Work Commitments...

I would have loved to write more over the past few weeks. Unfortunately relentless workloads have kept me at bay as far as blogging is concerned. I have not had time to even browse through some of my favourite blogs what more to post my own "stories".

My workloads are not getting any lesser but would actually gather more momentum over the next few months.

Hopefully by year end, I would be able to write more, especially when I make my annual trip back to Borneo...

p/s: I shall attempt to make mental notes on the happenings (especially those related to FELDA and PETRONAS) for future postings.

I am sorry but...

I am sorry, sad, disgusted and angry.

Why? FELDA is doomed!

Imagine an organisation that paid its debts ahead of time and then was able to build a reserve of approximately RM3 billion now has to sought to bank borrowings to do replanting...!

Whispers heard indicated that FELDA is talking to RHB Bank to take a loan of RM2 billion for replanting! This was unheard off during the good old days before Yusof Noor and Bakke Salleh!

So what has these two goons done to FELDA?

Plunder and rape it real good that it has to borrow...

Now it would be good reason to go for listing since all reserves have been siphoned out?

What bullshit (pardon for using the word!) is Najib talking about listing and need to go abroad?

The investment in US has gone BAD... Words around said that it is REAL BAD that employees there are deserting the company! How much was paid for the company? RM300 million or was it US$300 million?

It has been going abroad and it has been making money. The only thing it was not doing was succumbing to politicians whims and fancies...!!!! It was quietly doing business of making money without the interference of the likes of Yusof Noor and Bakke Salleh...

Now there are even whispers that Bakke Salleh is designated to take over from Hassan Merican (Pak Hassan) of Petronas. Previous whisper was that Bakke Salleh would take over from Rodzi in Amanah Raya. I suppose Amanah Raya is not as big a gold mine as Petronas.

After successfully raping FELDA dry, Bakke now must move to bigger pots and Petronas would be the biggest of them all. I am sorry Pak Hassan! You may still be in Petronas but only as a Non-Executive Chairman. You would cry your heart out if and when Bakke comes in to take your place... I am sorry!

If Najib wants to survive beyond his First Term as PM, then he should act quickly. Otherwise he would be in the annals of history as the FIRST Prime Minister of Malaysia and FIRST UMNO President to be the head of opposition!

FELDA Group of Companies are 51% owned by over 140,000 settlers/members of Koperasi Permodalan FELDA Berhad. Why the need for listing?

Najib, please rethink of the advises you get. Especially from the likes of Yusof Noor and Bakke Salleh.

It has been often repeated that Bakke Salleh is close to Rosmah. If that is true, would Rosmah then be the real Prime Minister of Malaysia?

I am just too disgusted, angry and sad that I am lost for words...

I am sorry for all the hard and diligent work of pre-Yusof Noor tenure as Chairman of FELDA...!!! All your hard work has gone into the trash!

Grounds for dissent in a KL coffee party - The Malaysian Insider

I am in serious need of assistance... I cannot comprehend certain things.

Possibly due to lack of intelligence...

Is it an offence to wear black?

If I happened to wear a black t-shirt and was at the vicinity, would I be arrested? What would the arrest be based on? Public disturbance? Obstructing justice?

Is it against the law to wear black? If it is, kindly enlighten me. I would need to discard the black shirts that I have.

How about black pants? Black short? Black briefs? Black singlets?

Maybe the logical explanation lies in the impending El Nino???

Black tend to absorb heat.

Given the expected rise in temperature (by as much as 3 Celsius!), wearing black would make a person susceptible to heat-stroke?

So the authorities are mindful of the bad health effects on humans and being caring, they would arrest those wearing black...?

For the life of me, I cannot fathom any other logical reasons. Those brilliant fellows from Oxbridge or some Ivy League, please enlighten me! Please, pretty pretty please!!!

The Unsettling Case of NEC Chairman - A Kadir Jasin

My comments on A Kadir Jasin's "The Unsettling Case of NEC Chairman".

________________________

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,

During pre-Pak Lah times, Maybank was known as an "institutionalised" bank. Decisions were not too speedy but usually well thought off. There were exceptions to the norm but these cases were small and few in numbers.

This is one bank that was known to be "difficult" when it comes to debt restructuring because the interests of its stakeholders were held high.

This stance appear to have changed when Pak Lah became the PM, especially so towards the end of his premiership. I wonder why?

I am not defending Amirsham but I seriously think there were external interference in their investment decisions culminating to "overpriced" venture into Indonesia and few other countries.

During the times of Dr. M, I don't think the interferences were as great compared to Pak Lah's time.

I could be totally wrong but I have a weird feeling that Amirsham was arm-twisted to pushing through those overpriced investments.

To "silence" him, he was appointed as Minister and to make sure those investments went through as planned, Wahid was made CEO of Maybank. [Despite such accolades heaped towards Wahid, I seriously don't think he did such a great job in UEM or Telekom.]

This practice of "wracking" a fully functional and profitable organisation is not confined to just Maybank. Look at FELDA and now, Petronas (as mentioned in your previous write-up)!

We have institutions that have served a large number of people being wracked for the benefit of a few...!!! This practice should be stopped!

Back to Najib's NEC.

I concur with you that Najib appears to suffer from "hangat-hangat tahi ayam" in his actions. A series of high profile walkabouts were published and then “silence is golden”. Does it mean that now the press are “not allowed” to cover those walkabouts?

Najib’s KPI does not look good at this point in time. More and more of his decisions are being questioned. Emphasis and focus are not on the economy or the global crisis. I am not too sure what the focus is on right now! Maybe milking whatever is left... ???

In June/July 2008, I commented that Malaysia’s economic outlook appears bleak at best. Back then export orders were being slashed by as much as 80%. Yet Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the then FM2 and Najib, as FM1, were adamant that Malaysia would not be affected by the global crisis.

There is nothing wrong in admitting the “difficult”business environment arising from the crisis in the US, Europe and Japan. Yes our export to the US is lesser now compared to 1 to 2 decades ago. But if our other export markets are also affected by US crisis, how could we escape!

Now Najib admits that the scenario is far worse that anticipated. Admitting alone would not solve the problem.

Speedy actions must follow.

Coordinated efforts must be enforced throughout the whole government machinery. Sense of urgency must be instilled throughout the whole set up.

I agree with Pak Belalang, the rumblings about “buying of new fighter jets” and training of volunteers in mosques are distressing. Why are we focusing “helping” out other nations’ industries/companies?

Without external interferences, Amirsham did reasonably well as a CEO/President of a bank. But that does not mean he would be a good Chief for NEC. NEC needs someone with far greater foresight, far greater resolve to move plans into actions. One who knows when to speak, when to be silent. One that understands how the whole government machinery works and how to make them tick! The person need not be an economics major or graduate but one who thinks on his/her feet... And this person need not be a graduate from Oxbridge or some fancy Ivy League!

Do we have such a person? I think we do. Najib must decide without fear or favour and must thoroughly think before deciding.

Najib must focus on the economy and Rosmah should refrain from being too visible, forceful and domineering. If Najib is not able to focus on the economy then his days as a PM would not be long. Instead he would go down into annals of Malaysia as the first UMNO President that became the Head of Opposition in Parliament...

First step, appoint a credible Head of NEC.

Second, stop messing with FELDA!

Third, refrain from messing with Petronas.

Forth, remove deadwoods from the government machinery.

While doing all these steps, FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY... !!! Speedy decisions are required...!!! Satisfying UMNO warlords would not ensure Najib's survival beyond the next GE!

Sekian.

On dissent, is Najib worse than Dr M? - Leslie Lau

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER - Article by Leslie Lau

_________________________________

MAY 31 – Is the current government worse than the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration in its response to dissent?

Consider the use, or rather abuse, of the police force to serve and protect the reputation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Take into account how the police have used vague and controversial laws like sedition to arrest and charge nearly anyone who is unhappy, dissatisfied or critical of Najib.

Bear in mind the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was questioned by police yesterday for criminal defamation and sedition. And what did he say in his alleged crime which warrants an investigation? Well, he blamed Najib for the constitutional crisis in Perak.

Hark back, too, on the recent by-election campaign in Bukit Gantang, which straddled the period in which power was transferred over officially by Tun Abdullah Badawi.

Remember how it was decreed then by the authorities that the name of Altantuya Shaariibuu should not be mentioned by politicians while on the stump.

Step back and one could only come to one conclusion – that decision was to stop the further sullying of Najib’s reputation.

Be aware also of how the police came down hard on a campaign to mock Najib’s 1Malaysia slogan by having the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan literally declare black t-shirts illegal.

Contemplate too how Najib has played out the Perak crisis. While it started in February before he took over as PM, many Malaysians will remember how the three Pakatan Rakyat (PR) defectors were taken to Putrajaya to meet Najib, not Abdullah.

Considering that, it would not be completely unfair to blame him, among others, for the constitutional crisis that is Perak.

Bear in mind too that today is just Day 59 of the Najib era.

Consider then, that Dr Mahathir never ever presided over controversial and alleged disregard for the constitution by the judiciary until his seventh year in office after winning two general elections by crushing majorities.

Take into account, also, the fact that Dr Mahathir had also presided over mass arrests through the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), but the fact remains that even then it could have been reasonably argued that there were serious racial and political tensions which merited the use of draconian preventive detention.

Be aware, too, of how Dr Mahathir was a man known for common sense who never went as far as to ban black t-shirts or prohibit the mention of certain names, which he would certainly have considered unnecessary.

Take heed of the fact that Dr Mahathir was always a fighter, that he would often take on critics head-on and argue his way to win the votes. It was not always about how he crushed dissent because Dr Mahathir recognised the importance of also winning the hearts and minds of voters.

Be mindful that Dr Mahathir, while loathe by many is probably equally loved by many too, just as he is respected and feared.

And he did not achieve all of that by having a police force that banned t-shirts of an unfavourable colour and prohibited names from being mentioned.

Consider too that Dr Mahathir was in power for 22 years.

It may be unfair to compare a man who has been in power for 22 years against one who has only been at the reins for 59 days.

But, so far, it is clear that Najib’s administration has not heralded the return of Mahathirism. So far, it is worse.

___________________________

Comment:

Despite not agreeing to some of the mega-projects introduced by Dr. M, I have to admit that I admire him.  Admire him for his thoughts, logic, hard working ethics etc. but not for the excessiveness. 

In fact, I would have agreed to his ALL mega-projects if they were NOT over-priced!  

Regardless of what Anwar Ibrahim or others say of Dr. M, this man can think.  Whether we agree to his methods is a different issue altogether.

If the people care to think of Wawasan 2020 carefully, the "racial" issues being faced now would not have any merit for mention in both main stream media as well as alternatives!

It is unfortunate that Najib is saddled with huge amount of baggage.  The closest, have been said, is his other significant half.

When Pak Lah was sworn in as PM, some people were quoted as saying "KJ would be the main cause of Pak Lah's downfall...".  Reflecting on these words made one wonder "Would Rosmah would be main cause of Najib's downfall?".  

I don't know but it would be HIGHLY ADVISABLE for Rosmah to lay low from being reported too much in mainstream medias!  Dah meluat tengok...!

If I can feel "meluat", so could others...

Malaysia's economy contracts 6.2% - The Star Online, 28 May 2009

Well...

The number is out....

What can I say?

I need to check who won the bet?  I certainly did not.  

-3.73% is quite way off -6.2%...  

If 2Q2009 is expected to be quite similar to 1Q2009 results then Malaysia is technically in recession!

Recovery in 3Q and 4Q2009 must be huge to offset 1Q and 2Q2009 to ensure positive GDP growth for 2009.  Would this be possible given the uncertainty in too many fronts?

Kewibawaan Petronas Wajib Dipertahankan - A Kadir Jasin

Komen saya terhadap tulisan A Kadir Jasin bertarikh 27 May 2009.

____________________________

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,

Jikalau Petronas "jatuh" ke tangan individu-individu tertentu yang kontraversial maka "The Beginning of an Ending has set in...".

Saya dah lihat macamana FELDA telah diporak-perandakan setelah R M Alias bersara dalam tahun 2001.

Saya tidak pasti samada kemunculan golongan tertentu (termasok ahli politik) dalam organisasi strategic pernah membawa tuah.

Yang saya lihat, kemasukkan "tokoh-tokoh" tertentu (terutama sekali ahli politik) selalu membawa padah.

Segala usaha serta pengorbanan tenaga kerja Petronas selama ini akan menjadi sia-sia.

Sejak Petroleum Development Act 1974 diwartakan, Petronas telah dikendali dan diurus olih golongan profesional dan berwibawa. Golongan yang tidak mudah tunduk dengan telujuk para politikus serta suku-sakat mereka.

Jika golongan profesional dan berwibawa ini di ganti dengan golongan berkepentingan, maka jahanamlah Petronas sepertimana yang dialami olih FELDA pada masakini!

Sekian.

Spending is ALWAYS easier than Saving

To build up an organisation from zero takes courage, determination, integrity and foresight.  

Not many people could actually claim to have such resolute during these "modern" days.  Now people are generally more susceptible to temptations that tend to make objective judgement difficult.

To repay debts is a huge challenge.  Repayment of debts ahead of time is often unheard off, especially among government agencies.

It takes an equally huge challenge for organisation to build its reserve.  But it takes less than a blink of an eye for the reserves to be depleted.

This is exactly what is happening to FELDA now!

Since taking over Chairmanship of FELDA in 2001 from R M Alias, Yusof Noor has proven without doubt that "Spending is ALWAYS easier than Saving..." and integrity, credibility and foresight are not prerequisite to being a good spender!

FELDA - Part 3 (The Beginning of an Ending...) would showcase the need to have people with integrity, credibility, and foresight to lead/head an organisation!

Perak - The "Confusion" Continues...

The Appeal Court decided the "rightful" Menteri Besar of Perak is Zambry.

While I respect the learned Judges' decision, this "confusion" would continue.  For all intent and purposes, the decision should be made by the State Assembly or the people of Perak.

A State Assembly sitting should be called and the motion of no-confidence against Nizar should be tabled.  The Speaker (from Pakatan) should allow this motion to be tabled accordingly.

If that does not break the impasse then a fresh election should be called.  This way the people of Perak would be the decision makers.  We should try to avoid putting this very heavy responsibility on the shoulder of a very few people as discontentment would persist.

My five-sen worth of thoughts...

First Quarter 2009 GDP Numbers

Next week Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to announce the country's first quarter (1Q2009) GDP numbers.

A number of predictions have been made, ranging from -1% to -4.9%.

I have had the honour to "bet" (albeit with no cash or "in-kind" at stake) with the Economists in the organization that I work for. The only "reward" for correctly predicting the 1Q2009 GDP results is the right to say "I told you so!".

I am not an economist and the only economics subject I took was "ECONS 101". Nonetheless that would not prevent me from making my prediction. 

My prediction is based on whatever indicators my colleague would rattle to me whenever I asked for statistics on industrial production, manufacturing, demand, exports, etc.

Basically my prediction is based on "gut-feel".  No complex computation or model used, just the old, pure "gut-feel"!

I predict that the 1Q2009 GDP would be -3.73% compared to theirs that ranged from -2% to -4%.

We will wait till the official announcement by BNM next week, on 27 May 2009 I was told.  

Whoever predicted correctly or is closest to the announced number would have the right to say "I told you so!"  

Let the "best predictor" wins...

Singapore economy contracts less than expected in Q1

SINGAPORE: Singapore said yesterday its export-driven economy contracted a better-than-expected 10.1 per cent year on year in the first quarter but warned it saw no clear signs of a quick recovery.

The trade ministry maintained its forecast for the economy to shrink between 9 and 6 per cent for the whole of 2009 as the city-state grapples with its worst recession since independence 44 years ago.

Despite the steep drop, it was better than the 11.5 per cent fall earlier tipped by the government.

In the three months to March gross domestic product (GDP) fell 14.6 per cent compared with the previous quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis.

However, this was also smaller than the government estimate of a 19.7 per cent drop and better than the 16.4 per cent decline recorded in the December quarter, the trade ministry said.

Analysts and the government said GDP may have hit bottom, but recovery may take a while.

Singapore's fortunes remain dependent on the health of the world's major economies, which buy much of its exports, including microchips and pharmaceuticals.

The economy fell into recession late last year as the global economic downturn accelerated but still managed to grow 1.1 per cent over the 12 months.

"The reason we have a forecast range of minus 6 to minus 9 per cent (GDP decline) is because we really don't know," Ravi Menon, second permanent secretary at the trade ministry, said at a briefing.

"What we are a little surer of is that we have probably seen the bottom. 

But what we do not know is whether we are going to stay at the bottom for a little bit longer or whether we are going to start having a decisive rebound." Menon said there was no need for another stimulus "at this point in time" after a US$20.5 billion (US$1 = RM3.53) package unveiled by the government in January.

"The situation has not worsened since the last reading," he said, adding that "things are not likely to get worse from this point on." The key manufacturing sector contracted by 26.6 per cent from the previous quarter's shrinkage of 21.3 per cent as the global downturn hurt demand for exports.

Services, another pillar of the economy, contracted 10.3 per cent quarter-on-quarter as tourism-related arrivals tumbled, but the decline was less than the 15 per cent fall in the three months, the ministry said.

"Despite the ugly data, the good news is that first quarter 2009 could mark the very deep bottom of this economic cycle," said economist Song Seng Wun of CIMB-GK.

"Year-on-year GDP contractions should narrow even if we do not see sequential improvements in the next few quarters, as year-ago bases are less challenging." - AFP

____________________________

Comment:

The Public Relation strategies employed by Malaysia and Singapore appear to be very contrasting.

It does appear that politicians in Singapore have a tendency to err on the conservative side.  With that strategy, I suspect that they would not be ridiculed too much when the official results are announced.  After all, it is better than "we" predicted!

In Malaysia, it is quite a direct opposite.  Politicians here in Malaysia have a tendency to paint a rosier picture.  However when the official results are published a lot of explanations are required.

Interesting...?  I think so.

THINK DEEP AND HARD ABOUT THIS, BN & PR!!!! - Zorro Unmasked

Taken (without permission) from Zorro Unmasked...

Iktibar Daripada Cerita Presiden Obama

Komen saya terhadap komen Sdr. Roti Planta di blog A Kadir Jasin...

___________________________________

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,  

Mohon permisi untuk menjawab sikit komen Sdr. Roti Planta.  

Memang benar ada dikalangan pelajar yang "dipinggir" olih JPA ditaja olih badan-badan koperat tertentu. Memang benar keputusan mereka tidak berapa "cemerlang".  

Tetapi diantara kes-kes yang saya ketahui terdiri dari pelajar straight "A's". Mereka ini bukan semuanya dari bangsa Cina. Malah ada juga orang Melayu dan India yang dapat tajaan dari kerajaan Singapura.  

Jika diteliti dari sudut keputusan mereka yang saya perkatakan adalah terdiri dari golongan pelajar cemerlang tetapi tidak mendapat biasiswa JPA.  

Adakah ini ada kaitan dengan status ibubapa mereka yang bukan orang berada?  

Contoh 1: 

Abang saya pernah bercerita mengenai rakan sebilik dia semasa dikolej. Rakan tersebut adalah anak salah seorang Tan Sri dan juga Ketua Setiausaha (Secretary General) di kementerian tertentu. 

Anak Tan Sri ini mendapat biasiswa JPA, diberi elaun RM500 sebulan dan sebuah kereta olih bapanya.  

Walaupun dari segi keputusan rakan abang saya ini tidaklah secemerlang berbanding dengan abang saya. Namun beliau mendapat biasiswa JPA dan abang saya tidak. Abang saya dibiayai olih pinjaman yang diberi olih yayasan tertentu.  

Selepas tamat universiti, rakan sebilik abang saya ini telah melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat Ijazah Serjana. 

Selepas tamat rakan ini tidak mahu kembali ke Malaysia untuk berkhidmat di sini.  

Selepas tamat abang saya pulak terus berkhidmat dengan kerajaan. Beliau juga dapat melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat Serjana dan Doktor Falsafah.  

Sekarang abang saya adalah ketua jabatan disalahsatu Fakulti di IPTA. 

Rakan sebilik anak Tan Sri itu pulak masih berkerja diluar negara.  

Contoh 2: 

Ada dikalangan kawan-kawan isteri saya telah diberi biasiswa olih kerajaan Singapura selepas mendapat keputusan cemerlang di peringkat SPM. Selepas menamatkan khusus peringkat Ijazah mereka terus bekerja di Singapura.  

Contoh 3: 

Baru-baru ni (dalam setahun dua yang lalu) anak buah rakan sepejabat saya telah mendapat biasiswa dari kerajaan Singapura kerana keputusan cemerlang di peringkat SPM.  

Budak ini telah memohon biasiswa JPA tetapi gagal walaupun mendapat straight A's.  

Ada lagi beberapa contoh yang lain yang pernah dicerita kepada saya. Diantara persoalan saya: 

(1) Kenapa mereka ini tidak mendapat biasiswa JPA walaupun keputusan mereka cemerlang? 

(2) Apakah kriteria untuk mendapat biasiswa JPA? 

(3) Adakah status ibubapa diambilkira? 

(4) Kenapa kerajaan asyik merungut pasal "brain-drain" bila ada dikalangan yang setia bekerja disini amat berkeliber?  

Banyak persoalan yang timbul dan tidak terjawab...  

Yang pasti, seperti kata Sdr. AKJ, ramai pulak isteri Menteri yang diberi anugerah walaupun sumbangan mereka tidaklah sepertimana yang diperkatakan.  

Malaysia, oh Malaysia, apo dah jadi?  

Sekian.

Khairy ticks off PKR leaders on ‘hotel democracy’

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has chided PKR leaders for treating democracy like a hotel where they can check in and out whenever they wished.

He said the resignation of Penanti assemblyman Mohamad Fairus Khairudin was proof that PKR did not uphold democracy and respect the wishes of the people who voted him in.

“You must honour your pledge to be their representative and not resign as and when you like. This is not a hotel where you can check in and check out anytime you feel like doing so.

“This involves the trust and expectations of the people who supported you,” he said after a meet-the-people session at the Guar Perahu mosque near here yesterday.

Khairy said his movement has started its meet-the-people programmes which would be continued even if by-elections are held in the areas.

“By-elections are not the main reason for Umno to be close to the people. We will be with them rain or shine,” he added.

Khairy said the wing had expressed its views on whether Barisan Nasional should contest in the Penanti by-election but declined to elaborate, adding that the wing would gather information and present them to the party leadership before a decision is made on Monday.

Khairy also urged opposition parties not to be engrossed in politicking as it was detrimental to the country which was facing an economic slowdown.

He expressed the hope that the Perak Mentri Besar issue would be resolved either through the courts or the state assembly and that the majority support in the assembly should be respected.

________________________

Comment:

I seriously think this young punk feels that the public has forgotten his corrupt ways in winning the UMNO Youth Chief post.  I for one would not forget who he is and what he represent!

He is really desperate to "promote" himself after laying low for way too long!  He seems to be a person that badly need a "fix" or else he would suffer from withdrawal syndrome, just like smokers that have not had their cigarette for a few hours! 

Who is he to "tick" off anyone? He has lost that "moral ground" to tick anyone and anything.

If Najib and Co do not fix this guy fast enough, the chances are he would be the real thorn in UMNO's recovery... 

The longer Najib & Co wait, the worst would be the repercussion for Najib as well as UMNO.  There is no two way about it!

Iktibar Daripada Cerita Presiden Obama - A Kadir Jasin

Komen saya terhadap posting Sdr. A Kadir Jasin yang bertarikh 16 Mei 2009.

_____________________________________

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,

Di Malaysia sekarang ni kalau kita baling batu kearah sekelompok manusia, kebarangkalian batu tersebut mengena seorang "Datuk" amatlah tinggi!  

Selain anugerah kebesaran, perkara ini berlarutan sehingga ke penganugerahan biasiswa!  

Pemberian biasiswa di Malaysia lebih kepada "technical know who" dan bukan "technical know how" sperti juga pemberian kontrak-kontrak lumayan.  

Pada penghematan saya yang agak sempit, keutamaan diberi kepada anak-anak pembesar UMNO, MCA, MIC, dan pegawai-pegawai tinggi kerajaan.  Olih kerana itu terdapat ramai pelajar cemerlang yang "lari" ke negara lain.  

Disebabkan olih sifat serta kelakuan sesetengah insan berpangkat di Malaysia ini, negara yang paling beruntung adalah Singapura.  

Setiap tahun para pegawai Singapura akan menjelajah ke seluruh semenanjung Tanah Melayu untuk mencari serta menawarkan biasiswa kepada pelajar kita yang cemerlang tetapi diketepikan olih pihak berkenaan.  

Dan setiap tahun bila Parlimen kita bersidang, Menteri Sumber Manusia akan memberi alasan-alasan kenapa kita mengalami "brain drain".  

Menteri berkenaan juga akan mengariskan langkah-langkah bagi mengurangkan masaalah brain-drain ini. Diantara langkah-langkah yang pernah disebut adalah menawarkan pakej-pakej menarik untuk para intelek ini.  

Bolihkah kita buat kesimpulan bahawa kerajaan Malaysia telah gagal dalam mengekang "kehilangan tenaga intelek" ini kerana:  

(1) ketamakkan dalam memberi biasiswa kepada yang layak dan memerlukan?; 

(2) sifat mementingkan diri yang agak keterlaluan dikalangan pembesar-pembesar dan pegawai-pegawai tertinggi kerajaan serta parti politik?  

Bolihkah kita kata bahawa negara akan terus menderita "kehilangan tenaga intelek" akibat 

(1) dari sifat-sifat tamak para pemimpin-pemimpin serta anak-bini dan menantu? 

(2) dari ketidakikhlasan para pemimpin negara dalam menjalankan amanah, amanat serta mandat dari rakyat? 

(3) dari kekurangan daya pemikiran yang tajam dikalangan pemimpin-pemimpin negara?  

Sekian.

For MekYam

Salam MekYam,

I was browsing through my older postings and I notice a comment from you on the FELDA story.  I have since written more stories on FELDA.

For your information, I have changed my blog from "Quick Draw Botak" to "Dari Borneo ke Minang".

More "stories" about FELDA have been published...

Happy Reading...

Khairy Jamaluddin - Is Najib easing media censorship on him?

After some quiet months since the UMNO General Assembly, suddenly KJ is quoted in NST slamming Anwar Ibrahim.  Twice in fact!

Is the media censorship on him easing?

Is Najib relenting to KJ?

Is KJ beginning to "promote" himself again after remaining docile/laying low since his infamous UMNO Youth Chief win?

Does KJ really think everyone has forgotten how he won the UMNO Youth Chief post?

Does KJ think he won the UMNO election fair and square?

Interesting...

KJ slams Anwar for Perak fresh polls dare

NST online - 14 May 2009

SEREMBAN, Thurs: 

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday hit out at opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for daring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to call for elections in Perak.

Khairy said the Barisan Nasional was not afraid of state elections as alleged by Anwar and was ready for anything.

“We have nothing to be afraid of and are ready to face the people,” he said.

He also called the Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader a hypocrite for courting defections last year but favouring elections when they occurred against the Pakatan Rakyat.

“When things work in their favour, they are quiet but when we managed to obtain a stay of execution, they claim there’s a conspiracy.
“Ultimately, it is a question of principles, consistency and standards, which is something they (the opposition) don’t stand for,” he said after attending an Umno Youth meeting at the state Umno building near here today.

Khairy said the political situation in Perak could only be solved through two processes, legal or legislative.

“Let the legal process be completed first before proceeding with the legislative process,” he said, adding that Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was the rightful Perak menteri besar as BN had the majority of state seats.

He said the BN would work hard to win over the people of Perak.

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Comment:

I would love to use profanities to describe how I view this person.  However I would not do it simply because I would not stoop too low to his level of dignity, integrity, credibility etc...

Khairy: Anwar a hypocrite

NST online - 14 May 2009 

SEREMBAN: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday hit out at opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for daring Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak to call for elections in Perak.

Khairy said Barisan Nasional was not afraid of state elections as alleged by Anwar. 

"We have nothing to be afraid of and are ready to face the people." 

He also called the Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader a hypocrite for courting defections last year but favouring elections when they occurred against the Pakatan Rakyat.

"When things work in their favour, they are quiet but when we managed to obtain a stay of execution, they claim there's a conspiracy.
"Ultimately, it is a question of principles, consistency and standards, which is something they (the opposition) don't stand for," he said after attending an Umno Youth meeting at the state Umno building near here yesterday.

Khairy said the political situation in Perak could only be solved through two processes -- legal or legislative.

"Let the legal process be completed first before proceeding with the legislative process," he said, adding that Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was the rightful Perak menteri besar as BN had the majority of state seats.

________________________________________

Comment:

One hypocrite talking bad about another...

These two jokers are some of the biggest hypocrites today...

The Beauty of Mathematics...

When I was in school, the only subject that I could really excel in was Mathematics.  Physics was a distant second!   [Kindly note that here "excel" is relative to the other subjects that I took.]

To me, mathematics was easy or "kacang putih" as some would put it.

Why is mathematics easy?

It is easy because there is a definite answer to almost every problem, save of course when we talk about infinity and complex numbers.  But, in every day life, how many things involve infinity and complex numbers? 

Over time, I find that mathematics is very useful in testing logic dished out by people, especially politician.  Every equation must be equal, otherwise we cannot terms it as "equation".  The left side must be equal to the right.

As I have written previously, the logic behind what is affordable to a person could be quantified if we know (for a fact) his/her sources of income.  No amount of convincing would be sufficient to defy the logic of mathematics.

Using mathematics we would be able to reasonably determine whether a salaried person is living within their means.  This is especially so if the person holds public office.

If what is earned legally does not equate to ones lifestyle, then some facts must be missing.

For example, if I am earning RM5,000 a month or RM60,000 a year, I certainly would not be able to afford a RM1 million car or house.  My monthly salary would definitely not be sufficient to pay my monthly installment.

Unless, of course, I come from a rich and well-to-do family that has a foundation to its name.  The other possibility is the accumulation of wealth through marriage i.e. I married a rich spouse.  Or I may have won a huge jackpot lottery or I have a "side"  business.  Then in these cases, my monthly salary are meant just for pocket money...

There are, I think, a few more possibilities of getting and/or being rich but nevertheless not too many.

It would be a totally different scenario if I am into business (legitimate or otherwise).  Then how much I could make would be very much dependent on how hard I work and, of course, a little luck.

This is the beauty of mathematics.  Mathematics is based on logic.  Logic that could be comprehended by humans, like you and I.  

If we were to go by this "comprehending"  logic, could we conclude that politicians (at least the ones living the lifestyle of the super rich and famous) are not human?

Bakke Salleh Contract Extended...?

There are whispers that Bakke Salleh's contract as Group Managing Director of FELDA Holdings Berhad (FHB) has been extended by another two years.

It is interesting to note the following:

(1) Who extended his contract?

(2) Is the extension valid?

As far as Directorship in companies are concern, the tenure as Director could only be extended by the majority shareholder(s) at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

If the majority shareholder(s) does/did not consent to the extension, the Director concern is  retired and be out of the Board.

The first question that come to mind is "was there an AGM or EGM?".

If there was no AGM or EGM then how was Bakke Salleh's contract extended?

Some quarters would insinuate that Rosmah extended Bakke's contract.  There are no hard evidence to point towards that direction though it would be good if it could be proven to be true.

If there was an AGM or EGM, why did KPF allow such extension?  

If KPF did object to the extension then Bakke's extension would be invalid.

If KPF did not object to the extension then KPF has failed to perform its fiduciary duty to its members.   Those responsible should be removed from KPF's Board and/or as representative in FHB's Board.

With Bakke's extension, one thing is quite certain - he would continue milking the FELDA Group of Companies and possibly FELDA, the government agency itself.

There is however a faint ray of hope if a new Chairman (to replace Yusof Noor) with high integrity and credibility is chosen to helm FELDA, the agency.  

Unfortunately, until that happens, the whole Group (companies as well as agency) would continue to be milked by unscrupulous people, Bakke included.

Many years ago, I have cautioned those with knowledge that the beginning to an end of FELDA (agency and companies) starts the moment Yusof Noor is appointed as Chairman.  

Yusof Noor is/was a politician and as (ex-)politician he has too many quarters to satisfy.  FELDA is being used to satisfy those undeserving quarters.

So far I don't think I have been wrong in my assessment...

To R M Alias and others who build FELDA over the years, your hard work and prudence is going to be a waste by politicians and unscrupulous people like Bakke Salleh.  I am sorry...!!!