With the same 'ol shit up there, it'll be tough for Mueller

The Malaysian Insider was trying to give a tad of confidence to the new MAS CEO, Christophe Mueller. With a Mat Salleh, suddenly every other person could have a sense of renewed confidence.

He made one statement on the 180 allowances, which include bicycle allowance that drained MAS financially [read here]. Suddenly, the colonised psyche Malaysians only realised of the financial leakages within MAS. It is as if it never had been said before.

This blog used to expose such examples as engine sent for MRO missing and kueh ordered for VIP lounge are over ordered and over charged. Together with the expose, raised also was the problem of selfish and self centered unions that lead to such ridiculous allowance demands.

"We are businessmen. We are not politicians."

Someone told us yesterday that there was a corporate event last Tuesday. During the press conference after the event, one of the company personal express interest for the controversial TRX land.

A reporter asked as to why they wanted the strategically located and said to be the last major piece of land in Kuala Lumpur but controversial land of the currently in a hot soup 1MDB.

The answer given was a classic and worth to be quoted, "We are businessman. We are not politician." Do not expect Sarawak Report or The Edge to highlight that quote.

Understanding irrationality

An Australian social researcher, Hugh Mackay was quoted as saying: "Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational."

That is a pretty strong generalisation of humanity. However, Mackay is not the only one to think in that manner. The author of a book entitled Boiled frog syndrome, Marty Rubin claimed "Man: an irrational being who imagines himself to be a rational one.”

In recent times where every other Malaysians seemed to stress so much on the importance of managing perception beyond the need to understand facts and sound arguments, we wonder how many of these self-professed experts in psychological warfare have heard such a strategy called boiling frog [Read it here].

Take the money and leave that hell hole!

Till this week, in which letters supposed to be out, there had been no talk inside MAS of the compensation for terminating employment contracts.

For many months, the rumours in MAS on the compensation was a gloomy picture painted. The retrenchment compensation will be peanuts, something like six months last pay.

Some staff believed the rumour was spread to deter the good senior ones from leaving. Someone up there at Khazanah wanted to play into the minds of MAS staff that should they decided to go, it will still be tough as money will run out soon.

Someone up there worry of an exodus of senior and good staff because they have made working condition deplorable.

Dear MAS staff, we are sorry

The Star's frontpage yesterday was truly a heartbreaking image.

This week MAS employees will get termination letters from present operating company of Malaysian Airlines. Some will get letter of offer from the newco that will be taking over the operation. Out of 20,000 staff, one third or 6,000 will not get any offer.

In yesterday's report, one could hear staff complaining of MAS management refusal to talk to unions. Union head are trying to seek PM's last minute help because 8,000 will immediately lose their job tomorrow.

It happened last weekend

The title is just a pun to the title of Frank Capra movie classic, It happened one night.

The movie is about some turn of event that bloomed into a romance between two characters played by Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. In our case, the turn of event has not bloomed into a romance but was substantial enough.

If not drained out by asthma attack and too much 1MDB, two events attended last weekend and on Tuesday would have been written as postings.

Not about to be lengthy and serious on this Sunday, so we'll just highlight about our trip to Kota Kinabalu last weekend and Santai with IGP last Tuesday.

Cool acoustic riff

Heard this acoustic version of Sweet Child 'O Mine on the car radio at RedFM. Never thought the riff could be done on acoustic.

Check it out. Not in the mood for any serious stuff yet.

Under attack ...

... since Sunday. The worst was the past few days.

Hope OK by the weekend.

Who is the "30-something Penang-born businessman" that sold TMI?

On June 9th, 2014, TMI CEO Jahabar Sadiq tweeted:

 “Good morning TwitterJaya –> The Malaysian Insider @tm_insider is now part of The Edge Media Group”.

It confirmed the wind Rocky Bru posted something before it was finalised. 

TMI confirmed in their report of their merger with the Edge [read TMI here]. Jahabar told The Star [read here] that said everything remain the same but only a different shareholders.

The Malay Mail Online also confirmed it [read here]. For MMO, it has its relevence because former Executive Director, Leslie Lau, Managing Director for MMO, Joan Lau and core editorial left TMI for MMO on June 2013 [read The Star here]. They claimed there will be a change in direction. 

No mention of the seller.

Tong-Jho Loh in a deal together?

In the previous posting here, this blog was criticised for attempting to divert attention from 1MDB to Dato Nazir Tun Abdul Razak. There was even such nasty commentators that directed this blog to answer certain issues on 1MDB.

Firstly, they do not own this blog and have no business to determine what should and should not be written. It is the blogger's personal space. As far as commentators, it is demanded upon them to be civil in their comments and stick to the subject of the posting.

Second, Nazir Razak is not a new subject in this blog thus it cannot be deemed as diversion. Back in August 2010 [read here], this blog wrote a critical piece of Nazir for his NEP "bastardised" comment.

That time issue was raised against Dato Najib. The last issue raised against Najib is here. So to say this blog is a pencacai and pengampu is misguided and ignorant.

Nazir diverting attention from CIMB problem

On Thursday, Dato Nazir Tun Abdul Razak's was reported preaching of Directors responsibilities to the Board of Directors of 1MDB on Thursday [read The Star here and here].

He took the BOD to task for not addressing the growing concerns on the fund and its financials and felt a responsible board should appoint an independent auditor to verify the accounts immediately and deal with the mistrust pertaining to the financial position of 1MDB instead of waiting for the Auditor General (AG) to do the job.

Many were surprised why he made the statement when it is common knowledge that the Auditor-General is already reviewing the 1MDB accounts. Today, the answer seemed obvious. He could be  trying to divert attention from a not so positive development in his own backyard.

Believers of SR's false document allegation called as zombies

... sure but whose the real low down and dirty bastard?

That was facebooker Azmi Arshad's view on those who believed Sarawak Report's false document lies. Anyone with any knowledge of procedures would know it was a lie from the first minute they lay their eyes on SR's report.

SR could be running out of ideas. Subsequent to fabricate document claim, SR applied the same theme on allegations on Jho Loh's money swindled from 1MDB and alleged false documents to Bank Negara and Deutche bank.

Yesterday Leslie Lau's MMO reported [read here] unconfirmed sources claim that Deutsche Bank Singapore is recalling their loan to 1MDB. So happen it was after Rafizi hinted of RM3.6 billion loan expiring in August which match that of Deutsche Bank Singapore. SR previous report on alleged falsifying of documents was mentioned to substantiate the story, thus it trails from there.

Too busy and malas to debunk till Azmi wrote the stinging posting on his FB. He is son of famous educationist and founding Principal of ITM, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub.

Read it.

The Sarawak Report set-up that many fell for

One interview with Tun Dr Mahathir by Clara in January 2015 [read here, here and here], all the past sins of Sarawak Report towards Sarawak is forgiven.

Everyone including ex-journalists agree with the lies and condone their practise of fabricating pictures, emails and documents. The picture of SR putting a photoshop copy of doctored brown forest to show deforestation is still fresh in the mind from the last Sarawak state election.

Their method is obvious but there was reluctance by Sarawak based bloggers and those familiar with Sarawak to debunk SR. Maybe the Global Witness funded SR serve a purpose for a latter date. A major funder of Global Witness is George Soros. Was SR kept alive by certain invisible hands to launch an attack on 1MDB and Dato Najib?

There is a maxim, "The ends justify the means" but as Muslims or those professing other religions, both the means and the ends must be justifiable and right.

Will PAC be effective and fair?

In 6-days from now, on May 19th, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will begin their enquiry on the hottest issue of Dato Najib's administration i.e. 1MDB [read Astro here]. The various stakeholders will be called in to present their case and answer enquiries by the 14-member committee.

It is quite a surprise for PAC to begin convening already. Maybe the public pressure has intensified to the point that there should be some progress made. Najib still refuse to answer various allegations on 1MDB but prefer to wait for Auditor general finding. Pressure is piling by the day and minute thus PAC need to commence to relieve off some pressure.

At the early stage, it was the pro-opposition business publications and portals then interspersed by few journo-blogger and opposition leaders. Tun Mahathir came in with his "questions" [read Jebat Must Die list here] and now call have come in from within UMNO. It was only in early May that Auditor General (AG) said audit had began [read MI here] and it will only be ready by June [read Astro here].

Experience tells that PAC could be mere cover-up [read past 2007 postings here]. But, this is a different administration. The concern now is in the effectiveness and fairness of the PAC process.

Quoting Shakespeare

"What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! "

- William Shakespeare (Hamlet Act II, Scene II)

Does DAP and PKR need PAS?

By now, most newspapers and political analysts would have published their analysis of Permatang Pauh by-election.

In this blog's last posting, most of the possibilities were covered and it is just a matter of waiting the outcome of the by-election.

One point most glaring from yesterday's result that need to be highlighted to all political players is that Datin Seri Wan Azixah won without PAS help.

Despite the boycott, she only had a reduction in majority by 3,000 votes. It could mean PKR and DAP or should it be DAP and PKR does not need PAS election machinery.

There will be those that will argue it is only relevent for Permatang Pauh.

GST moment at Permatang Pauh?

Panic strikes as majority win at Rompin by-election reduced from about 15,000 to more than 8,000. Some 10,000 voters or about 10% voters did not come out to vote.

Those familiar with Rompin constituency does not see the drop as significant because past wins had always been between 9-11,000. Yesterday's number is not too far from the natural figure. The huge majority enjoyed under the late Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis had long been seen as unnaturally induced. 

Undoubtedly, the concern was the loss of two Felda voting districts to PAS. The immediate reaction was to blame it on PAS's successful instigation on the drop in FGV shares and implementation of GST.

There is the concern of it's impact on Permatang Pauh as it is the same issue focused by PKR here. In addition, the results in Rompin and Permatang Pauh is being seen as indicators to Dato Najib's premiership survival.

Nevertheless, there was happiness for the BN camp as they won two Chinese voting districts won. An early indication for the return to Chinese votes. Will that be the indicator on the change in Chinese votes for Permatang Pauh?

Serious confidentiality and security breach of Singapore banks!

Singapore financial district

Just an after thought to an earlier posting on Jho Loh here.

With so many bank insiders and even Singapore authority [read here] and here] leaking information and documents to Sarawak Report (SR), including the one on alleged fake documents of 1MDB's account, investors and depositers, particularly large corporations and high networth individuals, should be concern with the integrity of Singapore's banks.

It is time they take their money out and place it somewhere else. If SR could get hold off information, documents and e-mail correspondance, then others like their competitors or wife could do so. The way SR reported Singapore Banks are no more safe and the authorities is keeping quiet about it.

Passing by Kuala Kangsar

Was on the road yesterday.

Decided to do Friday prayers at the Masjid Ubudiah at Kuala Kangsar, the royal capital of Perak. After going through heavy traffic, managed to be there in time. Use the brief opportunity to see the preparation for the crowning ceremony of His Highness Tuanku Nazrin Ibni Sultan Azlan Shah.

Kuala Kangsar is a quint quiet town but the royal status could certainly be turned into a tourist destination. In fact, the whole of Perak could be turned into an educational local tourist destination by using it's history as the theme.

Enjoy the brief passby: