The morning after ....

October 13, 2013, 3:26 am

≪ Previous: Jatuh atau bangun UMNO di PRU14 ditangan perwakilan

Too much fun last night? Only realised and regret the following morning?

Last night we sent a congratulatory text to a Khairy team member. We reminded them to not lose sight of the plight of the Malay and Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera.

Few hours ago we received a response from our congratulatory note to Khairy's team member. He denied they have lost sight of the Malay and Bumiputera cause, It is just a different way of doing.

In the meanwhile, the interested public see it as something else.

By now, we should know all the result for the three wing of UMNO. Any regret?

Before campaign started, Khairy claimed he was taking the party away from the right wing to the centrist.

But, other side of the UMNO political divide argued that the group he described as right are and were centrist. Traditionally UMNO were accommodative of the non-Bumiputera. Thus, the centrist Khairy is taking is the liberal and traditionally viewed as left wing.

His response to his victory last night:

Sunday October 13, 2013

Umno polls: Liberal, progressive agenda has prevailed, says Khairy

BY RAHIMY RAHIM AND RASHVINJEET S.BEDI

KUALA LUMPUR: Re-elected Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said his progressive and liberal agenda has been endorsed by the grassroots.

He said that if the grassroots did not accept the agenda tha he brought along, it would be reflected in the results, pointing out that his opponents used a regressive agenda.

“If I wanted to win comfortably, I could have used a right-wing formula. I wanted to show that you can be a progressive and win in Umno,” he said during a press conference at PWTC.

He added that the progressive agenda had to start with the youth who would one day bring the party forward.

“We have to start somewhere. We must be ahead of the curve,” he said.

He however stressed that the official results were not out and victory could not be taken for granted.

Unofficially Khairy has won a thumping simple majority in the contest, which pitted him against four other contenders.

When asked about the difference between this election and the previous one in 2009, he said each had its own challenges.

While Khairy gloat in triumph, questions prevail as to whether the majority of the branch delegates chose him for his liberal and so-called progressive ideology or his position as Minister or advantage of an incumbent or visibility or "popularity."

He did not campaigned based on his ideology but on his track record and took the opportunity from the challenger handicap to question their contribution.

It is an oxymoron to say the challenger has no contribution because he has the position and the challenger does not. If the challenger had something to show for, it is still pale compared to an incumbent. Most likely, his potential from other aspect of his resume is not palatable to the simpleton grassroot.

The contest was about liberal versus traditional UMNO struggle.

We like to share this edited conversation from our whassapp group. The names are withheld and only identified by initials. No details that could indicate from where it came from are given.

10/13/2013 05:18: TSH: PT sempat hantar Whatsapp subuh tadi masa bangkit untuk ke bilik air, ya...?

10/13/2013 05:21: PT: Tak boleh tidur. Gejala liberalisme sedang melanda negara. Musibah menanti dan menggamit kita.

10/13/2013 05:40: PT: Antara yang lain, saya mahu tumpu fikiran kepada halatuju negara lima atau sepuluh tahun dari sekarang. Kita perlu lihat dari sudut kepimpinan negara waktu itu. Kita merujuk kepada trend pemilihan parti waktu ini, khususnya dari golongan muda, Gen Y.

Rata-rata laungan transformasi kedengaran dengan kuat sekali. Terfikir, adakah istilah itu hanya retorik, alasan, helah, penyebab atau sudah tidak ada halatuju perjuangan yang nak dibawa lagi. Seiring dengan transformasi ini teriakan liberalisme sama kuat, sama hebat.

Adunan kedua-dua ramuan ini akan mencorak masa depan kita umat Melayu Islam di Malaysia. Siapa yang mengangkat dan menobatkan liberalisme ini ?

10/13/2013 06:02: TABY: Lantak dia oranglah PT. Kehendak generasi muda. Kita tidak lama lagi pergi ke alam lain. Nasib merekalah.

10/13/2013 06:25: PT: Tak setuju dengan pendapat saudara. Yang kita perjuangkan selama ini, baik dari sudut politik maupun NGO, adalah untuk generasi akan datang. Bukan sangat untuk diri kita atau generasi kita. Waktu kita mungkin sudah hampir nak habis, tapi peninggalan kita?

Jika visi dan misi perjuangan kita begitu nipis dan tidak berpandangan jauh, maka tidak payahlah kita berteruk-teruk menjerit-jerit berjuang misalnya melalui politik dan NGO. Rasanya, perjuangan mesti bermatlamat dan halatujunya perlu jelas.

Contoh: Jika liberalisme dianggap bahaya kepada umat Melayu Islam, patutkah kita cuma berdiam diri atau kita lakukan sesuatu? Jika tersedar bencana bakal menimpa, kita tutup mata sahaja dan jangan luah pun keresahan?

10/13/2013 08:01: DAA: Saya kongsi kebimbangan PT itu. 😩

Nampaknya Puteri dapat menawarkan kepimpinan yang lebih baik dan ahli--ahlinya lebih bijak membuat pemilihan.

10/13/2013 08:08: THSH: Saya tak ambil peduli apa parti lain lakukan. Kerisauan saya adalah UMNO. Kita mahu penglibatan semua pihak dalam demokrasi tapi yang kurang berakal boleh lepaskan undi hanya untuk beberapa ratus.

10/13/2013 08:12: THSH: Manakala khairy sudah mudah simpulkan bahawa perwakilan terima gagasan liberalisma yang mahu dibawanya.

Adakah itu sebenarnya dengan hanya persediaan beberapa minggu utk menentang incumbent dgn jentera parti dan kerajaan serta media ditangan? Dengan wang berjuta utk digembelingkan. Dengan bantuan tangan ajaib dari pengurusan parti.

10/13/2013 08:12: DAA: Risau itu positif, THSH.

10/13/2013 08:13: THSH: Dengan perwakilan mudah dimanipulasi minda kerana antara kekurangan ilmu, kurang bijak politik, dan cetek pandangan?

10/13/2013 08:14: THSH: DAA: Bukan saya tak faham tapi satu saja jawapan kepada persoalan dato. Umno dah rotten all the way down to its grassroot. ...

Sudah tidak ada cara lagi. Akhirnya pengundi akan menyampah dan meluat. Mereka tak keluar mengundi undi atau undi pembangkang. Itu saja penutupnya.

Ahli tak nampak. Apa lagi nak buat?

10/13/2013 08:18: DAA: Itulah yg Tun M menangis lebih kurang 20 tahun dahalu.

10/13/2013 08:19: THSH: 20 tahun kemudian saya pun menangis dalam hati. Ini bukan isu tak suka KJ atau mengharap perubahan di pucuk kepimpinan Wanita

10/13/2013 08:22: DAA: Saya setuju KJ akan gunakan keputusan ini sebagai endorsement terhadap dasar liberalismanya yang sama dengan dasar Anwar Ibrahim!

10/13/2013 08:24: DZBH: Dalam kontek ini terpaksalah kita mengambil peranan lebih bagi memastikan jenerasi muda terus dengan semangat nasionalisma Melayu

10/13/2013 08:25: DAA: Seperti kata Datok Mukhriz, pemikiran anak muda sekarang sudah banyak berubah. Mereka terima atau tolerate rasuah, LGBT, dll. Kalau DZBH menang nanti, minta MT tegaskan bahawa teras UMNO adalah Malay Centric, bukan liberal. Jeritkan hak Melayu dan bukan berbisik macam itek nila!

10/13/2013 08:52: PT: Amat bahaya jika ancaman liberalisme ini tidak dapat disekat dari sekarang. Boleh masukkan ke dalam agenda perjuangan kita?

10/13/2013 09:12: DAA: Cadangan yang baik, Dr. Malah jangan setakat itu saja.

10/13/2013 09:53: TSH: Kalau DZBH itu, aku percaya ada cara nak tegur. Setakat saya dengar, DAA berhujah memang bernas dan berani ke depan. Aku tabik kedua-dua ini untuk berani bersama forum-forum terbuka.

10/13/2013 10:22: DAA: Rasanya kita berkongsi satu objektif yang sama: Mahukan idea kita didengari dan kalau boleh, diterima pakai.. TSH, THSH, DZBH, PT dll ada cara masing2, ikut keadaan dan siapa sasaran pendengar idea kita itu.

Kita perlu timbang dgn serius syor DZBH, kebimbangan PT, kerisauan THSH dan jeritan TSH.

Is it the changing of times?

The chap assured us that his Malay soul remains thick. We are a "bangsa berdaulat!" He shared with us their achievement to help the Malays.

Lastly, he said the 70,000 delegate votes gave them the legitimacy.

↧

Three men in a pub

October 14, 2013, 1:09 am

≫ Next: Conspiracy theory to "qurban" a Vice Pesident

≪ Previous: The morning after ....

Rub a dub dub,
Three men in a pub,
And who do you think they be?
The son-in-law, the sovereign fund director,
The wicked reporter,
Missed one knaves out, the racoon eyed ex-minister.

It is our version of the nursery rhymes rub a dub dub.

The three weren't hurdling in a pub but cigar divan. Unfortunately, no nursery rhyme or bluesy song came to mind that can rhyme well with divan.

Cigar is smoked to celebrate an occasion. But on Thursday night, it is too early for the three men to celebrate. Although a win is expected, they need to ensure dominance to legitimise their neo-liberal agenda and steer things to Uncle Lee's way.

To hurdle in the midst of a packed political schedule, it must be to give up-dates and information sharing. Subsequently, raccoon-eyed ex Minister will be updated too.

Eric Capton's Tears in Heaven may rhyme but it is not suitable for a posting with lots of backroom dealing and conspiracies. It needs something upbeat or mysterious feel like slow avant garde jazz.

Last Thursday nite, Khairy was seen hurdling together with former NST GEIC, Dato Kalimullah and Khazanah Nasional's Dato Ganen Savarananthan at The Escobar in Bukit Damansara.

It is strange to find Khairy together with Kalimullah.

It is not so much about Kali being close to Singapore. He was long confirmed to be doing intel work for the Singaporean via their information gathering outfit, The Straits Times. His fellow reporters seem to find his ability to get info as extraordinary. His cover was blown when he did not get security clearance to be late Tun Ghaffar Baba's press secretary.

It is strange to find Khairy together with Kali since he has been telling his jalanan supporters that Kali put him in trouble with the Avenue-ECM Libra reverse merger or acquisition and till today still paying the Bank.

If our memory does not fail us, the three original promoters in the acquisition of government-controlled Avenue sold to Khairy apportioned shares on a private basis.

Maybe , we repeat maybe, the borrowing was passed to a Bank. However, Khairy did say he has sold all his interest in the merged Avenue-ECM Libra.

From an opposition party member, who used to have regular chats with Khairy, he said Khairy admitted to have made some during Pak Lah's premiership. The amount is not much and only about RM25 million. He is only a son-in-law.

Nothing to worry for Khairy to be seen by his jalanan supporters.

Escobar is on the upper floor. At the street level, one can see the Moon Bar. They serve great pork dishes, this blog here described.

At Escobar, they claim to serve fine cigars and whiskey. Probably beer too but doubtfully any stout as in the ACDSee altered picture above. Even if they do serve any stout, it is not strange.

In Malaysia, anything goes in the food and beverage business. For Kali, it seems he believes in the same spirit.

In the last 13th general election, he was advising DAP. Could Kali be meeting Khairy to give some last minute advise and more?

Since Khairy clamed to still be saddled with his Avenue-ECM Libra loan, one could suspect that Kali could be lending a hand financially for Khairy's campaign. The money is not to make Khairy win but to achieve pencabar sifar (zero defect win).

There have been many stories and documents proving unethical electoral practise by the party establishment running the election. Money is also heard to be passing down to bring politik wang to grassroot. [Read Outsyed the Box here].

However, raising it as an issue will be dubbed a sore loser. Khairy was meant to win anyway. It is just un-transformasi that such practises should prevail.

This is leads to the suspicion that the man made powerful and responsible behind the scene to destroy UMNO and it's struggle during the hey days of Tun Abdullah (2003-2008) is still running the show from behind.

Kali could still be running the show via Khairy. But why is Ganen in that conversation?

In case many forget, he is one of the instrumental names in the Tingkat 4 boys who now roams the Malaysian corporate scene. The man is no more operating with the Tingkat 4 boys from Union Bank of Switzerland, Singapore but now an Executive Director in Khazanah Nasional.

It is not too difficult to link Khairy and Kali with the Khazanah people. Other than Ganen, there is Managing Director, Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar and Deputy Chairman and Chairman of Management Committee, Tan Sri Nor Mohamaed Yakcop.

In a conversation with some corporate people last week, we were told that Nor Yakcop is also financing few people running in the UMNO election. All one need to recall are his former officers and those linked to the trimvirate of Khairy-Kalimullah-Pak Lah.

Does it mean that instead of using his money for politics, Nor Yakcop abused his position as Chairman of the management committee to channel some Khazanah fund to certain candidates in the UMNO campaign?

It does not sound right but it is not impossible. Khazanah can fund some program and momentoes and the Auditor General couldn't figure out whether such programs and momentoes were Khazanah's or politics.

Politically, Khazanah needs to maintain status quo as much as some hands in UMNO are working hard to maintain status quo. A change in agenda and voices in the corridors of PWTC could be the end for them in Khazanah, Pemandu, GLCs, CIMB, Talentcorp, etc.

In the meanwhile, Nor Yakcop had always long been close to Kali. Otherwise, Kali and Khairy would not have gotten away in the Parliamentary enquiry on Avenue-ECM merger. The testimony of Nor Yakcop as then Minister of Fiinance II ease the path for them all.

Nor Yakcop remain close with Kali, even after Pak Lah left. They are seldom seen together in Air Asia's functions.

It seems their association is not merely business. The hint we can give is Nor Yakcop is entering into a new realm outside business, government and politics. It could have national security consequences.

At Khazanah, Nor Yakcop is not in retirement bliss. He is up to something and doing some manouvring ever since Dato Wahid Omar left for Prime Minister's Department to take charge of EPU and Dato Farid Alias tookover the helm of Maybank.

If his "horses" do well this weekend on the 19th, he can execute his gameplan.

Tengku Zafrul really wanted the Maybank CEO position but Farid beat him to it. Even Farid was not the favourite. It is doubtful that Farid got it because we wrote before to pick Farid and not Tengku Zafrul.

Someone called us to plead for his case but it is not convincing to say he has disassociate any links with Kali and Khairy. Commenting on Tengku Zafrul will surely get us a call again. Nothing to worry, it is a friendly call.

We will continue to argue that when Tengku Zafrul could not get his way, he moves. It doesn't matter that he move jobs ever so often and within a short time like some low level young executives moving for salary increment. Rolling Tengku Zafrul gathers no moss.

He will move because he never had to struggle in his life. Things have been fairly easy and there is someone opening doors for him.

By virtue of his Perak relationship to Raja Nong Chik, an influential mother in government and nephew to JJ via the wives, it help land him a job as CEO of Avenue Capital, when it was under the auspices of JJ as MoF II.

Tengku Zafrul has resigned as reported by The Mole here. Words are he will be deputy to CIMB's Dato Nazir Tun Abdul Razak.

Was it Jebat must Die that wrote this transfer within a short time is highly improper. He is with Maybank and jumping to another company within the same industry within less than 6 months.

Will Bank Negara resist when Nazir wants him?

Nazir had just let go CIMB Investment Bank CEO, Dato Charon Wardini Mokhzani to Khazanah. The Star reports here as resignation.

Charon's appointment in Khazanah raises a potential conflict of interest in the light of CIMB long relationship with Khazanah. The conflict include the MAS-Air Asia merger fiasco where CIMB has a big expose and the failed merger was intended to sacrifice MAS to save CIMB's expose.

Check BAFIA, quite sure it is not proper. Rafizi should raise this issue since he should be familiar with BAFIA by now.

The Parliament's PAC ought to be investigating Khazanah and CIMB contracts and how CIMB were considered and awarded advisory jobs, the quantum of fees, fund placed, etc. Could the favour for Charon to be a preemptive move to maintain CIMB's most favoured position in Khazanah?

After PM made his Bumiputera empowerment speech, will having Charon at Khazanah serve to help make GLC more Bumiputera friendly or pi mampus la Melayu!

By the look of things, Azman Mokhtar and Nazir are working together towards building a closed knit network emulating a dynasty in Khazanah.

Behind the network are hands like Kali, Nor Yakcop and Khairy. They, including Nazir was part of Pak Lah's legacy still having their hands on the lever of power.

Is Najib aware?

↧

Conspiracy theory to "qurban" a Vice Pesident

October 16, 2013, 5:05 pm

≫ Next: Fair hearing for underdogs: Dato Hamidah

≪ Previous: Three men in a pub

The contest for the UMNO wing positions are over. That is branch delegates' choice and reflect UMNO masses thinking.

There could be possible manipulation or flaw in the electoral process, but opinion within UMNO would rest upon the overwhelming electoral votes in favour of Dato Shahrizat and Khairy to lead Wanita and Pemuda UMNO, respectively.

Time to move on to the hotly contested UMNO Vice President race because there is a conspiracy theory to "korban" a Vice President being spoken in limited circle. The takbir Aidil Adha can be heard till Thursday but the UMNO "qurban" will only resume on Saturday, the 19th.

Most of the UMNO candidates will be busy with Hari Raya Qurban to visit their elderly ones or involved themselves with the qurban ritual. By tomorrow (thursday), there will be a political rally involving winners of the wings election and Vice Presidents.

All the three denied they are "rafting" together but the message being heard through their bloggers and mainstream media is the same. That is to maintain status quo.

The reason is not so much as they worked well together to organise the UMNO Annual General Assembly but strongly believed to use the Dato Ahmad Zahid's momentum to provide the pull factor for Dato Hishamuddin. Since saving only Hishamuddin could be seen as depriving the incumbent Vice President from Sabah, Dato Shafie Apdal, he tags along.

It could be the same "raft" to float Shahrizat since her NFC case could be resolved with it's sales and successful charge and lawsuits against member of Parliament from Pandan.

Khairy could be seen as part of wave of status quo but he is capable of floating by his own in Pemuda UMNO. With the wings represented at division delegates, Khairy could help float the raft for Hishamuddin and his statement carried by television has it's weight in votes.

After an event, Khairy was reported by TV to have said to the effect to support those that have been consistently performing and delivering rather than talking. It is similar to his campaign message against contenders Akramsyah, Karim, Syed Rosli and his late mother in law's nephew.

However, Joceline Tan see it differently. In her column [read here], she wrote:

Hishammuddin used to be Khairy’s boss in the party’s Youth wing but Khairy has become some sort of superstar after his spectacular win and the former boss is now turning to the former deputy for help.

The Youth and Sports Minister had turned up at the event billed as Rangkaian Sahabat (network of friends) to lend a boost to Hishammuddin’s campaign for a second term as Umno vice-president.

The word is that Khairy has thrown his weight behind Hishammuddin.

He has reportedly sent out word to his boys on the ground to support the Defence Minister.

Khairy made a spirited speech at the event, lauding Hishammuddin as a friend of the youth generation.

He also reminded the audience of how, in the political turmoil of 1998, Hishammuddin had to take over a fragmented Youth wing.

The then Youth chief, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had been forced to step down while both the wing’s secretary and information chief had quit the party.

He credited Hishammuddin, who was Umno Youth chief from 1998 to 2009, for keeping the wing intact and for steering it back to calm seas.

This could very well be some sort of turning point for Hishammuddin, who has been struggling against all sorts of public perception about him.

Hishamuddin took leave to campaign. He has been meeting division people and have campaign machinery working their way down to the branches. He has neither spared any resources nor left any stones unturned.

He looks so desperate. If there is a new perumpamaan Melayu needed to describe a politician working hard to hold on to power, then "bagai Hishamuddin hampir hilang jawatan" would fit.

One can see Hishamuddin can be serious.

No more the Menteri Amaran but someone who could apply the levers of power and used his influence, to get his way around. It is like aristocratic gentlemen Mark Dacey telling Bridget Jones that we shag too.

As incumbent, we never believed Hishamuddin, whose been true thick and thin through the reformsi era, could falter. We were only ridiculing him for looking desperate and transgressing areas he shouldn't.

In UMNO politics, looking desperate and behaving like a loser will surely lead one in that direction.

Somehow it occurred to us that this could be more than a case of survival and addressing wrong perception. Hishamuddin did say that perception created by bloggers do not translate to the 150,000 delegates. They have a different consideration.

There is some truth. Exposing wrongdoings of opponents, corruption cases, and electoral abuse may not sway the delegates. Not even ideology or fiery words.

Like the divisional delegates of the past, the branch delegates look towards visibility, touch, and standing. More so, most are rather simple minded in their political consideration. This makes it difficult for outsiders and Hishamuddin has grasp that.

Thus the big bomb Hishamuddin was supposed to drop two days before party poll is his past and track record. Read Azhari Al Siddeq here.

This got us curious and thinking that Hishamuddin could be working towards more than his survival but to attain the top position among the Vice Presidents.

The motivation is simple.

Zahid's strategy had been known to stay put and wait for Tan Sri Muhyiddin to vacate his Deputy President and Deputy Prime Minister positions. The speculation is that he would make way or be pressured to leave by mid-term.

If an oft chance that Muhyiddin was to replace Najib, a totally Johorean Muhyiddin-Hishamuddin would not be possibble. Thus, Hishamuddin's aggressive campaign is to ensure that he not only remain within the top three but to assert his position as heir apparent to Najib by being the number 1 Vice President.

If it is not number 1, the least should be number 2. In the past, the number 1 VP are not guaranteed to be picked to be the number 2 man. Zahid could finish the highest but not become the preferred one for Deputy when the time comes.

Furthermore, Hishamuddin has more exposure in the "senior" Ministerial positions and Zahid had a tainted past for his link to Anwar Ibrahim's reformasi.

Could Zahid be the Vice President to be "qurban"from his pole position?

Not likely but Malay Mail Online here see Hishamuddin to get highest vote.

It is also not likely that Khairy's words are directed towards Zahid.

Khairy's entry into politics was at around the time of reformasi. He was working at Pak Lah's office and helping Hishamuddin as liaison between him and certain ANSARA boys. Effectively, Khairy was trained by these ANSARA boys.

While Joceline Tan interpreted Khairy's words as more for Hishamuddin rather than for Zahid, it could also be directed towards Dato Mukhriz Mahathir. With the help of Regina Lee, NST report here has the following extract:

Veteran Datuk Rahmah Abdul Hamid, 81, has found “experience” an important factor to consider when choosing the right candidate.

“Anybody looking to be elected into office should have served the party, starting out at the lower ranks,” she said, while voicing her disappointment at the entrance of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir into the vice-presidency race.

“While I have nothing against him, I feel that Mukhriz has been pushed far too quickly up the ranks. He has not even served as division leader yet.

“Umno works religiously from ground to the top and if you have not spent time building the party or being a coolie, then you will not understand the sentiments of party members.”

She said Mukhriz should instead spend his time focusing on Kedah and get accepted by the people there first.

She pointed out that, in contrast, incumbent vice-president (Datuk Seri) Hishammuddin Hussein had his foot on the ground and knew the party’s ins and outs.

“He has been the Umno youth chief before, and he has moved up the ladder in a proper way, being groomed by the party.”

Datuk Rahmah is only a veteran housewife and has no political locus standi to make such public comment. Suspiciously, the media space is given by the NST Deputy Managing Editor who used to work in Khairy's campaign team.

Obviously, it is just the natural instinct of Khairy's high expectation mother to lend a helping hand for his future. Old mother can be forgetful. Read comment by Bigdog here and Jebat Must Die here.

It was only last week that he said he has no problem with Mukhriz and could lend him support.

It can be concluded that her mother was merely echoing the words of her son and lending a hand to Khairy's bold negative campaigning against Mukhriz.

The timing is only right. Killing off Mukhriz serves to kill off the last surviving competitor in the 2009 Ketua Pemuda contest. Khairy will not have any competitor within a generation above and below him.

Mukhriz's announcement to run for VP initially created wave and put Hishamuddin into desperation mode. Some political observers believed that Mukhriz have given Hishamuddin a competition for the "quota" for sons of ex Prime Ministers.

Since then, realpolitik has sinked in and the campaign message is no more about the future GE14 but past achievement and sweeping past failures as mere perception.

Currently, many felt Mukhriz would be the "korban."He is not visibly seen campaigning and reaching out. Some political observer believed he is pulling the brakes. Maybe it is to prepare for the more important test of his leadership and that is the Sungai Limau by-election. [Read the Mole here.]

Some say it is weak machinery. Or it is possibly for other unknown reason.

If the old criteria to vote has sinked back in, then the popular reading is that he will lose. Maybe he is reluctant to soil his reputation.

Some Mukhriz diehards felt that only papers with picture of "kepala Agong" could deny him. The "kepala Agong" was heard to be passed around but as campaign expenses and petrol money. It is difficult not to when it is compensation lost of income for rural folks to attend political rallies.

However, without Mukhriz knowing, there are veteran leaders lending him a hand in the name of party rejuvenation. Some of these leaders may not necessarily be friendly with his father when he was in power. Some of them are Najib's men.

Frankly, there are no such son of PM quota, but Hishamuddin's team realise delegates could believe such quota like the existence of a Sabah quota.

They forgotten that UMNO used toclaim the existense of ulamak quota but no more now.

By moral standard, Shafie is the most gullible of all three incumbents.

He could be considered the biggest political liability among them for the simple reason that the rural grassroot in Sabah and Sarawak are upset with him

Within Sabah, Shafie is not popular with the grassroot for the failure of his Kementerian Luar Bandar dan Wilayah (KKLW) to deliver the basic rural infrastructure of road, water, and energy.

Already, he is not accepted to the Aman brothers dominated Sabah, which constitute a big chunk of electoral college votes.

In the past he had allied with Dato Dato Lajim Ukin and was involved in past financial scandal with Dato Yong Teck Lee and Dato Ambrose Lee. Dato Musa Aman had to rescue and turnaround the aftermath.

Zahida's RM3 million home sans interior

If the party's branch delegate believe in the need for rejuvenation and remove tainted candidates, Shafie should be the "korban."

There is also the brewing alleged scandal with model Zahida Rafiq that could be more than a second wife but a business and financial arrangement.

However, what happens in Sabah may not have any bearing in the manner Semenanjung branch delegates vote. With KKLW's huge budget for rural area development, it could yield political influence and support.

With KKLW's help, they are beginning to say "orang kita"in Sabah.

Not to be ignored, Shafie came from an UMNO/USNO family and is nephew of Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah, Tan Sri Sakaran Dandai.

Without Shafie in the equation, two formula is being bandied around. One is Rocky Bru's 521 or as as we had called it, ZAHIM for Zahid, Hishamuddin and Mukhriz. Read Rocky here.

Another is ZAM ... Zahid, Ali Rustam and Mukhriz. It is an outside chance because there is not much expectation from the former Melaka Chief Minister because it is not easy to win a VP position without being a wakil rakyat.

Ali lost the Bukit Katil Parliamentary seat. He attributed it simply as the Chinese factor. But he made a grave mistake of taking two unacceptable state assembly candidate in the Bukit Katil's 4 state assembly constituents. That weigh him down to lose.

Nevertheless, Ali is not out of the political game. He was just appointed Senator and is now chairman of PUNB. A win could make him more relevant.

Compared to the rest, Ali has a head start in campaigning. He started early and his advantage lies in his years and years of personal "touching." That explains the attendance of 100,000 to his son's wedding.

Ali belongs to the Sahabat network and it helped catapulted his political career. There are those that dispute such claim but Ali is synonymous with the Hidup Melayu struggle. Until Khairy becomes PM, the Malay agenda remains relevant.

In 2004, Ali came second for Vice President. If not for the suspension, he was tipped to have beaten Muhyiddin for Deputy President in 2009. Discount Ali at one's peril.

Mukhriz is not lying to say that the strength of all candidates are equal or if not, almost equal.

Even without a political position, Tan Sri Isa Samad is no pushover. As told by one of his campaigner, the "Felda constituents" is a major advantage and he has nurtured that constituency/ies well.

They delivered for BN and the grassroot takes time to believe allegation of indiscretion in FGV in the purchase of United Pontian Plantation and other deals. It is too technical and lengthy to convince UMNO grassroot delegates. Isa can brush it off with his deft campaign touch.

Do not forget that in 2004, Isa came out ahead of Ali and Muhyiddin.

Some say he had the benefit as undi tong sampah or candidate to throw votes away but Isa's men claimed he was a serious threat to Pak Lah's political plan and was made the fall guy or "korban."

Today, Isa is Najib's trusted man. He returned to turnaround BN's post 2004 GE losing momentum. If it matters, his wife, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza is close to Datin Seri.

If there is not such thing as status quo, do not discount Isa to make a surprise again. He has the "resources" and the most stealth and focused campaign operation. Just like Hishamuddin, he has got operatives working at the branches in his focused target areas.

The various winning permutations can be speculated but it is Najib's final words that matter. His preference will carry weight.

In his soft and gentleman way, Najib will signal the delegates as to who to be "korban."

Edited: 8:05 AM 17/10

↧

Fair hearing for underdogs: Dato Hamidah

October 17, 2013, 5:28 pm

≫ Next: One candidate that could win but shouldn't

≪ Previous: Conspiracy theory to "qurban" a Vice Pesident

It was 11:00 PM May 8th 2013.

After finished voting, we quickly packed to head for Sentral to get on the next available ETS to Ipoh.

Our buddy was there for a month helping out the campaign. It's customary that we wait out any by-election results together. It is away from the jubilant or mournful crowd and no hobnobbing with politicians.

To cut the story short, that night we waited for the results alone in the hotel. After a series of poor results coming out and DAP was winning this and that seats, we got nervous and stopped entertaining any calls and enquires from inquisitive friends. Sibuk betul ...

At around 10:30 PM, we called Dato Hamidah Osman, "Macam mana kita Kak Midah?"

Hamidah was the incumbent state assemblywoman for Sg Rapat, Perak and Information Chief of Wanita UMNO.

Not knowing what is to come from her later, the first word she uttered, "We won Perak. It was close by few seats but we regain back Perak."

Hamidah was personally instrumental to win back Perak from the grasp of DAP and the puppet Menteri Besar, Dato Nizar Jamaluddin in 2009 with the departure of three Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen.

After several exchange of comments and info, only then she revealed.

"Kak Midah kalah..."

There was a long silence.

This was the woman who through her unselfish attitude helped few opposition assemblymen in their unfamiliar role as members of the state exco. Her intention was merely to see that the state was run properly and Malay interest are protected.

Consequently, she gained their trust and became the shoulder for them to cry and pour out their frustration with the vicious enfant terrible cousins of Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Meng. All these was kept confidential without any intention to politically exploit.

After a year, the cousins just got too unbearable. It was this trust and friendship that moved them to turn independent and support BN resulting in a power shift to BN. There was no conspiracy but Ngeh and Nga fault.

Read MIK campaign for her here and this video below by former Perak Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Tajol Rosli:

There was talk then that Hamidah was being considered to break the glass ceiling to be the first woman Menteri Besar but Pak Lah's preference was for Dato Dr Zambery Kadeer.

Inspite of that, Hamidah bore no grudge or have any intention to wrestle power from him. She was quite comfortable being a senior exco.

"Tak apa.... "

We were awaken from the silence and our wandering

"Kak Midah tak penting. Yang penting, kita pertahankan Perak. Itu pejuangan kita."

Through out the Perak constitutional crisis, Hamidah stand out in handling of the court case and addressing the opposition propaganda. She was one of the earliest to realise the importance of friendly free-lance bloggers.

Subsequently, in her position as senior exco and Information Chief of Wanita UMNO, Hamidah was one of the voice that the pro-BN press and blogger look forward to hear in any public issues to answer or attack the opposition.

Hamidah endeared herself with bloggers throughout the series of by-elections and to a certain extent, she became the centrepoint for bloggers to discuss issues and suggest campaign ideas.

She was willing to make bold statements on issues relevant to the Malay interest where other UMNO politicians shyed away. In the Perak State Assembly, she could cow the Ngeh and Nga.

Be it for spending a whole year to coach and engage privately the opposition or in her community work as wakil rakyat of Sungai Rapat, there is a great sense of selflessness in Hamidah.

Despite contributing immensely for BN to seize back power, Hamidah have not been on a good run lately.

She was supposed to be the Wanita candidates for Majlis Tertinggi.

Strangely, as the UMNO election draw near, she realised the race is crowded and something does not feel right. She changed her plan and applied to ran for Naib Ketua Wanita.

Then came threat and aggressive persuasion to get her to withdraw. Someone else was planned for the position. Hamidah is more known and popular among the Wanita UMNO grassroot thus she could win instead of the intended one.

Her gut feel was right because something was brewing at the Division.

Last weekend, the candidate list she promoted for position and as Divisional delegates made it but strangely she was single out to lose her 15 years leadership as Ketua Wanita Bahagian Gopeng. To the surprise of many, she lost to the former Ketua Puteri.

Puteri UMNO movement had been on a decline following the vacancy left by Dato Azalina Said and under Dato Rosnah Shirlin, it lost the respect and became directless and ineffective. Thus the reason one find too few former Puteri UMNO made it in the Wanita ranks.

The same in Gopeng.

What made the Wanita delegates ready to betray her?

It turned out the Ketua Puteri was heavily financed by businessmen close to a certain top Bahagian official. Talk was it was raining gold and silver on the night before the poll to dissuade delegates.

It is not a coincidence that the certain top official is linked to another certain someone with too much fear and anxiety and seldom heard to be giving public warnings. That another certain someone was blocking Hamidah's way.

The someone is actively doing behind the scene work to determine whose who in many cai from Division all the way to the top positions. Most delegates have limited knowledge on whose who to vote thus suggestions from above in the form of cai is seldom adhered to.

At least, the number of ballots CANNOT be more than the number qualified to votes. Some votes look like a color copy of the ballot paper. There is a an official protest from Hamidah.

In the meanwhile, she soldiers on.

Hamidah is still sticking to the plan to risk her head in the crowded Majlis Tertinggi. After what had happened, the odds is stack against her. She is clearly an underdog and could lose. If she does lose, it will be a big lost to the party. UMNO will be seen as a party with too many betrayals.

UMNO does not need more Yes man and woman in the Majlis Tertinggi, but selfless souls like Hamidah ready to struggle and toil for the party on the ground. Any Hashimah can be Yes woman. And any Azizah can just follow instructions.

Hamidah's presence in the Supreme Council will be that of a sincere and brave voice able to provide right and honest feedback from the ground and women perspective to the highest leadership.

There is this feeling that there have been a sinister plan to end her career to stop her vocal, brave and confrontational ways. At one time, her name was being bandied to be replaced with Dato Kamelia Ibrahim as state exco. Kamelia blew it by insisting to run for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat. She lost badly and got expelled.

Hamidah could be rather gung ho in her ways but she is an able public administrator and has a good grasp of public office. She applied her past experience as accountant of a mining company and made the lesser experience one sweaty in their collar.

There was even an intention to fix her with corruption but there was no case.

Some coward up there must be thinking that BN cannot attract the Chinese votes with Hamidah around.

Naturally, Hamidah is high on the DAP hitlist to avenge the lost of Perak. They quietly shifted thousands of Chinese to her constituency. But, she could still made it if not for a directive by the division head to sabotage her.

That sabotage continues till today.

The sad part will be that Hamidah, like other past leaders of UMNO that contributed and sacrificed immensely for the party and it's struggle, will not be appreciated and even vilified. It would be a waste to send her to the UMNO graveyard of used leaders.

UMNO leaders' attitude or UMNO feudel politics tend to not appreciate the contribution and sacrifice of past leaders. The new crop of leaders tend to not give respect to seek their elder's feeling and opinion. They ignore and disrespect the elder family member.

Such attitude and act made the likes of Tan Sri Muhammad bin Muhamamd Taib to leave the party for the opposition PAS. They usually justify their disrespectful act by saying "itu lain bab, ini bab baru."

The culture to respect the elder ones and love the younger ones is waning. Is it Melayu or UMNO "yang tidak tahu mengenang budi"?

Maybe and hopefully there is this oft chance of a realisation among UMNO grassroot delegates to stem such migration and premature demise of their leaders and fighters.

Hamidah is at the right age and experience, has the right attitude, and brave. Compared to quite a few of other Wanita aspirants, older or even younger than her, Hamidah has the vigour, more energetic and dedicated than most of them.

Vote Hamidah.

↧

One candidate that could win but shouldn't

October 18, 2013, 12:44 am

≫ Next: Is Najib telling Khairy something?

≪ Previous: Fair hearing for underdogs: Dato Hamidah

Sinar Harian today reported Dato Shafie Apdal feeling confident of winning tomorrow. In politics, that statement serve to create an air of winner. Voters have a tendency to vote a winner.

With his overzealous effort to "remember" the delegates down there and advertise everyday, the pragmatic prediction is he will win. However, that does not deter us from expressing a different and unfavourable opinion against him.

Throughout this campaign, one will observe that Papagomo campaigned hard for Hishamuddin, GAP is asalkan bukan Hishamuddin, and Bujai and Braveheart moved from anti-Hishamuddin to pro-Hishamuddin.

There are those like Azhari Siddiq seemed to favour Shafie, Bigdog for Mukhriz, and Medan Info for Zahid.

Every blogger is entitled to their own opinion and expressing it in their own style. So do we ...

Our approach to the UMNO election had been to merely report happenings mainstream media will not cover and intersperse with our opinion. The nearest to campaigning we did was to highlight underdogs. But this afternoon posting is unusually straight forward.

The more aggressive expose will have to wait next week. The last we want is to have issues neutralised by shallow political arguments.

Over lunch yesterday with a former UMNO wakil rakyat, now with opposition, he said Shafie is the most unimpressive and unnoticeable among all the UMNO Vice Presidents.

For us, there is truth and false to such claim. Shafie is supposed to takeover Dato Ali Rustam's portfolio of training and in charge of overseas students. What happened to UMNO training and engagement with students abroad?

As far as we know, it is UMNO Penerangan that have been working tirelessly on training but that is more for general election preparation. Have the students abroad been an asset or liability to UMNO? We do not know.

The false side is Shafie does not have to gloat over his efforts and programs. Upon surfing the internet, there is quite a bit of information on Shafie and his Ministries plan. As usual, it is poor information dissemination strategy.

The information we uncovered also gave us leads to the amount of budget his Ministry is taking charge off. If there had been no changes, the power to approve projects and developments in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry is within the Ministry structure like the time of Tan Sri Aziz Shamsuddin.

Zahida's RM3 million home?

Before looking into that, let us see the latest issues involving Shafie first. The most sensational has to be his alleged marriage to a model Zahida Rafique. It is a potential explosion awaiting to happen. We wrote about it in 2010 here and here.

Then in April 2012, the alleged affair blew over again. This time with PKR politicians making allegation that Zahida is his "banker" using statements and police report made by her driver. Read here and here.

Shafie said he is prepared to sue. Did he sue? Read here.

In our September 2012 posting here, we wrote of a Shafie man being charged for bribery. Can't confirm but we heard he was acquited.

But that was enough to alert us that Shafie is not as good and clean as annual speeches at the UMNO General Assembly and his low key friendly image turn out to be.

In October 2012, we wrote here about the strange purchases of property overseas by Mara Incorporated. Read the report on CEO Abd Halim Rahim here.

It was a giveaway to suspect the purchase comes with a kickback by inflating the prices. The more and frequent property transaction, the more masyuk.

MARA Inc Chairman is a Shafie man, Datuk Mohamad Lan bin Haji Allani from Sabah.

The recently announced allocation in the PM's Pemerkasaan Bumiputera speech mentioned of RM1 billion allocation for MARA. By the next day, MARA announced plans for Giat MARA to buy a RM500 million building. [Sorry still looking for the link]

A friend did say that there are big plans for Giat MARA but it is for upgrading of it's centres. [Read Utusan here] Back in 2010, Auditor General reported of hanky panky in Giat MARA purchasing. Read Malaysiakini here.

In our previous posting here, we wrote something about Shafie, below:

He could be considered the biggest political liability among them (incumbent Vice Presidents) for the simple reason that the rural grassroot in Sabah and Sarawak are upset with him

Within Sabah (and Sarawak), Shafie is not popular with the grassroot for the failure of his Kementerian Luar Bandar dan Wilayah (KKLW) to deliver the basic rural infrastructure of road, water, and energy.

It can be found in the Auditor General report for 2010 and 2011. Sabahkini wrote lots of expose on this matter like here, here and the video below:

The complain in the video came from BN MP and supporters and not opposition generated.

There are rumbling on the ground of cases of water pipes bought and placed at the site without any plan to install. Pipes install that have no water flowing because there was no coordination with the water authority.

There will be more coming like the laptop and solar energy program.

Already rumour emanating from Sabah is that there hands in Sabah KKLW intentionally over pricing in the multiple to market price and product usability of within 3 years to enable another budget allocated later.

Some allegation like this one here sounds bizarre

Shafie came from the right political breeding but recently in GE13, he placed his brother Yusof against the grassroot will to run in a Lahad Datu DUN. [Read here.]

That almost got the local BN supporters up in arms that Dato Musa Aman had to step in.

Musa has successfully stabilise Sabah politics and Shafie is ever jealous of Musa Aman. The political circle in Sabah pointed to Shafie for the political fund account in Hong Kong expose by Tian Chua. Musa side did fixed him back.

Back to our previous posting:

Already, he is not accepted to the Aman brothers dominated Sabah, which constitute a big chunk of electoral college votes.

In the past he had allied with Dato Dato Lajim Ukin and was involved in past financial scandal with Dato Yong Teck Lee and Dato Ambrose Lee. Dato Musa Aman had to rescue and turnaround the aftermath.

Read it on here.

Shafie can dismiss allegations of corruption or kickback using the usual excuse that he is distanced from the day-to-day running of projects in the Ministry and agencies under him.

Many years back, Tan Sri Anuar Musa could absolve himself from any allegation of wrongdoing for cases involving RISDA because it can't be traced to him. It is the government officials that had to face the court.

The problem is such argument is not believable when the failed and multiple mark-up are contractors and suppliers alleged to be his cronies. The perception is difficult to shed and will be a political liability.

Off course, this is strictly our opinion.

Voting delegates like to believe on the Sabah quota even though Shafie is not that acceptable to other leaders and grassroot in Sabah.

They are likely to weigh heavily on factors such as visibility, position, sombong atau tidak, turun salam dan tepuk belakang atau tidak. If the delegates do not see the risk Shafie pose, it's UMNO's baby.

Shafie's circle of influence is only limited to Semporna and nearby Tawau. However, his overzealousnes and willingness to do anything to be Sabah Chief Minister is a dangerous attitude and can destabilise BN and Sabah politics.

More so with Jeffrey Kitingan resounding his cessation war cry.

↧

Is Najib telling Khairy something?

October 19, 2013, 2:33 am

≫ Next: 73 Divisions to go

≪ Previous: One candidate that could win but shouldn't

PEKAN, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has advised the victors in today's Umno elections against being overly excited and arrogant but to realise the great responsibility they shoulder in championing the people and religion.

He said they should remain humble and "extend the hand of friendship" to the losers because the Umno struggle demanded a united leadership capable of facing the challenges ahead.

"For the losers, it is not the end of the road. It is a process in the struggle. They should carry on with the struggle and contribute to the party," he said in an interview over the 'Selamat Pagi Malaysia' talk show of Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) before attending the delegates meeting of the Pekan Umno Division at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Hall, here.

Najib, who had won unopposed the post of Pekan Umno Division head, said the elections this time were the outcome of the transformation effected at the 2009 Umno General Assembly in the effort to make the party more transparent and democratic.

An estimated 146,000 grassroots members are eligible to vote in this elections compared to only 2,500 delegates in previous elections.

Najib said he hoped that the elections this time would proceed smoothly and orderly and not spark problems, in the hope that the objectives of the historic decision of amending the Umno constitution in 2009 would be achieved.

The Umno president said it was important for Umno members to discharge their responsibility by considering the eventual objective of the amendment and bring about the desired transformation in the party.

"It is my hope that all the delegates will be able to state their stand in terms of an Umno leadership that fulfills the aspirations of the grassroots," he said, adding that they should vote with their hearts, rationally and objectively, for a stronger leadership.

-- BERNAMA

***************************

Since his victory, Khairy's statement have gotten bolder and his campaigning for Dato Hishamuddin had gotten more arrogant. Didn't he said "wajib" for all Pemuda delegates to vote Hishamuddin?

For a self-claimed liberal, Khairy sure does not understand his act is inconsistent with political liberalism.

Then he had or probably his mother, Veteran Housewife Dato Rahmah Abdul Hamid to openly criticise Dato Mukhriz as not haven't gone to the mill.

It is as though she forgot Khairy did not go through the mill in politics but was short circuited up to Naib Ketua Pemuda and heavily backed by the establishment in his campaign for Ketua Pemuda then and now.

Khairy immediately claim his resume as Investment Banker without going through the mill.

Suggest he cool it and realise he has to learn some diplomacy in handling those sports association, Holding on to sports and youth funding may not be effective too.

Be humble and don't be arrogant. It is the heart that need to be won.

↧

73 Divisions to go

October 19, 2013, 5:38 am

≫ Next: Time to reflect

≪ Previous: Is Najib telling Khairy something?

As at the latest 7:30 PM, the results after 118 Division results are as follows:

@bernamadotcom: Tidak Rasmi/Naib Presiden (7.30 malam): Zahid (117 undi), Shafie (106), Hishammuddin (65), Mukhriz (53), Isa (7) dan Ali (7)

Dato Zahid is ahead and needs one more to clear. There are 73 divisons to go. There are 191 UMNO divisions in the whole country.

Unofficial updates at Bernama, MyKMU and Agendadaily. In the meanwhile, going out of town tomorrow ...

Rolling Stone's 1964 Route 66

↧

Time to reflect

October 19, 2013, 9:28 pm

≫ Next: Power talk at The Escobar

≪ Previous: 73 Divisions to go

Stopped following and turned in at a time Dato Hishamuddin was consistently leading by 10 or more to Dato Mukhriz. Unless there is going to be a photo finish, it is pointless to wait till the wee hours.

Have seen berpuloh political result announcements to know there was not going to be any upset. Anyway, we predicted such [Read here]. We thought but did not write that Mukhriz will dimandikan (tarred out of town).

In the early part of the campaign, we decided on to involve in any campaign and be in close proximity with any politicians. That way, we could see the campaign objectively, without being astrayed by knowledge of petty tricks occuring, by looking at the campaign from afar.

By morning, the final result is Hishamuddin by a 9 point lead. According to MyKMU, it got as close to 4, unofficially at 11:30 PM. The Bernama report to follow:

Umno Polls: Status Quo For Lineup Of Vice Presidents

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 -- Incumbents Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein retained their vice president posts for the 2013-2016 term in the 2013 Umno polls.

The trio received a new mandate from the 146,000-odd voting delegates to be "right arm" of president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in leading the party which is the backbone of the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Umno elections committee chairman Tan Sri Tajol Rosli Ghazali who announced the results for the vice-president posts at around 1.40 am, said Ahmad Zahid obtained the highest votes at 185, followed by Mohd Shafie 174 and Hishammuddin 100.

Their victories put paid to the challenge mounted three aspirants namely Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir who obtained 91 votes while Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad only secured seven votes each.

The highlight of the race was the stiff fight between Hishammuddin and Mukhriz who had everyone on the edge of their seats as the results from the 191 divisions streamed in.

Tajol Rosli said although there was tie in the votes for Hishammuddin and Mukhriz in several divisions, no recount was done in view of the wide difference in the overall margin.

"Hishammuddin obtained 100 votes while Mukhriz received 91 votes. It is a nine-vote margin, thus not justifying a recount or re-election.

"If the margin is three votes and below, only then will a re-election be held," he said.

Tajol Rosli explained that Hishammuddin and Mukhriz received the same number of votes in three divisions namely Keningau, Semporna and Baling.

Ahmad Zahid, 60, who was born on Jan 4 1953, in Kampung Sungai Nipah Darat, Rungkup, Bagan Datoh, Perak, is currently the Home Minsiter.

He won the vice president post for the first time in the 2009 polls after having served two terms in Umno's Supreme Council from 2000-2003 and 2004-2007.

Mohd Shafie, 56, is the first Umno leader from Sabah to be elected vice president, also in the 2009 polls.

He is currently Rural and Regional Development Minister.

Hishammuddin, who is Defence Minister and three-term MP for Sembrong, retained his seat as had been predicted.

Known to be an 'IT savvy' minister, Hishammuddin is also holding the post of Acting Transport Minister.

Tajol also announced that Datuk Mohamad Aziz retained his post as Umno deputy permanent chairman after defeating two challengers, Datuk Abd Rahman Palil and Ahmad Fariz Abdullah.

Mohamad received 158 votes, Abd Rahman 25 votes while Fariz did not obtain a single vote.

Meanwhile, Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh said the full results of the polls would be announced at 5pm Sunday.

-- BERNAMA

For a late entry contender, Mukhriz did well. Despite claim by political expert and veteran housewife, Dato Rahmad Abdul Hamid that Mukhriz had not gone through the mill, his first time out was commendable.

According to MyKMU's figure, Mukhriz gained 55,290 popular votes and Hishamuddin had 54,829 popular votes. Thus Mukhriz is a credible candidate and can stake a claim for the VP post in the future.Off course, he has to win it.

What is frustrating to many is that his campaign team was not serious and professional enough. In case any of them are reading, it is not us saying but what others are saying. So listen up ....

If his team had been more serious, they could have got some votes in Johor and Pahang. Sure there is the state sentiment in Johor for Hishamuddin. As our Barisan Johor whass app group gave feed back, at least, get credible 'agent' and campaigners. Johor has too many delegates to be ignored.

And, Pahang is Prime Minister cousin's home state. Cousin brother is said to have made phone calls to campaign for Hishamuddin. No point beating about the bush, Sultan also promoted Hishamuddin.

However, the Vice Presidency race is for three slots, thus it is pointless to be overly competitive to the point of being adversarial with your competitor. Your competitor can get you the votes too.

For example, Tan Sri Isa Samad's Telok Kemang voted for Mukhriz. So did Bukit Katil.

Never discount anything in politics. There is no such thing as WYSIWYG. Sometimes, what you think you see will not be what will happen.

No one noticed when Jerlun voted for Khairy. They only noticed Rembau in which Khairy is Deputy Division Chief voted Mukhriz.

We seriously thought Hishamuddin would have come out top with the public endorsement by Shahrizat, Khairy and Emi (still grasping the name of the new Ketua Puteri).

That would have paved the way for Muhyiddin to vacate his position to a fellow Johorean and finally a Johorean to be Prime Minister.

Khairy may have, intentionally or otherwise, overzealously campaigned for Hishamuddin and backfired. A sources claimed the Khairy team had a long held grudge for setting-up Khairy to say things that backfired heavily on him.

