PKFZ: Cabinet to Decide

And I thought it has already been decided by the previous cabinet to make the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit report on the RM12 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco available in its entirety to the general public!

Unless of course this is going to be just another merry here we go round the mulberry bush.

News reports has it that transport minister Ong Tee Kiat seems to be the only government official who is adamant that the report is made public without any more delays. If this is true, then I will have to take back everything I have said about him.

Minister Ong, I do humbly beg to apologise.

The Klang Port Authority (KPA) board meets this morning to deliberate on general manager Lim Thean Shiang 's sudden resignation. Rumour has it that Lim has gone to meet Najib to retract his letter but Ong, who has accepted Lim's resignation last week has already appointed 2 new GMs to fill in both the KPA and PKFZ posts.

Meanwhile, the rakyat waits and waits ...

PKFZ: Day of Reckoning

My sources tell me that Lim Thean Shiang (photo), the young general manager of Klang Port Authority (KPA) who took over from the controversial O.C. Phang barely a year ago, has tendered his resignation to the KPA board. A lawyer by training, Lim is also executive chairman of KPA subsidiary Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) Sdn Bhd. But unlike former transport minister Chan Kong Choy, I bet his hasty departure cannot be because of "health reasons" but certainly over the RM12 billion PKFZ scandal which has necessitated a government bailout.

I believe PKFZ will feature prominently in tomorrow's cabinet meeting. As such, I wouldnt be surprised if no action will be taken and more excuses be found to further delay or even stop the release of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit report in its entirety to the general public. PwC has asked KPA for indemnification of the report and this seems pretty reasonable to me under the circumstances.

It is believed that the PwC audit has uncovered practices contrary to rules and regulations, gross abuse of power, conflicts of interest, no accountability or transparency etc. etc. The culprits allegedly include politicians, members of the KPA and PKFZ boards (which unfortunately include my former boss Gnanalingam of Westport who was a member of both!) and also the then Minister of Transport.

It boggles the mind that the KPA board apparently was unaware of the agreements to form a subsidiary company for the land purchase! Neither was it aware of "corporate advisory services" for the 405-hectare PKFZ project until it was handed a RM130 million bill by a local consultancy firm recently.

Now dammit sirs, this isnt funny.

Other sources have also informed me that independent quantity surveyors have confirmed that the cost for the 4-star hotel in PKFZ should only be RM50 million instead of the RM90 million claimed by the contractor.

There is also a major dispute between TNB and KPA over the building of a sub station in PKFZ costing many RM millions. It seems that TNB has refused to cooperate, claiming that it should be only for less than half the cost!

Pray tell, what the bloody hell is going on here?

In view of all the above, I would like to urge the government to release the PwC audit report immediately, including all the appendices. I would also strongly recommend that steps are taken to initiate criminal and civil proceedings for breach of trust and to recover costs against all those responsible for this shameful episode.

Anything less would be simply unacceptable.

UPDATE on Wednesday May 20, 2009 at 0930hrs:
Read also the report from today's the Sun, here.

(Photo source: Business Times)

B.U.M. 2009: The Event

As a member of the organising committee for Bloggers Universe Malaysia 2009 (BUM 2009) Dialogue, in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, I shared chairperson Desiderata YL Chong's concern that we may not be able to fill in the limited 200-seat capacity at Subang's Lake View Club yesterday. This was especially with the Man U vs Arsenal match being telecast live on TV at about the same time. But our fears quickly dissipated with the arrival of our special 'surprise' guest, popular blogger and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir (TDM) a.k.a. Che Det (photo, right) and the national press corps turning out in full force.

Aside from pushing for his controversial crooked bridge to Singapore again, among other things TDM spoke about in his 30-minute speech was the fact that during his long tenure as PM, he never imposed censorship on the mainstream media (MSM) or curtailed press freedom. He suggested that perhaps the MSM practised self censorship because it tried to 'second guess' what government leaders want.

Read reports from Malaysiakini, here and The Malaysian Insider, here. On the other hand, perhaps as a measure or indication of this 'self-censorship' he was talking about, I couldnt find anything about our event in today's NST or the Star online.

P.S: TDM also admitted at a press conference later that he has stopped reading the NST, so perhaps this is something we do have in common!

Perak: Let's Go Back to the People

You will agree with me that this business in Perak is getting a bit tiresome.

What boggles the mind is the foot dragging by the Perak royalty to dissolve the state assembly after repeated calls by many parties which now include Suhakam, Bar Council, Gerakan, MCA, Ku Li and the Senate president among others.

Even former PM Tun Dr Mahathir has said that the Sultan's role in the BN hasty takeover of the state was certainly not par for the course. And the Tun should know, for he was the man behind the many changes in the Federal Constitution affecting the Rulers' functions and responsibilities some years ago.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reports, here, that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to hold a snap elections in Perak to solve the political crisis in the state.

"I want to ask why he is afraid of holding an elections?" he told the some 3,000 people who packed the Civic Centre Hall in Petaling Jaya last night.

Why, indeed.

(Costs? RM12 billion of taxpayers money is going down the drain at the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and you want to talk about costs?)

A Day of Infamy at Perak State Assembly!

(Source: The Star)

by Capt. Abdul Aziz Abdullah

The Prince was made to wait, while Assemblymen castigate;
Hurling abuses ingrate, at each other and officials of State;
In resplendent uniform innate, behaving more like primates;
'Tis a sad day for the State, whose Ruler was once prime adjudicate!

Why it came to this, do not require a thesis;
Once Rakyat's will dismiss, it invites action remiss;
What ought be basis, to prevent further crisis;
Many know what it is, few dare to act on this!

To assume ignorance, of pent up indignance;
With numbers imbalance, claiming governance;
May provide dominance, temporary sustenance;
Not for long continuance, nor stability assurance!

Why not dissolution, initiate state election;
Let Rakyat provide determination, their preference of faction;
To be in administration, to be governing sans confusion;
Bring state to progression, economic and political suasion!

The longer the acrimony, with semblance of anarchy;
Deeper into quandary, the state will be;
Sense ought be seen clearly, fair play epitome of integrity;
Resolve current ignominy, settle present ambiguity!

I pray to Almighty, provide 'em thought clarity;
'Tis the masses we pity, when elected reps be greedy;
Power-hungry they may be, heavy is their responsibility;
Never shirk accountability, do best for State & Country!

(A former colleague in Klang Port Authority, Capt. Aziz may just be Malaysia's answer to John Masefield. He now lectures at a local maritime academy)


UPDATE on Sunday May 10, 2009 (MOTHERS' DAY) at 1030 hrs:

A Homily to all Mummies!
by Capt. Abdul Aziz Abdullah

You nurtured me well, in your warm womb I dwell;
Causing you be unwell, nausea and others as well;
Yet you never tell, you never did spell;
The discomforts that befell, pregnancy unlike in eggshell!

When I entered this world, you treated me like gold;
Protected me from cold, sheltered me from dangers untold;
Mesmerised me with songs of old, cuddled me, oh, so bold;
You were savior to behold, you were epitome of love in whole!

When I was growing, you provide me everything;
At times saving scrapping, to ensure I had trappings,
Of a youth developing, to manhood so enterprising;
None was prohibiting, all my wants fulfilling!

The day I left home, to boarding school so lonesome;
You wept so woesome, unwilling to break our twosome;
I missed you awesome, longed for food so wholesome;
Yet, knowing you’re home, made me feel not worrisome!

You, in your wisdom, chose a spouse to end my bachelordom;
You ensured proper tandem, you prepared compatibility quorum;
Once own family became my forum, I visited you seldom;
Yet, ne’er you showed antagonism, granted me total freedom!

I focused on working, on earning a living;
Career concentrating, you appeared only in passing;
Occasions of joy missing, celebrations forfeiting;
Thought you were satisfying, monthly allowance receiving!

Call came unsuspecting, “Mum wishes you be accompanying”;
“To her grave!” – so startling, so very shocking;
I dropped everything, rushed home sans thinking;
Stayed with you till departing, fulfilled your wish – oh, ‘twas so hurting!

Mum, if only you can hear me – on this day so specially;
YOU ARE TRULY, AN ANGEL PERSONIFIED WHOLLY;
Moulded me successfully, though we’re just a level above poverty;
If I can only whisper softly, “I MISSED YOU, MUM, OH, SO DEARLY!”

Aziz
(an orphan)

(Hmmm ... orphan or not, this guy now owe me a nasi kandaq!)

The One

My old buddy and former shipmate Capt. Jimmy Shroff in Mumbai wrote me about the implications of a belief in the reality of the One. Jimmy belongs to the small ethnic Parsi community in India and is a devout follower of the ancient Persian religion of Zoroaster. He wrote:

A central theme of most religions and most science is UNITY.

Religion names the unity as God or rather when we speak of the Unit in religious tones, we name the unit God. When the shy scientists disclose their passion they define their belief as the unity of forces.

What if this idea is true?
If there is just One, let us list the possible implications of a belief in the reality of the One, even if some of the implications appear astounding to us..

IF THERE IS JUST ONE, THEN ……

To read more, click here.

PKFZ: Damning Disclosure

A day before the report on the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project is due to be made public, Barisan Nasional MPs were briefed by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) yesterday and told that the cost of the project is now expected to be more than RM10 billion*!

The Sun also reports, here, that among the findings of Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) audit report are that:

» No proper studies were undertaken before embarking on the project;

» Major decisions on the project were made without prior approval of PKA board;

» The PKA chairman and general manager entered into agreements without seeking the advice of the relevant government authorities;

» There was a failure to exercise adequate governance and implement checks and balances in the implementation of the project.

(These are things I have been frothing at the mouth harping for some time).

The report also detailed a series of conflict of interest situations, which include:

» Sementa assemblyman Abdul Rahman Palil was both the Pulau Lumut Development Co-operative (KPPL) chairman and a PKA director in 2002 when the land for PKFZ was sold by KPPL to PKA;

» Rashid Asari & Co, the legal firm retained by PKA, was also the same firm overseeing the inking of the sales and purchase agreement between KPPL and turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).

(Interestingly, current BN Backbenchers’ Club chairman, Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing holds a controlling stake in KDSB. Former UMNO Treasurer Azim Zabidi is also a director of KDSB!)

One contributory aspect to the PKFZ mess, sources added, was that several Finance Ministry regulations on transparent accounting practices were not complied with and that the advice of the Attorney-General (A-G) was not sought.

The audit report also paints a troubling picture of officials in the Transport Ministry, noting that so-called "letters of support" signed by a former Minister of Transport for the issuance of the bonds could be construed as a guarantee and that PKA would have to meet its financial obligations under such an arrangement.

The PWC report is expected to be made public today, with strong evidence of massive corruption, shameless cronyism and blatant abuse of power by those involved. I say we throw the book at them, make 'em walk the plank, or whatever.

* I was told that if nothing is done quickly, this may even balloon to RM12 billion!

UPDATE at 1930 hrs: In a breaking news, Malaysiakini reports, here, that the audit report into the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) was not released today as scheduled, due to “technical reasons”. PKA chairman Lee Hwa Beng has now put the blame on PWC which he says has "restricted access" to the report.

Didnt these morons specify the terms of reference of the audit?

My sources tell me that all that PWC insisted was that the report should not be used against them and that they are not responsible for the accuracy of the documents made available. This seems pretty reasonable to me under the circumstances.

I urge the Minister of Transport, Chairman and GM of KPA to resign ... NOW !

B.U.M. 2009: Update

Bloggers United Malaysia (BUM) 2009.
United with Universe ... Seats are limited to only 200 pax and 12 days to go. Have you signed up yet?

Date: Saturday 16 May 2009

Venue: Lake View Club, Subang Jaya
Theme: 4th and 5th Estates — on Collision Course?

1. Morning Session: 10.30AM – 12.30PM

Topic: The Media - Civil Society’s Perspectives

SPEAKERS:

(a) Welcome address by Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI

(b) Din Merican, Programme Director to PKR chief

(c) Dr KJ John, Civil Society activist

(d) Philip Koh, Lawyer

(e)Tentative: Art Harun, Lawyer-Blogger

Q and A Session (30 minutes)

**** Buffet Lunch *****

2. Afternoon (Bahasa Malaysia) Session: 2.30PM – 4.30PM

Topik: Bagaimanakah Media Baru boleh menggalakkan pemikiran kritis masyarakat?

SPEAKERS:

(a) Faisal Mustaffa, Special aide to a DAP MP

(b) Fathi Aris Omar, Online Editor

(c) Fahri Azzat, Lawyer (updated 29/4)

(d) Dr Mustafa K Anuar, asst. Aliran secretary & Lecturer (updated 29/4)

Q and A Session (30 minutes)

******** Hi-Tea **********

3. Evening Session: 6.00PM – 8.15PM

Topic: Has The Old Media Failed Civil Society?

SPEAKERS:

(a) YB Jeff Ooi, DAP MP for Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
(b) Ahirudin Attan aka Rockybru, All-Blogs Interim President
(c) YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, ADUN of Seri Setia, Selangor
(d) Steven Gan, Editor-in-chief, Malaysiakini.com
(e) R Nadeswaran, Editor (Special reports and investigations), The Sun
(f) SURPRISE BLOGGER-SPEAKER to helicopter in?

Q and A Session (45 minutes)

****** BUFFET DINNER ********

More updates and details here: bum2009.wordpress.com

Homecoming

In a short while, I am going to hit the road south with a couple of travelling companions to catch a boat in the afternoon at Situlang Laut in Johor. We are going island hopping in Indonesia's Rhio Archipelago for a few days to visit the makam or mausoleums of our Bugis ancestors. A homecoming of sorts ...

Be back Friday.

Update on Wednesday, 29 April 2009 at 1800 hrs: Some photos ...

(With fellow waris at the makam of Daeng Celak on Pu. Bintan.
On far left is well known local artist Hj. Md Sani Md Dom)

(At the makam of Daeng Marewah with my cousin and namesake,
consultant surgeon Dr. Yusof Tan Sri Dato Dr. Mohd Said)


(Final resting place of sailor/warrior Raja Haji Fisabilillah
a.k.a. Marhum Teluk Ketapang, atop a hill on Pu. Penyengat)


(Makam of Raja Ali Haji, who has been named as "Father of
the Malay-Indonesian Language" by the Indonesian government)


(Gurindam Kesepuluh, part of the famous Gurindam Duabelas,
etched in marble at the Makam Engku Puteri Hamidah of Riau)

PKFZ: RM8 Billion Swindle?

The Edge in its latest weekly edition today front paged the headline: Total PKFZ bill RM8 billion? In a 3-page cover story it has confirmed our worst fears: that this scandalous project built on GREED is going to suck up more taxpayers money now that PKFZ costs are believed to have ballooned from RM4.6 billion to RM8 billion! (Read also DAP Adviser Lim Kit Siang's take on this, here).

The Price Waterhouse Coopers audit report has been ready for some time but the Klang Port Authority and the Ministry of Transport are dragging their feet after having promised to release the report promptly to the public. The given excuses are that they are still getting Official Secrets Act (OSA) clearance for some of the documents involved in the report.

On the other hand, my sources tell me that there is frantic damage control and sinister goings on at the Port Authority to avoid some bigwigs getting implicated. They include a former Minister of Transport, a Sarawak tycoon who heads the BN parliamentary Back Benchers' Club and the outgoing UMNO Treasurer. O boy.

This government's credibility is wearing thin. We taxpayers must be told the truth. So I say shake a leg and out with the report, NOW.

Guess who came to dinner ...

I was among several bloggers invited to dinner last night with Datuk Sri Dr Rais Yatim (photo, right), the new Minister for Information, Communications and Culture at the Restoran Sri Melayu in Jalan Conlay. The sumptuous dinner was hosted by my blogger friend Datuk Ibrahim "Tiger" Yahaya, who now heads RTM.

