Malayan Tigers Left in the Lurch

Malaysian Members of Parliament on Monday questioned the absence of funding for the National Tiger Conservation Centre under Budget 2022. 

Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin complained: "I see that for the international panda conservation programme, it is allocated around RM4.5 million every year. But for the NTCC, it received RM1.7 million under the previous budget (2021) and RM1 million in the previous year (2020). But this year (Budget 2022), there's none. 

I agree that we cannot neglect the giant pandas (Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca) – only because we were the ones who had asked  China to let us have them on loan – but don't forsake the tigers which as Cha put it, are "Made in Malaysia"! 

The DAP parliamentarian has a valid point there. The fate of the Malayan tiger (Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni) hangs by a whisker. Less than 200 wild Malayan tigers remain. 

Please, let's get our priority right. We should spare no effort to save Malaysia’s iconic big cat.

Liverpool cruised to a Merseyside derby win over Everton yesterday. It was an easy 4-1 victory. 

Jurgen Klopp's side had won only once on their previous nine visits to Goodison Park but this time around, the gulf in class between the sides was way too obvious. 

The first goal came through a smart move started and finished by Jordan Henderson, who met Andy Robertson's cutback with an exquisite left-footed finish into the corner in the ninth minute. Then, his pass for Liverpool’s second – coming 10 minutes later – was just as good, bending it perfectly for the onrushing Mohamed Salah, who crafted an utterly delicious top-corner finish out of the goalie’s reach. 

Still, the third goal of a pulsating encounter went Everton's way in the thirty-eighth minute. But the Reds restored their two-goal cushion through Salah – who else – after the Toffees' defences were breached again. They were architects of their own downfall and Salah pounced on the chance that came his way and he slotted his second and Liverpool's third on 64 minutes. 

Another in-form forward wearing red got in on the act when Diago Jota smashed home from a narrow angle to inflict more doom and gloom in the seventy-ninth minute. 

Liverpool still stay in third place, two points behind front-runners Chelsea – but there is genuine confidence they can close that gap after another outstanding display.

A word on Rafa Benitez: At least, we know he doesn't do magic!