Many thought Dato Shahrizat's had her hands twisted and forced to support Hishamuddin and surely Wanita votes will pour in. [Read here.]

Kepong gave Mukhriz and this is a saving grace for the UMNO election. Delegates cannot be told to vote who.

Half of Sabah refused to follow the cai from above and had their own mind. Coincidently, it was Sabah votes that came though for Hishamuddin at the end.

Despite using every available political resources and levers of power and influence, Hishamuddin only scrap through with a 9 votes majority against newcomer Mukhriz and his long list of shortcomings, known and unknown.

It is an open secret that PM helped Hishamuddin's campaign. The rakit involving the three incumbents was designed to save Hishamuddin. The mainstream media was openly promoting status quo.

His father-in-law seeked Sultan's support to"cemar duli" and openly campaigned for Hishamuddin. [Read here.]

This is something unheard off but in Malaysian politics, they say it is smart because whatever it takes to win, use it. Very third world mentality ....

There is no town or kampong and officer bearer or power broker not combed by Hishamuddin to campaign.

Commendably, Hishamuddin answered our greeting wishes. Zahid answered, Ali answered, Isa too ... but Mukhriz did not.

One can call it Murphy's law but Hishamuddin is in a crisis of confidence. He need to reflect and seek for an answer. Otherwise, his aristocratic background does not guarantee him premiership. He already used that card in this election. he should open his eye to a trend emerging.

There are those that felt he is apathetic. Too difficult or averse at making tough decision and tendency to avoid conflict.

Whether his answers are not convincing or it did not reach, he has a popularity issues. Whether he is taking the bullet for others or it is his own doing, his actions and statements in the past had not endeared himself with the UMNO grassroots.

Few leaders we heard complained that Hishamuddin has a past of 'stabbing' in the back or not honouring his promises. That may culminate into his current unpopularity.

Hishamuddin seldom open himself to be misquoted and make remarks that do not go well with the masses, pro-opposition, fence seaters or even pro-government. This is not just about his time in Kementeriaan Amaran Dalam Negeri.

Another equally important point which the leadership should reflect is that it could be not about Hishamuddin but a proxy protest vote against Dato Najib.

These are only feedback from others. We prefer to hold back our opinion because as a former trader or dealer, our preference is to predict the future. Everyone is an expert on the hind sight. In another word, backside observer and analyst.

One point we like to repeat was and too few are in denial is Mukhriz and Hishamuddin made a major strategic mistake. The man to knock off is Shafie.

Recently, we have written twice on it, here and here. In summary, there is no such thing as Sabah quota. UMNO must transcend state parochialism and vote on the person's ability.

Then secondly, he is cannot be the so-called liaison between Sabah and West Malaysia. There is a Liaison Chief for Sabah. And he does not have support and strong influence in Sabah.

Finally, he is a political liability in Sabah and a potential timebomb. It seems every faction we have spoke to are aware but why is there still talk of the superficial Sabah quota? His USNO and UMNO breeding and past camaraderie with Najib must not supercede all these.

Because of that, a potential and popular figure like Mukhriz lost and Hishamuddin effectively lost out to Zahid in term of priority to be Deputy President cum Deputy Prime Minister. A "lanun" has higher priority.

Non-performer Shafie will crowd out future rising stars including Khairy, Mukhriz and others from a place in the higher echelon of power.

Honestly, both Mukhriz and Hishamuddin, including Najib have to do serious reflection. Don't ask feedback JJ because he is a poor listener thus does not get honest feedback and has poor understanding of the ground.

Someone told us that JJ told PM that we will get 35% of Chinese votes. He is the main reason the war room was a mess. A war room needs only one commanding general but it had 10 commanders with JJ representing 3 commanders.

Mukhriz has to be serious as a politician. It is not just about having fresh idea and being popularly accepted. It has to be translated into votes and deliverable support.

He has to prove himself administratively and politically, thus he must get real good people in his team and not just hangers on from the past.

Hishamuddin need to get good advisers and managed his public relation well. As his grandfather and father, he could be overly cautious but when the time comes to commit to a risky positioning, they makes the wrong moves.

Beat us, why is it happening to an intelligent and good breeding leader like Hishamuddin? Perhaps he is too jovial and casual when meeting people that he is seen as not serious and in the worse of situation, too much of a clown and jester. Sorry if it is a low blow.

At the end, UMNO and all it's leaders have to do a very serious reflection on what had transpired during the party election.

Please no cliche like the recent UMNO election had demonstrated true democrasy or it is able to claim there is no more money politics. Orang akan meluat because they already have an observation and opinion of what had transpired. Witnesses have spoken everywhere and shared what they saw. Some admitted this and that happen.

Thus far, there is ONLY no reports with MACC.[Read Rocky Bru here.]

As for the opposition and other parties, they should just butt our. They are no better. We are observing happenings in PAS, PKR and DAP. The MCA quarrel now is repulsive. MIC is not expected to be better.

Anyway, au revoir. It is time to ....

↧

Power talk at The Escobar

October 20, 2013, 8:33 pm

≫ Next: There's a gay in the office!

≪ Previous: Time to reflect

Something new turned up.

Our source told us that The Escobar rendevous between Dato Kalimullah Masherullah, Dato Ganen Saravananthan and Khairy Jamaluddin discussed something bigger than political power play.

He was telling us about a energy power play and to blow it up. Otherwise, it is done deal by the time Pak Lah people dominate the Supreme Council.

If it is destined to happen, it will happen. After all, why leak it too close to the UMNO election? Exposing it last week will have no impact. It will be brushed aside as politically motivated like Tan Sri Isa brushed the FGV expose as olden days poison letters.

Now that UMNO election is over and Syed Akbar's analysis [read here] claimed that Pak Lah's boys have dominated the Supreme Council. Then, it is timely to share this corporate gossip.

It is also time to play our usual role.

TNB's tariffs are going to increase. Everyone in government, industry and corporate scene knows this already.

Face it, the Budget for 2014 is going to inflict pain on Malaysians for the next two to three years - at least until the next UMNO elections in 2016. After that, "adjustments" will be made in anticipation of the GE14 in 2018.

Our worry is that by that time, it may be too late to make adjustments. The people are getting fed-up - menyampah and meluat.

If it is because of cost of production and scheduled tariff increase, it can be justified. People will be angry but over time with proper explanation and effective communication, hopefully it can simmer down.

Is that why the TNB tariffs is to be increased?

Our source told us that Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Khazanah Nasional have advised the government that increasing tariffs will increase government revenue and improve the government's ratings by the rating agencies.

It means the people have to pay extra for electricity so that the government's rating will improve.

Why not the government reduce its spending or spend money more wisely which will also improve the govt's ratings without having to burden the people with higher electricity tariff?

Since when do government make policies based on satisfying rating agencies? If that rationale is accepted, this will be something new.

Bear in mind also that since the time of Dato Seri Che Khalib, TNB was overdue to increase tariff.

Crafty Nor Yakcop was going to exploit this.

In the recent meeting at The Escobar wine and cigar club, the three were Kalimullah, Director of ECM Libra, Ganen Sarvananthan, Director of Investment at Khazanah and Khairy Jamaludin, now Minister, self claimed Investment Banker and former Director of ECM Libra.

They are all linked directly or indirectly to Nor Yakcop.

When Nor Yakcop was Advisor to the government, it was him that approved the sale of Bank Bumiputera's subsidiary, Bumi Securities to Kalimullah at below market prices. Bumi Securities later became ECM-Libra.

Nor Yakcop also approved the (reverse) merger of ECM-Libra with Avenue Capital, a cash rich company owned by the MoF Inc.

However, there was a fourth person was missing and he is Lim Kian On, Managing Director of ECM Libra. This Seremban boy and later ASEAN scholar student in Singapore is the real brain behind ECM Libra.

Typical in Malaysia, the Chinese will come up with the investment idea and be the driver of the project even though it could be plagarised from a Melayu.

The three claimed that Lim Kian Onn came with a plan to break up TNB into many parts - Northern region, Southern region, and Central region. Each region will be hived off to a new company.

Lim Kian Onn, Kalimullah, Khairy and Nor Mohd Yakcop through his family member proxy may be getting a share or something from this break up of TNB.

How will this happen?

The largest shareholder and owner of Tenaga Nasional is of course Khazanah Nasional Bhd, in which Nor Yakcop is the Deputy Chairman and the undisputed boss by virtue of being the Chairman of the Management Committee. Ganen Sarvananthan is Khazanah's Director of Investment.

Conveneiently, Ganen will make the recomendation, Nor Mohd Yakcop will approve the plan and the Prime Minister, who is the Minister of Finance and Chairman of Khazanah, will sign off.

The insidious plan is for Khazanah, using their analayst, economist and financial "expert" to write-up the justification, will push for the breakup of TNB.

Kalimullah and his strong link with the island of Temasek and Temasek Holdings of Singapore will be waiting to take up a big portion of the share. Kalimullah, Lim Kian Onn and Khairy through ECM-Libra will also get another portion.

Other cronies will pick up their portion of a broken up TNB.

The higher electricity tariff will increase the earnings of the broken up components of TNB. It will mean more money for Lim Kian Onn, Kalimullah, KJ, Nor Mohd Yakcop and Ganen. This is what they are planning to do.

It may looks like Pak Lah's boys are back in business. At least, Najib still has his men like JJ around to counter balance.

JJ used to be the Chairman of TNB and had invested in IPP. He should know how to save the Prime Minister and government from getting tricked into this scheme.

That is if his fingers are not in the same pie.

↧

There's a gay in the office!

October 23, 2013, 10:39 pm

≫ Next: Bumiputera concern or manouvre for Petronas CEO?

≪ Previous: Power talk at The Escobar

Was alerted this morning by a Whas App message of a blog revealing an affidavit involving the divorce case between an officer in the Prime Minister's Department and his former wife.

The said officer is PM's speechwriter, Khairul Annas Jusoh. His ex-wife was Syarifah Nabila Sara bin Dato Syed Abdul Rahman.

Rings a bell?

Yes, she is the daughter of Mongolia's Honorary Consul in Malaysia Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi. When they got married in 2010, it was not actually a marriage between celebrities but the pomp and pageantry was close to one and dubbed the wedding of the decade.

The affidavit revealed a dark side of Dato Najib's Head of Policy and Research at the Prime Minister's Office. It will be viral in the next few days. As always, anything with S E X, normol or abnormal, will always be HOT HOT HOT ... issue.

In the affidavit posted by The Benchmark blog here, it revealed this fella has some weird sex practices. We highlight below:

The story has been circulating for quite a few years. Back in 2010, opposition blogs and portalforum have been playing this story. Read in Milo Suam here.

We have heard of this talk for quite a while.

The then The Mall, in front of Pan Pacific where it is the gossip corner of the latest happening in UMNO, was a buzz with the lawsuit by Dato Syed Abdul Rahman against former blogger, Zaharin for his Facebook comment in 2010.

Since then, there have been an off-the-court settlement between them recently. Read here in The Star.

We've not given much heed to this talk and thought this Khairul Annas fella have gone to ISIS. But now that the affidavit is made public, it will be a headache.

Khairul started out as a Special Officer and now after Dato Mazli bin Muhammad have left PMO, he was said to have assumed the position of Direcctor of Policy and Research Division.

This man, if we can still call him such, is now addressed as Professor Dato Wira Haji Khairul Annas Jusoh. He sounded distinguish and straight like academician like BN's candidate for Sungai Limau.

This will give be a headache on two accounts.

First, this chap was said to have known Saiful Bahri personally and brought him to meet Dato Najib with regard to allegation of being sodomised by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahm. The opposition then accused it as a set-up.

Now that Anwar was acquited and acquital appeal by the Attorney General Office is coming on December 11 and 12 [read in FMT here], there would be a new twist coming in PKR's propaganda.

Expect Anwar to ask for postponement based on this new revelation. By right it should not, but one will never know how lawyers for Anwar can spin it into his favour and expand their conspiracy theory further to create more doubt of his homosexual inclination.

Their blog are already at it. Read Greenboc here.

Second and this is more relevant, Dato Najib has to reconsider Khairul Annas position in his office. He will have access to a lot of information, both public and confidential, that is critical to the Prime Minister.

Our wild imagination is thinking that he could run off to Anwar and leak information. You know how people of such inclination is likely to be protective of each other and behave and think alike.

Seriously, it makes Khairul a source of blackmail and a security threat to the PM. Someone need to advise PM to release him.

We are also wondering, why now the leak? SUARAM? CIA?

Sex issues makes us thinking wildly.

↧

Bumiputera concern or manouvre for Petronas CEO?

October 29, 2013, 7:35 pm

≫ Next: Sungai Limau: The Lost Message of Poverty

≪ Previous: There's a gay in the office!

Dato Shamsul Azhar is due to end his contract next year. One will expect some bloke will be interested for the position of CEO and try to by-pass the already established succession plan again. There is one that is expected to try.

The chap used to default on his Petronas scholarship. He is a divorcee with a Malay name but is actually Chinese with a deep rooted hatred for Malays yet going around as an UMNO Division treasurer.

Nothing against Chinese. It is just that the chap is capable of using any kind of manouvres to get the coveted and powerful CEO job to promote his neo liberal agenda. Not to mention the use of deception.

Off course, he will be lobbying to Dato Najib and indeed, he is a master at selling the Prime Minister's name.

For one, there could be groups making statement against Petronas but is suspiciously manouvring behind the scene to push for a certain someone. So careful as to not get excited whenever any group try to raise the Bumiputera issue on Petronas.

Perkasa has done their engagement and made less revealing statement for quite sometime. Bloggers have done it longer and more detailed ....

A group in Johor released the following statement and making viral their statement on their Facebook here:

SIDANG AKHBAR KHAS INI BERTUJUAN PIHAK PETRONAS MENJAWAB DENGAN LEBIH TEPAT DAN TELUS BERKAITAN SEBARANG KELEMAHAN FAKTA SUPAYA PIHAK TERBABIT DAPAT MEMBERIKAN MAKLUMAT YANG TEPAT DAN TELUS UNTUK KEBAIKAN RAKYAT JOHOR

KENYATAAN AKHBAR
TARIKH : 24 OKTOBER 2013
MASA : 2.00 PETANG
TEMPAT : RESTORAN. KLASIK TIRAM CONER
TAJUK: SIDANG AKHBAR GABUNG JOHOR BERKAITAN ARTIKEL TEMURAMAH TAN SRI SHAMSUL AZHAR ABBAS, CEO DAN PRESIDEN PETRONAS DENGAN THE EDGE BERTARIKH 7 OKTOBER 2013 DAN SUSULAN ARTIKEL TEMURAMAH DATUK WAN ZULKIFLEE WAN ARIFFIN, COO PETRONAS DENGAN BERITA HARIAN BERTARIKH 16 0KTOBER 2013 BERKAITAN AGENDA MELAYU / BUMIPUTERA DI DALAM INDUSTRI PETROLEUM NEGARA.

1. Melalui artikel tersebut di atas, pihak GABUNG ingin mempersoalkan ‘keterbukaan & keikhlasan’ PETRONAS di dalam membentangkan fakta-fakta yang mengatakan ‘Hasn’t PETRONAS done enough?’ atau ‘Syarikat Bumiputera di utamakan’ semenjak Tan Sri Shamsul mengambil alih tampuk kepimpinan PETRONAS 3 tahun yang lalu.

2. Apa yang mengecewakan ialah keangkuhan Presiden PETRONAS yang tidak mahu mengaku KELEMAHAN / KESALAHAN diri sendiri di dalam membantu usahawan2 melayu / bumiputera selama ini.

DEFINASI SEBENAR SYARIKAT BUMIPUTERA?

3. Apakah Definasi Bumiputera yang diguna pakai oleh PETRONAS untuk menyokong fakta-fakta yang mengatakan semenjak tahun 2010, syarikat-syarikat bumiputera sering di utamakan di dalam pemberian kontrak PETRONAS seperti yang di nyatakan di dalam The Edge ie 78% (2010) / 91% (2011) / 75% (2012)? Kalau betul fakta ini, mengapakah hari ini kita masih kedengaran rintihan dan sungutan dari kalangan usahawan2 bumiputera yang amat serius?

4. Siapakah sebenarnya syarikat-syarikat bumiputera tersebut di atas? Adakan mereka ini i)Foreign company with based in Malaysia dengan 2 dari 3 Director nya bumiputera untuk melepasi syarat kelayakan seperti Technip Malaysia atau ii)syarikat GLC yang berstatus bumiputera seperti UMW? iii)syarikat seperti DIALOG Group yang di ketahui umum bukan nya di kuasai oleh bumiputera tetapi mendapat status bumiputera?

5. Apakah istimewanya syarikat DIALOG ini sehingga di beri pelbagai ruang dan peluang oleh PETRONAS untuk beberapa projek strategic PETRONAS seperti :

i) Projek marginal field RSC Balai Cluster di Sarawak
ii) Projek Re-Gas Terminal (RGT) di Pengerang sedangkan kita semua tahu DIALOG memang tidak mempunyai pengalaman di bidang tersebut.

