RON97 shortage in states

KUALA LUMPUR: SEVERAL areas in the Klang Valley and other states are experiencing an acute shortage of RON97 petrol, after demand for the fuel surged following a reduction in its price on Monday.

The high demand, which came after the price of RON97 dropped to RM2.46 per litre from RM2.55, saw some petrol kiosks double their sales of RON97 from an average of 500 litres daily to 1,000 litres.

The shortage has sparked claims that some parties were hoarding RON97 stock, prior to the implementation of the managed float system on Dec 1, to avoid losses due to the now cheaper prices.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, however, rejected the claims, and maintained that the problem was caused by a sudden surge in demand.

It also pledged that RON97 supply would return to normal by tomorrow.

The reduction in prices saw a petrol kiosk in Kedah ordered to be shut down after it was found short-changing motorists by maintaining old prices.

The kiosk in Sik was found to have sold RON95 at RM2.30 per litre, instead of RM2.26 per litre, after the price adjustment was enforced on Monday.

The government had on Sunday announced that effective Dec 1, the price of RON95 would be reduced by four sen to RM2.26 per 
litre, while RON97 would cost RM2.46 per litre, down from RM2.55.

The price of diesel, however, saw a three-sen increase from RM2.20 per litre.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said petrol kiosks were unprepared for the high RON97 demand.

“Previously, RON97 comprised only 12 to 20 per cent of the supply to petrol kiosks. However, when prices dropped, many motorists opted for RON97 and the kiosks did not have time to order more,” hesaid at an event in Setiawangsa yesterday.

Hasan said, as of yesterday, RON97 supply for southern states had been replenished, and he expected supply for the west coast and northern states to resume by tomorrow.

He rejected claims that petrol dealers were hoarding RON97 supply to sell it once the price increased.

He said the ministry’s enforcement officers conducted routine monitoring, and had yet to receive any information on fuel hoarding.

“As of 10am today (yesterday), there were only 130 petrol kiosks without RON97 compared with 177 stations last night (Monday). All pumps nationwide should be replenished by end of the week.”

He said fishermen and public transportation groups, such as school buses, public buses and taxis, were still receiving their diesel subsidies.

Checks by the New Straits Times at petrol kiosks in Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, and Brickfields yesterday showed that many claimed to have exhausted their RON97 supply for several days.

The operators had hung ‘Out of order’ signs on RON97 fuel nozzles, with some installing padlocks on the pumps.

The operator of a kiosk near Angkasapuri said his outlet’s sale of RON97 doubled from an average of 500 litres a day to 1,000.

“The price gap between RON95 and RON97 isn’t that high any more. People do not mind paying extra to have higher-performance fuel.”

Two operators, one in Jalan Klang Lama and another in Bangsar, claimed their outlets had faced a shortage of RON97 over the past three days.

In Kelantan, operators in Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas have stopped selling RON97 petrol since Monday, claiming that they had finished their supply.

Following similar reports of RON97 shortage in Johor, state Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry deputy director Mohamad Mokhtar Yeop said it had asked fuel companies to increase the distribution quota to stations facing supply shortage.

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd yesterday confirmed that a number of its retail stations in Peninsular Malaysia was experiencing a shortage of V-Power 97 due to high demand.

“We are making every effort to restore supply to the affected sites. We remain committed to provide quality service to our customers.”

A petrol kiosk operator in Johor Baru locked his RON97 fuel pump because of the acute shortage of the fuel. 

Takaful Ikhlas sees gross contributions to hit RM800 mil

KUALA LUMPUR: Takaful Ikhlas Bhd is confident the gross contributions for its financial year ending March 31, 2015 (FY15) will hit RM800 million, up from RM772 million in FY14, driven by its newly launched and final quarter awareness programmes.

President and chief executive officer, Ab Latiff Abu Bakar said the full-year target was achievable as the company had already secured RM400 million in gross contributions in the first six months of FY15.

"We are having a strong agency support, and with the awareness campaign, we expect more sign up towards the end of FY15," he told reporters after launching the company's Mobile Promotional Campaign, here today.

Throughout December, the company's agents and staff will do a series of roadshows around the Klang Valley, on multi-purpose vehicles.

"This aggressive campaign will enable potential customers to approach us in a more casual setting besides strengthening the company's brand.

"Besides urban prospects, we are targeting the non-Muslims as well," he said.

The non-Muslims constituted 10 per cent of the company's existing 2.0 million registered policy holders.

Ab Latiff said more promotional campaigns would be executed in the fourth quarter of FY15, that is from January-March next year, and expected non-Muslims to account for one-quarter of customers by end-March 2015.

"We will explain the underlying concept of takaful and the charity elements it carries to the non-Muslims," he said.

"With our strong agency team, strong back-office and by ensuring speedy deliverables, even a gross contribution of RM1.0 billion for financial year 2016 is also possible," he said, adding that with that figure, Takaful Ikhlas's position would jump from fourth place to second among the 11 local takaful players.

Currently, Takaful Ikhlas has 13 local regional offices and more than 5,000 agents.

KL shares turn lower mid-morning

KUALA LUMPUR: Shares on Bursa Malaysia turned lower at mid-morning today as selling in blue chips continued to dampen market sentiment, dealers said.

At 11am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 13.45 points lower at 1,772.52, down from the 1,788.15 at opening.

RHB Research said unsurprisingly traders opted to take profit after the strong sell-down seen on December 1.

"The near-term resistance level is situated at 1,790 points, set near the middle of December 1’s "Long Black Day" candle.

"Towards the downside, we maintain our support level at 1,760.50 points, derived near the low of October 16 and yesterday’s low," it added.

Market breadth was negative with losers outpacing gainers 410 to 173, while 234 counters were unchanged, 884 untraded and nine others suspended.

On the scoreboard, the FBM Emas Index fell 81.08 points to 12,174.95, the FBMT100 Index lost 77.67 points to 11,892.07, and the FBM 70 declined 37.19 points to 13,168.08.

The FBM Emas Syariah Index contracted 57.78 points to 12,592.89 and the FBM Ace slid 56.95 points to 6039.98.

On a sectoral basis, the Finance Index was down 170.8 points to 15,783.29, the Industrial Index trimmed 15.58 points to 3,222.58, and the Plantation Index lost 55.83 points to 8,108.67.

Turnover stood at 480.06 million shares worth RM411.02 million.

Of the heavyweights, Maybank lost 20 sen to RM9.01, TNB remained flat at RM14 and Public Bank was down eight sen to RM18.24.

Among actives, IFCA MSC eased half-a-sen to 77.5 sen and Minetech improved half-a-sen to 11.5 sen, and Sumatec fell one sen to 22.5 sen.

‘Live every day as if it’s your last’

AIRASIA Bhd is looking at various avenues to grow its business and profits.

This includes building up its base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 and turning it into a global aviation hub.

“It will be great if Kuala Lumpur can be the Dubai of the East as it will create a lot of jobs. We are focused on this but I need airports and all my partners to play their part as well. We need to put every dollar into growing Malaysia, as opposed to fighting wasteful competition,” said AirAsia Bhd founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said.

“We plan to make it that with just one stop, you can go anywhere. Someone can fly from Trichy (India) to Perth or travel from Beijing to Bandung all within one stop, which is effectively what Emirates has done in Dubai.

“For Emirates, you can see the world from Dubai. My tagline is you can see Asia from Kuala Lumpur.

“There is no airline that can do what we can do. We have a combined network of AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia X. That alone is an amazing network in Asia.”

He also expects AirAsia to benefit from the fast-growing sporting industry.

Fernandes owns Queens Park Rangers, which was promoted back into England’s Premier League this year.

“I think there is big potential in football. Formula One was a disaster but I don’t regret it at all because life is about doing things. We learn a lot from our mistakes,” he said.

Fernandes founded Caterham F1 Formula One team, which began racing as Lotus Racing in 2010 and Team Lotus in 2011. He sold Caterham F1 to a Swiss and Middle East consortium in July this year.

Fernandes said his life is a pressure cooker now because of his love for football.

“I am always under pressure, but nothing beats football. Being in love with football is the most pressure I have ever felt. During a game, I would feel like throwing up as I would get very nervous. Saturdays used to be the best day of my life, but now it is not because of football. But it is great when you win.

“The sport has been very good for AirAsia in building the brand. It should be a business because I think we have the potential to develop a stadium in London. It is something we have been discussing with the mayor. It’s a dream.

“You know, if I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow, I would have lived a great life. There are no regrets and that is what I always tell the kids... to go out there and live your life because everyday is that last day of your life. You don’t want to have regrets. Just go out there and do what you want and experience life.

“Life is great. I am a very positive person. You must live every day as though it’s your last day.

Battle-hardened Fernandes

EVERYONE CAN FLY: AirAsia boss proud to have changed lives, bring joy to the people

USING your own money to buy an airline business may seem unrealistic to many, but Tan Sri Tony Fernandes did it because he believed in the company’s prospects.

In 2001, he mortgaged his house and used the money to take over AirAsia — a DRBHICOM Bhd unit that was then RM40 million in debt.

Fernandes paid RM1 for the carrier’s assets, including its two Boeing 737-300 aircraft, and took on all of its liabilities.

