundreds weekend had engaged in malicious and identified the accounts over the weekend Platforms like Facebook have become of thousands of people and left coordinated acts, the world’s biggest social following a protest a week ago about a political battlegrounds and have helped dozens dead or missing, state media reported yesterday. Torrential network said yesterday. controversial anti-terror bill approved by the strengthen President Rodrigo Duterte’s downpours unleashed floods and A deluge of imposter accounts using the legislature. support base, having been instrumental in mudslides that caused nearly 230,000 identities of students, journalists and Those spotted had carried names of his election victory in 2016 and a rout by his people to be relocated and destroyed government officials alarmed social media students who were among eight people allies in mid-term polls last year. more than 1,300 houses, Xinhua news users and prompted an investigation by arrested at the protest. The Duterte administration has agency said. In southern Guangxi government agencies. The country’s cybercrime department repeatedly denied allegations that it has Zhuang Autonomous Region, six “At this time, we have not seen evidence plans to dig deeper into the issue and allowed the abuse and manipulation of people were reported dead and one of the reported accounts engaging in conduct a joint investigation with law social media by its supporters to harass and missing. Streets were waterlogged in coordinated or malicious activity focused on enforcement agencies, justice secretary discredit opponents. popular tourist destination Yangshuo, creating fake accounts,” Facebook said in a Menardo Guevarra told Reuters. Facebook last month said it estimated the forcing residents and visitors to statement. “We will continue to validate the prevalence of fake accounts among its evacuate on bamboo rafts. – AFP It saw no evidence of a sudden surge in authenticity of these accounts and prioritise worldwide monthly active users at 5%. the creation of accounts, but said reports on the removal of those that violate our – Reuters 8 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 SPEAK UP If I were transport minister LEASE don’t get me wrong. I feeling that these lanes have still not highest death toll of two deaths a year who have to travel to their workplace shall never ever make it as a been laid out in most parts of the and mostly zero deaths for the last 20 following the reopening of various minister or as the heading says, country because it’s thought that they years. economic sectors. transport minister. are expensive. “Conclusion – Segregating kapcai “With accidents, there will also be an PIt’s just a way of saying what I would No, they are not. I would urge from mixed traffic reduces their deaths increase in use of blood supply to treat focus on if I were one. officials to visit some cities in China phenomenally,” said Suret. these cases which normally see serious For six months at the most I would where motorcyclists don’t come into This road safety activist, who was injuries that require blood transfusions,” devote, as regular readers of this column direct contact with cars or other bigger formerly director-general of Miros, told said Noor Hisham. could by now sense, on bringing down vehicles. me that right now he is pushing through Here we have to also take into the horrific death toll from motorcycle- Metal railings or barricades are put a proposal for such lanes to be account the number of those seriously related crashes in the country. up to separate the two-wheelers so they implemented under the 12th Malaysia injured who succumbed to injuries To begin with, I would initiate the can ride safely without their loved ones Plan that kicks in next year. during treatment at a time when staff of process of enacting laws to create a new having to worry if they would arrive As the nation and the entire world all hospitals are up to their necks trying motorcycle riding culture by reducing safely at their workplaces or homes. As a are engrossed in battling to contain the to save the lives of those infected with the speed limit. huge number of them don’t in Malaysia. “Many more Covid-19 pandemic, we must spare no Covid-19. This will slowly but surely put an end Yes, it would take a couple of months effort to curb our exponential death toll And with the interstate travel ban to speeding, which is second nature to to get such a legislation before it’s people have from road crashes or what we being lifted from Wednesday and the the vast majority of our motorcyclists passed in Parliament but work on it commonly term “accidents”. “balik kampung” exodus this weekend and that is the main cause of why an must begin. died on our Many more people have died on our by those taking advantage of what average of over 4,000 people, mostly There are people who doubt whether roads during the past three months of remains of the Hari Raya season, road youths, are killed annually. this law against motorcycle speeding roads during the movement control order (MCO) safety is of the utmost concern. Studies by the Malaysian Institute of could be effectively enforced given the than from the virus itself despite the fact My biggest “nightmare” that Road Safety Research (Miros) have huge number of motorcycles in the the past three that there has been much less traffic due triggered me to coin the headline for this shown that if the maximum speed for country, reportedly at around 15 million to restrictions. week’s column is over the safety of motorcycles is limited to 70-80km per and growing rapidly by the day. months of the And as usual over 70% of the deaths motorcyclists. hour, fatal crashes could be reduced by I would argue otherwise. Bring in the involved motorcyclists and pillion riders Chris Syer, the president of the as much as 80%. law first and we’ll see what happens. MCO than from as they are always the most vulnerable Malaysian British Society and an Just imagine how many lives could Taking the recently enforced law victims. Englishman who has been living in be saved by just this one piece of against smoking at restaurants as an the virus itself This prompted Director-General of Malaysia as a permanent resident for 60 legislation and of course with strict example, I must say that you can hardly Health Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham years, just cannot bear to see the enforcement and effective education. see people puffing away now after despite the fact Abdullah, the most prominent of our unabated loss of lives among Next would be to roll out the no-frills having their meals at these places as was frontliners battling the pandemic, to motorcyclists. designated lanes for motorcyclists to common previously. depart from his daily press conference “These are meaningless, senseless ride without having to squeeze in and It will certainly take a lot of effort by that there has on Wednesday of routinely giving facts and futile deaths. Most motorcyclists are out of the fast lanes where the bigger schools, universities and parents to and figures on casualties from Covid-19, speeding while riding. My advice is: vehicles are moving. educate young motorcyclists to keep to been much less to express concern about the sharp rise Better late than dead on time,” he told As the traffic police can vouch, many safe speeds. in road deaths during the various me. motorcyclists lost their lives in the fast There are also many people who are traffic. phases of the MCO that started on A group of 14 medical specialists and lane. sceptical about the effectiveness of March 18. consultants recently took a rare move to Have you seen videos of special lanes if we have them one day as Under the first phase until March 31, jointly write a letter to a newspaper motorcyclists getting thrown off their I daydream on the topic of “If I were the road death toll was 58 and this rose describing motorcyclist deaths as bikes and killed after being knocked transport minister”. to 68 during the second phase from May “totally preventable”. down by cars just inches away? On this, let me share with readers 5 to May 12. If I were transport minister, my job The ones that I receive by WhatsApp what Miros chairman Datuk Suret Singh From May 13 to June 9, the death toll would be done once the law on reduced are scarier than the video on how posted on Twitter recently. spiked to 231, bringing the total to 507 speed limits for motorcycles and George Floyd died while being arrested. “Did you know that the Kuala deaths from March 18 to the last day of designated riding lanes are in place and His death has led to street protests in the Lumpur-Klang exclusive motorcycle the conditional MCO just two days ago. I would happily quit the very next day. United States and other countries. lane is utilised by 80% of kapcai (small The Health Ministry is obviously I say no-frills because I have the engine motorcycle) riders with the concerned over the welfare of workers Comments: [email protected]

