No provision for hybrid Parliament

It must either be the Speakers or Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament that mooted the idea of emulating hybrid parliament in the UK.

Any political sceptics could see it is part of the repertoire of excuses by government of Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yassin (then Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) to prevent Parliament from seating.

The MPs were among the earlier batch of Malaysian getting Pfizer vaccines. There was no cluster arising from the last seating with Covid 19 SOP adhered. No reason whatsoever for Parliament not to convene immediately, but obviously intended to stifle democrasy.

Should Parliament sit, hybrid Parliament of limited physical presence and online is, but an excuse to  curb debate or questions in the manner the hours were held to minimum in the last seating. 

Hybrid idea was tossed up prior to the recent Special Meeting of Malay Rulers which called for immediate convening of Parliament. 

Sorry, nice try. Its not constitutional.

"So far", Zafrul's denial not believable

Its an indication of increasing trust deficit against the Finance Minister. 

Dato Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz turned 49 on Friday. Instead of the usual, he was given a Happy Tuning wish by a Facebooker, obviously poking fun at government for being slow. He was reminded for getting caught lying ever so often. 

On the sudden reemergence of the Subang Airport issue, Zafrul denied Government has intention to sell and reiterate Government will honour the lease agreement with Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) till 2067. 

He may not have realised yet but there is an increasing public distrust towards him. His every words is being combed and scrutinised. 

In his latest FB status, Zafrul claimed government faced public opposition last year to introduce i-Lestari, i-Sinar and automatic bank moratorium, but remained committed to think of a solution to help the rakyat (people). 

All along it was him who pandered to Tan Sri Mahiaddin's ego to resist any suggested initiatives from Dato Najib. But today Zafrul is claiming credit as goverment's. 

Undeniably, any ruling party have the right to gloat. It is not yet for the Subang Airport issue. The union viewed Zafrul's denial as hazy and short of rejection of WCT's proposal. He was attempting a doublespeak. 

Suddenly, another round of opposition against carving out Subang Airport

There was no wind, no storm when suddenly opposition to the sales of Subang Airport was heard coming from Chairman of MAHB, union and public few months back.

It turned out Tan Sri Desmond Lim of Pavilion fame submitted a proposal via WCT Berhad to carve out Subang Airport for high end property development guised as a mini Aeropolis.

Again no wind, no storm and it is the airport and MTUC unions repeating their opposition to the plan in a video press conference on Monday. 

Their statement was given wide coverage in the media. Among others, media reporting the "PC" was The Mole, FMT, MR, and Getaran.

The statement issued in their "PC":

Is Foxconn's acquisition of DNeX pre-planned or hostile?

DNeX was notified by the acquisition of 120 million shares representing 5.03% by Foxconn on June 13. Malaysia Reserve reported original partner of DNeX, Azman Karim sold his remaining 5% interest was among the few shareholders selling out.

The talk of Foxconn buying into DNeX leaked into mainstream and foreign media on May 27th. By June 15th, media reported Foxconn Singapore, a subsidiary of Hon Hai or better known as Taiwanese MNC in electronic manufacturer, Foxconn buying 5%.

On the same day, Managing Director, recently Tan Sri Syed Zainal Syed Mohd Tahir reacted positively to the announcement. To those with the view Khazanah should have sold Silterra to Foxconn for better money, Syed Zainal's reaction gave the perception it was a pre-planned entry. 

DNeX share price spiked up in February following the takeover of Silterra from Khazanah. Presumably, Foxconn "collected" throughout March and into May. 

The controversial Foxconn was out of the first round bid as public pressure demanded Khazanah to keep it within local hands. 

DNeX collaborated with Silterra to develop a turnaround plan for more than a year before Khazanah changed policy for an open bid. Expectedly DNeX had a more credible and genuine business plan to come out as winner.

The emergence of Foxconn as a mere 5% shareholder is substantial given the company's well spread out shareholdings. 

Did Sakyamurni Cave Monastery acquiesced in 1960?

To acquiesce means to accept as inevitable or indisputable; as, to acquiesce to a demand. Taken from Wikipedia below: 

In law, acquiescence occurs when a person knowingly stands by without raising any objection to the infringement of his or her rights, while someone else unknowingly and without malice aforethought acts in a manner inconsistent with their rights.[1] As a result of acquiescence, the person whose rights are infringed may lose the ability to make a legal claim against the infringer, or may be unable to obtain an injunction against continued infringement. The doctrine infers a form of "permission" that results from silence or passiveness over an extended period of time.

Blogger Depa Kata Lah questioned the claim Sakyamuni Cave Monastery is more than 100 years old with the argument they only first applied for permit in 2014. 

Its a simple argument commonly used in political debate. The argument is rather dry, cold, and in your face. Unfortunatey, it has legal relevance. 

When Perak state issued the land lease in 1960 and approval for quarry operation in 1964, did the Cave Monastery protested?

On the hand, the Caves Monastery may get legal relief from the acquiescense. 

Till Putra LRT Adjudicatng Committee is establised ....

Ignoring the question on independence of the Investigating Committee on the Putra LRT train collision, the committee moved on and within 14 days submitted a report to the Minister of Transport, Dato Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.  

On June 10, Minister presented the report to Cabinet. In his Facebook, Dr Wee highlighted "the Investigation Committee’s 23 recommendations to achieve these systemic improvements expeditiously". He enlisted the improvements recommended for short term of three months, medium term of 3 to 6 months, and long term of 6 months or longer. .

The real matter sought by the public is the cause and he touched on it near the end of his posting. An extract reproducd below:

MAHB Aerotrain tender: Budgetted RM400 million, up RM760 million?

Edge Weekly has a follow-up story on the Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad's tender for aerotrain. In their earlier expose, it was about last minute change in tender specification. This issue is about change in consultant.

There may have been allegation Jacobs were sidelined from involvement in the selection process in favour of Ch2M. MAHB corrected it. Again, their explanation mentioned is it is common practise.  

Mentioned in the article, Edge claimed the tender bids came in between RM600 million and RM760 million. 

It is vastly different from the estimated RM400 million budget mentioned in this blog's May 26th posting here. The tender bids may have came in at lower than RM400 million with RM320 million as possible bottom. 

Sakyamuni Cave Monastery: The overriding factor is safety

Once a suitable geographical location is selected and the land is purchased, the site must go through a series of tests and rituals to ensure its purity. In the first test, as the Brhat-Samhita indicates, a pit is dug and the excavated soil is then returned to the pit.

Quoted from Hindu Site Preparations, Mahavidya

The website Mahavidya described the meticulous process Hindu undego to identify, determine, and prepare the site for a Hindu temple, a place of importance to the religion or as any religion would treat their place of worship. 

To the Hindu, the temple is a sacred sanctuary where the "communion between the realm of the worshiper and the realm of the gods occurs." 

It is the same belief to defend the "place that was chosen by God that is Sacred Gunung Kanthan" that motivated Malaysia Dhamma Sakyamuni Monstery, its devotees and supporters.

They launched a campaign and petition for public support against eviction and eventual destruction of Sakyamuni Cave Monastery located at the border of Ipoh and Gunong Kantan in Kinta Valley. 

They are appealing to authority on the ground of history, environment, and health. At the same time, The Vibe.com reported a lawyer supporting the Cave Monastery made a filing in court. 

According to the report, APMC allowed for the Monastery on their property. The YTL subsidiary is expanding its quarry operation.  The monks and devotees had to be evicted. Apparently, Perak state provided land at another safer location.        

Will MAHB make a decision at the moment Muhyiddin government is shaky?

When putting up posting yesterday on completion of preliminary report on LRT Putra mishap, it was highlighted because rather impress with the swift response.

Quite encouraging. Merely giving credit where it is due. 

Had no idea today MAHB Board of Directors will be making an important decision on Aerotrain tender till Rocky Bru here highlighted it yesterday.

The decision today by Chairman Dato Dr Zambery Kadir, who was just appointed BN Secretary General, is interesting. 

In the midst of commotion of Agong calling on the heads of political parties, one wonders whether MAHB will make decision at a time Tan Sri Mahiaddin @ Muhyiddin's government looking shaky and decisions made could be overturned.

As Facebooker Salahuddin Hisham described this morning, government looks as desperare and shaky as a mini Titanic about to capsize.  

A re-tender look sensible and smart as it pacify all parties involved. They postphoned a decision for 7 years so might as well make sure it is done properly.

LRT preliminary report submitted in 14 days

One thing comforting of the recent LRT mishap incident is that all except two have been released by hospital.

Before any adjustment or change is to be made of the LRT operation, train service was able to resume the next day and not wait two weeks. Any problems and repair sorted out overnight.

That revived public confidence and prevented speculations arising from any wait. Equally impressive, a preliminary report have been submitted by the Investigation Committee within 14 days.

Dato Dr Wee Ka Siong uploaded the following announcement on his Facebook page yesterday as below

Dirgahayu Tuanku! Emergency gov't should take over

In conjunction with the momentous occasion of His Highness birthday, Singapore's Straits Times reported the Seri Paduka Yang DiPertuan Agong will be meeting political party leaders beginning Wednesday.

Of late, there have been numerous calls by various parties upon His Highness to be more decisive in the face of public consensus that the emergency proclamation is a failure.

Daily Covid positive number is at global high. Death on the rise and becoming more prevalent. 

Remedial actions such as vaccination is at bureaucratic snail pace due to problems poorly anticipated, poor planning and execution. 

Priorities constantly in conflict, SOP flip flops and government actions uncoordinated.

Independence of Special Task Force on LRT mishap questioned

According to Chung Yi Fun, Anthony Loke's Special Officer, the Putra LRT mishap on May 24th could be human error or technical error of the Bombadier autonomous operation train. 

On May 28th, Mark Staib, Executive Director of PETRA Transit System Sdn Bhd technically explained that the driverless operation of Putra LRT is designed, tested and proven to avoid two trains coming within close proximity to each other. In short, driver cannot be blame. 

His article came a day after Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin committed to give assurance that no such accident will recur and Special Task Force formed to investigate. It all seemed a standard response in facing accident and tragedy. 

Government carried out the first two actions in the accident that caused injury to 200 people in which 47 are not light injury. First to ensure the injured are attended to. Secondly to commit to the task force. 

However, the development is not encouraging and typical holes as in past public enquiries surfaced. There are parties doubting the independence of the Task Force created. 

The Malaysia Reserve reported: