PETALING JAYA: Malaysia put up a pathetic show and were rightfully shown the exit from the AFF Suzuki Cup after losing 1-0 to hosts Myanmar in their final Group B match on Saturday.
Winger David Htan scored the winner in the 89th minute at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon to give Myanmar a second-place finish in the group with six points. They join unbeaten Vietnam in the semi-finals.
Needing a win to reach the last four, Harimau Malaysia never got going and dished out their worst performance to earn the ignominy of failing to get past the group stage for the third time.
They also failed to do so in 1998 and 2008.
Malaysia coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee made two changes to the line-up after they were edged 1-0 by Vietnam on Wednesday.
Leftback Nazirul Naim Che Hashim came in for Matthew Davies and seasoned striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha replaced Darren Lok in an 4-4-2 formation.
But 2010 champions Malaysia, whose only win was a 3-2 success over lowly Cambodia in their opening match, failed to show any urgency and were chasing shadows against a young and exuberant Myanmar side.
Malaysia only had two shots on target – the most prominent being striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri’s curling shot, which hit the upright in the sixth minute.
Myanmar were unlucky not to grab the lead after Hazwan gave away a penalty for scything down striker Aung Thu in the 11th minute. Khairul Fahmi Che Mat saved Malaysia by fielding Aung Thu’s weak attempt.
Coached by German Gerd Zeise, Myanmar were always dangerous in attack. And it came as no surprise when David secured the late winner. After receiving the ball on the edge of the Malaysian box, he cut in and unleashed a low shot past Khairul into the corner of the net.
In Saturday’s other match, Vietnam edged winless Cambodia 2-1 for their third win in a row at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nyapyidaw.
The walkers came with their families, and even heavy rain midway through could not dampen their spirits.
At The New Paper Courts Big Walk yesterday, 5,000 walkers braved the elements to finish the 5km route through the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
Many of them were children eager to be acquainted with the zoo and Night Safari’s animals and greenery.
At 2pm, the guest of honour, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, flagged off the Big Walk.
Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin (centre) walks on in the rain with TNP Editor Dominic Nathan (left). PHOTO: ST
Mr Tan said he was happy to see a huge turnout, highlighting that such events gave opportunities for more family bonding.
“I think spending time together as a family is important. One of the things you find is that strong families make a difference in the outcomes of children,” he said.
EXTENDED FAMILY
As family units grow smaller, he said families need to consider relationships with extended family members, such as aunts, uncles and grandparents.
He said people need to know how to use opportunities like the Big Walk to nurture the relationship with the extended family as the support given by its members would be very important over time.
Mr Tan was glad more of such activities were being held and more frequently, as they helped promote healthy living and helped Singaporeans discover different parts of the country.
He said: “Keeping active is important… As a society, we are all going to be living longer but the key thing is also to make sure that we age well.
“So it is not just about the healthcare system but about being healthy.
“Activities like this will go a long way to developing a habit of being outdoors, being out and about, whether it is a walk, a run, cycling…whatever it may be.
“So it is good to see that events, such as this, are well attended.”
Mr Tan, who was drenched by the rain, was seen helping a crying boy find his mother after they became separated in the crowd.
Participants enjoyed other activities such as a Families For Life Instagram contest, a lucky draw and a chance to win a Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorbike.
Walkers also had the chance to meet celebrities such as actors Edmund Chen, Joshua Tan, Maxi Lim, Ryan Lian and Paul Nagaoka.
Mr Mohd Esa, 64, lost his right leg in an accident 10 years ago.
But that did not stop the retiree from taking part in The New Paper Courts Big Walk for the first time.
“I decided to join the Big Walk because I wanted to see if I am fit enough to handle the event,” he said.
Mr Mohd Esa who lost his leg a decade ago.
The retiree, who used to work in the shipping industry, attended the Big Walk with his 40-year-old son-in-law, his 35-year-old daughter and seven-year-old granddaughter.
He followed on his crutches, as the rest of his family walked ahead of him.
He said: “Last year, I walked from Changi Village Bus Terminal to White Sands shopping mall in Pasir Ris and back, and I did this three times.”
Mr Mohd Esa and his family were among the 5,000 at the Big Walk to enjoy some family time.
School canteen operators Terry and Pearly Lim with their son, Dominic.
School canteen operators Terry and Pearly Lim were glad for some quality time together with their son Dominic, nine, who often plays Pokemon Go.
“It’s so hard to have family time these days, so we think that we should take some time out here to look at the animals and have fun.
“I think that time together is very precious,” said Mr Lim, 41.
Mr Neo Guo Yong and Madam Ang Mei Ling have been taking part in the Big Walk since 2008.
Asked if they will be playing Pokemon Go during the walk, he said: “No, I really want him (Dominic) to appreciate the scenery and get some good exercise, rather than being glued to the phone. I think this is a habit that all of us should ditch.”
Mr Neo Guo Yong, 33, an IT support specialist, came with his wife, Madam Ang Mei Ling, 33, a cardiac technologist, and their 17-month-old daughter and four-year-old son.
This is not the first time that they are attending the walk. They have been doing so since 2008, when they were dating.
REMINISCE
Mr Neo said: “It’s been quite a while since I have been to the Singapore Zoo, and going for the Big Walk did let me reminisce of the old days with my wife. It’s great that we are attending with our kids now.”
Madam Ang added: “It’s also fun that we get to experience the Night Safari in the day.”
When it started raining, Mr David Tan, 44, and his wife Jane, 33, continued their stroll without an umbrella.
Mrs Tan, a hotelier, said: “The weather was very hot today, and with so many people, it was also humid.
“So when the rain came, we might as well just get wet, and it felt really nice.”
Long-time friends Ms Ong Chim Buan and Ms Lim Hai Yen.
She and her husband of two years, who is a chef, had made it point to participate in marathons and walks every one to three months.
“Attending the Big Walk was (a last-minute decision), but having this targethelps keep us healthy,” she said.
Ms Lim Hai Yen, 46, a theatre practitioner, was at the Big Walk to relax with her friend of 20 years, Ms Ong Chim Buan, 48, a teacher.
Ms Lim said: “We wanted to come here as it is not stressful compared to (other events), where you have to compete to see who finishes first.
“The branding for this is also more relaxed, and you can follow your own pace.”
They too were glad when the skies opened up.
Said Ms Ong: “I think it’s good to head back to nature, and we must get used to the wild side, (such as being) in the rain with no shelter.”
Not every participant needed company to enjoy the walk.
Mr Pong Thian Wah, 66, a security guard, has been attending almost every Big Walk on his own.
He said: “I actually bought tickets for my family, but we live too far from the Singapore Zoo, so it’s just me here. My wife is also a little old to walk long distance.
“Even though it’s raining, I still enjoyed myself.”
Mr Mohd Esa, 64, lost his right leg in an accident 10 years ago.
But that did not stop the retiree from taking part in The New Paper Courts Big Walk for the first time.
“I decided to join the Big Walk because I wanted to see if I am fit enough to handle the event,” he said.
Mr Mohd Esa who lost his leg a decade ago.
The retiree, who used to work in the shipping industry, attended the Big Walk with his 40-year-old son-in-law, his 35-year-old daughter and seven-year-old granddaughter.
He followed on his crutches, as the rest of his family walked ahead of him.
He said: “Last year, I walked from Changi Village Bus Terminal to White Sands shopping mall in Pasir Ris and back, and I did this three times.”
Mr Mohd Esa and his family were among the 5,000 at the Big Walk to enjoy some family time.
School canteen operators Terry and Pearly Lim with their son, Dominic.
School canteen operators Terry and Pearly Lim were glad for some quality time together with their son Dominic, nine, who often plays Pokemon Go.
“It’s so hard to have family time these days, so we think that we should take some time out here to look at the animals and have fun.
“I think that time together is very precious,” said Mr Lim, 41.
Mr Neo Guo Yong and Madam Ang Mei Ling have been taking part in the Big Walk since 2008.
Asked if they will be playing Pokemon Go during the walk, he said: “No, I really want him (Dominic) to appreciate the scenery and get some good exercise, rather than being glued to the phone. I think this is a habit that all of us should ditch.”
Mr Neo Guo Yong, 33, an IT support specialist, came with his wife, Madam Ang Mei Ling, 33, a cardiac technologist, and their 17-month-old daughter and four-year-old son.
This is not the first time that they are attending the walk. They have been doing so since 2008, when they were dating.
REMINISCE
Mr Neo said: “It’s been quite a while since I have been to the Singapore Zoo, and going for the Big Walk did let me reminisce of the old days with my wife. It’s great that we are attending with our kids now.”
Madam Ang added: “It’s also fun that we get to experience the Night Safari in the day.”
When it started raining, Mr David Tan, 44, and his wife Jane, 33, continued their stroll without an umbrella.
Mrs Tan, a hotelier, said: “The weather was very hot today, and with so many people, it was also humid.
“So when the rain came, we might as well just get wet, and it felt really nice.”
Long-time friends Ms Ong Chim Buan and Ms Lim Hai Yen.
She and her husband of two years, who is a chef, had made it point to participate in marathons and walks every one to three months.
“Attending the Big Walk was (a last-minute decision), but having this targethelps keep us healthy,” she said.
Ms Lim Hai Yen, 46, a theatre practitioner, was at the Big Walk to relax with her friend of 20 years, Ms Ong Chim Buan, 48, a teacher.
Ms Lim said: “We wanted to come here as it is not stressful compared to (other events), where you have to compete to see who finishes first.
“The branding for this is also more relaxed, and you can follow your own pace.”
They too were glad when the skies opened up.
Said Ms Ong: “I think it’s good to head back to nature, and we must get used to the wild side, (such as being) in the rain with no shelter.”
Not every participant needed company to enjoy the walk.
Mr Pong Thian Wah, 66, a security guard, has been attending almost every Big Walk on his own.
He said: “I actually bought tickets for my family, but we live too far from the Singapore Zoo, so it’s just me here. My wife is also a little old to walk long distance.
“Even though it’s raining, I still enjoyed myself.”
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Taipei – Movie stars gathered in Taipei for the Oscars of Chinese-language cinema Saturday with Myanmar-Taiwanese director Midi Z hoping for top honours at the Golden Horse awards with his immigrant drama.
French actress Juliette Binoche, Taiwanese starlet Shu Qi and South Korean heartthrob Song Seung-Heon were among the big names set to grace the red carpet ahead of the evening awards ceremony.
Midi Z’s “The Road to Mandalay,” a tragic love story about two illegal Myanmar immigrants struggling to survive in Thailand, is the only film this year with nods in all top categories — best picture, best director, best actor and actress.
Taiwanese actor Kai Ko made a comeback to the silver screen with the movie after a massive career blow in 2014, when he was detained in Beijing on drug use with Jaycee Chan, son of Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan.
The 25-year-old is up against some of Hong Kong cinema’s biggest names – Tony Leung Kai-fai (“Cold War 2”), Jacky Cheung (“Heaven in the Dark”) and Michael Hui (“Godspeed”) for best actor.
“The Road to Mandalay” female lead Wu Ke-xi is competing with China’s veteran Fan Bingbing as well as newcomers Zhou Dongyu and Ma Sichun, both nominated for their roles in Hong Kong director Derek Tsang’s “Soul Mate” for playing two close friends who fall for the same man.
Fan, known to overseas audiences for her appearance in “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” played a peasant woman suing her swindler ex-husband in Chinese director’s Feng Xiaogang’s “I Am Not Madame Bovary”, which is also up for best picture and best director.
The film scooped the best picture prize at Spain’s San Sebastian film festival in September, with Fan winning the best actress gong.
Critics predict a tight race between “The Road to Mandalay and “Godspeed” for the coveted best picture and best directing awards.
Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong’s black comedy “Godspeed”, about a taxi driver from Hong Kong who becomes caught up in a drug delivery, has eight award nods.
Hong Kong’s Johnnie To, a three-time Golden Horse best director winner, is nominated for the eighth time for his police drama “Three”.
Other best picture nominees are Chinese director Zhang Dalei’s family drama “The Summer Is Gone” and crime film “Trivisa” by Hong Kong directors Frank Hui, Jevons Au and Vicky Wong.
Nearly 50 films are nominated for the 53rd edition of the Golden Horse Film Awards, with the ceremony due to start at 7:00 pm (1100 GMT) in Taipei’s Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
Although the Golden Horse is styled on the US Academy Awards, the winners are decided by a jury, along the lines of the Cannes film festival.
She and her mother used to go on long walks at Bedok Reservoir.
Now, seven-year-old Qatrina Yusri needs a walker and sometimes a wheelchair to move about.
She was diagnosed with a rare disease called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) in April. It is an inherited neurological condition that causes the patient’s legs to become stiff and weak.
In Qatrina’s case, the disease has also made her incapable of controlling her bladder.
Her story first came to light when a video of her struggles with HSP was shared on Facebook by media company Screenbox earlier this month.
The video has more than 500,000 views and was shared more than 11,000 times.
Madam Herlina Salamat, 37, first noticed her daughter walking more slowly than her peers in her primary school at the start of the year.
Qatrina, the third of four children, would also walk with her feet turned in – known as intoeing.
Photo: The New Paper
Common
“We were once told by a doctor that intoeing is a common condition and it would disappear when she grows up,” Madam Herlina, a personal assistant, told The New Paper at the family’s flat in Tampines.
The diagnosis of HSP came about almost by chance. After a routine height and weight check-up in school in February, the 100cm-tall Qatrina was referred to the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to have her height re-measured and to see a doctor.
But the family postponed the appointment. By April, she was walking less and less because her leg muscles had become stiff. Her family had to push her around in a stroller.
“We thought she was just being lazy,” said Madam Herlina. “At one point, we thought she was grieving for my mother, who died last year.”
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2016-11-27 10:46:40
Photo Gallery
Girl hit by rare neurological disorder that stops her from walking
“The brothers responded immediately and, a few days later, they came to our home to meet Qatrina,” she said.
Mr Kenneth Tan, 28, and his brother Eugene, 26, were diagnosed with HSP in 2014.
Said Mr Tan: “Aside from my younger brother, Qatrina is the only other person in Singapore with HSP that we know of.”
He felt it was his duty to share with Qatrina and her family how he and his brother fight back against the disease by walking long distances.
“We just wanted to show Qatrina that although there is currently no cure, it doesn’t mean she should give up and not exercise,” he said.
FIGHTERS: (From left) Mr Eugene Tan and his brother Kenneth with Qatrina.Photo: FACEBOOK/MOUNTAIN TORTOISE
Godsend
For Madam Herlina, meeting the brothers was a godsend.
“Although walking is not a cure, it will keep her active and help to strengthen her legs,” she said.
“I am really thankful that I was able to meet the brothers. They’ve really been so helpful to my family.”
As for Qatrina, who sat quietly beside her mother throughout the interview playing with a mobile phone, the journey is just beginning.
When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she replied: “I want to be a policewoman.”
“Hopefully,” her mother said in support.
“I just want her to be happy and continue to fight on.”
‘Qatrina keeps us in check’
When they received a Facebook message from Madam Herlina Salamat about her seven-year-old daughter Qatrina Yusri, they replied immediately.
Mr Kenneth Tan, 28, and his brother Eugene, 26, were diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) – an extremely rare neurological condition characterised by progressive stiffness and weakness of legs – in 2014.
“We felt that we needed to provide support to Qatrina and her family immediately,” Mr Kenneth Tan, a social media consultant, told The New Paper over the phone.
“Her parents were understandably very worried for her because information about the disease is not widespread.”
Within days of that initial contact last month, the brothers met Qatrina and her family to share their experience of living with HSP.
“We were able to share with them what has worked for us so far and what has not,” said Mr Kenneth Tan.
“Perhaps the most important thing was that they need to get her to constantly train by walking.”
Walking long distances has helped the brothers regain some semblance of their lives before they were diagnosed with HSP.
Mr Kenneth Tan had signed on as a diving officer in the Navy while Mr Eugene Tan was a commando when he was doing his national service.
Before the diagnosis, both had led fairly active lives, running marathons and climbing mountains.
Around 2012, they noticed that they were no longer able to run as well as they could.
“I used to able to run 2.4km under 9mins, but suddenly, no matter how hard I tried, my running times just got worse,” said Mr Kenneth Tan.
In late 2013, he sought medical help when he could not meet the passing time of 12min 40secs for his annual Individual Physical Performance Test’s 2.4km run.
“While the medical officer suspected that it could be HSP, I was officially diagnosed only in 2014, after a CT and MRI scan,” he said.
Mr Eugene Tan, who had trouble running, got himself checked and was diagnosed a few months later.
In an interview with AsiaOne in October, Mr Kenneth Tan admitted that he slipped into depression after he was diagnosed in 2014.
He told AsiaOne that “I put on quite a bit of weight” but his former Navy buddies helped him get out of it.
Mr Kenneth Tan and Mr Eugene Tan, who is now a sports therapist, have designed a training programme to help them keep active and slow down the effects of the disease.
They go on long treks around Singapore, traversing the Green Corridor and climbing Bukit Timah Hill.
Raise awareness
The Mountain Tortoise Facebook page was set up in September to document their training progress and to raise awareness about HSP.
Mr Kenneth Tan recently wrote on the page how his legs were responding better when he was hiking around Taiwan and South Korea while on a work trip.
With encouragement from the brothers, Qatrina exercises regularly to strengthen her legs.
The brothers and the family now share their exercise regimes as a way to motivate each other.
Mr Kenneth Tan said: “It also keeps us in check. If a child can fight on, we better not slack.”
Photo: The New Paper
What is Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia?
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) is a group of inherited neurological conditions that leads to the progressive stiffness and weakness of the legs.
Associate Professor Prakash Kumar said a person with HSP will have difficulty walking. The senior consultant at the Department of Neurology at National Neuroscience Institute said HSP symptoms can start appearing at any stage of life.
The disease is passed down in the family though an abnormal gene.
“The abnormal gene is either inherited or the result of mutation in the affected individual,” he said.
The symptoms progress from a mild leg stiffness and walking difficulties, to the person eventually requiring a cane, walker or wheelchair to move.
Prof Prakash also said that in more complex cases, there can be additional symptoms such as impaired vision, hearing, cognition and bladder disturbances.
According to the US National Organisation for Rare Disorders, patients with HSP cannot move properly because the brain can no longer communicate effectively with the legs, causing the leg muscles to stiffen up and weaken.
It is so rare that it is not known how many people in Singapore suffer from HSP, said Prof Prakash.
“The degree of disability varies among patients. Most of those with uncomplicated HSP have a normal life expectancy.”
Although there is no treatment to prevent, slow or cure HSP, muscle relaxants and physical therapy can help reduce muscle stiffness.
This article was first published on November 26, 2016. Get The New Paper for more stories.
After a week of public appearances and commitments, Singapore’s Olympic champion Joseph Schooling is flying back to Texas but looking forward to working towards his next target: Setting a world record in his pet 100m butterfly event in July’s world championships in Budapest.
“It’s definitely within (reach, given) what I’ve been improving each year,” the 21-year-old told The Straits Times yesterday.
“It’s hard to point out one aspect (of what I need to work on). I just have to go back to the pool and work harder than before. I can’t single out one thing that I need to do; I need to be better overall.”
While his Olympic gold-winning swim shattered the Games mark at 50.39sec, it is a still a distance away from the 49.82 world mark set by Michael Phelps in 2009, during the era of of polyurethane and non-textile suits.
Nevertheless, Schooling’s timing has been improving steadily in recent years. He posted a 51.69 when he won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, then lowered it to a personal-best of 50.96 at last year’s world championships.
Said the 21-year-old: “I’m not too worried, I just have to go back and work harder, then I’ll get better.”
The swimmer concluded his week-long homecoming trip with a visit to the Chinese Swimming Club (CSC), where he was the guest of honour at the opening of the club’s new sports gym yesterday.
He also had a meet-and-greet session with about 100 of the club’s young swimmers, and signed copies of his book Hello, My Name is Joseph Schooling.
They watched a replay of his triumphant 100m fly final in Rio, and while Schooling acknowledged that it is “a good feeling watching yourself win”, he added: “All that’s in the past.
“It’s nice that people still come together and celebrate that win but it’s behind me now. I have to keep moving forward.”
The CSC’s new gym has the words “Remember why you are here” printed on one of its walls. This is the phrase that is also pasted on the archway in Schooling’s apartment in Austin, Texas.
Joseph Schooling back in S’pore: Here’s what he got up to
“The next time I come back here and work out and see that quote on the wall… it still has the same meaning to me whenever I read that,” said the University of Texas student, who will swim for CSC in future local club meets.
“I’m happy to be part of the CSC family and it’s an honour that they’ve accepted me with open arms.”
The CSC also boasts a sports therapy room offering massage, physiotherapy and chiropractic services, where Schooling had a short session with a chiropractor.
The club’s technical director of swimming, David Lim, a former Olympian, hopes to introduce more sports science elements such as biomechanics and sports nutrition.
“Joseph knows how important sports science is in grooming young athletes,” he said.
“It’s good that the younger kids in CSC will be able to experience first-hand the gym and sports science facilities that we have here.”
Schooling, who left Singapore last night, will return next August before the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
cnicole@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on November 26, 2016. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
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The father of a three-month-old baby was so engrossed in a mobile phone game that he continued playing it while feeding his child from a milk bottle with one hand.
The child, Reyhana Qailah Mohamad Shiddiq, became unresponsive after a brief struggle – she had kicked her legs, moved her hands, pushed the bottle with her tongue, and cried.
Efforts to resuscitate the infant were unsuccessful and she died on Oct 12 last year, five weeks after she was discharged from hospital, where she had been admitted over a broken skull. Her father, Mohamed Shiddiq Sazali, 27, had accidentally dropped her in August.
Yesterday, State Coroner Marvin Bay found Reyhana’s death to be “a truly tragic misadventure”. He said: “I find it highly probable that Reyhana’s demise is causally linked to Mr Shiddiq’s utterly irresponsible and reckless manner of feeding her. His inattention to her struggles and resistance to drinking essentially amounted to forced bottle feeding of a very young baby.”
Reyhana was born on June 28 last year. On Aug 26, her mother, Nurraishah Mahzan, 31, found Reyhana crying non-stop. At KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, she learnt Reyhana had a fractured skull. The hospital told the police and the Ministry of Social and Family Development about the case. Reyhana returned home on Sept 9, after her parents signed a safety undertaking with the ministry.
On Oct 12, Ms Nurraishah left home at about 10.20am, having fed and burped her baby. She handed Reyhana to Mr Shiddiq and told him to burp her properly.
He later fed the infant, while seated with his legs crossed. But she did not want to drink and cried for about two minutes. After she became unresponsive, he put her on a bed and patted her back.
Ms Nurraishah’s father, Mr Mahzan Ahmad, 57, returned home and found the baby not breathing but with a pulse. He started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Ms Nurraishah got a text message from Mr Shiddiq and took a taxi home, where she performed CPR until police and paramedics arrived.
After Reyhana’s death, Mr Shiddiq admitted dropping the baby on Aug 26. He was carrying her at the void deck of a Housing Board block while playing with his mobile phone, when he saw her pacifier on the ground and tried to pick it up.
After her death, a forensic pathologist found that three of her ribs were also broken about one to two weeks before her death. The fractures remain unexplained.
Coroner Bay yesterday said he found no basis to suspect foul play. “Quite distinct from the manner that Mr Shiddiq’s manner of feeding his child might be regarded as egregiously reckless or neglectful, the investigation has not uncovered evidence of any deliberate intent by him to harm Reyhana,” he said.