A year after taking over the business, he managed to transform AirAsia into a significant player while clearing all of its debts.

AirAsia became a public-listed company in 2004 with its initial public offering oversubscribed by 130 per cent.

Today, the low-cost carrier has 180 planes in its fleet with an extensive network covering more than 20 countries.

As of February this year, Forbes Asia valued Fernandes’ net worth at US$650 million (RM2.22 billion), ranking him 28th on the list of Malaysia’s richest.

“AirAsia has been in many public battles. It’s hard... it’s hard to be AirAsia as nothing comes easy for us. But when you want to be the best, when you have to challenge Singapore Airlines (SIA) and other global brands, you need partners who want to be the best as well.

“I am trying to make Malaysia the best, and that means pushing some of my partners to be the best as well. It is seen negatively sometimes, but I don’t apologise for that because I think if we want Malaysia to be the best country, then we got to go out there and push everyone to be the best and not accept compromises.

“We owe it to the people. I owe it to my staff and shareholders. But it is tough because, as a private company, we don’t get access sometimes and, in many ways, a lot of our partners are companies that have large government holdings.

“But as a Malaysian, I am very proud of what my staff have done and it is my job to go out there and push and continue to push,” he told Business Times.

The Kuala Lumpur-born Fernandes, 50, received his early education at The Alice Smith School, here, and then Epsom College, and finally at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the United Kingdom.

From a young age, he accompanied his mother and businesswoman, Ena Dorothy Fernandes, to Tupperware dealer parties and conventions.

After graduating from LSE, he worked briefly for Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic as an auditor, subsequently becoming the financial controller for Virgin Records from 1987 to 1989.

Upon returning to Malaysia, he became the youngest managing director of Warner Music (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, and then its Southeast Asia regional vice-president for nine years up to 2001.

Upon leaving Warner Music, Fernandes decided to pursue his dream to start an aviation business but his application for a licence was rejected by the government.

It was through Datuk Pahamin A. Rejab, the former secretary-general of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, that Fernandes met the then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who suggested that he buy AirAsia.

“We have achieved a lot in the last 13 years. The great thing about these 13 years is that I have been able to chart more or less our own destiny. In the music industry, I was really working for someone else. It’s great being an entrepreneur. It is great being able to do what you want with your staff and build the business the way people want.

“Whatever happens with AirAsia or whereever we go from here, what has been amazing is that we have changed lives forever. Every time I get a little bit demoralised, I just have to walk into the former LCCT (low-cost carrier terminal) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 and look at the people who never thought they would one day get to fly.

“Seeing an old man going back toIndia for the first time to see his ancestors, or someone going to Hanoi for the first time ... it’s an amazing feeling for me.

“Music is my passion but you can bring joy to people in different ways. At AirAsia, what we have been able to do is create jobs both within the airline and surrounding industries, and make people happy. Today, within the AirAsia group, we employ around 15,000 people.

“My business philosophy, in terms of management, is really transparency and staying focused. My job is to turn raw diamonds into diamonds. The success of AirAsia is because we are very people-oriented and marketdriven. I think everyone knows that these are my key attributes. We pick a product that people want,” Fernandes said.

The entrepreneur was instrumental in proposing the idea of open skies agreements with Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

As a result, these nations have granted landing rights to AirAsia.

“We have created a global brand, which I think I am most proud about. It is not easy to build a global brand from a small country like Malaysia and I think the people who work for AirAsia are very proud of that fact.

“In the Malaysian context, what I am extremely proud about is that we are truly a Malaysian company. It is integrated... it’s meritocracy. It really shows the best of Malaysia. I think we are a great example of what Malaysia can be when all of us work together,” Fernandes said.

CPO prices close higher

KUALA LUMPUR: Crude palm oil (CPO) futures prices on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended higher yesterday amid the rebound on the crude oil market, a dealer said.

Phillip Futures derivatives product specialist, David Ng, said the widening spread with the soya oil also contributed to the optimism.

He said the support level was located at RM2,150 and immediate resistance at RM2,250.

At the close, December 2014 and January 2015 gained RM29 to RM2,129 and RM2,146 a tonne respectively, February 2015 increased RM33 to RM2,142 a tonne, and March 2015 was up RM31 to RM2,143 a tonne.

Volume decreased to 45,849 lots from 59,556 lots yesterday, while open interest declined to 250,380 contracts from 269,888 contracts previously.

On the physical market, December South was RM30 higher at RM2,160 a tonne. 

Ringgit rebounds against at close

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rose against the US dollar yesterday in tandem with most emerging Asian currencies following a sharp rebound in crude oil prices from its five-year lows, a dealer said.

At 5pm today, the ringgit was quoted at 3.4225/4255 against 3.4320/3350 on Monday.

The dealer said that the ringgit rose from its steepest decline since June 1998, as investors moved to cover short positions after crude oil rebounded, but the greenback's bullish sentiment might cap gains.

The ringgit was traded mostly higher against other major currencies except for the British pound.

It was up against the Singapore dollar at 2.6190/6215 from 2.6237/5280 on Monday, increased against the yen at 2.8809/8839 from 2.8969/8004 and rose against the euro to 4.2576/2620 from 4.2701/1749 previously.

The local unit slid against the British pound to 5.3822/3876 from 5.3725/2785 on Monday.

Gold futures close firmer on bullish COMEX

KUALA LUMPUR: Gold futures contracts extended Monday’s gains to close firmer yesterday, in sync with the bullish New York Commodity Exchange’s (COMEX) gold futures.

Phillip Futures Sdn Bhd Dealer, Lim Eng Wee, said the overnight jump in COMEX gold futures was lifted by bargain hunting after Swiss voters rejected a proposal for their central bank to increase bullion holdings.

He said prices were also supported by news that India would ease import ruling, but trade sources said that overseas purchases may not be quick to emerge due to adequate stocks in the country.

At the close, December 2014 rose 66 ticks to RM132.30 a gramme, January 2015 improved 73 ticks to RM132.55 a gramme, and February 2015 increased 65 ticks to RM132.85 a gramme.

Meanwhile, March 2015 was introduced at RM133.25 a gramme.

Open interests widened to 2,237 contracts from Monday’s 2,084 contracts while turnover went up to 319 lots worth RM4.23 million from 229 lots worth RM2.96 million previously.

At 5pm, the physical price of gold was RM3.37 higher at RM127.55 a gramme from RM124.18 a gramme previously.

Tin ends higher at US$20,250 a tonne

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Tin Market (KLTM) closed US$100 higher at US$20,250 a tonne yesterday, following the metal’s price increase on the London Metal Exchange (LME).

The tin price on the LME increased US$30 to US$20,305 a tonne.

On the local front, a dealer said yesterday’s price was supported by scattered buying from European traders, followed by Japanese and local buyers.

“However, some buyers withdrew when the price rose too high,” he added.

At the opening, sellers offered 40 tonnes while buyers bid for 80 tonnes.

The price differential between the KLTM and LME was at a premium of US$300 a tonne from US$230 a tonne previously.

Asian Healthcare plans to raise RM750m via SPAC

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian Healthcare Group Bhd said it plans to raise up to RM750 million through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to tap rising demand for private healthcare from Asia’s burgeoning middle class.

A SPAC is a shell company with no assets, set up with the intention of buying firms, usually within three years of listing, that later will be folded into the business.

The healthcare SPAC will use at least 95 per cent of funds raised from the initial public offering to acquire at least one hospital providing secondary or tertiary care with a capacity of 100 to 500 beds, according to its draft prospectus filed with the Securities Commission yesterday.

Asian Healthcare Group, led by former banker Datuk Yvonne Chia, said it plans to capitalise on Malaysia’s growing middle class and high-income earners, the medical tourism sector and strong demand for private healthcare providers.

The company intends to retain Malaysia as its focus for the first few years, before looking for partners to venture into Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Chia also holds director positions in Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd and Shell Malaysia, and previously led RHB Bank Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd.

Other directors include Datuk Chevy Beh, an executive director for BP Healthcare until October, and Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan Vasagam, a consultant for the diagnostics-to-laboratory medical group.

Asian Healthcare Group will offer 80 per cent of its shares on the open market, while the remainder will be held by Chia, Beh and Negrita Holdings — a company in which Beh is the majority shareholder. 

‘Ringgit to be weak for few months’

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit will experience fluctuations over the next few months until the global crude oil prices stabilise, said research houses.

BIMB Securities economist Imran Nurginias Ibrahim expects the weakness to continue for the next two to three months.

“We’re looking at RM3.45 to the US dollar in the near term with support at RM3.40 to RM3.49.”

The ringgit closed at RM3.4260 against the US dollar yesterday, compared with RM3.4320 on Monday.

The beating on Monday was due to worries over the impact of the soft oil prices, Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) decision to cut capital expenditure and its impact on the country’s current account and expenditure, said Imran.

The research house has projected the oil to trade at US$75 (RM256.5) per barrel in the first half of next year.

With the United States Federal Reserve poised to start its interest rate hiking cycle, the greenback will only strengthen further, placing Asian currencies at a disadvantage over the next few years, said another research house.

Hong Leong Investment Bank expects to see further depreciation in the ringgit.

In its research note, it said the technical outlook for the ringgit remains weak as all indicators are pointing to strong negative pressure.

“Reading from all indicators showed that upside momentum is still picking up but at slower velocity.”

It expects the ringgit to test a high of RM3.45 against the US dollar, with the next resistance levels at RM3.52 and RM3.60.

UBS Investment Bank, in its latest economic outlook report, said if oil were to fall below US$73 per barrel, the “offset to lower oil-related revenues would disappear for Malaysia, placing pressure on the fiscal target”.

Petronas’ ability to adjust its dividend payout ratio could mitigate the impact on the Federal Government’s accounts.

Disappointing corporate earnings last month as well as the weak market sentiment mean it is a challenge to meet the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI target this year, according to Affin Hwang Capital.

A weak ringgit compounds the difficulty.

Among the key risks are that consumption will be affected by higher inflation and the government’s inability to rein in its fiscal deficit.

Concerns over lower oil tax revenues, which may lead to a weak fiscal deficit next year, had led the ringgit to fall versus the US dollar by 1.5 per cent on Monday, which followed a three per cent drop in the previous trading day.

“On the positive side, lower oil prices are generally good for economic growth,” it said.

Affin Hwang listed the main beneficiaries of a weak ringgit as the rubber glove manufacturers (especially Top Glove and Supermax).

In the oil and gas sector, Petronas Chemicals Bhd, SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd and Bumi Armada Bhd stand to benefit from a stronger US dollar due to their US dollar-denominated businesses, although Perdana Petroleum Bhd and Alam Maritim Resources Bhd, in contrast, are expected to suffer because they earn ringgit revenues against US dollar costs.

On the back of US dollar borrowings, IOI Corp Bhd and Genting Plantations Bhd (in the plantation sector) potentially have market-to-market forex losses.

Bold experiments

A French fashion label’s collection for Cruise 2015 stems from colourful experimentations and thoughtful mismatch.

NICOLAS Ghesquiere has a lot of courage.

After churning out barely two collections for French luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton, Ghesquiere has pushed the envelope in many directions.

His experimentations are still going strong and his latest lineup for Cruise 2015, presented in Monaco in May, gave a glimpse of expecting the unexpected from the man whose nip and flare expertise when it comes to clothes silhouette is globally respected.

If his tenure in the brand is a book, this is barely the first few chapters — he hasn’t yet laid out the foundation of his designs, he is still going wild with shapes and colours (so mismatching is everywhere) and he tries to make new of nostalgia, bringing back styles from five decades ago.

For those who think fashion is predictable, Ghesquiere’s early days at Vuitton is proof that this isn’t so and that some rules of fashion need to be re-written or abolished altogether.

Style.com in its review says the designer is still “thinking about a wardrobe” but his clothes, as if showing a growth from what he did for Fall, show more embellishment and are more playful this time around.

PLAY WITH CONTRAST A regional show was held in Hong Kong in September and while the atmosphere wasn’t the same as that of Monaco, the feel of the clothes remained the same.

Contrast was ever y where from an asymmetrical lace top to a cropped patent leather jacket in orange to thigh-high lace-up shoes adorned with colourful floral prints — there was no binding thread for the pieces except that they were a part of a big fashion experiment in progress.

Pantsuits reminiscent of the 1960s were in light pink and mustard or brave floral print.

There were no black pants here, no thighhiding or optical illusion.

Dresses were held together by zippers, up to the neckline.

One zip-up dress, in bright yellow, reminded me of a gentler version of The Bride, the famous character played by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, minus her Hattori Hanzo sword.

Elsewhere, the clothes were like those worn by Heather Graham in Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Retro lines, bold prints, you get the drift.

There was no climax in his show, no one piece that stood out because every single look was different and told its own story.

He called this the intimate wardrobe, “brought to life in another universe by unexpected identity”.

The wardrobe, he said, was “shaken through and through, lending itself to the mixing of genres, peculiar layering, expert dissonance and pseudo-paradoxical juxtapositions”.

If philosophy isn’t seen as in tandem with fashion, Ghesquiere wanted to break that preconception by giving the audience something to think about.

If a bright orange jacket with black collar and cuffs looked odd to you, Ghesquiere asked, but why? If you found a pink pantsuit with humongous pockets and exaggerated details unwearable, he’d say, why not? UNUSUAL CONTRAST Everywhere in the collection were opposites — pieces women wouldn’t put together, but Ghesquiere seemed to make these contrasts charming and instantly palatable.

A pantsuit with bold flower pattern, for example, was too in-yourface to be worn outside the runway and the yellow pants and red lace top combo worn with a sequined jacket looked over the top.

