Omar Ong to advance Tingkat 4 agenda with Petronas appointment

The tentacles of the Tingkat 4 seem to be more far reaching then previously imagined.

Despite Pak Lah no longer in power, the reminiscence of the ‘mastermind’ that almost ruined the country, foreign policy, self-destruction of UMNO and BN and to the extreme, a serious intra-racial skepticism and distrust still linger on.

Right: Omar Ong during attachment at The Eisenhower Foundation

One of them is trying to take advantage of Dato Najib's willingness to listen and bring in expertise and ideas from outside. The said person, who ambitiously attempted to be inside Prime Minister’s inner circle and worse still, private office, is now strategising himself up the echelon.

Rumours are buzzing that Ethos Consulting co-founder Omar Ong will be appointed as Director of Petronas, the cash-cow on the nation the last 25 years. This was after his attempt to be up in the top circle of Khazanah Holdings Bhd., being busted by bloggers like yours truly.

There is no such announcement yet. But indeed, it is a very dangerous situation for Malaysia, if such appointment slip through. Petronas is the single largest firm in the country and a major source of tax and dividends to the Malaysian Government.

The invisible ‘partner’ Ethos Consulting is Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid, the conniving former Head of Policy in Pak Lah’s private office and key player of Tingkat 4.

Zaki was instrumental in the dilution of strategic GLC shares to Singapore’s Temasek like Telekom Malaysia, the disposal of MV Agusta, and the creation of economic corridors where Singapore was invited into the planning and execution of policies and plans within Iskandar Malaysia.

His hands are deep in corporate deals such as ECM Libra-Avenue Capital scandal, and the merger of Sime Darby-Guthrie-Golden Hope into Synergy Drive.

On foreign policy matters which are supposed to be restricted within the realm of Wisma Putra, Zaki attempted to discipline Myanmar for ‘democratization’ during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur November 2005, which clearly is following Singapore's stance as demanded by Western powers.

It was Ethos Consulting that drafted the blueprint for the National Automotive Policy for Government, which saw the certain but slow death of Proton in favour of imported cars. They were roped in for NCER and Sabah Economic Corridor.

Omar Ong’s persistent persuasion is believed to have contributed to convinced Najib to exclude MECD from his Cabinet list, announced on 9 April 2009. Incidently, this was the same position expressed by Khairy during the Legasi Tun Abdul Razak seminar. (Look up Utusan Malaysia reports circa June 16-17th , 2007)

The presence of dedicated institution for Malay empowerment and affirmative action does not fit-in with their Western style free market and liberalisation agenda. One wonders why they did not work within parties with similar ideological leaning like DAP or PKR instead.

Najib's reason to disband MECD into several Ministries is likely to make way for his yet to be announced plan for the Bumiputera economic empowerment. However, the Tingkat 4 motive is more inclined to "destroy' such legacies. Thus far, Najib has not closed any agencies initiated by his late father.

Omar Ong's invisible association with Zaki Zahid and similarity in position on MECD with Khairy are indications that serve to disprove Omar Ong’s claim that he has split ways with Khairy. Omar Ong also claimed his original proposals to the Government were often detoured from its noble intention.

Nevertheless, he has been working his way for a position in Najib’s office for a while. His first success step was to handle Najib’s 1Malaysia website, which was verified to be linked to Ethos Consulting. The slogan 1Malaysia first appeared on this website many months before Najib assume premiership. The content still need approval from PM's office.


Omar Ong and Rohanna Mahmood of Ethos Consulting gained public prominence when The Star featured both of them in a Saturday Business Section article dated December 6th, 2008 entitled Who’s the new who’s who? One wonders who got their faces in.

This certainly has worked wonders for Omar Ong in making many Corporate CEOs into believing he is representing Najib. Rumours within the corporate circle are that Omar Ong managed to convince quite a few PLC CEOs that he is doing recruitment for Najib to fill the membership for the revived National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). Many see it as Omar Ong attempt to fill the NEAC with "his people" to perpetuate his ideological agenda.

Though specific names is not mentioned, but observers believed one position in Najib's office is filled by a person that could later suit Omar Ong's purpose.

Omar Omar’s frequent presence at Putrajaya and Sri Satria has been raising eye brows. He managed to squeeze past protocols since he was seen by few UMNO sources present loitering at Najib’s swearing in ceremony at the Istana and the night’s thanksgiving function at his home.

With all positions filled, many wonder which position he is possibly lobbying for. Could it be he found it in a Directorship in Petronas? Certainly Petronas should not be saddled with such unsavory slick character whose greediness and intellectual ego have done more harm than good for the country.

Just like Khairy Jamaluddin who explicitly expressed his ambition to be the Malaysian Prime Minister by forty, amongst close friends, Omar Ong was rumoured to have boasted that he will be the Petronas CEO by the time he reached the same age,

Omar Ong dream appointment would need the then PM agreement. As it is, the PM aspirant is fortifying all positions in Pemuda UMNO to only his men, suspiciously taken from his 304 voters.

Unlike PAS which gives no guarantee for former Pemuda Chief a place as Vice President, UMNO seemed to guarantee such position for their former Pemuda Chief. Two out of the current three Vice Presidents are former Pemuda Chiefs.

In the meanwhile, Zaki, who is one of the four elected Pemuda UMNO exco from Putrajaya Division, is heard to be slotted for a position as Deputy CEO of MRCB. What is Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop thinking off?

Najib should be able to handle Omar Ong but he should be advised accordingly. Ops “Todak Dilanggar Temasek” is not aborted yet. The only difference is Kalimullah and Brendan Pereira is on standby at Malaysia Insider, and not within the New Straits Times.

As Shakespeare wrote, "To be(lieve) or not to be(lieve)." Be mindful that there are information and sources in this posting not divulged.