MARGINALISASI SYARIKAT MELAYU / BUMIPUTERA TANPA POLICY YANG KUKUH

6. ‘Marginalisasi’ syarikat-syarikat bumiputera di Johor di dalam penglibatan projek mega PETRONAS seperti projek RAPID di PIPC, Pengerang.

7. Apakah ‘policy’ dan ‘game plan’ PETRONAS di dalam membantu usahawan2 melayu / bumiputera terutamanya di Johor di projek2 strategik seperti RAPID / fabrikasi MMHE di Pasir Gudang?

8. Kami di fahamkan untuk projek RAPID misalnya, pihak pengurusan PETRONAS tidak menyokong pelan tindakan seperti ‘carve-out’ policy yang di guna pakai dengan jayanya seperti di projek MRT Corp dimana 40% dari agihan kontrak di agihkan untuk di bida di antara usahawan2 bumiputera yang berwibawa sahaja walaupun ia mendapat sokongan padu dari kerajaan negeri Johor di bawah pimpinan YAB Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin dan pihak JPDC di Johor.

9. Pelbagai alasan yang remeh di gunakan oleh pengurusan PETRONAS untuk menggagalkan policy tersebut di atas seperti ‘projek ini berimpak tinggi dan bukan untuk usahawan bumiputera’ dan ‘tiada senarai syarikat2 minyak dan gas di Johor’ etc – seperti kata pepatah melayu ‘kalau hendak seribu daya kalau tidak hendak seribu dalih’.

10. Ini amat mengecewakan pihak kami terutamanya tentang pengurusan PETRONAS yang berada di atas hari ini adalah orang melayu seperti Tan Sri Shamsul tetapi beliau seolah-olah mengkhianati perjuangan untuk membantu / memperkasakan ekonomi orang melayu dengan bersungguh-sungguh tanpa menyediakan pelan perancangan seperti ‘carve-out’ policy yang di nyatakan di atas untuk projek projek strategic berkepentingan nasional seperti RAPID.

PERUBAHAN POLISI PEMBANGUNAN VDP & GFA

11. Kami juga di fahamkan Presiden PETRONAS tidak bersungguh-sungguh untuk menjayakan agenda pembangunan usahawan bumiputera melalui skim Vendor Development Program (VDP) dan skim Global Frame Agreement (GFA).

12. Semenjak beliau menerajui PETRONAS, kontraktor VDP bumiputera yang ada telah berkurangan dari 32 kepada 11 pada hari ini dan ini tidak membantu agenda untuk memperkasakan ekonomi usahawan melayu / bumiputera di dalam bidang minyak dan gas negara.

13. Melalui system GFA pula, PETRONAS telah membenarkan syarikat2 minyak yang beroperasi di Malaysia seperti Shell / Exxonmobil / Murphy untuk membuat urusan ‘direct award’ kepada ‘principal manufacturers’ di luar negara melalui anak syarikatnya PSI (Prime Sourcing International) tanpa perlu melalui syarikat pembekal tempatan yang kebanyakan nya adalah usahawan melayu / bumiputera. Kami di fahamkan perubahan polisi ini telah berkuatkuasa mulai bulan May yang lalu. Polisi ini telah mengakibatkan penutupan beberapa syarikat pembekal bumiputera serta pemberhentian pekerja-pekerja di syarikat bumiputera terbabit.

KEMASUKAN ‘ORANG LUAR’ KE DALAM TAMPUK KEPIMPINAN PETRONAS.

14. Kami juga ingin menyentuh berkenaan isu pengambilan ‘orang luar – expatriate dan juga non-bumiputera’ ke dalam pengurusan tertinggi PETRONAS semenjak Tan Sri Shamsul mengambil alih pengurusan PETRONAS.

15. Apakah sudah ada ketirisan ‘talent resources’ anak anak melayu yang berwibawa di dalam kelompok kakitangan kanan PETRONAS hari ini yang boleh mengambil alih tampuk kepimpinan asset-aset strategic PETRONAS seperti di bahagian E&P PETRONAS / di fabrikasi MMHE di Pasir Gudang / di Vestigo Petroleum Sdn Bhd di mana kemasukan ‘orang asing’ ini bukan sahaja di bayar dengan pakej yang begitu lumayan tetapi mematikan terus agenda untuk membantu orang melayu.

16. Pihak GABUNG mempunyai beberapa bukti untuk menyokong fakta di atas:

i) Datuk Wee Yiaw Hin (dari Shell) sebagai EVP of E&P di PETRONAS
ii) Dominic (orang Technip) sebagai CEO di MMHE
iii) Keith Collins sebagai CEO di Vestigo Petroleum Sdn Bhd (syarikat yang mengendalikan bidang marginal field untuk PETRONAS)

17 . Hakikatnya kami merasakan Tan Sri Shamsul sebagai Presiden PETRONAS boleh di kira GAGAL di dalam memperkasakan agenda melayu / bumiputera melalui PETRONAS sejak 3 tahun yang lalu samada melalui pembangunan usahawan melayu / bumiputera dan pembangunan modal insan seperti penyediaan ‘succession plan’ untuk jawatan2 strategik di PETRONAS.

18. Beliau harus berundur secara terhormat!!!

***************

When they made a call for resignation of Shamsul, hopefully it is not to replace it with a certain someone.

A certain "NGO" looking like trying to champion the Malay Agenda and fighting gallantly to save the country from signing something but their only agenda for Malay seemed to be only on Petronas contract for Bumiputera.

Nothing against anyone championing for Bumiptera, especially there seems to be a planned perception game against Bumiputera to justfy discrimination against capable Bumiputera. For a while, this blog had wrote in passing also of such discrimination in Petonas.

However, the man behind this "NGO" is someone crooked, untrustworthy, and corrupt. He has been raking in government contracts through his nominees and pretending outside to be a champion of reform and transformation.

The "NGO" voice against Petronas could be a ploy for himself to get lucrative Petronas contracts and all the noise is really about his nominess being denied opportunity.

And, since the man behind the NGO used to be part of the whole shebang of Tingkat 4 during the Pak Lah era, he could be maouvring the Chinese chap faking as a Malay for CEO position in Petronas.

Most of the issues raised by the Malay NGO from Johor is rrelevent but do not be used!

↧

Sungai Limau: The Lost Message of Poverty

November 1, 2013, 10:55 pm

≫ Next: MUSICAL INTERLUDE: "Tuesday's gone with the wind..."

≪ Previous: Bumiputera concern or manouvre for Petronas CEO?

Few friends had just returned from performing their Haj in Makkah and Medina and are at the height of their soulful bliss.

It inspires us to share the enlightenment experience a Cabinet Minister's upon his return from Haj as told to us by a friend.

Due to their busy schedule, Cabinet Ministers usually go for short Haj trips. Unlike the rest of us that usually go for as long as 45 days, their's could be less than 10 days.

However, his Haj had such a profound effect on him that it is worth sharing. It relates closely to the situation and by-election in Sungai Limau.

"I have failed you"

After Haj, the Minister totally refrained from alcohol. He is more attentive to his 5 times a day prayers. It made him more humble.

Most of Haj returnee would experience the humbled feeling upon their return from Haj. But, for the Minister, it exalted his senses for humanity.

The Cabinet Minister came from a constituency where there are still in existence pockets of poverty.

Upon his return from Haj, he went back to visit his 'kawasan' (area). While visiting the pekan (town centre), he stumbled upon a poor man. He took out some money and without counting, gave 'sadaqa' (donation).

As he was going about his affair in the constituency, he was kept reminded of the poor man. He returned to find the poor man and immediately, gave him few thousands. That is a lot to donate out of impulse. For the poor man, never in his wildest dream that he could suddenly get few thousands.

That night the Minister was still kept reminded of the poor man. He couldn't sleep and by next morning after breakfast, he went out to search for the poor man.

He managed to find him and invited the poor man for a meal in a nearby coffeeshop.

Out of the blue, the Minister apologised to the poor man.

Stunt to what is happening, the poor man could only say he has not done anything wrong. The poor man expressed his surprise and thank him dearly for the few thousand given yesterday. It had immensely helped eased his burden.

"No," replied the Minister. "I must apologise because I have failed you. I promise you I will find you a job and make you have a start in life."

Immediately, the Minister arranged for a job for the poor man and rented for him a temporary home. In the meanwhile, he raised some money and built for him and his family a proper home.

When the house was ready, the Minister brought the poor man to the house. Inside the house, while he gave the man his key, he repeated his apology.

"I have failed you. As a wakil rakyat and more so, a Cabinet Minister, I have failed when there are still people living in hardship in my constituency."

The Minister poured his soul to the man. And the poor man shared the misery of his life. In the end, both of them end up crying together.

Since then, he had called for his UMNO Division AJK for a meeting and gave them a thorough trashing. He told them to buck up and demanded that his AJK put aside politics to immediately address issues of poverty and people's life.

Alhamdulillah, he defended his Ketua Bahagian position in the recent party election.

Sungai Limau by-election

Now on Sungai Limau by-election and the lost message of poverty.

Since the past two weekend, we have been stuck up north for some work in Penang and Langkawi. Being in the vicinity, we dropped over few days ago to Sungai Limau to "observe" the by-election and help out where we could contribute and still needed.

Sungai Limau is a vast area off the coats of Kedah. The state assembly constituency is in the district of Yan and parliamentary constituency of Jerai.

They are about 27,000 voters and almost all are Malays but 1,800 Chinese voters. New voters constitute more than 5,000 of the voters.

The late Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak have been the state assemblymen for Sungai Limau (and previously known as Sala) for five terms plus few months after GE 2013 in early May.

It is pretty much PAS territory, so putting up banners and distributing pamphlets with unsavory content will be removed within hours. The mere entry into their "black area" will be met with Unit Amal or local PAS muscleman.

Any known members of their kampung known to be voting BN will be boycotted and ignored by the rest of the community. Unlike in an urban area where one hardly give a hoot to one's neighbour, being ignored by almost the whole kampong makes one feel like a leper.

Azizan Razak

However, Azizan is much revered in the area.

He is respected for his politics of harmony. The PAS grassroot maybe adverserial, but his personal view of politics is hardly so and far from fanatical.

He comes from a big family and it is believed that some 5,000 voters, PAS or UMNO voters, are within his extended family. It may have formed his opinion on the difference between UMNO and PAS.

Unlike former Kelantan Menteri Besar, Dato Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PAS President, Dato Hadi Awang, Azizan does not believe in judging UMNO and it's members as kafir (non-believer). Azizan views UMNO and PAS as merely different political parties.

When Tan Sri Muhyiddin repeated Azizan's view in the early part of the campaign in Sungai Limau, Nik Aziz refuted swiftly. Known within PAS circle, Nik Aziz never came to do ceramah in Sungai Limau or within the vicinity of the district of Yan.

Azizan non adversarial approach to politics made him many friends among UMNO leaders. He is known to had dinners at Tun Dr Mahathir's home to seek advise on administration.

In the midst of the power struggle within PAS to topple him from his Menteri Besar position, Azizan comfortably appeared with the then UMNO Liaison Chief, Dato Ahmad Bashah for a 1M4U event with Dato Najib.

Anwarinas

The attempt to oust Azizan have a lot to do with the Anwarinas faction in PAS Kedah.

The conspirators, namely Deputy President, Mat Sabu, current Election Director, Dato Mahfuz Omar, former exco, Dato Phahrolrazi and Dato Taulan, etc are all pro-Anwar.

Even though Dato Amiruddin Hamzah was with Azizan during the power struggle, his rather flexible stance made him seen as an Anwarinas too.

Azizan was never comfortable with Anwar.

This was long before PAS cooperated with PKR in Pakatan Rakyat. He was aware of Anwar's negative view on ulamak. He expressed his discomfort with Anwar's debate with Dato Shaberry Chik to Zam. [Read here.]

PAS Kedah did not used the Buku Jingga as campaign material in the last GE. To return the compliment, Anwar neither visited Azizan at the hospital nor paid respect upon his death.

The Anwarinas in PAS had few reasons to topple Azizan. Firstly, it had something to do with certain state government contract not given to their cronies. However, to the PAS grassroot, they were told that Azizan was giving state government contracts to UMNO members.

Secondly, Azizan had to go down to enable them to cover-up their own faults like the KUIN contracts in Kuala Ketil and failed investment in Papua New Guinea.

Ultimately, it was necessary to weaken the ulamak faction. Azizan is a key and influential player. The outcome will be seen in the upcoming PAS Muktamar immediately after the Sungai Limau by-election.

Azizan versus Azizan

The strong aura of the late Azizan in Sungai Limau remains. Both side seemed to campaign on the message of who are more Azizan than the others.

PAS wants to maintain that they are continuing on the legacy of Azizan, claiming to adhere to "politik damai"(peaceful politics) ala Azizan and as though PAS is still upholding to "kepimpinan ulamak" (ulamak leadership).

Unfortunately, UMNO managed to embarass PAS by exposing a superimposed picture of the candidate with Azizan on their official pamphlet. They also made an issue of the political and family links between the candidate and Azizan detrators, Mahfuz and Phahrolrazi, respectively.

Large number of Azizan supporters was hoping for a family member of Azizan or his former political secretary, Muzaini.

UMNO also seized on the Azizan aura. At several UMNO bilek gerakan, one can see banners asking passers-by to offer fatihah to the late Azizan.

It has withheld any attack on the former government. For one reason, it is because UMNO has recaptured Kedah thus pointless to harp on the past government.

Secondly, it is improper to criticise a deceased person and more so, he was respected for engaging with UMNO leaders.

The war of words in the Sg Limau by-election is about who is more Azizan than the others. Each side is careful not to touch wrongly on Azizan as Muhyiddin innocent comment on the amputation of Azizan's limbs almost became a local issue.

The campaign here is a 'touching game' of holding on to each side's existing supporters and winning over the big middle ground.

There is hardly any local issue played and issues played by both sides tend to be national and insignificant to the local agrarian community.

It is not without trying because PAS selectively raised issue on state matter involving KUIN and a certain Maahad. However, it only ricochet back to their past failures which had it's root in those former PAS state exco members. [Read The Unspinners here and here.]

The cut in subsidies for sugar had some traction for PAS. UMNO's reply is the raised BR1M amount.

Aggresive politics is also frown upon in Sungai Limau thus Anwar was giving a religious tazkirah on imarah (enliven) the masjid and strengthen aqidah (belief) through solat and zakat last night instead of his usually fiery speeches. [Read Minaq Jinggo here]

His open ceramah could hardly get locals to come, although few thousands outsiders were there.

Locals voters hardly attend political ceramah. They only learned this on the first night when Hadi was delivering ceramah to only 10 people.

Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng also could not attract Chinese for his ceramah. So they brought the PAS candidate for house to house campaign.

What is PAS without massively attended ceramah. So PAS had to bring comedian pendakwah without questionable learning and down and out singer and actress to attract the crowd.

Internal issues

Despite PAS's early lead as incumbent and earlier start to campaign, Mahfuz commented yesterday that PAS could only win by a thin 500 votes. Their internal projection expect a majority of 700 votes.

By understating it, he hope to be seen doing better than expected and could survive his removal as PAS Vice President.

UMNO is in a tough position to win from the start.

Despite "planting" two independent in the 2013 general election, UMNO only managed to reduce PAS majority from 3,200 votes to near 2,800 votes. To win, they have to turnaround more than 2,800 votes which translates to 1,400 voters.

Prior to Azizan, Sg Limau was usually a toss up between UMNO and PAS. The internal problem in PAS and sentiment against the poor treatment to late Azizan presents an opportunity for UMNO.

However, UMNO also has an internal problem. There is no sabotage but the losing former Ketua Bahagian, Dato Suhaimi and his supporters stayed out of the campaign.

He is still sore from Dato Jamil Khir's challenge.

Their side claimed Jamil defaulted on a gentlemen agreement where Dato Suhaimi made way for him to run for Parliament and allow him to stay unchallenged as Ketua Bahagian.

The campaign by both side is dominated and assisted by outside volunteers and the temperature is a wee bit higher than usual election in Sungai Limau.

Despite PAS claim to victory, UMNO has their biggest weapon in new Menteri Besar Dato Mukhriz.

Fresh from a "morale victory" in the UMNO Vice Presidency race, he is a crowd puller and his polite and humble ways appeals to even PAS voters.

Mukhriz had always maintain his respect for Azizan. When Azizan was hospitalised, Mukhriz was first to visit him. After his amputation, Mukhriz visit was frequent.

When Phahrolrazi and the Anwarinas wanted to blame Azizan for the KUIN fiasco during the state assembly proceeding, it was Mukhriz who defended him.

Mukhriz never allowed anyone to blame Azizan-led PAS government for the Kedah's debt situation but gentlemanly acknowledged it started during BN time.

His sincerity can be appreciated and PAS treated him with Azizan-like aura that needs to be delicately neutralised.

PAS is appealing to their voters to give Sg Limau the seat since BN already has Kedah. The reason behind the appeal is that there is sentiment among PAS members and supporters as well as Chinese to give their votes to BN so that state and federal assistance can flow in and revive the economy.

Poverty and Neglect

That brings us to the real issue not sufficiently giiven attention and brought out into a campaign issue in Sungai Limau. There is widespread occurrence of poverty and neglect.

We must commend the attempt of Nadi Rakyat group of bloggers and Wanita UMNO for these posters. If only it was ready earlier than the four last days, it would have brought the debate on poverty and neglect on the centre stage.

It helps the urban public, policy makers and politicians understand, hopefully appreciate better the impact of increasing in prices of petrol and sugar on the common rural people.

Poverty and neglect in Sungai Limau should make us reflect on our policies for New Economic Model and subsidy rationalisation.

The perception on high income economy is that only PEMANDU, Talentcorp, Teraju and GLCs' CEOs and top management are getting the immediate benefit with salary and perks in the millions.

The increment in income to the lower level work force is limited in absolute term. The value increase made seemed to be shared by top guys and not shareholders and workers.

Subsidy rationalisation badly affect the common people like those in Sungai Limau. Whatever the rationale and justification, only the educated and those in the higher economic echeleon can understand and appreciate. But that is because it does not affect them.

Common people and voters do not react positively when their livelihood is affected. George Bush used to say, "The lifestyle of the American people is non-negotiable." It is definitely not negotiable to those living in or on the brinks of poverty.

Before the BN government still insist to further rationalise subsidies, ignore the plight of the lower end of society, and risk getting kicked out in the next general election, ask whether they have seriously make effort to cut "consumption and investment" wastage in Government and GLCs?

Have they made serious efforts to plug all leakages?

Have they done enough to deter corruption and catch those offenders? Not just the ikan puyu found in padi fields, but real big fishes.

PAS had neglected their constituency and resulted in the widespread occurrence of poverty and neglect. At least, there should be some difference made during Azizan's term as Menteri Besar.

Before returning any blame on the federal or state government before Azizan, Sungai Limau was never cut off from any federal or state assistance.

It is partly bureaucrasy and partly politics that hindered the flow of assistance to the rakyat.

PAS's local warlords are threatened by assistance from the government to their supporters and followers. Poverty and neglect justify their politics of "blame" and enable them to remain in power.

Any PAS members and voters seeking and receiving assistance from BN activists are condemned and ostracised. Yet PAS machinery make no effort to bring up community matters to the respective government departments and agencies.

UMNO's chances

After 5 terms under PAS, their influence on the community is strong.

Out of the 15 PDM (voting districts), 9 was won by PAS. So does BN and UMNO have any fighting chance to win?

Frankly yes, there is always that chance.

UMNO can win but UMNO must believe first that they can win and UMNO must be serious enough to want to win.

"No syok sendiri and hooray hooray events but those that have direct relevance with the voters.

To win, UMNO must penetrate the PAS's "black" area and meet the voters to win their heart. They need to gain some ground in this area. The green wants to give to the blue but they want to be reached.

UMNO must win the grey area and that include those disheartened UMNO members. Do not just discard them as black because they will make all the difference in a tight race where UMNO is on an up momentum and PAS has slowed down.

If the green can be blued, there is no excuse not to try.

Every old trick from Mahfuz's bag of tricks was read, revealed and replied. All the tricks used by PAS guised under "politik damai" image only points to one message.

PAS is desperate and working hard to "kepong"(block) instead of penetrating the UMNO voters. They have to bring all their big guns to just talk to small crowd in mini ceramah.

It is all left with UMNO.

To drive them towards victory, UMNO campaign workers must have the sense of mission that they are not merely working to win for their candidate but take it upon themselves as a responsiblity to salvage the rakyat from poverty and neglect.

* Edited 3/11/2013 8:30 AM

↧

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: "Tuesday's gone with the wind..."

November 5, 2013, 2:15 am

≫ Next: A Malay genius pay tribute to a past Malay genius

≪ Previous: Sungai Limau: The Lost Message of Poverty

Train roll on, on down the line,
Won't you please take me far, far away.
Now I feel the wind blow, outside my door,
I'm leavin' my woman at home, oh yeah.
Tuesday's gone with the wind,
My baby's gone, gone with the wind.
And I don't know, oh, where I'm goin'.
I just want to be left alone.
When this train ends, I'll try again.
I'm leavin' my woman at home.
My baby's gone

Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
My baby's gone, with the wind.
Train roll on
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
My baby's gone, with the wind.

Train roll on
Train roll on many miles from my home,see I'm,
I'm ridin' my blues, babe, blues away, yeah.
But Tuesday you see, a she had to be free.
Somehow I got to, to carry on.
My baby's gone.

Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
Tuesday's gone with the wind.
My baby's gone, with the wind.

Train roll on...train roll on...
Roll on train...roll on train...roll on train
Train roll on...the train, it rolls on
Train rolls on I can't change, I can't change,
I can't change, I can't change,I can't change...
Ride on train
I can't change
Train roll on
Lord, I can't change
I can't change

- Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

↧

A Malay genius pay tribute to a past Malay genius

November 7, 2013, 8:58 pm

≫ Next: Royal purge in Johor?

≪ Previous: MUSICAL INTERLUDE: "Tuesday's gone with the wind..."

Still plain lazy to write after being away for more than two weeks.

To keep this blog up-dated, we like to share this You Tube link sent to us from Mus, an old friend that we met more than 30 years ago at his home in Long Island, New York.

He was excited to introduce Dr Afifi Al Akiti, a student of the pondok from Perak that went on to study in several countries under many great teachers and finally landed lecturing at Oxford.

Although not widely known in Malaysia, Dr Afifi made significant achievement at his young age. Perakian Mus was proud to highlight Dr Afifi as an example to dispel the stereotype labeling of "Melayu bodoh."

In the video, the young genius paid tribute to another Malay from the past he described as genius but was not sufficiently appreciated in Malaysia.

Our friend Mus wrote:

This is a tazkirah delivered by Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti at the 2013 Nasheed Extravaganza organised by the Malaysian Students at the University of Sheffield.

Dr. Afifi is the first Malay to hold a chair at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford.

In his tazkirah, he talks about the geniusness of Allahyarham P.Ramlee in his creative works, and he attributes it to the ability of Allahyarham P.Ramlee to draw from all traditions with compromising, or even abandoning, his Islamic tradition:

The video below:

Read Wikipedia here to know more of this truly illustrious young man.

Dr Afifi illustrated a simple example that highlights a bad tendency of Melayu in power and authority to underestimate and downgrade other Melayu. They would rather appreciate and revere foreigners and non-Melayu.

Seldom do they realise that the ability, knowledge and experience in solutions to solve problems and ideas and visions to build nation and civilisation already exist within us.

Usually they lack appreciation for history and intellectualism. Such attitude is most prevalent amongst business and corporate men, yet they are given so much responsiblity and role by and in government.

↧

Royal purge in Johor?

November 10, 2013, 1:58 am

≫ Next: New twist to the American TPPA manouvre

≪ Previous: A Malay genius pay tribute to a past Malay genius

Former state secretariat office in the midst of Johor Baru central business district

The stripping of the Datokship of CEO of Yayasan Pelajaran Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd (YPJ), Hamsan Seringat took frontpage of the Utusan Malaysia. [Read Utusan Malaysia here.]

Such news usually becomes the talk of Johor. Unlike other states like Pahang and Melaka, the award of Johor Datokship is far and few but periodically there will be Datokship retracted. The last was Datok Chua Jui Meng (still has another Dato from other states.)

Hamsan was the District Officer for Pontian and Batu Pahat from 2005 to 2006, before assuming the position of Director, State Economic Planning Unit in 2006. He was appointed CEO of YPJ from 2011 till today.

Secretary for the Johor Royal Council (or Majlis Jumaah Diraja Johor), Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli explained that his Highness the Sultan of Johor has the sole power to retract honours given to those who failed in their duties and responsibilities.

In Sinar Harian yesterday [read in full here], Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli was reported:

Hamsan Saringat
Meskipun tidak menyatakan alasan penarikan terbabit, Abdul Rahim berkata, keputusan itu dibuat mengikut Fasal 7(2)(f) Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri 1895 dan Fasal 13 Undang-Undang dan Peraturan Bagi Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia.

Katanya, mengikut Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri 1895, Sultan Johor mempunyai kuasa mutlak untuk menarik balik sebarang pingat dan gelaran yang diberikan sekiranya penerimanya gagal memenuhi atau menghormati tanggungjawab yang diberikan.

“Kurniaan yang diberikan ini tidak kekal kerana penerimanya perlu mematuhi peraturan kerana tugas individu yang memegang gelaran Datuk Johor ini berat termasuk berperanan dalam melantik waris kepada Sultan Johor.

“Mereka yang dianugerahkan gelaran Datuk Johor ini perlu mengangkat Sumpah Syarie di depan Mufti Johor bagi menjamin kemuliaan darjah kebesaran yang diberikan,” katanya.

Although it is not uncommon to hear the stripping of Johor Datokship, the announcement would attract speculations in Johor and among Johoreans outside Johor.

Scholarships

The mere mention of Hamsan's postion as CEO of YPJ brings about an often much talked amongst Johoreans claiming to be in the know of the current state of the scholarship foundation.

YPJ was established in 1982 for the purpose of consolidating the various scholarship programs of the state government in existence since time immemorial.

In his youth, our late father was a potential recipient to study at the reknown Al Azhar but aspiration of a son of a kampung school headmaster could be easily derailed by an influential Syed from a merchant family.

During the Menteri Besar-ship of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the plan was for YPJ to be self sufficient with a holding company, business to generate profit and cash, and was awarded land as asset to be developed and generate income. [Read here.]

Then came the Kumpulan Prasana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) debacle under now Tan Sri Gani Osman and after the bailout by Tan Sri Lim Kang Ho, the land and money under YPJ was believed to be channeled to Kang Ho's companies or related companies as compansation.

It became a sore point to Johoreans in the know when YPJ stopped providing scholarship and financial assistance to qualified Johorean Malays and it's landbank stripped off.

Off course, this is the talk among Johoreans claiming to be in the know. If it is not true, those in the know should clarify.

Zakat and Sekolah Ugama privatisation

The former Istana Zahrah that was our former sekolah ugama .... left unappreciated

The stripping of Hamsan's Datokship will not likely to be linked to his position in YPJ and the debacle originated from KPRJ.

As one source from Pasir Gudang claimed it had to do with his days in the state EPU and the privatisation of Johor's famous state government-initiated sekolah ugama program and linked to the state zakat fund.

One of the asnaf (rightful beneficiary) in the distribution zakat (tithe) is for education. Traditionally, part of the fund for education collected from zakat is channeled to the sekolah ugama under the administration of Majlis Agama Islam Johor (MAIJ).

The privatisation for the building of 121 sekolah ugama was awarded to a joint-venture entity between MAIJ and a chap said to be orang Gani by the name of Md Seth Md Ali. This was the guy given a major IT project during Gani's time under a company called Mysys Development Sdn Bhd.

In a year, the zakat fund channeled to sekolah ugama program is RM4 million a year but supposedly, MAIJ had deposited 10 years advance of the zakat allocation of RM40 million to the JV company . How it could be done is mind-boggling.

Murphy's law state that when something was to go wrong, it will go wrong. More accurately, when something is done wrongly, the whole thing will fail. The sekolah ugama privatisation was described to have failed.

This would mean some RM40 million zakat money would have "disappeared" and the financially strapped sekolah ugama would be in further dire straits, thus needing a rescue. The nationally reknown sekolah ugama system of Johor is facing problems of poor quality of teaching, severely underpaid teachers, and inadequate facility to cope with raising needs.

This was speculated to brought out the wrath of the Sultan. Many years ago, there was a former district officer of Batu Pahat that had his Datokship removed for some indiscretion relating to zakat when heading the then Jabatan Ugama Islam Johor.

Presumably, the privatisation of a state government program would have undergone through various committees scrutinisation and several level of decision making process, thus it could not be made on the discretion of one man, be it a state EPU Director or Menteri Besar.

In most cases, the stripping of Datokship is only known to his Highness personally. Some cases like that of Chua Jui Meng and Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abbdul Kadir has to do with some disrespectful act.

Zaki leaving?

Such speculation can be expected from the circumstances leading to the end of Gani Osman's Menteri Besar-ship.

One speculation had to do with exposure on the manouvre of Kang Ho in the restructuring of KFC and Iskandar Waterfront to the detriment of his Highness. Although Gani's departure was planned, rumours related to the deals could still be alive.

Just last week, Business Times reported Dato Ahmad Zaki Zahid leaving QSR before his last day of December 31st.

Ahmad Zaki to exit QSR

2013/11/04

TERM EXPIRES DEC 31: Leaving to pursue opportunities outside the group

DATUK Ahmad Zaki Zahid is exiting QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd, which was formed from the RM5.2 billion consolidation of once-listed QSR Brands Bhd and KFC Holdings (M) Bhd.

Zaki's term as managing director of QSR will end on December 31 this year, although his last day in office will be much earlier on November 30, according to an internal email to the staff seen by Business Times.

Zaki, however, could not be contacted to verify the authenticity of the email.

He joined the QSR group executive committee in June last year and became managing director in December 2012.

Zaki told his staff that he is leaving to pursue opportunities outside the group, which is the owner and operator of the lucrative KFC and Pizza Hut fast food chains.

Read on here.

According to the Article of Association, Sultan's consent and approval is sought after for major appointment in the state's business vehicle, Johor Corporation. Does it mean Zaki is no more favoured and is being replaced?

Zaki was the preferred choice of his Highness Sultan Johor to lead Johor Corporation and was appointed into several of it's public listed vehicles in November 2011. Before assuming his position in Johor, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of MRCB in 2009. [Read Rocky Bru past postings here and here].

Talk is Ghani's former Special Officer in IRDA and promoter of super liberal NGO (registred?), IDEAS, Wan Mohd Firdaus (or being called Wan MF in close circle in Johor Baru) has resigned from the Board of Directors of Kulim.

In a simple punching of the keyboard, it looks to be a royal purge to cleanse inefficiencies and leakage in Johor which is good and a much welcome news to the rakyat of Johor. The Sultan has expressed his aspiration to see Johor - the state, government and rakyat - benefit from the massive development planned for Iskandar and the ensuing investment.

Maybe it is not that simple. But, a real royal purge would certainly make a great royal PR?

↧

New twist to the American TPPA manouvre

November 11, 2013, 1:38 am

≫ Next: PKR imitating Mahathirism on TPPA

≪ Previous: Royal purge in Johor?

The TPPA has been described in many ways but these You Tube video titles and content - "A Corporate Trojan Horse" and "A Backroom Deal For The 1%." - accurately described the true intention of the TPPA

In late September, MITI Minister, Dato Mustapha Mohamad had an evening session with media and bloggers to repeat assurance the government will not compromise the nation's interest by signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Jinggo here described the evening as enlightening.

In the evening session, yours truly had highlighted an article by Professor Jane Kessley, a Law Professor of the University of Auckland claiming the TPPA negotiation will tank and looks likely to fail to reach any form of agreements on the outstanding issues.

Subsequently in the discussion later, it was suggested that the government consider an exit plan. Maybe it is too soon.

The American and their capitalist backers are not ready to resign to fate. They have been manouvring quietly to break up the outstanding issues into different highly technical sessions.

The break-up sessions will be the new format a the special round of talks scheduled at Salt Lake City, US from 19 to 24 November. The US Trade Representative described the special rounds as meeting of ‘chief negotiators and key experts’ from the 12 countries.

However, it is not likely to address unresolved matters. The real negotiation will begin.

There will be horse trading and comprises have to be made or likely force upon to make the TPPA happen. The Americans will no more be nice guys but gun totting cowboys. Expect them to apply political pressure on the weaker nation to comply.

Maybe we could trust the leadership to take care of the nation's interest. Let's recall Najib's position in Bali:

Najib defends Malaysia’s stand on TPPA in Bali

The Edge Financial Daily
Wednesday, 16 October 2013 12:12

THERE is no denying that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak came vigorously to the defence of Malaysia’s stand at the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) leaders’ talks in Bali last week.

The prime minister made it abundantly clear that whatever decision it makes on the regional pact, it would have to go back to its people through parliamentary debates and the Cabinet.

Like other negotiating countries, Putrajaya told the TPPA leaders’ meeting prior to the Bali Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit that it is keen to meet the targeted deadline by year-end.

Malaysia has always emphasised that the TPPA timeline must be on a best endeavour basis, so there is no need to rush it before that deadline.

During the 19 rounds of negotiations held so far, with the last one in Brunei in August this year, Malaysia made clear its stand: any decision will be based on the wishes of its citizens.

Malaysia will do whatever it is agreeable on as long as the terms of the TPPA are beneficial to its people and do not jeopardise its national and domestic interests.

Now, the key to all this is flexibility, which Najib stressed is a crucial ingredient to a successful outcome.

No doubt there are difficulties, but the bigger danger is arm-twisting by negotiating parties so that others are browbeaten and made to bend to the pact just to meet the deadline, although many outstanding areas are still unresolved.

For instance, Malaysia stood its ground on a paragraph in the TPP Leaders’ statement that says: “We have agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year.”

While it is desirable that the deadline be met by year-end, Najib was emphatic that it is an objective that cannot necessarily be achieved as “it is not cast in stone”.

What Malaysia meant was that it would continue to work for the conclusion of the TPPA but if there are substantial issues that cannot be decided within the stated timeline, then it should be extended until after the deadline.

No doubt the 12 TPP members — Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam — represent a huge market of 800 million people.

They collectively make for a combined GDP of US$27.5 trillion (RM87.45 trillion), which is why Malaysia wants to be part of the negotiations, but on an equitable basis.

One can clearly recall the protracted years of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation, which came to nought after talks collapsed in Cancun, Mexico, due to the hardline stance of developed countries. This should not be repeated for the TPPA.

Like the 1994 Apec summit in Bogor, when Malaysia stood alone in insisting that trade liberalisation must not be non-binding, Malaysia too has strong reservations as far as the TPPA is concerned.

Hardline posturing benefits no one while flexibility enables a forward movement in these delicate negotiations.

Therefore, trade pacts entered into by Malaysia must take into account domestic interests, which is why Najib pointed out that the bumiputera agenda cannot be ignored.

Negotiators were told that Malaysia’s bumiputera policy must be seen in the context of having fair and just society because bumiputeras comprise 67% of the population and they include both Muslims and non-Muslim bumiputera.

If the bumiputera are left behind or marginalised, it doesn’t augur well for the long-term well-being and stability of the country.

Najib (second from right) and US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) at the TPPA leaders’ talk in Bali last Tuesday. On the right is Minister for International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. Najib said while every effort should be made to make the TPPA deadline by the end of the year, the signing should not be rushed if there are outstanding issues.

To this end, Najib expressed deep concern over several areas in the TPP talks as they impinged on sovereign rights pertaining to the formulation of domestic policies.

He minced no words when he said the TPP goes beyond the normal free trade agreement and investment pacts that Malaysia has had with many countries.

“As you go beyond that, into areas of intellectual property, investor-state dispute settlement, government procurement, state-owned enterprises, environment and labour, so you [will] impinge on fundamentally the sovereign right of the country to make regulation and policy,” he said.

One must take cognisance that it will be a challenge for the government in getting the necessary buy-in from the people if their concerns are not accommodated.

Negotiations on intellectual property rights (IPR), state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the environment are proving to be difficult and hence there is a long way to go before Malaysia gets an acceptable outcome.

On government procurement (GP), Malaysia has taken a significant step forward and for the first time, offered to open its GP market in a binding way. Pushing Malaysia to go beyond what is possible under GP is not going to help its stakeholders to agree on the TPP.

Malaysia also finds it hard to accept the proposal on SOEs as it goes beyond the aim of creating a level playing field as SOEs have performed a useful role in achieving the country’s socio-economic objectives.

As for IPR, Malaysia has amplified more than others that it will not accept any proposal that would increase the cost of drugs and make healthcare more expensive.

As things stand, what is needed now is a realistic deadline on a best endeavour basis. If consensus can’t be found on current proposals, then an approach that TPPA countries can pursue is not to rule out addressing difficult issues as a built-in agenda to be taken in the future, without affecting the overall objective of TPPA.

Malaysia’s stand should not be misconstrued or misunderstood because it accepts that the TPPA is an important undertaking and as an open economy, it believes in free and fair trade. It wants to be part of this agreement, provided that its concerns can be accommodated. — Bernama

The concern will be the ability of our Malaysian negotiators to giveaway the farmhorse in exchange for a thoroughbred.

In the Japan FTA, we were handed the donkey.

Below is the press release today from Professor Jane Kesley found in New Zealand portal, Scoop here:

Crunch Time for TPPA at Salt Lake City Meeting 19-24 November

Monday, 11 November 2013, 9:24 am
Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey

1 November 2013

For immediate release

Crunch Time for TPPA at Salt Lake City Meeting 19-24 November

‘Every ounce of political pressure will come on the negotiators during a special round of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) that are scheduled for Salt Lake City from 19 to 24 November’, according to Professor Jane Kelsey from the University of Auckland.

The meeting comes two weeks before the TPPA trade ministers will reportedly convene in Singapore from 7th to 9th December, immediately following the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Bali.

The US Trade Representative has billed this as a meeting of ‘chief negotiators and key experts’ from the 12 countries.

That is an euphemism for the entire negotiating teams on three main chapters where there are still major unresolved issues - intellectual property, state-owned enterprises and investment - and possibly others, such as government procurement, rules of origin, and legal issues.

Those groups have already met during the last month and most have made limited progress.

‘This is clearly crunch time’, Professor Kelsey said. ‘The meeting aims to present the ministers with a platform for making political trade-offs, including on agriculture.’

‘The chapters on intellectual property and state-owned enterprises are still stuck. The US continues to make extreme demands. Countries who believe this will impose an unacceptable price on their countries are still holding out.’

‘A breakthrough on any of these areas would either mean the other countries have capitulated or the US has proposed a compromise that the US Congress will accept.’

‘A compromise would still go further than any existing rules, even for countries that already have free trade and investment agreements with the US’.

‘For New Zealand, it would mean far-reaching new disciplines on what governments can do. Even a whiff of dairy market access would be contingent on accepting those.’

‘But President Obama does not have fast track negotiating authority. Until he does Congress could reject any compromise as not going far enough’.

‘Of course, if the government has its way we won’t know what they are until the deal is done’. Professor Kelsey warned.

ENDS

People beware! The neo-liberals are still working hard for this to happen.

↧

PKR imitating Mahathirism on TPPA

November 11, 2013, 8:44 pm

≫ Next: Ramli Yusof perception game against Gani?

≪ Previous: New twist to the American TPPA manouvre

Lim Kit Siang is going about town with his punchline to pray to see Tun Dr Mahathir live to be a 100 to see the death of an idealogy he contributed to label as Mahathirism [read LKS here].

Typical propaganda style of Kit Siang to ignore exchanges with the old man but had his "chorus girls" repeat it all over the blogosphere. Before a debate could actually take place, Anwar boo boy here declare Kit Siang as winner.

It only denigrates Kit Siang as a childish coward in a children playground's quarrel.

The Unspinners yesterday [read here] described Kit Siang as short on the intellectual senses. They highlighted that Dr Mahathir have long acknowledged in 2010 that such a thing called Mahathirism have ended.

In Shamsul Akmar's latest column in NST [read in the Mole HERE], he described Mahathir as having the "courage in standing up to neo-colonialism" and it is unlike Kit Siang's choice of alternative Prime Minister to "pander to the bullying West."

If there is anything to describe Mahathirism, it was about nation building and providing both hardware and software to propel the nation into a truly "Negara Merdeka" (independent nation).

"Malaysia boleh" had inspire a generation of youth of the nation to be go-getters wanting to be see and do what is available and done abroad in this country and more.

While Kit Siang is pre-occupied with his false sense of victory, his partners in Pakatan Rakyat is emulating Mahathirism in the issue of TPPA.

It was Mahathir in his blog posting in late Julay that propelled the TPPA issue into the limelight. [Read Malaysiakini here]

In case, one has limited understanding on TPPA, perhaps these two most recently posted You-Tube videos on TPPA would give them a preview.

Note the male newcaster saying Obama administration intend to get it "pass through Congress by the end of the year using it's fast track authority to limit the lawmaker to an up or down vote."

Public Citizen Eli Wallach described TPPA not about trade. The following October 23rd posted video "on the NAFTA on steriod."

It is "a back-room deal for the 1%" and for the American corporate to replace national sovereignty. It is not just Dr Mahathir but the public Americans is also against it.

TPPA is a neo-colonialist agenda of the neo-liberals which would naturally against what Mahathirism stand for. Isn't it strange that PKR and Kit Siang's "choice of aternative Prime Minister" is openly emulating Dr Mahathir to oppose TPPA?

At the forefront is a coalition called BANTAH TPPA which they claimed to be non-partisan. [Read their attempt to debunk here.]

Who are they trying to kid when there is "Chegu Bard and SAMM" making their presence in the forefront?

It's got PKR written all over.

Even the You Tube promo for their recent November 7 forum had the presence of PKR Nurul Izzah, DAP's Charles Santiago and other pro-Pakatan Rakyat personalities. [See here.]

The report on the forum could be found in Malay Mail Online [Read here].

It is all anti-neo colonialism and against neo-liberal agenda. Isn't it sacriligeous of Charles to support Mahathirism? Kit Siang should expel him.

Earlier, BANTAH TPPA organised a rally on the verge of a scheduled but cancelled Obama visit to Malaysia on October 11th. [Read about in The Malaysian Insiders here.]

A day before, the PKR and DAP-backed BANTAH TPPA held a rally at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kg Baru and it's banners and posters had the picture of Dr Mahathir with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Looks like not only Mahathirism not dead but Anwar Ibrahim has accepted that the so-called Mahathirism sells politically. Although, there are those that believed Anwar agree to TPPA, he is wiling to be seen side by side in banners and posters with the promoter of Mahathirism itself.

Now ... what say you, Kit Siang?

↧

Ramli Yusof perception game against Gani?

November 13, 2013, 10:34 pm

≫ Next: DAP's insincere concern for Sri Lanka Tamil

≪ Previous: PKR imitating Mahathirism on TPPA

Instead of thanking his lucky star for escaping conviction and move on, the infamously acknowledged corrupt cop, Dato Ramli Yusof intend to sue the government for alleged conspiracy suit and defamation for a humongous amount of RM128.5 million. [Read Rocky Bru here]

In the heat of the expose against Ramli's asset, there is a rumour going around in early November that the former CCID Director had a meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir.

It seemed to get coverage by Malaysian Insider and Malaysiakini as though Ramli had convinced Dr Mahathir to take on Attorney General, Tan Sri Gani Patail. OutSyed the Box [read here] wrote about the rumoured meeting but denied such meeting.

The rumour is interesting.

Upon his appointment as CCID Director, Ramli tried to reopen twice closed case against Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli with an unsubstantiated accusation that MAS loss RM8 billion under his watch.

There was conspiracy was initiated by Ramli Yusof's law school friend, Rosli Dahalan. He is a lawyer with Allen Gladhill Hishamuddin Lee and was handling the MAS account in their legal issues against Tajuddin. By the look of it, the RM8 billion could be Ramli's mathematical incompetence.

There was help from uncle Lobert, Tan Sri Robert Phang as the barking dog and Prof Dato Din Merican and Raja Petra Kamaruddin in a minor role to kompang the issue. Din is till gloating from Ramli and Rosli's acquital but beginning to sound like a broken record here championing the corrupt.

Among those together in on the conspiracy are Pak Lah, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Dato Idris Jala, and Dato Anuar Zaini.

The rumoured meeting with Dr Mahathir could be Ramli's attempt to shake off bloggers exposing his allegedly ill-gotten assets. They are also calling for his investigation.

It could also be a perception play to bring a better light to his personal revenge against personalities like Gani Patail and former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hasan, and institutions like police, MACC and public prosecution office.

However, Dr Mahathir is not one to be easily taken into believing from a man whose personal issues became a rallying point for opposition to ridicule public institutions. [Read Imrite here.]

It turned out that it was not Ramli Yusof that met Dr Mahathir but his comrade-in-corruption, Dato Mat Zain Ibrahim.

Sinar Harian reported:

Tun M belum lihat akuan sumpah

SITI NURSYAHIDAH ABU BAKAR
12 November 2013

PUTRAJAYA - Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad enggan mengulas mengenai dakwaan terdapat agenda menjatuhkan Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

Menurutnya, beliau belum melihat akuan sumpah daripada bekas Pengarah Siasatan Jenayah Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim yang mengatakan terdapat pertemuan di kediamannya bagi membincangkan pertuduhan salah laku oleh Abdul Gani.

“Saya tidak pernah lihat akuan sumpah tersebut. Saya hanya bersedia untuk memberi komen setelah melihatnya,” katanya dalam sidang media, di sini, semalam.

Sebelum ini, media melaporkan pertemuan antara Mat Zain dan peguam kanan, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah dengan Dr Mahathir, Ogos lalu, bagi membincangkan pertuduhan salah laku Abdul Gani.

Turut hadir dalam pertemuan itu ialah bekas setiausaha politik Dr Mahathir, Matthias Chang dan bekas Pengarah Cawangan Siasatan Jenayah Perdagangan, Datuk Ramli Yusof.

Antara salah laku Abdul Gani yang didakwa menjadi perbincangan ialah kes mata lebam Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan kekalahan Malaysia dalam kes Pulau Batu Puteh di Mahkamah Antarabangsa, di mana Abdul Gani mewakili Malaysia dalam kes itu.

Mat Zain juga dikatakan menyediakan perakuan bersumpah selepas pertemuan tersebut.

Diminta mengulas mengenai terdapat ejen perisik CIA di pejabat Peguam Negara, Dr Mahathir berkata:

"Saya ada dengar, tapi ia mungkin benar atau tidak. Saya pun tiada bukti.

“Biar Peguam Negara yang sahkan mengenainya. Saya tidak tahu,” katanya.

Sinar Harian report only wrote of Dr Mahathir not expressing opinion till he is able to read the claimed statutory declaration made by Mat Zain on the alleged wrongdoing of the Attorney General, Tan Sri Gani Patail.

Their source for the reported meeting was from other "media melaporkan."

Nevertheless, there is truth that Mat Zain met Dr Mahathir in the presence of Matthias Chang and Dato Muhammad Shafee Abdullah but it is not true that Ramli was together in the meeting.

That partly discredit the often unreliable pro-opposition portal news.

By reporting the presence of Shafee Abdullah and Matthias Chang in the meeting, it does not serve to give credibility to opposition media also.

Off course there will be those that will say Shafee is interested to replace Gani but as lawyers, he can be on either side in a case. He represented clients against MACC and represented MACC in the Teoh Beng Hock death enquiry.

And finally, it is also not believable and credible that Mat Zain would bring up the Anwar black eye issue with Dr Mahathir.

In conclusion, it does not give credibility to an attempt by Ramli and his mastermind, Rosli Dahlan to revenge against MACC, AG, Tan Sri Musa Hasan and Government.

These media are giving support to them for the simple motive of the opposition to discredit and weaken public institution in their pursuit bring the BN government down. There is no journalistic integrity involved but motivated by an agenda.

It is hardly a surprise for Dr Mahathir to meet and listen to Mat Zain. He is known to have received the audience of Mat Sabu, Dato Mahfuz Omar and many others.

And he has not shyed away from meeting George Soros, George W. Bush and Paul Keating.

The fact is Dr Mahathir has always been ever willing to meet anyone, including students and youth, to hear the many sides to a story or issue or explain his point of view of the government's.

However, meeting by Mat Zain alone is no guarantee that Dr Mahathir will blindly accept what was told to him.

In this case, he insist on reading the statutory declaration himself before forming an opinion. It means he will most likely check out the fact and figure out the logic and motive of the declaration.

Just like his meeting with Mat Sabu, Mahfuz,and the rest, one cannot expect Dr Mahathir to simply take the words of someone like Mat Zain.

[Note: We had earlier mistakenly placed a picture of Tan Sri Ibrahim Zain as Dato Mat Zin. For someone so outspoken for the past few years, his picture could not be found on the Internet. There seem to be a conspiracy by the media to display the picture of Gani in reports on Mat Zin. Try googling...]

Mat Zain was known as the police responsible to investigate former IGP Tan Sri Rahim Nor in the Anwar black-eyed incident. His public image is that of an honest cop but in the close circle of police, Mat Zain is widely dubbed as "7-million dollar man."

The reason can be easily guessed since he was close to Ramli in his days in CID and as KL Chief Police. However, he may have lost all his ill-gotten gain in a business venture. [Read our past posting here and with more details in Taiping Mali here.]

Mat Zain made headlines when he made damaging statements against the government in favour of Anwar. He said the DNA evidence in the 1998 case against Anwar involving Azizan was fabricated. This is against Dr Mahathir conclusion from his own investigation that Anwar was indeed a homosexual and had sodomised his wife's driver, Azizan.

Mat Zain's claim is suspicious, because in court, it was revealed that Anwar was working in cohort with a doctor to fabricate the DNA sample of Azmin's daughter alleged to be born out of wedlock between Anwar and Azmin's wife, Shamsidar.

It is widely believed that Mat Zain may have being bought over by Anwar by saving him from bankruptcy. [Read The Unspinners here.]

It was evidenced when his financial affair was exposed, Malaysiakini defended Zain by accusing the government of doing character assasination to discredit Mat Zain.[Read Hantu Laut here.]

Like Ramli who is using the court to clean his name, Mat Zain could be thinking he could do so by meeting Dr Mahathir and try to form an alliance to pin down Gani Patail. He must be thinking Dr Mahathir is unhappy with Gani and hopefully those with common enemies can work together.

The interesting side to this meeting is whether they have stopped believing in Anwar in their fight against Gani. Has Anwar's influence no more threatening and effective?

↧

DAP's insincere concern for Sri Lanka Tamil

November 14, 2013, 7:51 pm

≫ Next: A stone throw could hit a Datok

≪ Previous: Ramli Yusof perception game against Gani?

DAP had called upon Putrajaya to boycott the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka to start today till November 17. Secretary General, Lim Guan Eng urged Malaysia to join Canada and India in the boycott. [Read in The Malay Mail Online dated 12/11 here.]