COMMENT by Leonard Yeoh and Nurul Qarirah LETTERS [email protected] Has Penjana overshadowed Covid-19 Bill? Getting a grip on infection figures AFTER three months of being placed arising from the restrictions during contractual obligations, which would KUDOS to the Ministry of Health for works out to about 49,000 tests per under MCO, CMCO and now RMCO, the MCO. prevent impending litigations. the single-digit new infection million people. How does Malaysia a Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Singapore, in its Covid-19 figures over the last few days. compare? It would be good if Bill is pending. The bill is expected to (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 had Rental waiver for business tenants Carrying out tests to determine Malaysians are informed of similar be tabled at the next parliamentary put in several measures to support Under the recently passed the number of confirmed cases is comparative figures for our country. sitting in July. businesses. amendments to its Covid-19 important to understand the spread To date what is the total number Although a full parliamentary Parties are not allowed to regulations, Singapore had extended of the pandemic and then of tests conducted in the country? sitting has yet to be convened under commence or continue any legal rental waivers for business tenants responding appropriately. This will In addition, it would be good for the new government (save for the action against the defaulting party, for two more months. ensure that the risk of spread the ministry to throw light on the limited sitting on May 18), the prime enforce any security or make any Qualifying commercial properties remains under control. following: minister had recently announced the application for winding up or will now be entitled to a total of four The number of confirmed cases 0 The average number of tests Penjana stimulus package, the latest bankruptcy. months of rental waiver, while other per day depends on how many conducted per day; of a series of stimulus packages. This temporary relief will apply for industrial/office properties will be tests are carried out. The more tests 0 What is the country’s testing Government had stated that most a period of six months from April 23 given a three-month waiver. conducted the higher the capacity per day? Are we reaching of the direct injection would be raised and may be extended further. Two months of this waiver will be probability of detecting more cases. our maximum lab capacity? through domestic borrowings. This A similar measure, if included in funded by government support, So the crux of the matter is the 0 Who are chosen to undergo tests will ultimately contribute to the bill, would be most welcomed by while the rest are required to be number of tests carried out daily. on a particular day? What are the Malaysian public debt, which stands Malaysian businesses. borne by landlords. It is advisable for On June 4, the number of criteria in choosing the particular at 52% of GDP. It is important for this provision to the government to include a similar confirmed cases shot up to 277 but person? The raising of the self-imposed apply retrospectively from March 18 provision in the bill to provide more on June 10, only two cases were 0 Are the tests conducted at private public debt ceiling would first require when the MCO first commenced. support for companies in rebuilding detected and seven the day before. hospitals included in the total approval from Parliament. Instead, if their businesses. My key concern is the number of number of tests carried out in a day? the source of the fiscal injections Covid-19 as a force majeure event Although we are in desperate tests carried out on the respective The University Malaya Medical comes from the Consolidated Funds, An alternative approach to the above times, it is essential for Parliament to days? If the same number of tests Centre in Petaling Jaya, a dedicated any withdrawal must comply with would be for the bill to declare the scrutinise the measures against was carried out in each of these Covid-19 centre, is stringent in the Federal Constitution. pandemic as a force majeure event. Covid-19. The government has not days, then the public would feel terms of who qualifies to be tested? These measures ought to be A similar approach had been been clear on the sources of funding more relieved as the situation has My friend was turned down even included as part of the bill. A number adopted in France, Spain and China. for these stimulus packages. improved remarkably. though he had high fever and sore of jurisdictions across the world had A force majeure clause commonly Therefore, it becomes especially The point I am making is that the throat. It would be good for the enacted similar Covid-19 laws to covers various situations in which the important for the bill to not only ministry, in addition to informing ministry to state clearly who address the significant economic performance of a contract is delayed, provide for measures to mitigate the the public of new cases each day, qualifies to be tested at such impact brought by this pandemic. prevented or hindered. impact of Covid-19, but to also has also to indicate the number of hospitals. Several measures ought to be However under the existing laws, legalise measures that have been tests conducted. To be meaningful, One way to reduce the included in the bill: if a force majeure clause is not wide announced but have yet to be tabled, the number of new cases daily government’s burden is for the enough to cover the outbreak as one debated and gazetted. needs to be matched with the ministry and private hospitals to Temporary relief against non- of the triggering events, parties will corresponding number of tests come up with a competitive rate for performance of contractual not be able to rely on such a clause. Leonard Yeoh is a partner and Nurul conducted each day. the tests. This will make it possible obligations If the government were to Qarirah is a legal associate with the As at May 19, Singapore for more Malaysians to be tested at Businesses are inevitably exposed to designate Covid-19 as a force legal firm, Tay & Partners. reported that it had conducted over their own expense. legal repercussions for breach of majeure event, more parties may be Comments: 281,000 tests for Covid-19 on contract due to non-performance able to excuse themselves from their [email protected] 191,000 unique individuals. This Pola Singh FRIDAY SECURITIES SDN. B HD. 197201001092 (12738-U) JUNE 12, 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 47.9 Institutions 2892.0 2767.3 124.7 Email: [email protected] 38.6 Retail 2360.4 2210.5 149.9 13.5 Foreign 657.3 931.9 -274.6 Sun18.02 96.36 569.58 BIZ22.86 652.04 184.39 18.91 187.79 100.0 5909.7 5909.7 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 Source: Burs Malaysia 1,557.25 2,704.21 24,480.15 2,920.90 22,472.91 11,535.77 2,176.78 5,960.64

