Something ain't right

Ketua Wanita for UMNO Gopeng Division, Dato Hamidah Osman was sacked by the UMNO Supreme Council last Tuesday. Irrespective of the arguments - pro or con - for or against Hamidah, this is but a typical rough and tumble in party politics.

Today sacked, tomorrow reinstated, and day after back as buddy again. After decades of observing, following and limited participation in politics, a lesson learned is not to interfere and involve in internal party jostling for positions.

As far as Hamidah, her political career had gone downhill after her spectacular manouvre to wrestle back Perak from DAP. So she "could" be seeking for a new lease of political life after losing her positions in the last general election, Wanita UMNO party election, and government appointed chairmanship in Tekun.

The lifeline she chose was to support Tun Dr Mahathir's fight against Dato Najib. As Tun M picks up pace and visibly seen as collaborating with opposition and their satellite NGOs, yet again Hamidah suffered another setback in her political career.

Rightly or wrongly, it is all political rhetorics and the ensuing exchange of political rhetorics is still on going. Though some sympathy for this protelariat struggle up the feudel power ladder, still not a concern. Only notice the strange coincident as published in Utusan Malaysia's last Friday issue.

Prequel to Dec 8th: PCs, SD, 1MDB and Middle East

As the days pass by approaching the last month of the year, more and more events are unfolding in what appears to be a coordinated and planned effort to topple Dato Najib.

In a past posting here, it was highlighted that the vote of no confidence in Parliament or the proxy to reject budget will not work out. Tun Dr Mahathir will be aiming for the UMNO General Assembly due to begin from December 8th. As RPK predicted, Najib cannot be left comfortable till Christmas.

The puzzling thing is why planned the 5,000 UMNO members demonstration to pressure Najib to step down on December 27th, after Christmas?

Blame it on A Kadir Jasin, Tony Pua and Rafizi

Edra should not be sold to foreigners and it should be given to TNB. Our nationalistic stance has not changed since the two postings here and here.

Policy set to limit foreign ownership at 49% should be respected without any exception till policy is changed. There are basis to change policy since countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia have open up power generation for 100% foreign ownership.

Unfortunately, Government decided to sell Edra to China-Qatar JV, CGN Group at RM9.83 billion. Before anyone, including TNB management and staff union, blame Dato Najib and his government, please not.

If there is a blame, blogger Be Da Man was right to blame it on Dato Abdul Kadir Jasin. He was reported by MMO of applying pressure on TNB not to bailout 1MDB. Thus TNB cannot up it's bid to compete out of fear of being accused bailout.

Historic establishment of Asean Community

The Star's frontpage today reads:

We're now the AC

With the beating of native drums, Asean leaders marked the establishment of the Asean Community (AC), a regional economic power that has a greater population and diversity than North American or the European Union. Asean's combined GDP is expected to reach US$7.4 tril (about RM20 trillion) by 2020, giving it the opportunity to compete with China and India.

NST's frontpage reads:

Making History

A hugely important moment in the Asean narrative occured yesterday when leaders signed twop declarations establishing the Asean Community and charting the course of the regional group over the next 10 years. The former pact will not only radically change the region's economic, social and political landscape, and improve the fortunes of more than 630 million citizens, it will potentially turn asean into the fourth largest economy in the world. 

The 3-day visit by the American President, Barrack Obama and his statements on Malaysian affairs may have taken the most intention on the social media. Too much domestic politicking that many may not realised the significant of the 27th Asean Summit that closed yesterday.

Did KL Mayor lied on Datok Keramat land issue?

We were in the vicinity when there was a Kg Datuk Keramat demo against the construction of condominium on a site planned for 100% affordable housing.

Been busy with other matters that we did not get to into the issue till Rocky Bru's posting last Thursday reminded us. KL Mayor statement to warn instigators was something really strange.

This issue was brought to the attention and subsequently championed by Titiwangsa MP, Dato Johari Ghani. As Accountant, Corporate man and previous UDA Chairman, there is every reason to trust his ability to smell something ain't right.

Is Kuala Lumpur Mayor calling a Deputy Minister and BN MP instigator? 

On this issue of affordable homes for Dato Keramat, KL Mayor have been rather inconsistent and may have lied.

Did Zeti lowered her eyelids to "baby" Nazir's shit?

There was a joke on FB last week that pun a common joke meant for a you-know-who whose been rather quiet and keeping a low profile: 

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Answer: To run away from a debate.

Maybe one could pun something similar for Nazir :

Why did baby went on tantrum?
Answer: To suck more milk from mother's tit

It is quite applicable to Zeti as she has a habit of going tantrum. Only different is she does not have the baby tantrum but more of the phenomenon of woman at advance age. At least her latest statement is not so "menopausal" as before.

Interestingly, there is similarity, connection and possibly a collusion between Nazir and Zeti. Many failed to realise that Zeti may have lowered her eyelids on matters concerning Nazir.

If not done on purpose, late 60s Zeti is in the habit of sleeping during office hours.

Either Nazir apologise to Arul or ...

... he is just another childish and selfish Mr Bean look-a-like.

Rocky Bru wrote that he does not expect Nazir to be put under inquiry for his "bastardly" erroneous Instagram message as what happened to Badlisyah Ghani, the former CEO of CIMB Islamic for highlighting inconsistencies in an exposure by Wall Street Journal.

Rocky suggested that the least he should do is to apologise to Arul Kanda.

That is if he is a truly gentleman with aristocratic upbringing. Someone so spoilt as a youngest child and with a big ego will never apologise.

As far as Nazir emulating Badlisyah to resign, we have been saying so for quite sometime. Nazir made a wrong call in Indonesia that cost the bank. Instead of quiting, he promoted himself and left behind shit for Tengku Zafrul to clean. [read past posting here].

So do not get upset for this name calling. It is justified. 

Another WSJ set-up, but admitted "no allegations of wrongdoing"

In his posting here, Rocky "cautioned my friends against underestimating our friends. A storm is always preceded by calm."

What sort of issue could be the storm after rather scraping statements of Tun Mahathir reported by news portal on Wednesday to create a new controversy from any mistake in response? 

UMNO General Assembly in December is still long way to go. The nearest in the horizon will be Obama's visit for the 27th Asean Summit in November. The date is November 15-23 and that is only a matter of days.

The Bantah TPPA is expected to do something. Last week, there was an application for judicial review by a group of lawyers in collaboration with ABIM and Teras. Read in Aidil Khaid FB here, interesting angle.

Our stance has not changed. However, it is not time for games. The announced cost benefit analysis due in two weeks. Tunku blog here has links to download the various documents. Our regular contact is studying the materials.

While this is happening, the game to welcome Obama could be the 1MDB-DuSable solar power project in Kedah.

Will this be the political battle that Tun M finally lose?

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain

Read more: Frank Sinatra - My Way Lyrics | MetroLyrics

The Council of Ruler urged the government to complete investigation.

It may have been brought about by allegations by sceptic that it was Dato Najib but a certain government official accused Datin Rosmah was part of a meeting to halt and delay investigation.

That's what they want so YES it is, said Bujai. By Year End, Statement and investigation must be completed. In the interview to The Malaysian Insider, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali was reported saying that MACC wanted more time.

If so, where is the logic in the claim that former Attorney General, Tan Sri Gani Patail and former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were in cohoot to arrest Najib if the investigation is yet completed?

Sarawak Report makes no sense to claim the existence of a charge sheet (which does not formally look like one) with regard to SRC investigation since MACC is told to quicken their interview of Najib.

Conflicting jurisdiction in EDRA ownership decision

In our last Friday posting here, the concern was on energy security and opening new political front of problem.

Prior to the posting, Utusan Malaysia made a report on Thursday that Energy Commission (EC) had given exemption for 100% foreign-ownership to 1MDB subsidiary, Edra Global Energy Sdn Bhd. Their source claim that the decision was arrived in a meeting on September 8th.

This information  runs contrary to a September 30th report by The Star that quoted EC Chairman, Dato Abdul Razak Abdul Majid saying, "We are not the agency to regulate foreign partnerships or foreign equity in power plant operators."

Whether Utusan Malaysia source had been right or wrong, the Utusan report claimed the Ministry for Energy, Green Technology and Water (KETTHA) had rejected the application for exemption. They are sticking to a stated policy until such time policy is changed.

Knowing well EC is not empowered to make such decision, why did Treasury Secretary (KSP), Tan Sri Dr Irwan Serigar Abdullah wrote the letter to EC? Does he not know the jurisdiction of EC? Or someone directed him to write to EC on the expectation that the Board of EC will oblige?

The Utusan report below:

Edra Energy must not fall to foreigners!

The wind of Edra Energy falling to foreign hands coming out of the 1MDB rationalisation have been blowing for quite a while.

At the time the rumour was shared in several of our WA groups - both the pro-Najib group and pro-Tun groups, 1MDB had announced Qatar and China Groups bidding for it. So it was brushed aside as merely speculation.

Furthermore, it was understood that 1MDB will hold about 20%, while local and foreign bidders will hold the balance shares in Edra Energy. So the concern was of foreign group/s holding the majority. Earlier, it was announced local groups expressing interest to bid for Edra are YTL, Malakoff and TNB.

A little bird flew on to our window ledge this morning to chirp that it is not for a certain percentage of equity but a take all bid.

It is understood that a paper was submitted by the Ministry of Finance official to the Minister of Finance cum the Prime Minister recommending to accept the foreign bid over the bid by TNB. MoF official would only point to the KSP, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

To enable approval, the KSP had also written to the Energy Commission and Minister for Energy and Green Technology to seek exemption for foreigners to own more than 49% of Edra. There is a stated policy against foreigners owning more than that.

It means civil servants in MoF are not giving national interest the highest of consideration but only looking at financial consideration.

That is not good news.

All the barking but nothing on missing billions

The Arul Kanda-Tony Pua debate is over but DAP is in desperation to save the face of their wunderboy. In the manner of a barking Dog and a bulldozing Pig, DAP cybertroopers are trying to reverse the chickening out accusation to Arul. 

Arul was announced yesterday to appear at PAC on December 1st. Instruction of Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia is clear that he cannot involve himself in any public LIVE debate. He has to abide [read here].

So the offer of Rafizi as replacement for Tony Pua is just childish dog bark. It is typical of neighbourhood dog barking at anyone unfamiliar. The moment the person come after the dog, it ran away. As soon as the person ignore the dog, it comes back barking.    

They simplistically barked that Arul Kanda's reluctance to answer the 10 Questions posed by Tony Pua till after PAC as an act of guilt and trying to hide something.

The questions were briefly touched in yesterday's posting here. Azmi Arshad (AA) put together an impressive properly referenced responses to the 10 Questions [read in FB here]. Similar to the neighbourhood dog, most of Tony's questions have been ask and responded and nothing firm on any allegation of stealing. 

Game's over the moment Tony blinked

When doing MBA, there was a classic quote involving the one-on-one competition between Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola. Coca Cola made a bad move in 1985 to change it's formula and introduce New Coke. Pepsi CEO sent out a letter to all it's staff which had a great opening line.

"After 87 years of going at it eyeball to eyeball, the other guy just blinked."

In 1962, the American navy shadowed the Russian merchant ships carry missiles to Cuba in the Cuban Missile crisis. The Russian ship stopped midway and returned. In relief, then Secretary of State Dean Rusk whispered a great line to National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy.

“We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked.”

Tony Pua and Arul Kanda have been going eyeball to eyeball to exchange many words and Tony Pua just blinked. So it is a futile effort of Wenger J Khairy to try cook up a spin [read here] that government flip flop to step in the moment Tony posed 10 questions. 

Najib to speak on 1MDB at parliament today

Sorry for being off-line for too long.

It is long breaks like this that will eventually lead to speculation and possibility of permanent retirement. However, no such plan yet. Neither is there any plan to give up on blogging in favour of other media platform.

Taking a breather to follow Parliament proceeding.

Also right Quadratus Lumbarum and Latissimus Dorsi giving us a hard time when using the laptop. High time to install the PC bought last year but not used yet. 

Supposedly, there was to be a vote of no confidence on Dato Najib either directly or via rejecting of the budget. The manner Lim Kit Siang got himself suspended and PKR could not put the motion properly only indicate it will not happen.

Tun Dr Mahathir also have been rather quiet since the first generation IPPs which include that of YTL were given a 3-year extension.