On a quick look, it could be consistent with the observation of Ye Lin Sheng in his book, The Chinese Dilemma [read here].

In one of the many blogs here repeating the same 7 "bad" habits of Malaysian Chiinese, Ye viewed the tendency of "orang cina Malaysia", as represented by DAP, to accept anything spitted out by the "orang putih" than acknowledging the wisdom behind the actions of a Malay-led government.

Since India is boycotting, let us allow some leeway for Guan Eng. He had lately been complaining "why must it all be about race" in his critic to Dato Zainuddin Maidin. [Read the exchanges here and here.]

He may have just come to the realisation that DAP should not be about Chinese since Indian members are giving him much headache on the CEC election and damn should he have to purge them out of DAP.

"Orang putih" stooge

Guan Eng is concerned on, as to quote him, the "killings of tens of thousands of Tamils” and consistent with the Canadians, it must be alleged attempt by the Sri Lanka government to cover-up the human rights atrocities committed in long drawn civil war in 2009.

Isn't it strange that Guan Eng and DAP was not sensitive with the family of the killed and amputated armed forces that fought the communist insurgencies by wanting to bring back the ashes of Lim Chin Peng but is sensitive with the killed Tamil Tiger terrorists and Tamil citizen of Sri Lanka cuaght in the line of fire in the civil war?

Before accusing UMNO as a British stooge, remember that MPAJA and Communist Party of Malay was the creation of British and were never freedom fighters but another colonialist. They have no locus standi to claim Malaya as their country.

Such is the atrocities of war that Tun Dr Mahathir have fought to seek the criminalisation of war but one could not hear DAP ever made any protest against the "orang putih" of US, United Kingdom and Israel (since they look like one and hardly genetic cousins of Arabs.)

It is understandable for India to boycott in solidarity with the Tamil population and politicians from South India. For DAP, what is the motivation?

Human rights? No jokes please.

The symbol of human rights struggle in Malaysia can be claimed by DAP and PKR politicians inside the ROC-registered NGO, SUARAM but they cannot claim to be consistent and credible.

Not when they lied, spin and fabricated stories on the nation's purchase of Scorpene submarine, millitary spending and many more falsified accusations. Despite NST's apology for frontpage article to accuse them of trying to destabilise government, it does not give them any credibility.

SUARAM is an American funded stooge and it will never criticise the American and Israel for human rights atrocities in Palestine.

Razali, the DAP insider who exposed DAP's Christian nation fellowship expose at Red Rock hotel in Jelutong, Penang, revealed that DAP's sister party PAP is close with Israel.

When DAP talks, they are usually inconsistent and have hidden motive. Before talking about their hidden motive, let us hear what our Foreign Ministry's stance.

Responsible engagement

Since our Foreign Minister is Sabahan, New Sabah Times report below:

Malaysia needs to be in CHOGM 2013 – Anifah

14th November, 2013

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka): Malaysia sees the relevancy to participate in the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka as it has much to share and learn from the other member countries, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

With membership spanning all the five continents in the world, the Commonwealth was well positioned to play a significant role and contribute towards development and progress in all corners of the world such as promotion of democracy and good governance, the economy, social and cultural issues, he said.

Anifah also said that Malaysia’s participation in this year’s CHOGM, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is scheduled to arrive in the Sri Lanka capital on Thursday, was a testament to its commitment to host the biennial summit meeting in 2019.

“That shows our readiness, our willingness (to be the host in 2019),” he told Malaysian media, here Wednesday.

Malaysia has offered to host the 2019 CHOGM during the 2011 CHOGM in Australia. According to reports, Najib said the year was significant as it would be 30 years since Malaysia first hosted the meeting in 1989.

On calls for Najib not to attend the 2013 CHOGM, Anifah said while it took note on the opposition about the participation however skipping the summit did not bring benefits or advantage to the country.

“What is important, we come to assist in making Commonwealth exercise what is enshrined in the Commonwealth charter.

“We also want to see how the reconciliatory process is going on in Sri Lanka,” he said.

On the decision by some leaders to give a miss at this year’s CHOGM, Anifah said he believed that it would not affect the meeting generally as the attending leaders would put forward good discussions and issues.

“Malaysia has many to learn and contribute from this meeting,” he said, adding that Malaysia respected the decision by some leaders to skip this year’s CHOGM as their prerogative.

The 2013 CHOGM themed “Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development” will be held on Nov 15-17. Najib is slated to attend three executive sessions and three retreat sessions with the other heads of government.

Anifah said heads of government were scheduled to discuss measures to address current and emerging challenges in achieving equitable and inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The leaders would also review global political and economic developments and discuss issues including international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, Post-2015 Development framework, multilateral trade issues and youth affairs, he said.

Anifah also stressed that for Malaysia, the Commonwealth was an association not only of governments by also the peoples.

“Our active participation is aimed at ensuring that the Commonwealth remains focused on socio-developmental aspects that benefit all its member countries and at the same time upholding the principles of development and democracy in a balanced manner,” he said.

Anifah said Malaysia looked forward to continue working with its Commonwealth partners to promote moderation as an approach to tackle global challenges and threats to international peace and security.

He said the theme of 2013 CHOGM “Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development” was relevant to Malaysia as it strives towards a high-income and advanced nation by 2020 where equitable and inclusive development was at the heart of its own development agenda.

In a simple direct language, DAP should stop behaving like an "orang putih" stooge to simply follow every threat the "orang putih" could apply to get their way with everyone.

For a long time till Tun Abdullah's foolish policy with Myanmar, Malaysia have always wanted to separate or at least minimise interference in domestic affairs and politics to work positively for mutual betterment.

Platform like CHOGM helps to resolve issues affecting member countries.[Read Bernama here]

Selfish self interest

Since DAP have next to nil understanding in foreign relation and only emulate Singapore, plainly said, threat does not achieve anything in the short term as the case in point for Myanmar.

By selectively shunning a country, it only extend the problem and keep them out of the community of nations.

They become less dependent on other countries and shunning them only makes it more difficult to influence decision makers. It only prolong the problem of the people and impoverish the country. Consequently, the "orang putih" become trigger happy for their selfish reason for economic opportunities in the targeted country than human rights concern.

DAP will stay quiet in guilt long before the human carnage begins and their whispered answers carnage will only reflect the typically selfish Chinamen businessmen attitude one should be accustomed to hear them argue loudly and oftenly.

Malaysia should only mind our own business and not interfere in the big boys affair, they usually say. What happen to DAP's human rights struggle?

The fact is DAP is putting a sympathetic front to merely stir racial sentiment among the Indians. In Sarawak, DAP is stirring up Christian sentiment to make political gain in the inland.

With the MIC election in the corner, our Indian friends seem to be jittery and overly irrational on issues affecting Indian and Hindu like temple. Fresh from the mistake in the canteen in the not used toilet debacle, even nice guy Kamalanthan fell into a DAP trap set on a PAS Guru Besar on the Aidil Adha korban in school debacle.

Yesterday, drama king Surendran was suspended from Parliament for his antics. Soon many will forget that this lawyer-defender of organised criminals chicken out from signing an indemnity to release police of responsiblities from untowards incident in a raid.

It is only natural for our Tamil countrymen to have sentiment for their Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. And there were cases of support for Tamil Tigers terrorist to have come from Malaysian Tamils.

DAP could be exploiting this but in the end, what happens to Indians after DAP had gotten their political acquisition.

Remember Guan Eng's broken promise in Kg Buah Pala under pressure from Chinese hong's commercial interest. Both Malays and Indians are victim in Guan Eng's subtle attrition policy to move them out of Penang.

Malaysian Indians should be rationale in their demands. For a population of 7%, they could still have their Tamil vernacular school despite it not being socially and economically viable. Anifah could be tempted to demand vernacular schools in Pribumi languages of Sabah and Sarawak of KDM, Bajau, Iban etc.

DAP's concern for Sri Lanka Tamil is not sincere. After getting Indian support, will Guan Eng and DAP have the patience and presence to be there for them?

DAP Indians are only beginning to realise that they are mere pawns in DAP's chess game for power.

↧

A stone throw could hit a Datok

November 15, 2013, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: TPPA: ACCCIM's notion of protecting national interest

≪ Previous: DAP's insincere concern for Sri Lanka Tamil

In our posting on the stripping of Datokship here, blogger Life of Annie left a note to remind that there is always two side to a story.

Although the posting was just us rambling our thought and not definitive like journalist reports, we appreciate the reminder.

It would have been great had she shared what she knew. If we had made up our mind, at least for the benefit of readers. Other sources did came to tell us more stories on the stripping of Datokship.

However, we are were never interested to write about it in the first place. It is after all his Highness's prerogative.

Nevertheless, the incident had brought to light the issue of abundance of Datokship.

One Dato that could go around dressed as he likes

For a bohemian character like us, titles and decorations are just beyond us.

Even some close friends in high places (or used to be in high places) refused to divulge detailed curriculum vitae of themselves for fear the information be used to fill up Datokship candidacy forms.

At a time a Datok Seri or market differentiation of Datokship is sought after, there are those that humbly do not see themselves as deserving to be confered one.

To be decorated with a Datokship, one has to carry oneselves respectably and behave in a proper manner and decorum. That would be stifling for the likes of us. It is like a ball of chain to be dragged around.

More important, those with such decoration must not dishonour the title by not meeting up to their responsibilities and carry themselves in a conduct unbecoming of a Datok.

Again, it is the Sultan's prerogative to retract the titles. It is irrelevant to discuss whether Sultans that took back conferred Datok had legitimate basis.

Only in the recent episode, the announcement looks embarassingly unplanned.

Secretary of the Council of Royal Court, Dato Abdul Rahim Ramli dutifully made the announcement at the time he was penning a series on the Johor monarchy in the NST.

It was a public relation exercise for the coronation of his Highness Sultan Ismail Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Raja Sofia Sultan Idris scheduled for May 5, 2014. One can read it here, here, here, here and here.

If the revocation had something to do with our suggested royal purge, it would have been a great display of his Highness concern to see the machinery of the state government run smoothly for the benefit of the rakyat.

It would endear the Sultan to the increasingly sceptical public towards anything from the establishment and concerted effort by minority fringe groups to question the very foundation of the country and it's Malay and Islamic heritage.

Thus far, states like Selangor have made the requirements to get Datok more stringent. Johor have done it longer. Recent revocation by Selangor and Johor are signals in the right direction because there have been so many claims of abuses in the conferring of Datokship that it had demeaned the title.

"Haven't I given you a Datok already?"

Coincidently or planned such, AFP published a report last week that appeared on many foreign news portal. We reproduce the one from an American news site, Global Post, below:

Agence France-Presse
November 14, 2013 00:18

Glut of Malaysian royal titles dims their lustre

For centuries, the Malay royal title "Datuk" -- Malaysia's equivalent of "Sir" -- was a high honour that unlocked doors to the elite. But Datuks like K. Basil don't feel so special these days.

"Just throw a stone in the street and you'll hit a Datuk," complains Basil, a policeman-turned-politician and one of many who feel the awarding of the coveted titles has got out of hand in a status-obsessed Malaysian society.

Malaysia has one of the world's highest rates of royal title-holders -- estimates run into the tens of thousands -- thanks to a centuries-old royal patronage system linked to its now-ceremonial Malay sultans.

They range from politicians to businessmen, from badminton World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei to actress Michelle Yeoh. Nearly every major business or society function will add VIP prestige with a title-bearer as an honoured guest.

But allegations of fake or purchased titles along with now-routine reports of corrupt Datuks threaten to tarnish the royalty institution, spurring calls for greater scrutiny.

"It is an open secret that Datukships are for sale by cheats and those who claim to have the ear of the royalty, and there are individuals who abuse their titles," said opposition parliamentarian Thomas Su.

Su supports proposed legislation to criminalise receiving illegitimate investitures "to protect the dignity of the monarchy."

Muslim Malays are multi-racial Malaysia's majority ethnic group.

Malay sultans ceremonially rule nine states -- alternating as Malaysia's figurehead king every five years -- and can bestow a range of titles on honoured citizens.

The most common, Datuk, is akin to a British knighthood but far more common.

Less than 100 will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II this year, according to the British government.

But 700-1,200 new Datuks -- or the feminine "Datin" -- are anointed annually in Malaysia, whose population of 28 million is less than half the United Kingdom's.

There also are at least hundreds of "Tan Sri", an even higher-ranking honorific, and above them, "Tun", reserved for former prime ministers and other elite figures. There can be only 60 Tun at a time.

Titles 'widely abused'

Malay cultural expert Eddin Khoo said titles are widely abused for their clout and connections in a country where corruption is widespread.

"Datukships have become crucial status symbols in a culture of ingratiation," Khoo said.

The perks begin with an official crest for a Datuk's car, "to show money is rolling by," said Khoo.

But titles purportedly also help slice through red tape, protect bearers from prosecution, and gain access to policy-makers.

As far back as 2004, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad -- now retired, and a Tun -- warned of a title glut.

"If you produce a million Ferrari cars, nobody will care about buying a Ferrari," he said.

Some Malaysian royalty have complained more recently of ill-behaved Datuks and of agents who allegedly claim to broker investitures.

In 2009, maverick blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, himself of royal lineage, ruffled feathers by claiming Datukships can be purchased for 250,000 ringgit ($80,000), adding that recipients "can always make back more than this."

But making direct accusations is highly sensitive due to stiff penalties for insulting royal figures.

That has allowed people like self-styled royal Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah Shah -- who has a disputed claim to being the sultan of the southern state of Malacca -- to continue anointing Datuks.

Media reports this summer suggested Noor Jan had sold hundreds of dubious investitures -- Malacca no longer has a sultan.

Yet Noor Jan is regularly feted at events hosted by wealthy businessmen seeking to rub elbows with him.

Noor Jan entered a recent function in Malaysia's government headquarters of Putrajaya, resplendent in a royal-yellow military-style suit studded with medals and epaulets, trailed by an entourage of his "Datuks" to the beat of traditional Malay musicians.

He admits taking cash "donations" from recipients, but denies selling titles.

"We could easily take hundreds of thousands of ringgit. But you see, we are still driving an old car," he said, referring to his vintage Porsche sportscar.

Danny Ooi, president of the Council of Federal Datuks, said people like Noor Jan must be stopped.

"It has been going on for the last 10 years, this problem of Datuks being given out (by self-proclaimed royals)," he said.

But Ooi admits money often changes hands even for legitimate investitures, though he terms it, "more as a contribution."

Meanwhile, reports of Datuks in legal trouble, typically for corruption, are common.

In one case, businessman Datuk Koay Khay Chye pleaded guilty in 2010 to drug possession. He was originally charged with trafficking, a capital offence.

The case created an uproar when it was reported he had retained his title despite earlier convictions for theft, firearms offences and corruption.

Ooi advocates stripping titles from convicted criminals and setting up searchable databases of Datuks to thwart imposters.

Some Melayus may fell offended that these non-Melayus demean the royal award with their conduct and comment.

But lets face up to the reality.

There is some weight of truth in what was reported. Furthermore, it is the Melayus, aristocrat or otherwise, that started to demean it till there is nothing special to the title anymore.

"Naturally, Pahang is a big state."

Datokship doesn't open doors and turns one into instant elites anymore. Like commodities in the market place, oversupply will bring the value of any products or services. There will be the usual fake imitation entering the market too.

Datokship is no more a high end product when there are Datokship that is bought rather than justifiably earned. It reminded us when the first among our piers was confered a Datokship. One friend from Kuala Pilah sceptically asked, "Ado ko jaso?"

He just started working for a Minister" and within a year or two, he was a Datok. Before that, he was merely a salaryman.

Since there is so many Dato and cynicism to those with such title, we bumped across Dato that are too shy or secretive of being a Dato. If possible, they want to remain as normal people. Such Dato has nothing to worry because these days, some Datok are seen doing things unheard of in the past like eating in makeshift food stalls and sidewalks.

Due to the loss novelty, some Malaysian can be too casual and improper to publicly address these Datoks, especially their friends, by mere name. It reminded us of a friend complaining on his recently awarded Datok friend.

He was rather casual with the Datok in front of others that the Datok had to remind him to address him according to protocol. Our friend reacted badly to the request for formality.

"If you insist I address you by your title, then please address me by my title ... encik."

Usually the ones so hard-up to be addressed properly tend to be the wives. They were not the one to earn the title but too happy to flaunt their "supplementary card."

It is fine in public and in the presence of others. However, it can be certainly suffocating and as the Australian would say, revolting to address them as Datoks and Datins in the private circle among decades old friends in Whassapp groups.

With so many Datok and even the number of Tan Sri is also on the rise, it does get difficult to address people.

One useful formula in a situation one is not quite sure of the proper address is to call all male of a certain mature age as Tuan. It should cover for all the Datoks, Tan Sris and including the Enciks, without annoying anyone.

For the common people, they feel good to be address as Tuan.

Although we do not regularly go around in white skull cap and baju Melayu, once in while we do get addressed as Tuan Haji.

As for ladies, we are still searching for that all encompassing address. Puan is not quite it. Hey is too rude. The easy way is ignore them and just attend the men. Let the wives figure it out.

↧