But this was, I think, another phase of his experimentation and I suppose until he can pin down the style sense of the Vuitton woman, such fashion dissonance will reappear in his collections.

Ghesquiere may still be figuring his place in Vuitton’s fashion universe and before he gets his footing on the ground, his designs levitate above the rails of reality.

And they are fabulous, fun and at times, funny.

The journey has just begun, and it looks to be an eventful, beautiful one.

RESTRAINED EXCESS

FOR his accessories collection, Nicolas Ghesquiere isn’t too consumed with creating the it-bag so every part of the collection gets a bit of his attention.

A balanced line of statement shoes and bags and bold jewellery, he plays on excess in a restrained and refined manner.

For shoes, the round LV insignia appears in almost all footwear, the letters encased in a circle.

The emblem feels like a batch sign for this collection.

Otherwise, ankle straps have the letter V written on them.

For bags, the diamond pattern appears alongside vintage LV clasp, lending a retro feel to the new collection.

The bags are tiny, for evening use or for a cocktail.

Other carriers come with decorated clasps that are colourful and humorous.

This zip-up dress is reminiscent of The Bride’s suit in Kill Bill. PICTURES COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

Beautiful asymmetrical top worn with skirt with patterns that look like sea algae.

You need more than height and a slender frame to carry off this vibrant pantsuit.

Pastel pink pantsuit with exaggerated details.

A burgundy leather coat with ruffled hemline and black collar and cuff.

Mix and match

Raja Nadia Sabrina Raja Ahmad Aminullah tells Sushma Veera about her debut fashion line that combines quirkiness with elegance

INSPIRED by nature, new fashion label Aere offers chic and exclusive designs.

Of her maiden fashion line, Raja Nadia Sabrina Raja Ahmad Aminullah says: “Combining natural inspiration with meticulous attention to detail, Aere not only manages to strike that balance in its gorgeous designs but defines it.” A lawyer by profession, she’s also a blogger and social media fashion personality who loves everything about the arts.

She rose to prominence through her refreshing fashion and lifestyle blog and Instagram account, and recently debuted her fashion line on FashionValet.com.

CHIC AND FASHIONABLE

The designs are close to Raja Nadia Sabrina’s heart.

“These are designs I would wear myself.

I love mixing and matching and making the most of the items in my wardrobe so that it can be worn multiple times.

That’s why I designed outfits which can be worn in different ways so that people get value for money.” “Aere is a contemporary fashion concept that incorporates minimalist urban quirkiness with modern elegance.” It offers unique and quality designs for everyday women without compromising comfort and practicality, “For this collection, I was inspired by nature and its breathtaking hues — blue is the prominent colour, reflecting the sky and the sea.

The sand is what makes the beach, so there are also shades of nudes, neutrals and browns in this collection”, she says..

“ I’ve also added just a sparkle of black to represent the starry yet mystery of midnight,” The focus of this collection is the versatility of the outfits which can be worn on both casual and formal occasions.

“The highlight is the zipped sequin jacket which can either be worn front-to-back or back-to-front, converting a statement piece and edgy jacket into an elegant, classy top.

“There’s also the unique oneof- its kind print fabric which is sourced from Japan that is light and comfortable, abstract and a sure head-turner.” These pieces, priced between RM160  and RM300, are now avail able online at Fashion Valet.

“Aere is a contemporary fashion concept that incorporates minimalist urban quirkiness with a dash of modern elegance,” says Raja Nadia Sabrina.

The Iron Man of watches

THE Victorinox Swiss Army Inox watches are not only stylishly designed and versatile but are also hardy.

They are capable of withstanding a fall from a 10m height onto a concrete floor, driven over by a 25-tonne truck, left in an open fire for one minute, frozen in a massive ice cube for 168 hours and immersed in an acid substance for eight hours.

The name Inox comes from the French word for stainless steel.

Marking a shared link between cutlery and watches, Inox is as iconic as the Original Swiss Army Knife.

UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY Victorinox, maker of the iconic Swiss Army knives, was founded in 1884.

The company made its first Swiss Army watches 25 years ago, in 1989.

The Inox collection was launched in conjunction with Victorinox’s 130th anniversary, along with its Swiss Army Watch division’s 25th anniversary.

What is so special about Inox? “It combines resistance and versatility.

We believe it is one of the very few crash test-proof watches to be able to enter an office building,” says Francois Nunez, product director of Victorinox Swiss Army Watch.

This watch is definitively pushing the boundaries of Swiss watchmaking standards by being one of the most robust and resilient timepieces that was ever built.

“In order for our watch to be a true companion for life, and to be both durable and resistant, it did withstand an incredible number of homologations tests.

This is a watch that is truly forged to resist,” says Nunez.

He adds that it took three years of intense development, six months of extensive testing and more than 400 samples to turn it into tangible reality.

On how the watch can withstand such extreme tests, Nunez says: “Just like a suspended bridge, we had to consider every possible detail to establish the perfect balance between a coherent design and an uncompromising strength.

The watch case has been reinforced and the movement carefully protected for the entire watch to reach uncompromising level of quality.” BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED Given Inox’s extraordinary robustness, one would expect it to look like a bunker.

“Like most SUV cars, Inox looks robust and tough, but is quite sophisticated and urban at the same time.

We wanted our new watch to be extremely versatile, in order to follow you every step of the way, from early office meetings to weekend outdoor treks.” Its elegance, however, is apparent at first glance.

The refined design of the 43mm stainless steel case housing a Swiss-made Ronda 715 quartz movement is enhanced by a polished hexagonal bezel.

The beautiful timepiece is waterresistant to 200m, and has a scratchresistant sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflective treatment and a screwed-on stainless steel caseback.

The indexes on the dial are stamped into the surface, rather than applied on.

The Inox has reinforced the axis and the attachment of the luminescent hour and minute hands.

The entire timepiece is shielded from impact by the collection’s signa ture feature, a removable protection bumper made of silicone and nylon that is attached to the case without obscuring any of the informa tion on the dial.

The watch comes in a choice of black, khaki green or navy blue dial colours, with match ing straps.

Available at all authorised dealer, at RM1,699.

Warriors of wit

THE AMMA Foundation and Amma Youth are organising Malaysia’s mega comedy event on Friday at Bangunan Peladang, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya.

Amma Foundation president Girish Ramachandran says the event, Stand Up For Education, features the popular stand-up comedian Harith Iskander as main performer.

He will be joined by “the Apek of all trades” actor, singer, songwriter and emcee Douglas Lim, and notable comedians Kavin Jay “the grumpiest Macha” and Rizal Van Geyzel “the Rojak Malaysian”.

Allan Perera, will tickle fans with his brand of all-Malaysian comedy.

Girish says: “These warriors of wit will guarantee you a night of amusement and excitement.

Proceeds from this event will go to underprivileged and deserving young Malaysians for educational support, youth and leadership activities.” He says the comedians readily said “yes” to teaming up for a good cause.

“They will perform their own segments but there will also be collaborations, and the five of them will interact in a hilarious segment.” The foundation’s latest project is Right To Learn, a literacy campaign for low income families.

The event will start at 7.30pm with cocktails, and the dress code is smart casual.

Catch Harith Iskander in Stand Up For Education this Friday at Bangunan Peladang.

Fowler has faith Reds will turn corner

ROBBIE Fowler does not think Liverpool’s season is as bad as it seems but expects the Reds to turn  their declining English Premier League fortunes around soon.

  Last season’s unexpected title challenge which saw Liverpool finish runners-up to Manchester City  by two points had raised hopes that Brendan Rodgers’ side would be able to compete for honours again.

  However, the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and injuries to Daniel Sturridge have seen  Liverpool struggle for goals, languishing in 11th place in the table, ahead of yesterday’s match at Leicester City, though they were only five points off fourth-placed Manchester United.

  “I don’t think Liverpool’s season is as bad as people are making it out to be,” said former Liverpool striker Fowler at a  football coaching clinic for sponsor Standard Chartered’s priority banking clients’ children at the Kuala Lumpur FA Academy in Desa Melawati yesterday.

  “It’s being compared to how good we were last year. Definitely we set the standard very high last  season. 

  “We still have a long way to go but we are close to the quarter-finals of one cup and if we win our  last Champions League group game (against Basel) we are through to the last-16.  

  “So it’s not all doom and gloom as far as I am concerned. I have every confidence in the manager  and he’s a good manager and he’ll figure it out.

   “Liverpool have got to go out and get the points to be in the Champions League and I think it’s  still a good possibility we can do that.  Liverpool’s poor start to the season has been attributed to the failure to adequately replace  Suarez with the raft of signings in pre-season failing to hit the ground running

  “Any signing, whether it is a foreign or English player, is a gamble,” said Fowler, 39. “They haven’t  quite taken off yet but it’s still very early days in the season.

  “Let’s not judge people on the back of a few bad results. They are all obviously talented players  otherwise they wouldn’t be at Liverpool.”

    Fowler also hoped Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose contract is up at the end of the season,  will see his career out at the club where he made his senior debut 16 years ago.  

  “Steven’s been an unbelievable player for Liverpool,” added Fowler. “If you’re asking if I want to see Steven stay  at the club, then of course.

  “I like Steven as a man and as a player and for what he has achieved. I think he deserves to see  his career out at Liverpool.”

Fowler also took time off his busy schedule to visit Balai Berita in Bangsar, where he obliged News Straits Times staff with photographs and numerous ‘selfies’. 

Robbie Fowler with New Straits Times staff during his visit to Balai Berita yesterday. 

Gerrard, Mata leave Liverpool, United smiling

LONDON: Steven Gerrard and Juan Mata scored pivotal goals as Liverpool and Manchester United each posted victories over obdurate opposition in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Liverpool captain Gerrard, the subject of speculation about his Anfield future this week, stroked home the crucial second goal as his side came from behind to win 3-1 at 10-man Leicester City.

Victory lifted Brendan Rodgers’s side up to eighth place, but they remain five points off the Champions League berths after Mata’s fortuitous strike earned fourth-place United a 2-1 success at home to Stoke City.

The Spaniard saw a free-kick from wide on the right drift straight into the net in the 59th minute at Old Trafford, sending United to within a point of third-place Southampton, who visit Arsenal on Wednesday.

Leaders Chelsea entertain Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, while second-place Manchester City travel to Sunderland.

Explaining his decision to rest 34-year-old Gerrard for Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Stoke at the weekend, Liverpool manager Rodgers told BT Sport: “Steven Gerrard was rested last weekend with tonight in mind.

“When you rest a player, people ask why. When you play them, you are asked why aren’t you resting them. The energy from being rested at the weekend gave him the energy to play tonight.”

Despite Gerrard’s return to the starting XI, Liverpool made a wobbly start at the King Power Stadium.

Esteban Cambiasso should have put Leicester ahead in the 20th minute when under-fire Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet played the ball straight to him, only for the Argentine midfielder to roll the ball wide.

But Leicester went ahead two minutes later, with Leonardo Ulloa’s shot hitting the post and cannoning into the net off Mignolet’s back for an own goal after Martin Skrtel had blocked on the line from Jamie Vardy.

The hosts’ lead lasted just four minutes, however, with Adam Lallana drilling home an equaliser from Rickie Lambert’s knock-down.

Gerrard’s moment arrived nine minutes into the second period. Wes Morgan could only get a toe to Raheem Sterling’s left-wing cross and Gerrard strode forwards to steer the loose ball into the bottom-right corner.

After Morgan was sent off in the 63rd minute for hauling back Lambert, Sterling’s back-heel teed up Jordan Henderson to sweep home a late third for Liverpool following a fumble by home goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Rodgers revealed before the game that Gerrard has been offered a new contract, but when asked if he was ready to commit to a new deal, the former England captain said: “I will decide when I am ready.

“There is nothing to say. When there is, the fans know I will come out and say it.”

A knee injury to Wayne Rooney saw 19-year-old James Wilson handed a surprise start for Manchester United, who took a 21st-minute lead when Marouane Fellaini headed in Ander Herrera’s inviting left-wing cross.

Steven Nzonzi equalised for Stoke six minutes before half-time, lashing home from outside the box after a dart by Bojan Krkic.

But Mata’s goal gave United a fourth straight victory, with Marcos Rojo’s leap distracting visiting goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and allowing the former Chelsea playmaker’s free-kick to nestle inside the left-hand post.

After seeing his goalkeeper David de Gea pull off a pair of stunning late saves, United coach Louis van Gaal said: “The last few moments were not necessary, but it is always like that.

“We have struggled until the end in the Premier League. It is common. I’m happy with the result. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we have a Christmas party and it’s important we can enjoy that.”

West Ham United remain a point behind Van Gaal’s side in fifth place after coming from behind to win 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion.

Craig Dawson’s 10th-minute header put the home team in front, but Kevin Nolan equalised 15 minutes later and James Tomkins gave West Ham victory with a header in first-half injury time.

Swansea City climbed to sixth place, two points behind West Ham United, after well-taken late goals from Ki Sung-yueng and Wayne Routledge secured a 2-0 success at home to second-bottom Queens Park Rangers.

Burnley climbed out of the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United, with Papiss Cisse earning the away team a point after George Boyd had put the hosts ahead with a strike from distance.

Meanwhile, Christian Benteke scored the only goal as Aston Villa moved five points clear of  the bottom three with a 1-0 success at Crystal Palace.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring against Leicester at King Power Stadium, in Leicester. Liverpool won 3-1. AP Photo.

Stoke City's Oussama Assaidi (left) vies for the ball with Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata at Old Trafford in Manchester. Man Utd won 2-1.