KL MARKET SUMMARY June 11, 2020

INDICES CHANGE Top Glove achieves FBMEMAS 10,961.70 -141.00 FBMKLCI 1,557.25 -18.02 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 576.52 -6.86 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 138.11 -3.78 CONSTRUCTION 181.45 -3.45 record performance in Q3 FINANCIAL SERVICES 13,647.30 -200.00 ENERGY 820.10 -28.20 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 638.11 -12.70 HEALTH CARE 2,421.29 -46.20 oEarnings surge fourfold TRANSPORTATION 709.48 -16.00 PROPERTY 655.24 -14.70 amid Covid-19 pandemic, PLANTATION 6,812.54 -24.10 FBMSHA 12,374.00 -138.00 and the best is yet to come FBMACE 5,836.51 -159.00 TECHNOLOGY 40.79 -0.51 █ BY EE ANN NEE TURNOVER VALUE [email protected] 9.157 BIL RM5.909 BIL PETALING JAYA: Top Glove Corp Bhd saw its net profit rise more than four times to a 5 MOST ACTIVES record RM347.9 million for its third quarter June 11, 2020 ended May 31, from RM74.67 million a year ago on growth in sales volume, driven by STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) high demand during the Covid-19 AT 745,158,100 16 +3.5 pandemic. LUSTER 281,746,600 11.5 +1.5 The group also posted its highest ever PHB 216,625,100 1 UNCH quarterly revenue of RM1.7 billion, from MINETEC 189,794,100 25 +1.5 RM1.2 billion previously. CONNECT 186,800,900 30 +9 The upward trend was also evident in the group’s nine month (9M’20) performance, as net profit jumped 97.9% to RM575 million A worker carries out a test on a glove at a Top Glove factory in Meru. – REUTERSPIX 5 TOP GAINERS from RM290.51 million a year ago. Its profit June 11, 2020 after tax exceeded the net profit for FY2019 results briefing webinar yesterday. expand to 41 glove factories by December by 57%, while revenue surged 14.3% to Top Glove envisions robust quarters 2022, from 34 currently. STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM RM4.13 billion from RM3.61 billion in ahead, driven by strong demand growth, Following aggressive organic expansion TOPGLOV-C78 61,731,200 0.70 0.55 9M’19. high utilisation (consistently above 95%) in its nitrile glove capacity, the group has TASEK-PA 10,800 6.71 0.33 Sales volume grew 25% versus the and additional capacity coming onstream secured its position as the world’s largest SUPERMX-C93 43,881,100 0.425 0.275 corresponding period in the previous (36% growth from Q3’20 to Q4’21), coupled manufacturer of nitrile gloves, in addition to FANG-2XL 30,000 5.58 0.23 financial year, as well as the preceding with a continued focus on innovation, being the world’s largest manufacturer of HARTA-C45 16,561,600 0.37 0.22 quarter. technology, quality and cost efficiency. natural rubber gloves and surgical gloves. Executive director Lim Cheong Guan It also effected average selling prices Top Glove has emerged the best said third-quarter 2020 (Q3’20) has proven (ASPs) revision on a monthly basis in line performing stock on both the FBM KLCI 5 TOP LOSERS to be a record-breaking quarter which has with prevailing market prices, and expects and the Straits Times Index, having seen its June 11, 2020 seen the glove maker achieving all-time high percentage of spot sales with spot share price increase by 263% and 268%, year highs in almost every aspect, and expects a market price and minimal interest expense to date, respectively. STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM more spectacular performance in coming due to repayment of loan and conversion of As at June 10, 2020, it is ranked the sixth SUPERMX-C80 22,500 4.70 0.59 quarters. convertible bonds. largest company on Bursa Malaysia and the ALLIANZ 70,400 14.48 0.52 In addition, good cash generation from Executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee 12th largest company on SGX in terms of CARLSBG 329,100 24.58 0.42 the strong performance has put the group Chai said its ASP will increase 15% a month market capitalisation, placing it among the NESTLE 97,600 139.60 0.40 back into a net cash position of RM279 or average 30% a quarter from June top 15 companies on both bourses. PETDAG 241,300 22.00 0.40 million as at May 31, 2020, after two years in onwards. In Q3’20, ASPs increased 5% Top Glove’s monthly sales orders went a net borrowing position (net borrowings of quarter on quarter and 9% year on year. up by some 180%, resulting in long lead RM936.8 million as at Feb 29, 2020) to fund “Even with the increase in raw material times, which went up from 40 days to EXCHANGE RATES JUNE 11, 2020 the Aspion acquisition. prices (estimated at 10-30%), we’re still okay around 400 days, whereby orders placed The group announced an interim because the ASP increase is much more now would only be delivered over a year Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy dividend of 10 sen per share amounting to than raw material price increase.” later. TT/OD TT OD RM262 million, which is a 186% increase With a year’s worth of orders in the It said it will continue to expand its 1 US DOLLAR 4.3080 4.1830 4.1730 from the interim dividend for FY2019, pipeline, Top Glove is confident of capacity following exponential increase in payable on July 9, 2020. delivering solid results not only for the full sales order from various countries in the 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0230 2.9040 2.8880 “While this may be our most outstanding FY2020, but for FY2021 as well. past month like Germany (+572%), Spain 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1120 3.0220 3.0140 results to date, prepare to watch us break Top Glove has earmarked RM3 billion for (+469%), Taiwan (+416%). 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2090 3.1230 3.1110 our own record in the upcoming quarters, capital expenditure to build 450 new lines, In addition, the glove maker has 1 EURO 4.9110 4.7530 4.7330 because our best days are still ahead,” creating new capacity of 60 billion pieces of earmarked RM5 million for corporate social Cheong Guan said during Top Glove’s Q3’20 gloves from 2020 to 2026. The group plans to responsibility initiatives. 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8210 2.7170 2.7010 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.1120 3.0220 3.0140 1 STERLING POUND 5.4940 5.3200 5.3000 1 SWISS FRANC 4.5550 4.4470 4.4320 MAHB posts 97.8% decline in May passenger traffic 100 UAE DIRHAM 118.6900 112.5600 112.3600 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 5.1700 4.8370 4.6370 PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airports May 2019. with a fall in Covid-19 new cases towards 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 61.0000 58.6000 N/A Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) network of airports For airports operated by Malaysia the end of May,” MAHB said in a statement 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 56.1900 53.4100 53.2100 registered about 237,000 passengers in May Airports Sdn Bhd, passenger movements yesterday. 2020, a decline of 97.8% from May 2019. declined 95.4% year-on-year. Istanbul SGIA Both the Turkish and Malaysian 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7900 5.4400 5.2400 International and domestic passenger was temporarily closed for operations in governments had announced relaxation 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0320 0.0288 0.0238 movements recorded 33,000 and 204,000 May 2020. However, there were several of restrictions that permitted intercity and 100 JAPANESE YEN 4.0310 3.9050 3.8950 passengers respectively. Overall aircraft flights in May with marginal passenger interstate travel on May 28 and June 6 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.6000 N/A N/A movements contracted by 88.5% with volume due to repatriation of Turkish respectively. International border control international and domestic aircraft citizens. restrictions are still in place for Malaysia. 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.6700 2.4900 2.2900 movements declined by 92.8% and 85.5% “Traffic performance in Malaysia and The Malaysian government recently 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.7500 8.2400 8.0400 respectively over May 2019. Turkey continued to be affected by the announced an additional RM35 billion 100 QATAR RIYAL 118.5900 112.5800 112.3800 Meanwhile, May passenger movements CMCO and temporary suspension of Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan, of 100 SAUDI RIYAL 116.1200 110.2400 110.0400 for KLIA Main Terminal and klia2 recorded Istanbul ISGA’s operations in May 2020. which several of the tax incentives 62,000 and 26,000 passenger movements Nevertheless, the restriction of movements introduced are expected to support and 100 THAI BAHT 14.4800 12.8600 12.4600 respectively, while overall aircraft at both countries have effectively boost the domestic tourism sector until Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama movements at KLIA declined by 91.7% over contained the further spread of pandemic December 2021. 10 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020

Getting to Know The Prorated Electricity Bill

Meter reading activities and issuance Estimated bills generated for From 15th May 2020 onwards, meter of physical bill were suspended during each month (March-May) are reading activities were resumed. MCO from 18th March 2020. based on previous month’s Actual bills are rendered based on the actual usage. The copy of the bills are electricity consumption for the past months available online on Why must the meter reading be suspended? (March – May), which could have been myTNB app or myTNB portal higher than your estimated bills, since we • Due to the safety of our customers and sta (www.mytnb.com.my) were all at home throughout the MCO and as agreed by the Energy Commission period. (Suruhanjaya Tenaga). Even if estimated bills were paid, adjustments would need to be made for the di erence between the actual and estimated amount.

OIS CUKAI DAN INV Your current month bill ELEKTRIK BIL Full Payment: RM296.20 No. Akaun : 22072165800: 106026 0 or Principle of Kontrak No. : RM474.64 Easy PaymentRM91.82 Plan: Deposit i : 408339595 IN Cuka KU RAD No. Invois TENG L HAZLY BIN ARIZU G Bil : OPC TENGKU F 10/32 AU ANGSA U NO 17, JLN PUL IMAN : 10.05.2020 bil dan BUD ikh Bil uk maklumat TMN ALAM Tar Unt terdahulu, sila SHAH ALAM bayaran 40150 R nb.com.my SELANGO 278.60 layari- Calculating Prorated Electricity Bill RM http://www.myt line TNB lu Dibayar ebelum Hot Dec 2019 - May 2020 lah Per Bayar S au hubungi Jum asih at 4 Amaun Terima K 1 300 88 545 - uk gangguan bekalapu jalan n 0.55 Unt osakan lam 283.00 atau ker elalui RM 279.16 sila hubungi m 0.01- TNB Tunggakan RM 09.06.2020khir RM telefon/SMS: 15454 278.60 A Caj Semasa ayaran RM 282.45 B (27.04.2020) Penggenapan RM uan RM mlah Bil ta Subsidi 2.00Per sen/ksekutWh dibiayai Ju Faktor Prora Kerajaan Bil Terdahulu RM Anggaran istem 1.00000 13.68 acaan an Oleh S aun(RM) May bill = You have probably heard that your bill is based on a prorated bill. (10.04.2020) Anggar Am Bacaan : B :B acaan 43.60 Jenis adar(RM) : 11.04.2020 - 10.05.2020 (30 Hari) 33.40 mbahan: Sebab (kWh/kW) K 0.2180 Maklumat Ta : 1.00 Bil : A:Kediaman uasa Tempoh Kegunaan 200.00 0.3340 154.80 Angkadar K March + April (Actual - Estimated amount) 45.86 Tarif 100.00 0.5160 h/kW) 0.5460 Blok Tarif (kW 300.00 277.66 melalui cek sah h 84.00 Bayaran + Current Actual amount for May 200 setelah penjelasan cek ole 100 bank 684.00 300 300 Jumlah Kena ST 684.00 Service Tax (ST)Dom 6%es tikbagi mlah ena ST 84.00 penggunaan Ju Tidak K 277.66 600.00 45.86 5.55- melebihi 600 kWh. RM264.40 What Is A Prorated Bill? kWh Keterangan 231.80 0.91- 272.11 n RM Rangsanga 4.64- 44.95 2.70 Diskaun RM 227.16 4.35 Ekonomi (penggunaan mulai Kegunaan kWh Sep 2020) RM Ekonomi RM 1 Apr-30 Kegunaan mlah Kegunaan di antara: Rangsangan RM 279.16 Ju h = 50% 2% Diskaun 1-200 kW 25% Bulan Semasa RM h = egunaan 201-300 kW = 15% It is a calculation process approved by the Energy Commission K 600 kWh nit 301- Service Tax (6%) RM n U 1.6%) Kegunaa >600 kWh = 2% KWTBB ( = Kegunaan Meter kWh Kiraan diskaun Bacaan diskaun Caj Semasa Semasa - kW RM x % Estimated u Faktor Meter Dahul - - kVARh No. Meter 1,556.00 - - and used by other utility companies across the world. 7.00 - 1.00000 317.00 OL1051904006398 1.00000 MH MH OL1051904006398 1.00000

MH OL1051904006398 naga aional ha ha aional naga

Use Internal For TNB 16001363 No. MRU: 80 Let's take an example. No. Sequence: RM53.55 RM47.10 RM48.95 RM49.25 Biller Code: 5454 RM39.75 220721658006 0 Ref-1:

online di perbankan Internet dan Telefon Mudah You receive your electricity bill on 21st May 2020 showing an actual 22072165800600040833959500000000002786 JomPAY RADIN TENGKU Alih dengan akaun semasa, simpanan atau kad kredit L HAZLY BIN FARIZU TENGKU

NO 17, JLN PULAUBUDIMAN ANGSA U10/32G consumption of 950 kWh. Let’s assume that your March and April bills TMN ALAM 40150 SHAHR ALAM SELANGO were estimated bills and the total duration of the bills for March, April and Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Aras 13, Wisma TNB, No 19, Jalan Timur, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor May is 91 days. Nombor Pendaftaran GST 001107427328 / Nombor Pendaftaran ST W10-1808-31022372 Pre-MCO MCO Tariff Block To ensure customers are not overcharged, the prorated method is used.

In the above case, • The 91 day billing period is divided by 30 days giving a prorated factor of 3.0333 (91/30 = 3.03) *Sample screenshot of the myTNB app showing the monthly electricity usage chart • There are 5 tari blocks depending on electricity consumption

Comparison of Prorated method vs Non-Prorated method Prorated (3 Months Usage) Non-Prorated (3 Months Usage)

This prorated factor is then multiplied to the The total consumption amount of 950 kWh is directly allocated respective tari blocks as below: into the respective blocks as below:

Tari Prorated Usage Rate Amount Tari Usage Rate Amount Block Factor (kWh) (RM) (RM) Block (kWh) (RM) (RM) 200 3.03 607 0.218 132.33 200 200 0.218 43.60 100 3.03 303 0.334 101.20 100 100 0.334 33.40 300 3.03 40 0.516 20.64 300 300 0.516 154.80 300 3.03 0 0.546 0 300 300 0.546 163.80 >900 3.03 0 0.571 0 >900 50 0.571 28.55 Total 950 254.17 Total 950 424.15

The prorated method used by TNB and approved by the Energy Commission gives a much lower and fairer amount compared to the non-prorated method.

• In both cases, if customers had paid their estimated bills, the amount paid will be deducted from the total amount above. • The other items like Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) discount, Service Tax and Kumpulan Wang Tenaga Boleh Baharu (KWTBB) surcharge will also be added/subtracted from the above amount. • You will be receiving a prorated calculation leaet together with your physical bill.

If you still have any questions or clari cations regarding your electricity bill: Please contact TNB CareLine at 1-300-88-5454 | Email to [email protected] | Log on to myTNB app or myTNB portal at www.mytnb.com.my Visit your nearest Kedai Tenaga | Visit www.tnb.com.my/prihatin to check out our Bill Calculator TNB is here for you naga aional ha

www.tnb.com.my ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 BUZZchill • live • inspire

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█ BY SARAH MAY LOW them, as they have a strong sixth Finance e-books/course, leather sense and can typically read their executive chair, organiser ATHER’S DAY is around children very well as they usually /planner. the corner and so begins do not take explanations at face the annual quest for the A gift for Dad value, they will dig deeper till they Aquarius perfect gift for the perfect get to the core of the truth. (January 20th - FDad. This Father’s Day, BUZZ Best Gifts: Detective investigative February 18th) reached out to Sarah May Low, oHere are some ideas for the perfect novel, Himalayan salt lamp, Aquarius fathers Malaysia’s premier tarot obsidian/black onyx/tiger eye are free-spirited practitioner to divine dad’s Father’s Day gift, based on his star sign bracelet. humanitarians. personality based on his They inspire their horoscope, and find the best gift Sagittarius children independently pursue for him according to the stars. Cancer (June 21st - July 22nd) Best Gifts: Air purifier, herb plant, (November 22nd activities outside of academics Cancer fathers are supplement gift basket. - December such as sports, social events, Aries (March 21st - April 19th) imaginative and 21st) friendships and creative projects. Aries fathers are encourage their Libra (September 23rd - Sagittarius Best Gifts: Telescope, drone, usually energetic children to October 22nd) fathers are humanitarian contributions (such and enjoy being connect with Libra fathers love optimistic and as a donation in his name). involved with their emotions. justice and giving. They would their children. They are known to fairness, and usually encourage their children to Pisces (February 18th - March They will be the most caring would listen to adopt household pets and also 20th) encourage their and affectionate fathers, but can everyone’s explore nature through Pisces fathers are offspring to take sometimes be overprotective. opinion before adventurous activities such as adaptable, charge of their own lives and Cancer dads need to learn to let go making a decision. hiking and kayaking, or by going flexible and develop their own unique so that their children can find their They are usually on a roller coaster ride. sensitive, which personalities. own identity. enthusiastic about planning their Best Gifts: An extraordinary is useful when it Best Gifts: Smartwatch, sports bag, Best Gifts: Handmade photo children’s career; hence, they dinner experience (such as Dinner comes to teaching tickets to a sporting event. album, DNA/ancestry test kit, usually spend a lot of money on in the Dark, Dining in the Sky or a their children to cooking equipment. their child’s education and co- projection mapping dinner), think creatively and to love music. Taurus (April 20th - May 20th) curricular pursuits. They always travel/flight tickets, portable At times, their sensitivity can cause Taurus dads are Leo (July 23rd - August 22nd) make sure that their children speakers. them to be paranoid and fearful. known to be food Leos are the kings of present their best selves, and Best Gifts: Soundproof lovers, are the jungle, and associate themselves with the Capricorn headphones, tickets to the nurturing and these fathers are ‘right’ crowd. ( D e c e m b e r orchestra, how-to-play quite fond of natural-born Best Gifts: Cologne, electric 22nd - January piano online course. having many performers. To razor/shaver, decorative art 19th) children as they them, their pride piece/painting. Capricorn fathers Interested in love being around (children) are are serious, getting your own family. They have high often their greatest Scorpio (October 23rd practical and tarot reading? expectations and would only fulfil accomplishments. Though they - November 21st) business-minded. They often Visit www. sara promises when their conditions usually have busy schedules, they Scorpio fathers are instil traditional values and maylow.com to are met by their children. enjoy showing off their children to very direct and discipline, and encourage their find out how! Best Gifts: Their favourite bottle of friends. have strict rules children to be ambitious and wine, dining at their favourite Best Gifts: Golf set/equipment, about homework, responsible from a young restaurant, a gift certificate for a video games, tickets to a theatre household chores, age. therapeutic massage or spa. show. and family Best Gifts: obligations. It’s difficult to lie to Business or Gemini (May 21st - June 20th) Virgo (August 23rd - September Gemini fathers are 22nd) analytical and Virgo fathers are have a wide health conscious array of and value a interests. They structured are the type of household that is dad who enriches under control, his children’s life which includes experience with knowledge but obedience from their children. because they tend to live in their Their language of love is ‘Acts of own minds, they tend to be Service’, usually not overly overthinkers and worriers. affectionate. You know they love Best Gifts: The newest gadget, you by their actions such as filling board game, ticket to a comedy up your petrol, fixing your laptop, show. or cooking you a meal.

12 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 BUZZ A fun Father’s Day oFamilies can celebrate dad’s special day together with these fun activities that everyone can enjoy

█ BY ADELINE LEONG To make it into the game, have everyone attempt making the same N ANNUAL celebration is recipe within a time limit. The other usually fun because alternative is to get a few different everyone knows the routine whiskeys or beers, and arrange a – but there’s no harm in family tasting session. changingA it up once in a while. This Father’s Day, why not start the 3. Puzzle race celebration with some fun family Print out a few copies of the same activities? Here are some ideas to try picture of dad and have the images together. cut up into jigsaw pieces. Make sure each jigsaw piece is in its own 1. Who Knows Dad Better? envelope. Pass out the envelopes to Write down a few questions regarding everyone, and have a race to see who dad’s life, such as ‘what are his completes the puzzle first. Let’s see if favourite activities’ or ‘favourite dad recognises his own picture! sports team’, and place them all in a container. Since it’s Father’s Day, dad 4. Be dad for a day will be the judge and he will pick out If dad is someone who enjoys a good one question to read aloud. The other laugh, this game will be a blast. The family members must write their game is easy because it just requires answers on the whiteboard or a piece everyone to mimic dad’s mannerisms of paper, and the one with the most and quips. To up the stakes, everyone correct answers wins. should dress up as dad too. Of course, dad is the judge again, and he will 2. Oh, bartender! choose who mimics him best. No celebration starts without drinks. compose a Father’s Day song On this special day, have everyone try 5. Write a song especially for dad. It can have to make dad a tasty drink or mocktail. A musical dad will definitely enjoy hilarious lyrics, or have a tune based this surprise on a popular song. performance. Have family 6. Group scavenger hunt members help Another fun game is to organise a scavenger hunt which leads dad to his Father’s Day present. While the conditional MCO may limit the places everyone can travel to, the game can be easily adapted to take place within the house or the neighbourhood. One person in the family will have to hide simple riddle or puzzle before for the family, the usual board or card dad’s gift at the last station uncovering a clue to lead him to the game nights are fun too. What’s and not let anyone know. next clue. important is for the family to spend In each stop or station, dad time and have fun together before and a few family members as 7. Board or card games everyone is off to their daily routines part of a team have to solve a If planning any of these is too much the next day. Happenings

The 67th Sydney Film Festival: Father’s Day Treasure Hunt Online Painting Workshop Online Japanese Beginner Virtual Edition Course (June 2020 intake) WHERE? WHERE? Zoom (for briefing) & Whatsapp Zoom WHERE? WHERE? Zoom or Cisco Webex Sydney Film Festival website (sff.org.au) WHEN? WHEN? June 20th @ 9am June 14 (every Sunday) @ 2pm- 4.30pm WHEN? WHEN? June 17 @ 10.30am – 12pm (check event Ends June 21 @ Anytime For some Father’s Day fun, join the virtual It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby, page) Father’s Day Treasure Hunt from the comfort of such as learning how to paint. The painting At this special online event, viewers get to your own home. All you need is a good WiFi materials will be delivered to your home free Interested to pick up a new language? In 12 watch world premieres of compelling films by connection, a working laptop, tablet or smart- of charge, so you don’t need to worry about lessons held once a week, beginners get to some of Australia’s most exciting and up-and- phone, and Whatsapp installed on the gadget. anything else. In this class, you will learn art learn from a native Japanese speaker and earn coming documentary filmmakers, programmes Participants will be briefed about the rules of techniques from experienced teachers from a certification of completion at the end of the from the rising stars of the Australian film the game via a Zoom call before hunting for the comfort of your own home. The class is course once they complete an exam in the last industry, and films from Europe’s most cutting- clues in Google Street View. Registration closes open to ages 16 and above, and is suitable for class. Check the registration fee and promo edge female directors. tomorrow, so sign up now to not miss the fun! beginners too. details on the FB event page.

Click the ICON Click the ICON Click the ICON Click the ICON for more info for more info for more info for more info theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 13 BUZZ

S OUR parents grow older, importantly for the elderly, improve the more we worry about sleep quality. their health. By getting your elderly parents a They may uChair, they can look after their alsoA experience The best gift for dad health while they relax at home, frequent body aches without the risk of injuries. due to ageing, and a While the uChair does its part, it’s sedentary lifestyle oCare for his health with the revolutionary uChair, featuring Whole still important to make sure your parents also get a good night’s sleep. Body Vertical Vibration technology Proper rest helps improve physical and mental wellness. If your parent has back issues stemming from actively moving or working out as of Whole Body Vertical Vibration, which are preventing them from retirement. they used to. After all, is the uChair emits the right vibration sleeping well, bgreen’s AirFit Gravity These aches can understandable that they would frequencies to help maintain their Breathable Padding* can be placed discourage them want to relax after working hard for health. over a saggy mattress to provide f r o m their family for so long. The vibrations from the good back support. But ... sitting on a comfortable comfortable uChair can help Its cooling features also help sofa is not enough to maintain their reinvigorate the body. The low tremendously in getting a night of bodies in a fit and healthy condition. impact vibrations help relieve restful and comfortable sleep. Fortunately, bgreen has created common aches and pains, such as And this Father’s Day, you can get the revolutionary uChair to lower backaches and neck aches. the bgreen uChair for RM18,500, address the problem. Our parents will feel so much along with two additional health- Using the principles relief while resting on the uChair at boosting products worth over home! RM8,000, for free! Other than providing a As a special deal from theSun, soothing respite, these you will get a uFit vibrating platform vibrations can help to (worth RM5,500) and the AirFit maintain the body’s fitness Gravity Breathable Padding (worth levels. RM1,599)! Studies in physiotherapy Hurry up and snatch up this have shown that the Whole amazing Father’s Day gift before it’s Body Vertical Vibration too late! can help promote cardiovascular circulation, *The free AirFit Gravity relieve arteriosclerosis and Breathable Padding is for reduce arterial stiffness, as super-single sized beds well as lower and control hypertension, high blood sugar, hyperlipemia, and most

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MOVIES often depict a perfect 5. Yours, Mine & Ours family unit which has two parents 2. Cheaper by the Dozen Yours, Mine & Ours is a and their children. Often, the dad Cheaper by the Dozen rare story of a blended turns out to be the one who leaves starred a host of familiar family with 18 children. the family when things get tough for names such as Steve Frank Beardsley a dramatic plot. In celebration of Martin, Piper Perabo, Tom (played by Dennis Father’s Day, we list down some Welling, Hilary Duff and Quaid) is widowed US movies which celebrate all types of Ashton Kutcher. The Coast Guard admiral dads in different and loving families. movies centre around the who has eight children Baker family with a from his previous 1. Taken household marriage. When he Taken tells the story of 12 children. The 3. Daddy Day Care moves the family back of retired CIA agent story usually starts Daddy Day Care is to his hometown, he Bryan Mills (played with Tom Baker a comedy film met Helen North by Liam Neeson) (played by Martin) about two fathers (played by Rene Russo) who is separated constantly trying to who start a child Single clownfish who is also widowed and has 10 kids from his wife and come up with ideas to daycare centre out dad Marlin faces of her own. After falling in love with daughter due to the bring the whole of their home after his fears and other, they get married, much to the nature of his work. family together, and it they are laid off ventures into the shock of the Beardsley and North This is, until he is usually doesn’t end from their jobs. Of vast unknown in children. When they are forced to forced to save his well. course, things don’t turn out the way order to save his son Nemo. Along move in together, the children plot daughter and her In the first film, they plan, when the children prove the way, Marlin has to shed his own to drive their parents apart so life friend from Tom uprooted his to be more cheeky and naughty than judgemental side and limiting will return to normal. kidnappers while whole family to a new they expect. This causes them to beliefs as he acquires they are on holiday home in a new city, hire another person to help out, and more help from strangers in France. The which caused come up with new plans to manage such as Dory to aid him in action-packed animosity within the the children in their care. his journey. While it’s movie is gripping family unit. Children The dads watching this film mainly a children’s movie, and shows how far a who have to move might recognise themselves in the it manages to capture the father will go to save his daughter. homes or come from large families film and have a good laugh with the love between a single The movie has since spawned two may identify with this film and come family. father and his son really more sequels, so if you love the first to appreciate their parents’ efforts to well, and how a film, you can have a Liam Neeson maintain a happy home. 4. Finding Nemo community is needed to binge-fest. Everyone is familiar with this story. raise children. Honouring your late dad oEven when he is no longer around, you can still pay tribute to your father’s memory

█ BY ADELINE LEONG they can know who he was. Families who can’t meet up can do so over FATHER’S DAY can be a challenging video call to bring everyone together. day for those who have lost their dads. No matter how long he has 2. Honour the other father figures in been gone, it still hurts the people your life who loved him. If you feel this way We might feel alone when we lose our and want to do something in his dads, but don’t forget those who have memory, here are a few things you stepped in to provide support during can do to honour him. the trying times. Give a call to your grandpa, uncles, brothers and 1. Spend time with family cousins, and invite them out for While it’s tempting to grieve alone, drinks or a meal. spending time with the family actually helps a lot with the heavy 3. Write a tribute for your own personal reading. emotions. Get the family together for Penning emotions down has always If words aren’t your strong suit, a meal and share good memories of helped to give clarity to how we feel creating a beautiful memorial video dad. It can be a something funny he and can help in the process of or making a scrapbook highlighting said or did, or a retelling of his healing. Let out pent up feelings in the family’s favourite moments with favourite stories. It’s also good to talk the form of a song, poem, blog post or dad works too. to your little nephews and nieces, or an artwork. These works can be his grandchildren, about him, so that shared with family members or kept 4. Pass the torch Another lovely way to honour your dad is to continue championing the good causes that were close to his heart. Even if your dad wasn’t a full- time activist, you can still perform random acts of kindness, especially for those who need them. Volunteer to help out in any way that you can, such as helping out at hospices, helping to raise funds to support single museum, the beach or even the 6. Creating new traditions parents or helping to spread house balcony where he lovingly The usual celebrations will feel awareness about men’s watered the plants. Spend time to different for some when dad’s health issues. take in what fascinated him about the presence is no longer felt. If carrying place, or think about what he has told on the same traditions without dad 5. Visit his favourite place you about the place which made it feels too much, the family can try For those who want to feel significant to him. Spending time at creating new traditions in his honour. closer to their dad, they can his favourite place also gives you a Perhaps, the family could meet up visit spend some time at space for contemplation, and away and visit his grave on Father’s Day dad’s favourite place. It from the fuss of well-meaning and enjoy a family lunch or dinner could be his favourite park, relatives. afterwards.

theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 15 SUNBIZ Malaysia’s April IPI takes a tumble Uzir Mahidin in a statement. against the same month of the preceding year. from the incredibly low April bottom. oIndustrial Production Mohd Uzir commented that the sharp In April, total employees engaged by the “Looking ahead, we expect IPI and trade decrease of the manufacturing index reported manufacturing sector stood at 2.17 million, a performance in 2Q20 to contract, owing to the Index weakens 32% from a for the month was contributed by a significant 3.2% decrease compared to 2.24 million extension of MCO and fluctuating commodity decline in the non-essential services industry reported in the same month of the previous prices. However, there seems to be a slight year ago on implementation and the low capacity utilisation of below 50%. year. improvement in business sentiments during Meanwhile, Malaysia’s manufacturing sales BIMB Securities Research said the drop in May. of MCO to curb Covid-19 slid 33% to RM75.8 billion in April 2020 IPI was the steepest fall in a decade, and was a “The IHS Markit manufacturing PMI rose compared to RM113.1 billion a year ago, negative surprise following the decline in April sharply to 45.6 in May, from April’s survey- driven by the decline in transport equipment trade figures which saw a trade deficit of RM3.5 record low of 31.3. While the PMI index still PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Industrial and other manufactured products (-69.5%), billion being recorded. lies within the contractionary region, the Production Index (IPI) tumbled 32% in April non-metallic mineral products, basic metal “The plunge in production was very much gradual improvement implies that the 2020, compared to the same month of the and fabricated metal products (-67.5%) and expected due to the disruption in the overall manufacturers may have commenced their previous year due to the implementation of the electrical & electronics products (-39.6%). supply and demand chain domestically and production activities. Over time, this would movement control order (MCO) to curb the “The sharp decrease of manufacturing sales globally due to Covid-19. In particular, translate into more demand for labour and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. value in April 2020 was a result of the closure of Malaysia began its MCO in March,” it said. capital goods should more orders would come Deterioration of the indices was due to the business operations under the MCO,” said Moving forward, the research house in,” it said. significant decline in the index of Mohd Uzir. pointed out that things will get worse before Still, BIMB Research expects IPI manufacturing (-37.2%), index of mining He stated that the salaries and wages paid they get better. Under the recovery MCO it performance to remain weak in upcoming (-19.6%) and index of electricity (-19.2%),” said amounted to RM6.82 billion, a decrease of expects there will be significant recovery as the months albeit at improving rate, with a pick up Malaysia’s chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd 6.2% or RM448.7 million in April 2020 as reopening of plants will increase production in pace from the third quarter onwards. BAuto posts RM2.5 million net profit for Q4 Mlabs to invest in production PETALING JAYA: Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto) RM2.52 billion respectively the year before. Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and reported a lower net profit of RM2.5 million for The lower revenue was attributed to lower support gradual normalisation of local its fourth quarter ended April 30, from RM60.06 sales volume from the domestic and Philippine economic activities. house to revive million in the previous corresponding quarter operations, as there was a delay in the delivery “The group took mainly due to exceptionally low profit of the new facelift CX-5 cognisance of the film industry contributions from both the domestic and and all new CX-8 models impact of the Covid- Philippine operations, and a lower share of caused by the resolution of 19 pandemic on the PETALING JAYA: Mlabs Systems Bhd will profit contribution from one of its associated certain pricing issues as overall economy in progressively invest up to RM3 million companies, Mazda Malaysia Sdn Bhd. well as the closure of the country as well as into Kuching-based film production Concurrently, the group also incurred businesses for about one overseas. Hence, any company Longhouse Films Sdn Bhd expense relating to its employees’ share scheme and half months. launch of new and/or within the next two years to revive the amounting to RM800,000 in the quarter under The previous financial year recorded facelift Mazda models will depend on market flailing film production industry in review as compared to RM1.2 million in the significantly higher unit sales mainly due to the sentiments and economic conditions. Malaysia. preceding year’s corresponding quarter. three-month sales tax holiday period and was Premised on the foregoing, the performance of Under the subscription agreement, Revenue was also lower at RM299.4 million, also boosted by the group’s promotional the group for the financial year ending April 30, Mlabs will take up 52,000 new compared with RM538.3 million previously campaign in absorbing the sales tax. 2021 will remain very challenging.” it said. ordinary shares in Longhouse for mainly due to a drop in sales volume from both The group did not recommend any dividend The group also said appropriate austerity RM52,000, as well as up to three the domestic and Philippine operations arising in respect of Q4’20. The total dividend declared measures are being implemented to mitigate million redeemable convertible from the mandatory closure of businesses by for FY20 amounted to 7.45 sen per share. the current conditions, while new marketing preference shares for a total of RM3 the respective governments to curb the Looking ahead, BAuto said while the strategies via e-platforms have been introduced million. outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Malaysian automotive sector is expected to to cater for the “new normal”, such as leveraging The proposed subscription will be For the full year, BAuto recorded a lower net remain challenging in the near future, the on digital media to communicate marketing funded entirely from internally profit of RM100.51 million and revenue of economic stimulus packages introduced by the and promotional activities to existing and new generated funds. RM1.76 billion, from RM264.04 million and government will help soften the impact of the customers. Upon completion of the subscription of ordinary shares, Longhouse will become a 51%-owned subsidiary company of Mlabs. StanChart, Mida collaborate to attract investments into Malaysia Mlabs said the objectives behind the partnership include bringing back PETALING JAYA: Standard Chartered Malaysia Abrar (left) Malaysian talents from the has signed a memorandum of understanding and Azman international entertainment industry (MoU) with the Malaysian Investment at the MoU to enhance the Malaysian movie Development Authority (Mida) to attract signing industry for Asia. targeted global investments into Malaysia. ceremony It also wants to bring in bigger The MoU enables potential foreign investors yesterday. movie productions from China and to gain access to banking services and foreign Korea to Malaysia, bring Chinese and direct investment advisory, and targeted at Asian content for distribution in South high-value, high-technology and high-impact East Asia; as well as exporting and sectors such as electrical and electronics, highlighting Malaysian talent to the machinery and equipment, medical devices, international level. aerospace, renewable energy and consumer “The proposed subscription will technology. allow Mlabs to diversify into a Mida CEO Datuk Azman Mahmud said the business that potentially has sectors’ ability in attracting quality investment connectivity to its core video augurs well for the country’s economy as the conferencing business for example, market looks to get back in shape post the the use of real time video Covid-19 pandemic conferencing as a marketing medium “Public and private sector collaborations are to interact with actors and actresses to more important now than ever to achieve our coincide with film premier launches,” it objectives and bring ourselves forward in this said in its Bursa Malaysia filing. new normal. Despite the multiple challenges The exercise is also expected to faced, Malaysia remains resilient. Our diversified pipeline of investment projects worth about under its recently-announced Short-Term increase Mlabs revenue base and economic structure and the sound track record RM37.8 billion with many foreign electrical and Economic Recovery Plan. reduce its dependence on its existing of macroeconomic management continues to electronics firms looking to relocate their Standard Chartered managing director and products for revenue and earnings be conducive in supporting the country’s businesses to the country to diversify CEO Abrar A. Anwar said the bank is able to growth, as well as allow it to earn a economic fundamentals going forward,” he said production. leverage its extensive network, strong product coupon rate of 5% which is higher Malaysia’s electrical and electronics industry To encourage foreign investors to set up capability, service innovation, as well as access than deposit and financial products today accounts for 10% of the global back-end their businesses in the country, the government to capital markets and funding, to help clients that are currently on offer especially semiconductor output. Mida currently has a is also offering a zero tax rate for up to 15 years succeed in establishing businesses in Malaysia. during this pandemic. Widad’s Q1 earnings hit by lower revenue

PETALING JAYA: Widad Group Bhd’s net profit Makmal Sains project during the first quarter of outlook for the year remains challenging and government’s stimulus package. fell 65.5% to RM2.15 million in its first quarter 2019, and the completion of the JB Sentral uncertain, as the full impact of the Covid-19 Widad stated the segment has a remaining ended March 31, against RM6.21 million contract on March 31. pandemic has not been ascertained. contract value of RM506 million and it is reported in the same quarter of the previous The group also reported slower progress However, despite the uncertainties, Widad is confident in enhancing its order book further year, attributed to a drop in revenue. work due to the rescheduling of all projects cautiously optimistic for its performance in given its track record. For the group’s integrated Revenue for the period declined 45.7% to which resulted in an extension of time, partly 2020. In regards to its construction business, facilities management business, it has a RM24.62 million against RM45.36 million due to movement control order. the group stated the sector is expected to remaining order book of RM238 million until reported previously, from the completion of the According to the group’s Bursa filing, the rebound in 2H’20 with the introduction of the June 2022. 16 theSUN ON FRIDAY | JUNE 12, 2020 SUNBIZ Oil prices hit Thailand to consider joining by record US crude stocks, trans-Pacific free trade pact bearish Fed including electronics and agriculture more LONDON: Oil prices fell yesterday, hit by oCommittee set up to look into CPTPP membership competitive against rivals such as Vietnam and another record build-up in US crude Malaysia, both CPTPP members. inventories and the US Federal Reserve’s The CPTPP was originally known as the projections that the world’s biggest BANGKOK: Thailand has set up a committee to Thailand’s commerce ministry has said Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which fell economy would shrink 6.5% this year. consider by mid-July whether the country joining the 11-member Comprehensive and apart when the United States withdrew in early Brent crude futures erased should join a trans-Pacific free trade Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific 2017. Member countries, including Japan and Wednesday's gains, falling 4%, or agreement, as opposition parties and some Partnership (CPTPP) would boost the country’s Canada, signed the CPTPP deal in 2018 without US$1.65, to US$40.08 (RM170.34) a business groups say membership could harm economy, helping to offset the impact of the the United States. barrel by 1156 GMT. US West Texas the farm and healthcare sectors. coronavirus outbreak and make sectors Thailand’s lower house panel will look into Intermediate crude dropped 4.7%, or membership of the trade pact within 30 days US$1.87, to US$37.73 (RM160.35) a before presenting its study to the government, barrel. committee chairman Werakorn Khumprakob Both benchmarks are set for their told Reuters yesterday. worst daily drop in two weeks. “The government wants to hear opinions “Prices are once again under pressure from the lower house,” Werakorn said. “So we as concerns over the pace of the demand will thoroughly look at advantages and recovery intensified,” said Rystad disadvantages of membership before making a Energy’s oil markets analyst Paola conclusion.” Rodriguez Masiu. Membership will need parliamentary US crude inventories rose approval. Opposition parties and some unexpectedly by 5.7 million barrels in the business groups say tariff-free access to other week to June 5 to 538.1 million barrels – a CPTPP member countries could lead to a flood record – as imports were boosted by the of agricultural and pharmaceutical imports arrival of supplies bought by refiners from some of those countries and harm those when Saudi Arabia flooded the market in industries in Thailand. March and April, Energy Information The committee will be open to opinions for Administration data showed. or against membership of CPTPP – which also It also showed petrol stockpiles grew counts Australia, Chile and Singapore as more than expected to 258.7 million members – including from non-government barrels. Distillate stockpiles, which organisations and a joint standing committee include diesel and heating oi , rose by 1.6 Thailand’s commerce ministry has said joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for on commerce, industry and banking, Werakorn million barrels, although the increase Trans-Pacific Partnershipwill boost the economy. – REUTERSPIX said. – AFP was smaller than in previous weeks. The effect of the Saudi import surge on pricing should be “transitory”, said Jeffrey Halley, market analyst at OANDA. Unilever to merge arms into one UK company Lufthansa to “Nevertheless, in the short term, oil looks vulnerable to a downside THE HAGUE: Consumer giant Unilever said business showed that the current Anglo-Dutch cut 22,000 jobs correction to thin out weak longs.” yesterday it will combine its Dutch and British structure “can create disadvantages for the Adding to the pressure on prices, the arms in a single London-based company, two group”, for example when it came to selling BERLIN: German airline Lufthansa said Fed said US unemployment was set to years after a failed bid to move the firm’s parts of the firm. yesterday that it would have to slash 22,000 reach 9.3% at the end of 2020 and it headquarters to the Netherlands. “It is also clear that the Covid-19 pandemic full-time jobs as it predicts a muted recovery would take years to fall back, while The maker of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, will create a business environment in which in demand for travel following the interest rates were expected to stay near Dove soap and the yeasty spread Marmite said having as much flexibility and responsiveness coronavirus pandemic. zero at least through next year. ending its 90-year-old double-headed structure as possible will be critically important,” it said. “The recovery in demand in the air “No significant price relief is would make it more responsive to challenges The Dutch entity would therefore be merged transport sector will be slow in the anticipated in 2020 but next year including the coronavirus pandemic. into one single parent company based in foreseeable future,” the airline said. promises to become tighter due to But it insisted that its presence and London, Unilever PLC, “creating a simpler About 100 aircraft will remain grounded improving consumption,” said PVM oil operations in both the Netherlands and Britain company with greater strategic flexibility”. after the crisis, leading to “a total of 22,000 analyst Tmas Varga. would “remain unchanged”, and it would keep In 2018 Unilever tried to move the firm’s fewer full-time positions in the Lufthansa “For this forecast to prove accurate, its listings on both the London and Amsterdam corporate base from London to the Dutch port Group, half of them in Germany”. however, assistance is required from the stock exchanges. of Rotterdam. But it had to back down after a The posts make up 16% of the Lufthansa world's swing producers. Opec+ needs Unilever said in a statement that after an 18- revolt by shareholders in Britain. Group’s total workforce of 135,000. to stick to the April deal and keep its month review it believed that “moving from the Unilever said under the new plan there The airline said however that it would agreed 5.8 mbpd output restraints below current dual-headed legal structure to a single would be no change to the operations, look at how it could use schemes for shorter the October 2018 baseline all through parent company will bring significant benefits”. locations, activities or staffing levels in either work hours and other crisis arrangements to next year.” – Reuters It said a major review of its important tea the UK or the Netherlands. – AFP avoid outright redundancies. – AFP RED LIFE IS

MEANS WORTH STOP! LIVING ONONFRIDA FRIDAYY A Community Campaign by NOVEMBERJUNE 23, 2 0112,8 2020 Volvo FMX: Celebrating 10 years of driving in harsh conditions N 2010 Volvo Trucks introduced the Volvo Designed for rough road conditions The towing eye could now tow up to 32 tonnes. hub. The hub reduction gears reduce loads on FMX – a lorry specifically developed for the The robust modern exterior of the first FMX, With the immediate success of the FMX, the driveline, so that tractive effort can be demanding construction industry. which clearly showed the lorry’s relationship Volvo Trucks launched a new version as early as transferred to the ground without wheel slip, with Volvo Construction Equipment machines, 2013. It was an even more robust solution for giving excellent grip and very low tyre wear. IIts ability to cope with tough conditions has was an attractive feature. challenging construction environments. This is “The hub reduction is perfect for evolved over the years as a result of the The FMX’s functionality included a strong also the version that was introduced to the construction work. It provides good grip when introduction of many innovative features. towing eye, headlamp protection, new anti-slip Malaysian market. the surface is slippery, which results in higher After a decade in the mud, it has a solid steps and a handy ladder. truck productivity” says Peden. reputation as one of the toughest construction With a three-piece steel bumper, corners I-Shift gearbox for heavy loads trucks on the market. made from 3-mm-thick steel, solid crankcase Volvo I-Shift gearbox maximises performance Tandem axle lift Before the FMX’s launch, different variants protection plate and protective bullbar, it is a and efficiency by monitoring and responding to Tandem Axle Lift is designed for operations of the Volvo FM and FH were used in the sturdy construction lorry. vehicle mass, road inclination, speed and where the driver drives heavily-loaded in one construction industry. acceleration. It allows the FMX to handle tough direction and empty in the other. In 2010, years of feedback from customers Tough got tougher after only 3 years and hilly terrain with high levels of productivity With the push of a button on the dashboard, led to the successful launch of a Volvo lorry Just three years after the FMX’s introduction, and driver comfort. the driver can disengage and raise the drive axle developed specifically for construction work; Volvo Trucks released a new version. Coupled to a Volvo diesel engine, it reduces to improve fuel efficiency by up to 4% on the FMX entered the Malaysian market in 2014. The cab was modified and all the fuel consumption by up to 5%, compared to a average. Since then, it has been the top-selling model components in the front structure were manual gearbox. As soon as the lorry is loaded, the drive axle not just in the construction segment, but also redesigned. New air suspension gave an automatically lowers and engages to ensure widely used in logging, mining and agriculture increased ground clearance Hub reduction maximum traction and driveability. (crude palm oil tanker) sectors, to handle the of 300mm. The FMX with Hub reduction “The Tandem Axle Lift is a perfect fit for tough operating condition