Sacking Tajuddin puts politicians at GLC under spotlight

The termination of Dato Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as Prasarana Chairman led Sinar Harian to make into frontpage the issue of GLC positions as political reward.

Coincidently, this blog's previous posting here touched on SC's recent code of governance for PLC to discourage appointment of politicians on the Board of Director.

Sinar's focus is MARA, but the issue of political appointment currently relates with Prasarana, Putra LRT mishap, Malaysia Airports Berhad. and Aerotrain tender.

It so happened that like Prasarana, Malaysia Airports Berhad replaced a professional namely, a judge with an active politician. 

Prasarana immediately announced replacing Tajuddin with a retired judge.

MAHB’s Aerotrain, Corporate Governance and Zulekha

A terrible accident occurred Monday evening on the Putra-LRT Kelana Jaya - Gombak line that resulted in serious injury to 44 passengers and 200 injured. 

Gruesome images of passengers in the Bombardier train with blood splattered on the floor can be found viralling in the social media. 

Discussed on social media is the probable “miscommunication” error and technical “detection” problem. A rescued train manually being maneuvered back to the depot clashed butt on with another train in the midst of its automated round. 

Chung Yi Fun, former Special Officer to Anthony Loke indicated it could be human error and not ruling out, systemic failure. It is still premature to tell and will have to wait for investigation to be conducted.

Putra LRT commenced since its first phase of operation in 1998. Being in operation for more than 20 years, it is not likely to be a design problem for Bombardier’s first automated system. 

Nevertheless, prudent and safety concerned management and government bureaucrat will turn cautious toward Pestech Bombardier’s bid for Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB) aerotrain tender.

The aerotrain tender came to mind because it was highlighted on the top frontpage of May 24th-30th Edge weekly. 

Words heard there is a party pushing hard for Bombardier for MAHB’s Board of Directors meeting on May 28th. The same date the Board is to decide on another touchy subject of WCT proposal to develop Subang Airport.

No politics in vaccination program

The Covid 19 vaccination has problems. It is lagging to other countries in the region. But, it is not entirely the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Khairy Jamaluddin's fault.

He must be under tremendous pressure to deliver the national vaccination program that he lashed out at Dato Najib for harping on the slow pace vaccination and ignoring his previous explanation.

This is not the first time he had exchanges on vaccination with the former Prime Minister. Najib feel strongly for mass vaccination, but he did not take Khairy’s response any further. Maybe in another occasion.

In the social media, Khairy was told to not blame others. It was him who announced the schedule, targeted vaccination, delay, postphonement, financial limitation, etc. 

One FBer angered by his response goes to the point of brushing him off as incapable of even riding a bike and blaming the fall to the JKR Director. 

Pity Khairy. He was finally given a chance to prove his mantle in undertaking a significant national task. 

Journalists for Palestinians

It is about humanity. 

It is about the atrocities of Israel, supporting superpowers, and indifferent rich Arab brothers against innocent and helpless civilian, including women, children and the aged.

Putting aside the cringing name a group of senior Malaysian jounalists called themselves. It is not about politics or self grandisation, but their concern for the helpless Palestininians robbed of their lands and homes.

Media Statement By Group of Eminent Journalists

15th May 2021

We demand the atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli military to stop immediately in Gaza. The intensifying assault on Gaza is beyond the pale of humanity. It is an act of aggression and a pompous show of strength on the part of the Israeli military on innocent populace.

Selamat hari raya ...

Maaf zahir batin... 

... Watch your SOP.

MARA Corp saga continues

Former execs take Mara Corp to Industrial Court

Thursday, May 6th, 2021 at Business | News
The Malaysia Reserve

14 of them had undergone mediation with Mara without reaching a settlement

A GROUP of executives, who were brought in to transform Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (Mara) business arm and dismissed just months later, will have their case heard at the Industrial Court.

At least half of the 20 top executives recruited by former Mara Corp CEO Datuk Badlisyah Abdul Ghani are claiming unjust dismissal without proper notice, sources said.

It is understood that 14 of them had undergone mediation with Mara without reaching a settlement and are now awaiting for their case to be heard before the court.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Take the A Train

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You'll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on, now it's coming
Listen to those rails a-thrumming all aboard
Get on the "A" train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You'll miss the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on board, it's comin'
Listen to…

Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington