KUALA LUMPUR: The operation of the Greater Klang Valley Task Force Army in Klang Valley has come to an end after 41 days, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. He said the decision was made jointly with the Health Ministry after daily Covid-19 numbers began to fall in the Klang Valley along with the increase in vaccination rates among the residents and improved capacity at the hospitals. During the operation, the army had mobilised 1,080 personnel for various duties in red zones in Klang Valley, he added. “With the end of the operation, the army will now focus on other Covid-19 operations around the country,” Hishammuddin said in a statement here yesterday. The army, he added, would also increase its capacity to administer vaccines to members of the public at drive-throughs.

I’ve spent my entire career trying to help non-Muslims in the West understand Islam as a religion, a culture and an ideology. My first book, No God But God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, became an international bestseller. The Jeffersons and Good Times and All in the Family – these sitcoms taught us what America was and what America believed. A few years ago, I stopped putting all my energy into books and lectures, stopped appearing on cable TV altogether, and instead began making TV shows. It’s the first network TV show to showcase the writing and acting of Afghans and Afghan Americans, and the only one telling their story.

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s moratorium on new oil palm plantation permits is set to expire this week as the industry awaits clarity on whether the government will extend the policy. Since the moratorium, the government has found about 3 million hectares of palm oil plantation operating without permits in forest areas. The Southeast Asian country has identified about 16.4 million hectares of land planted with the crop, of which 6.72 million hectares belong to smallholders. Crude palm oil production is set to rise but land expansion could grow slower as existing plantations take advantage of their land bank, said Sathia Varqa, owner of Palm Oil Analytics in Singapore. He expects Indonesia’s output to rise by 2 million tons to 48 million tons this year as production increases in frontier areas like Kalimantan.

GEORGE TOWN: Veteran sports journalist Ronnie Oh (pic) has died of a lung infection at the age of 67. Oh – who retired in 2012 as senior writer at the Star Media Group – breathed his last at his home in Island Park at 2.40am yesterday. Oh, who worked at The Star for over 30 years, distinguished himself as a passionate sports writer. Oh’s father, Oh Kee Tiang, was also an editor at The Star. Former Star Media Group deputy chief photographer Chin Cheng Yeang, 53, said Oh was well-liked.

PETALING JAYA: A talent development framework is in the works to address the country’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals. It will use Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Cybersecurity Talent Zone as a pilot model, he told Sunday Star. Wan Murdani said the Cybersecurity Talent Zone is a cybersecurity exchange hub done in collaboration between APU, MDEC and industry partners to nurture graduates for the cybersecurity workforce. Besides APU Cybersecurity Talent Zone, Wan Murdani said other cybersecurity exchange hubs also exist in Malaysia such as the Security Operations Centres (SOCs) in Politeknik Mersing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara. CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab said the country still needs some 7,917 cybersecurity experts to fulfil the Malaysia Digital Economic Blueprint (MyDigital) aspirations to have 20,000 experts by 2025.

GEORGE TOWN: Monitor lizards are important cleaners of the environment, for they scavenge carcasses before they can rot and yield harmful pathogens. “USM students and the monitor lizards have always had a special connection. Some students even refer to the monitor lizards as crocodiles or komodo dragons,” Prof Shahrul said. Prof Shahrul gave assurance that monitor lizards are not dangerous to humans unless provoked. “Monitor lizards help to control the balance in the environment by clearing carcasses,” he said.

So, after brooding about it that night I told myself that it was coming together and that I needed to put together a good round to make the cut. I shot five-under in the second round, which left me at one-over for the tournament. Making the cut was good and shooting all four rounds at level-par or under was the motivation I needed. Despite the uphill task, I began the second round feeling pretty good. Although I know we’re not yet out of the woods, I see light at the end of the tunnel.

In the nine Ryder Cups played since the beginning of the 21 century, Team America have managed to win the biennial team event only twice – in 2008 and ’16. So bad has it gotten that Paul Azinger, an NBC commentator and 2008 US Ryder Cup captain, weighed in on it. He should relinquish his spot and get people there who do love the Ryder Cup”. Stricter, for his part, has mixed experience with youth, and have six players who will be making the Ryder Cup debuts at Whisting Straits. Tony Finau and Jordan Spieth, who also have Ryder Cup experience, likewise were Stricker picks.

EUROPE will start as underdogs in the defense of the Ryder Cup at Whisting Straits Golf Club in Haven, Wisconsin. But it is unlikely Europe relinquish the Ryder Cup without a fight. Since the successive victories with Tony Jacklin at the helm in 1985 and 1987, Europe have proven tenacious customers. During this period they won 11 of 17 Cups. That in itself should go some way to helping their cause of trying to retain the biggest prize in team golf.

I’m receptive to having my meal outdoors or alfresco, but even then, only in the coming weeks. If these videos are recent and authentic, then it goes to show how ignorant and even irresponsible these people are. Picnics and swimming in the sea or rivers are hardly “essential”, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging. They must surely know that being double vaccinated doesn’t spare them from being infected by the virus. With schools, universities and tourist spots reopening and eventually, inter-state travel allowed, it’s best to be prepared for all possibilities.

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia is thrilled with the prospect of facing Kento Momota again although the wounded Japanese is expected to strike back. Zii Jia also defeated Momota in the quarter-finals en route to emerging as the All-England champion in March. Barring any upsets, Zii Jia should face Momota twice as Malaysia and Japan have been drawn in the same group in both the team events. Together we stand: Lee Zii Jia leading the squad to read their oaths during the flag handing over ceremony for the Sudirman Cup and Thomas Cup Finals. “The pressure is always there, but I know I can handle it,” said Zii Jia.

The 43-year-old Shalin will be taking part in the Professional Women Bowling Association (PWBA) Fall Classic Series, which include three stops, in Reno, in late October. In the last eight tournaments, Shalin did well to maintain a top 20 finish, with her best result being a sixth spot in the PWBA Spokane Open in Washington. Shalin said the experience of standing on her two feet in the US has made her even stronger as a person. “It teaches you to be more responsible and accountable, which I’m used to by now. I’m still learning.”On her plan for the future, the former world champion Shalin says she has not made up her mind yet.

JOHOR BARU: Teenagers here are looking forward to getting vaccinated so that they can feel safe going out of their homes again. SMK Permas Jaya 2 student Darrl Azmi said he was now worried to even go out of the house to buy groceries. “I hope that I can be vaccinated before I start going to school again,” the 17-year-old said in an interview. “My parents have been fully vaccinated. “However, I feel it is dangerous for me to go back to the classroom without being fully vaccinated.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has expressed its concern that the security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Aukus, could potentially spark a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement yesterday, said this stance was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who had taken note of the matter. The two leaders, the statement said, also reached agreement on renewing their joint commitment to maintain international peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. “The Malaysian Prime Minister urged all quarters to avoid any provocation and arms race in this region, apart from stressing the importance of respecting and abiding by existing stance and approaches. “Malaysia and Australia agreed to strengthen cooperation and consultation in various aspects, including in the area of defence under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” according to the statement.

KUANTAN: The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the detention and legal process imposed on a Malaysian man who allegedly entered Somalia to engage in the activities of the Al-Shabab group, said minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah. He said Malaysian Embassy officials in Khartoum, Sudan, made a consular visit to ensure the welfare and health of the man, known as Ahmad Mustakim Abdul Hamid, is taken care of. “We are allowed to make consular visits, and we have also contacted his family to inform them of his condition. “I was contacted by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, and she explained the submarine project with the intention to avoid misunderstanding,” he added. Saifuddin said Asean foreign ministers are expected to issue a joint statement soon on Aukus, which aims to help Australia obtain nuclear-powered submarines.