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!

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...

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!

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.

____________________________________

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...

Simple Mathematics - Part 1 of 2

A lot of times politicians think the public/rakyat are stupid. Real stupid!

One such politician is the ex-MB of Selangor who happens to be dentist by training.

Let us look at simple mathematics.  

If a person earns RM50,000 per month, the yearly salary would be RM600,000.  

This is a gross figure.  We have not deducted EPF contribution, taxes/zakat and the likes.  If we were to minus all the deductions then the "take home" pay would be much less.

It has been alleged that an ex-MB of Selangor from UMNO has built a home costing RM14 million some where in Shah Alam.  

Assuming that his take-home pay is RM50,000 per month and this figure is taken after deducting all his expenses, it would take him 280 months (23.3 years) to save up to RM14 million.  For simplicity sake, let us assume that there are no interests or dividends earned from the savings.

If such savings were indeed possible, then this dentist would have been making such savings since he was 21 years old.

But when he was 21 years old, he was still a dentistry student in University of Malaya!

So how is it possible for this dentist to amass such wealth through his monthly salary if he is not involved in business?

If he is (or was) involved in business, was it allowed?  What business was it?

Or was he involved in abuse of power during his tenure as MB of Selangor?

A lot of insinuations and allegations can be made.  It is the duty of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to initiate an investigation into these insinuations and allegations on the ex-MB of Selangor.

If Najib is serious into wanting to regain public trust towards UMNO/BN, he should seriously consider requesting MACC to investigate.

FELDA HOLDINGS BERHAD - The milking by Bakke Salleh

When Yusof Noor became the Chairman of FELDA, the government agency, he introduced a lot of changes.  A lot of these were in FELDA Group of Companies.  He condone interference of politician with personal agenda of draining these cash rich organisations.

Bakke Salleh was made the Group Managing Director of FELDA Holdings Berhad (FHB) not long after Yusof Noor became Chairman.  It is not proven whether he was brought in by Yusof Noor or he was parachuted in by Najib/Rosmah.  There were many insinuations pointing to many directions.

According to some, prior to joining FHB Bakke Salleh was in Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB).  It has been reported that his stint in BIMB was not spectacular.  In fact, some even termed it as a failure...

When Bakke joined FHB, he brought in his honchos, giving them generous salaries.  Some say these ranges from RM30,000 to RM50,000 before benefits.  These salaries were easily two to three times the salary earned by the previous Group MD.  In all likelihood, Bakke's salary should be in the range of RM50,000 if his honchos were paid RM30,000...

The latest talk around town is that Bakke is rewarding himself and his honchos with 10 months' bonuses!  Of course, not directly.  It was done "above board" though the Remuneration Committee...

[Bakke appointed Ethos Consulting (directly or indirectly) to draft strategies for FELDA Group of Companies at a cost of RM1.2 million without any visible and quantifiable results.  It was whispered that the strategies were "shot" down (rejected) by the shareholders.  I am not surprise at all after browsing the RM1.2 million "strategic" folder...]

From a strictly commercial perspective, it is fine to award such high bonuses if performance has been rather spectacular...  However there is no noticeable and spectacular performance from FELDA Group of Companies... Have you noticed  anything spectacular...???

The majority shareholder of FHB, the Koperasi Permodalan Felda Berhad (KPF), should exert their rights to right the wrongs being done in FHB now...  

Being a shareholder, KPF has fiduciary duty to remove those rotten apples (including Bakke) from FHB.  If KPF fails to do that then KPF has failed their members...

[Now Bakke has one foot in Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) and has been appointed as Chairman of its Investment Committee.  The good works of Ahmad Rodzi Pawanteh would be wasted...  I am sorry Rodzi, you efforts would come to a nought and you don't even have a say in it...]

Insinuation, Allegation, Charged & Guilty

There are two word that came to mind when I saw the picture of the corrupt UMNO Youth leader in TheStar today (04 April 2009), insinuation and allegation.

According to thefreedictionary.com, insinuation is "an indirect or devious hint or suggestion".  The same online dictionary defined allegation as "a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law)".

There have been countless insinuations of politicians being corrupt.  Whether they are from the ruling party or from the opposition, the insinuations are many.  However, not many of these insinuations are translated into "allegations".  And even a smaller number are actually charged and found guilty by the court of law or some form of tribunal.

Before the 2009 UMNO Election, there have been numerous insinuation that Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar or more famously known as "KJ" is a corrupt UMNO member and leader.  Most of these insinuations were never translated into allegations.  They remained as "talks", nothing more nothing less.

The UMNO Election 2009 was the turning point where some of the insinuations were translated into allegations.  KJ was "tried" by UMNO Disciplinary Committee and was found guilty of corrupt practices. 

Effectively some insinuations were escalated into allegations that were further escalated into "charges" and finally given a guilty verdict by the very tribunal of his own party, UMNO.

I cannot fathom, for the life of me, a guilty person be allowed to contest in an election. No disqualification, just a warning letter is sufficient?  By doing that UMNO has shot itself in the foot and the wounds and scar will never be healed at least until KJ is booted out of UMNO.

Najib has to bear in mind that all his efforts (including but not limited to his 1Malaysia concept) would come to a nought if KJ remains with UMNO.  UMNO/BN may still win the next general election but with lower majority.  Maybe a 55% seat in Parliament, at best.

Najib must realise this and act accordingly if he hopes to revive support for UMNO/BN and not be placed in history as the first Malaysian PM to be seated on the "opposition side".

I felt deep disgust, anger and sadness whenever I see or hear of KJ.  To me he is a living symbol of the corrupt, found guilty by his own party, that should charged in court.  His right to be a "wakil rakyat" should be stripped and the Rembau seat be made vacant.  

Hopefully he would be remembered as a CORRUPT LEGEND for eternity... 

A symbol of the DOUBLE STANDARDS prevalent in Malaysian politics, a symbol of UMNO's holier than thou attitude... 

A symbol of UMNO's arrogance and high handedness and all the negativeness...

For as long as KJ remains an UMNO Leader, UMNO IS A CORRUPT PARTY... 

UMNO, you have lost your right to champion the causes of your race, religion and country by condoning CORRUPT PRACTICES OF YOUR OWN LEADERS...

Unsolicited Views For The PM - A Kadir Jasin

My comments on A Kadir Jasin's article entitled "Unsolicited Views For The PM" published/dated SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009

--------------------------------------------------

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,  

Betulkah Khazanah perlu 6 bulan untuk buta KPI menteri-menteri? 

Kalau 6 bulan, saya pun bolih buat KPI yang canggih.  

Kalau 6 bulan, let us not stop at KPI. Go into Balance Scorecard...!!! More encompassing, I think. Set up the appropriate matrix and then measure accordingly. Linear measurement would not be appropriate when expectations are broad and diverse. So why not try Balance Scorecard! Or have I misunderstood this Balance Scorecard thing? If I am wrong, do correct me please!  

Saya bukannya pakar dalam KPI maupun Balance Scorecard.  

Tetapi kalau ada 6 bulan, saya pun bolih jadi "quasi-pakar"! Hehehe...  

Tak perlu Khazanah/Azman Mokhtar/Ethos/Omar Mustapha dan individu-individu yang terpelajar serta bijak-pandai untuk buat KPI menteri-menteri.  

Sekian.  

p/s: I cannot wait 6 months to know what Ministers' KPI are. If that happens, it would be Najib's first failure... Sorry cannot compromise on timing. In six months time, I would evaluate the PM/Cabinet/BN with or without the official KPI. I would use my own KPI if there is no official ones...

Satu Malaysia Tidak Nafi Rancangan Afirmatif:PM - A Kadir Jasin

Komen saya terhadap tulisan Sdr. A Kadir Jasin...

----------------------------------------

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,

Ada dua perkara yang hendak saya utarakan disini.  

(1) KPI 

Khazanah Nasional Berhad telah diarah untuk meneliti serta mengubal KPI bagi jemaah Menteri.

Saya tertarik dengan arahan Najib kepada Azman Mokhtar. Quote "Saya telah berjumpa Ketua Eksekutifnya, Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar untuk menempatkan bilangan tenaga yang mencukupi untuk melaksanakan penggubalan KPI ini dalam tempoh tersebut." 

Bila Najib katakan "menempatkan bilangan tenaga yang mencukupi...", adakah beliau memberi kebenaran untuk Azman untuk "engage" Ethos Consulting/Omar Mustapha untuk membantu?

Jika ia, would Khazanah be fronting Ethos? Kalau tidak silap, fi/fee Ethos sangatlah mahal. Interesting...  

(2) Banyak perkara telah diperkatakan mengenai hak-hak istimewa Bumiputera.  

Kalau Sdr. Kadir bolih, tolong perjelaskan sedikit sebanyak tentang hak-hak sebagai rakyat termasuklah hak-hak kaum Bumiputera yang termaktub dalam perlembagaan negara.  

Saya kurang arif tentang perkara berkaitan perlembagaan ini. Bagi saya, sebagai seorang rakyat, kita mesti akur terhadap perlembagaan negara. Tetapi saya kurang pengetahuan tentang perlembagaan yang saya patut akur itu.  

Sekian.

Jemaah Menteri: Kita Akan KPIkan PM - A Kadir Jasin

My comments on A Kadir Jasin's weblog posting...

_________________________________

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,  

Jawatan Menteri Kewangan II masih ujud jika laporan akhbar diguna sebagai sandaran.

Akan tetapi saya tidak begitu kenal dengan Sdr. Ahmad Husni Hanadziah selaku MKII. Jadi saya tidak akan membuat penilaian sekarang seperti yang Sdr. tulis. Ya, saya setuju dengan cadangan untuk menilai prestasi Najib serta ahli kabinet dalam masa 6 bulan ini.  

Jika prestasi mana-mana Menteri tidak memuaskan, Najib mestilah memberi "nasihat" kepada Menteri yang berkenaan. Jika selepas 6 bulan dari "nasihat" prestasi masih kurang memberangsangkan, Menteri berkenaan mesti digugurkan.

Kaedah ini mesti diteruskan dari sekarang dan mesti diintegrasikan ke dalam Standard Operating Policies and Procedures (SOPP) untuk kabinet.

Jika Najib selaku PM benar-benar "walk the talk" UMNO/BN mungkin selamat di PRU13. Jika tidak, beliau akan melakar sejarah sebagai PM pertama yang menjadi pembangkang.  

There is no two ways about it!  

Sekian.

Najib's New Cabinet Lineup...

The PM has just announced his cabinet lineup.

Frankly I would have expected Najib to be more bold in trimming the size.  My initial assessment - quite disappointing!

The PR buildup towards a leaner cabinet did not materialise.  Cursory observations:

(1) Yes it is smaller but only marginally.  

(2) Yes, the elected guilty youth leader was not appointed.

(3) Yes, some suspect characters were not appointed but unfortunately the vindictive one is still in the cabinet...

I can't quite rationalise Muhyiddin's appointment as Education Minister!  Yes, it is an important ministry and a senior one but still...  The question remains "WHY?".

  

Status Quo Di Bukit dan Sungai - A Kadir Jasin

Below is my comment to A Kadir Jasin's article Status Quo Di Bukit dan Sungai

 -----------------------------------------------

Sdr. A Kadir Jasin,

I am still very angry and annoyed with UMNO/BN leaders and members. I was hoping that UMNO/BN would lose all three by-elections but I guess I am quite happy that they lost in two. 

I would love to give Najib a chance but only 6 months! The first test would be his cabinet formation.

Why am I so angry that every single problem (whether real or perceived) I lay my blame on UMNO/BN? 

Why am I brainwashing my children's minds to hating UMNO/BN?

It is because:

(1) UMNO/BN members have got little or no conscience!
- They have no qualm in voting for corrupted members to lead them!

(2) UMNO/BN members think too highly of themselves!
- Mere mortals (the rakyat) are judged based on different standards. The rakyat are stupid fools...

(3) UMNO/BN members take almost everything and gives very little back!
- Projects are awarded at huge mark-ups (exorbitantly inflated) using tax payers money!

(4) Wifes of UMNO/BN leaders and members act and behave like leaches!
- They expect to be treated like the rakyat owe them a living and we must accord them demigod status!

(5) UMNO/BN-link companies expect people to work for them without compensations!
- Service providers should feel honoured to be given a chance to work for them! No compensation required. 

During the course of my work, I have worked for UMNO/BN-linked companies. Linked either through the party or individuals (members). 

These companies expect services to be provided for free! We can invoice them but don't hold ones breath for payment!

Man-hours and man-days spent means nothing to these jokers! To them, we should be proud to be given a chance to serve an UMNO member! 

Contracts signed mean nothing as their attitude is "sue me if you dare"!

Why do I say these things? It is because they:

(1) Could afford to change expensive cars like changing shirts;
(2) Could afford live lavishly building bungalows fit for Kings;
(3) Could afford to "sponsor" decision-makers to give "special considerations" to their proposals even though they are not qualified or have no capacity to undertake certain jobs; and
(4) Could afford to pay only those that has direct link to decision-makers.

At the end of the day, I am "screwed" when:
(1) taxes that I pay are misused; and
(2) services provided are not compensated as per agreement/contract. 

I would like to refer to TheStar 08 April 2009 (front-page):

"Maybe the people are still undecided, so we will have to work harder to convince them"
- UMNO Deputy President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

For Sdr. Muhyiddin, the people have decided, not undecided. UMNO/BN needs drastic transformation. Don't engage Etos to do the post-mortem on your defeat! They would provide you with answers that you want to hear, not the whole truth!

Sekian.

Najib has 6 months to prove himself...

Najib has been sworn-in as Malaysia's 6th Prime Minister.  

No his family is not and should not be called First Family.  In the US, the First Family refers to the President's family.  In Malaysia, why should we call the PM's family as First Family?  Shouldn't we call the King's family as First Family?

No this posting has got nothing to do with who should be called First Family.  It is about Najib, Malaysia's 6th Prime Minister.

Najib has requested Malaysian to give him a chance to prove his capabilities as a PM that deserves respect and support.  I think he ought to be given a chance to prove what he is capable of.

First we should provide him some space to appoint his cabinet.  If his cabinet consist of any of the following people (not an exhaustive list), then Najib has failed in his first test!

(1) Khairy Jamaluddin - the guilty of money politic, Head of Umno Youth

(2) Jamaluddin Jarjis - the ex-Minister that almost never keep his word of showing up unless you have strong political connection

(3) Azalina Othman - the integrity-suspect Minister currently being investigated by MACC

(4) Nor Mohamed Yaacop - the vindictive 2nd Finance Minister who never remembers whatever help you have given him but remembers the slightest "offense" that you have said.

The above list is not exhaustive though I wished it was.  Nonetheless if any of the above personality makes it to Najib's cabinet, it deserves to be called "kitchen cabinet" similar to Pak Lah's and Najib has failed in his first test as PM.

This first test is crucial as a wrong (and unclean) choice would make it difficult for me (as a SINGLE VOTER) to evaluate Najib's leadership positively for the next 6 months...

But then, I am nothing but a SINGLE LONE VOTER...

FELDA - Part Two

In the first part, An Introduction, I wrote a really summarised history of Felda. I skipped quite a fair bit of details as I do not have the liberty of time to write a better piece. Nonetheless, in this Part Two, I would tempt to recall what has been said to me by friends and acquaintances.

Someone once said that Felda's reserved has dwindled to about RM1.5 billion from RM3 billion since Yusof Noor took over chairmanship from R M Alias a few years ago. I do not have any evidence to confirm or deny this statement. However, if we were to use simplified logic (maybe flawed), there are grounds to believe that this could be true. Since Yusof Noor took over, the following has been planned, of which some has been implemented:

(1) Felda sponsored Car Rally championship

(2) Felda United, the football club was formed

(3) More than RM100 million loan has been extended to Pahang state

(4) Investment of over RM300 million in a plant located in US

(5) Construction of a hotel resort worth about RM50 million

(6) Felda University has been approved but yet to be implemented

(7) Goodies handed out to settlers during the run-up to the 12th General Election

There are many other plans being put into place with some implemented. For now, let us examine each of the above and objectively determine the logic of each of them.

(1) Car Rally Championship
What has Felda got to do with a rally championship? For all intends and purposes, I do not understand the rationale for sponsoring this event. Officially excuse used is "Felda needs to establish a brand name". Establishing a brand name, yes but not through sponsorship of a rally championship! Felda is not in the business of producing auto parts and rally championship is way off its business activities!

(2) Felda United
Creating a football club to compete in the Malaysian league is a waste of time and money! Malaysian football scene is nothing more than a farce and sponsors are probably "arm-twisted" to sponsor the whole league. With very low turnout at stadiums and low viewership on television, there is simply no desired impact for sponsors. Such waste of time and resources, typical of Najib and Yusof Noor!

If the argument is to employ settlers sons to play for the club, then it would be another "bullshit" to put it mildly. Who actually gains? My guess is as good as yours!

(3) Loan to Pahang State
This piece of disturbing news came from the grapevine. According to unconfirmed sources, Felda extended more than RM100 million to Pahang State in the form of loan/advance. I do not have the details but I was told that the decision has been rectified during Felda Board of Directors meeting.

My take? Yusof Noor's tenure as Chairman of Felda depended very much on Najib. To applease Najib, Yusof Noor had to "provide support" to the ailing Pahang State coffers. It has been said that the loan/advance assisted in extending Yusof Noor's Chairmanship.

It bugs me to see a federal agency "providing support" to a state government when it is none of their business to do so!

(4) Investment in US
I was told that Najib insisted that Felda takes over a plant in US. Location? Some "ulu" place that is accessible only by train and road. Reason? I do not know but the official one given is nothing more than a crap!

The investment cost Felda more than RM300 million (of was it US$300 million). When an acquaintance mentioned this to me, my first reaction is "Shit!" Another waste of fund. Apparently now the plant is not really generating the money it was suppose to. Surprise? Not at all. In the first place, I think Felda overpaid for the investment. Second - it was purely an exercise to siphon money from Felda.

(5) Hotel cum Resort
Another scam to siphon money! If my memory serves me right, the hotel cum resort cost more than RM50 million. Location? You guess it right - Yusof Noor's home state! Rationale? Figure it out...

(6) Felda University
Yusof Noor also wants Felda to set up a university at an estimated costs of more than RM300 million. Why? Beats the hell out of me...

(7) Run-up to the 12th General Election
Prior to the 12th GE, Najib was busy handing out goodies by the dozens to settlers in and around Pekan. He learnt his lessons well. During 1999 GE (if I am not mistaken), Najib almost lost and only won on recount. The settlers actually shied away from him and refused to vote him in. Najib only won on recount then. During the 12th GE, he was not about to make the same mistake and there was a real danger that he could lose. So he made sure goodies were handed out by the dozens to settlers, just to make sure the votes goes to him. His strategy worked extremely well and he was voted with higher majority when other BN candidates won with fewer votes!

The above would suffice for now.

Part 3 would focus on Felda Group of Companies and the new management!

Federal Land Development Authority - An Introduction

Federal Land Development Authority or Felda as it is popularly known now was (officially) the brainchild of Malaysia's 2nd. Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak. Throughout the years, many people have been involved in developing Felda until it achieved great success. There were failures along the way but overall it was a huge success. Millions have benefited from Felda and their schemes either directly or indirectly.

The early days of Felda was difficult. Fundings were from the Government as well as through borrowings from World Bank and Japan, to name a few. The pioneers of Felda presevered and by 1989, Felda succeeded in redeeming ALL their loans and became selfsustaining. Since then ALL Felda expenses were funded through internally generated funds. The last non-politician chairman of Felda was R M Alias, a very strict no-nonsense disciplinarian. Under his stewardship, Felda managed to build a reserve of approximately RM3 billion. (RM3 billion then was equivalent to approximately US$1.2 billion). Despite such successes, Felda's employees (including top brass) remained very down to earth and publicity shy bunch of people.

Some of the keys to Felda's success was their ability to avoid shout for accolades, praises and wastages. Official vehicles were used until they were no longer economical to maintain. This culture were in sharp contrast to those practised by other government agencies.

The current chairman, Yusof Noor, is a politician and with his entry marked the decline of Felda's stature as a well-organised, well-managed and well-run government agency. This has been further aggravated when the PM assigned his deputy, Najib, as the minister-in-charged.

To Be Continued...