May, 2023 - ASEAN RECORDS

Tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 admin Art & Entertainment, News Indonesia, Jesus Buntu Burake

Jesus Buntu Burake is a Roman Catholic statue of Jesus Christ at Makale in Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world, at 40 m. It stands on the top of Buntu Burake hill about 1.700 metres above sea level. Jesus Buntu Burake also has a glass bridge. It ranks in the top 10 tallest sculptures of Asia.

A competition was held in 2013 to work on this statue and is open to the public. After obtaining the winner, in 2014 the foundation of the statue began to be built and construction of the statue was started in 2013, as designed by Supriadi, an artist of Yogyakarta, with the support of Hardo Wardoyo Suwarto, and made on request of the governor of South Sulawesi, Syahrul Yasin Limpo to promote tourism in Tana Toraja. It was developed piece by piece in Yogyakarta. In 2015, the statue was completed. The official inauguration was held on 23 December 2018, by President Joko Widodo as declared on the inauguration inscription on the sidelines of the Tana Toraja Oikumene Christmas celebration.

ASEAN Set to Emerge as the Global Economic Powerhouse: Transforming the World Economy

May 18, 2023May 22, 2023 admin News ASEAN, economic, heavyweight

Asean is demonstrating its confidence in becoming a new global economic powerhouse, which was reflected at a summit held here from May 10-11.

This year’s 42nd Asean Summit was held under Indonesia’s Asean chairmanship.

“We have a strong asset as the epicentre of growth, an economy that grows far above average global economic growth, demographic bonuses and sustained regional stability,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on May 10 at the summit’s opening session.

In his remarks at the summit, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, quoted by Vietnam News Agency, highlighted three core factors to Asean’s characteristics – values, vitality and reputation – which have helped the regional bloc maintain independence and strategic self-reliance, transform into a growth epicentre and better adapt to external shocks.

In an April report, the Asian Development Bank projected that the economies in the Asia-Pacific region will grow 4.8% this year and next year, up from 4.2% in 2022, adding that growth in the region remained resilient.

Leaders and senior officials are engaging in productive bilateral and multilateral meetings. For example, Widodo met with Pham on May 9 and discussed joint efforts toward a bilateral trade target of US$15bil (RM67bil) by 2028.

In his opening remarks, Widodo mentioned the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as part of efforts to reinforce inclusive cooperation for Asean in the future.

The trade deal comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including the 10 Asean member states and Asean’s five trading partners, namely, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

According to the World Bank, RCEP, the world’s largest free trade area, contributes US$25.8 trillion (RM116 trillion) or about 30% of global gross domestic product, and accounts for US$12.7 trillion (RM57 trillion) or over a quarter of global trade in goods and services.

Noting that China and Asean were each other’s largest trading partners, Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said he saw “the relationship between Asean and China beneficial for the world”.

The International Monetary Fund said in April’s World Economic Outlook report that the reopening and growth of China’s economy will likely generate positive spillover for countries with stronger trade links and reliance on Chinese tourism.

“After China’s reopening, we are looking to achieve more equitable trade between Asean and China,” Uno said. — China Daily/ANN

Source: thestar.com.my

National hammer thrower Grace breaks SEA games record en route to defending gold

May 8, 2023May 9, 2023 admin Human Achievement, News, Sport & Game Cambodia, Grace Wong, Malaysia, SEA Games, women’s hammer thrower

The sweltering heat reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius did not stop national women’s hammer thrower Grace Wong from achieving double success at the 2023 SEA Games here today.

Besides defending the gold medal, Grace also broke the Games record of 59.24 metres (m) that she herself had set in the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur, with a distance of 61.87m in her fourth throw, on the first day of athletics at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.

Even sweeter, the success of the athlete from Sarikei was also celebrated by compatriot Nurul Hidayah Lukman, who clinched bronze with a throw of 49.61m while the silver medal was won by Mingkamon Koomphon from Thailand (57.86m).

“I like the hot weather more, like in Malaysia and it helped me to do well here in the SEA Games” Grace told reporters afterwards.

Although admitting that she was nervous in today’s competition, the 23-year-old was thankful to be able to overcome those feelings and was satisfied with the outcome here.

She said that undergoing training in Chengdu, China, for almost three months, really helped her to clinch her third personal gold at the SEA Games.

Meantime, the student majoring in accounting at a private college in Petaling Jaya hopes to break her national record of 62.48m at the World University Games in Chengdu, China, this July.

Meanwhile, Nurul Hidayah was happy to bring home a medal in her SEA Games debut here even though she was a little disappointed not to be able to renew her personal record of 52.49m which she did at the ASEAN University Games last year.

The 22-year-old at the same time thanked the National Sports Council and the Malaysian Athletics Federation for their support and assistance over the years including sending her to train in China for a month before coming to Cambodia.

Source: Bernama

Proton X90 SUV launched, priced from RM123,800 to RM152,800 – 6 or 7 seats

May 7, 2023May 8, 2023 admin News, Science & Technology Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia, Proton, X90

Malaysia has the potential to become a regional automotive industry leader, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that plans are underway to further develop national car manufacturer Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant into a regional hub with foreign investment from Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely).

“I have discussed with the Perak Mentri Besar to ensure that there is ease of doing business and all processes are facilitated so that everything necessary will be done.

“This is to ensure the success of collaborative efforts of Geely and Proton to turn the Tanjung Malim plant into the focal automotive centre in the region, whether for training or research and development.

“The end goal is to eventually develop the entire enterprise and plant into an integrated automotive centre,” he said in his speech during Proton’s 40th anniversary celebration and launch of the new Proton X90 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (May 7).

Earlier, Geely chairman Eric Li Shufu said that they would continue to support Proton’s growth and transition into new energy vehicle technology, such as electric vehicles.

“We will spare no effort to support Proton with new technologies, products and business models to enable them to become a leader in new energy vehicles in the Asean market while also building the new energy vehicle ecology in Malaysia.

“The plan now is to help Proton launch at least one new energy vehicle model every year while also cultivating 5,000 local talents in the field of new energy vehicles in the company within the next five years,” he said.

Geely currently owns a 49.9% stake in Proton through its affiliate, Linkstate Overseas Ltd.

The newly launched Proton X90 will be a three-row SUV and be the national automaker’s first mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) with a 48-volt electric motor synergy (EMS) system. In addition to including features from its previous X70 model, the new X90 will also feature increased safety features such as increased back sensor range and a parking assistant system.

The X90 will come in four variants with prices starting at RM123,800 for the Standard (seven-seater) variant.

The Executive (seven-seater) variant is priced at RM130,800 followed by the Premium (seven-seater) variant at RM144,800, while the range topping Flagship (six-seater) version is priced at RM152,800.

Source: thestar.com.my

Shahmalarani: Delivering Malaysia’s first gold, lifts my morale

May 6, 2023May 9, 2023 admin Human Achievement, News, Sport & Game Cambodia, Gold Medal, Malaysia, SEA Games, Shahmalarani

Malaysia has reason to celebrate as national karate expert C. Shahmalarani secured the women’s Under-50kg title and the country’s first gold medal at the Cambodia SEA Games. Shahmalarani put up a great fight against the Philippines’ Junna Tsukii, defending her SEA Games title from last year’s event in Hanoi, and clinching the top spot at the Chroy Changvar Convention Centre.

In another impressive showing of Malaysia’s athletic prowess, S. Prem Kumar claimed the country’s second gold medal in the men’s kumite Under-55kg event by defeating Thailand’s Chanphet Setthapong.

In addition to these victories, Malaysia has also secured a silver medal in the women’s cross country Olympic individual event, thanks to the incredible performance of mountain biker Nur Assyira Zainal Abidin in Siem Reap.

The country’s first medal of the 32nd edition of the SEA Games came from national obstacle course athlete William Yoong Wei Theng, who won a bronze medal in the men’s 100m event. Wan Athira Hidayah Ahmad Fuzil also secured a bronze medal in the women’s 100m individual event, sharing the position with Indonesia’s Anggun Yolanda.

It’s a fantastic start for Malaysia at this year’s SEA Games, and the nation can be proud of the dedication and hard work of its talented athletes. Congratulations to all the medal winners!

Cambodia made history as they officially opened the 2023 SEA Games

May 5, 2023May 9, 2023 admin News, Sport & Game Cambodia, SEA Games

After 64 years of waiting, Cambodia has finally held a historic opening ceremony for Southeast Asia’s largest sporting event as the 2023 SEA Games with the motto ‘Sports: Live In Peace’ was officially opened in spectacular fashion here, tonight (May 5).

Hosts Cambodia staged an eye-catching opening ceremony in a blaze of colour, lights and fireworks at the Moroddok Techo National Stadium which was constructed specifically for the Games, seven days after the first event – cricket – kicked off.

The May 5-17 biennial sporting extravaganza began with the countdown ceremony from ten to one after about 75,000 spectators were entertained with a variety of performances from well-known singers, dancers, and artists to usher in the historical regional event.

Immediately after that, the glorious ceremony continued with 64 children parading the Cambodian flag which refers to the 64 years of the Kingdom waiting to host the 32nd edition of the SEA Games and the singing of the Cambodian national anthem that ‘rocked’ the stadium.

Spectators were then treated to a series of National March of Cambodia performances that told the history of Cambodia across the ages, which lasted for about one hour.

They then greeted the 11 participating countries with thunderous applause as the athletes and officials marched into the stadium in alphabetical order, starting with Brunei, as the Malaysian contingent were the fifth to march in.

The Malaysian contingent was represented by a delegation of about 42 people, including flagbearer R. Sharmendran, Chef De Mission (CDM) Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali and his two deputies, Datuk Shalin Zulkifli, Sharon Wee and the national petanque squad.

The Games was officially declared open by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, just after the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag-raising ceremony and an oath-taking ceremony read by athlete and competition judges’ representatives respectively.

This was followed by an incredible cauldron-lighting ceremony with 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medallist in Taekwondo, Sorn Seavmey, given the honour before fireworks were let off illuminating the Phnom Penh night sky.

This SEA Games will serve as a launchpad for the postponed 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games scheduled this September before embarking on the 2024 Paris mission to bring home the elusive Olympic gold medal.

Source: Bernama