I didnt see any non-Malay bloggers around. Aside from my friends Pokku, Pak Idrus and Elviza who are fiercely apolitical, I was probably the only other non pro-BN "so-po" blogger present. (Now this will probably make some of my other so-po blogger friends get their knickers all tied up in knots again ... sigh).

After making some mild threatening noises recently, the Minister really had nothing new to add in his speech. But acknowledging the importance and impact of the new 'alternate media' and the internet, he made an impassioned plea for us bloggers to simply tell the truth, and nothing but. Granted that there are some bad eggs amongst us bloggers, but considering that Bernama and other government controlled MSM have been equally guilty of telling fibs and "stretching" the truth lately, perhaps he should also direct them to do likewise.

Or else, we might as well rename the Ministry simply as the "Ministry for Propaganda and Public Enlightenment" * ... or something.

* a la the Third Reich, that is.

PKFZ: More Clarification Needed

The Malaysian Insider reports, here, that the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will seek clarification again from the parties responsible for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project whose cost is said to be exorbitant. New chairman Azmi Khalid said the PAC would call within two weeks all those responsible for the "RM1.8 billion-odd" project.

RM1.8 billion? Whatever happened to the RM3 billion?

In 2007, the PAC then headed by Shahrir Samad had summoned the parties involved for an explanation but "there are still matters to be explained further," he said.

If I can recall, Shahrir Samad had failed to summon the Attorney General for his take on the dubious land deal and the subsequent RM4.6 billion government bailout. ("Take" here means his versionlah). The audit report by Price Waterhouse Coopers is ready but Transport Minister Ong Tee Kiat has said, here, that it is up to the Klang Port Authority whether they want to release the report or otherwise.

Passing the buck, if you please. I am really getting pretty tired of this sandiwara.

Any bets that nothing will come out of this?

Unsavoury Characters

To those who have been gushing over Najib's "dream team" new cabinet, sorry if this is going to rain on your parade but former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir has just declared that there are several "unsavoury characters" in the new line up.

In his latest blog posting, here, Che Det a.k.a. Tun Dr M wrote: "The exclusion of Khairy Jamaluddin, UMNO Youth head who was found guilty of corruption by the UMNO disciplinary committee but allowed to contest for head of UMNO Youth seem to indicate a desire on the part of the new Prime Minister to rid UMNO of the blatantly corrupt politician".

"Unfortunately the inclusion of several unsavoury characters who had been accused of being corrupt while in the previous Government, seem to negate this desire," he adds. However, he did not state who these "unsavoury characters" are.

Since Tun Dr M has also vowed to work to oust Najib from the premiership if he appoints corrupt leaders in his cabinet, I do not really envy Najib right now.

B.U.M. 2009

Mark Saturday, May 16th 2009 in your diary for the Bloggers’ Event of the Year.

The new media scene has attracted a lot of interest after its influence and impact at the March 8, 2008 General Elections were duly noted by many quarters, both social and political. Bloggers’ Universe Malaysia (BUM) 2009 will be organising another day long session in a month's time at The Lake View Club, Subang Jaya, with the central theme: "4th and 5th Estates — on Collision Course?"

So as they say, watch this space ... or go direct to the BUM 2009 website for updates, here.

Stupid Bridge

For me, Johor Baru is one hell of a depressing town. After more than half a century of BN rule it has degenerated into a filthy and crime ridden southern gateway for the country and an absolute disgrace to us all.

The Malaysian Insider reports, here, "Over the past few days, the mainstream media has been making a case to revive the crooked bridge across the Johor Strait, a project cancelled by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his early days as prime minister that irked his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad". It was also no surprise to me when the JB UMNO youth head was reported as saying that “The people of Johor are placing high hopes on the (new) prime minister to review the decision to cancel the crooked bridge project across the Johor Straits".

Oh no, not again, I thought. Whoever thought of this crooked bridge clearly has got their crooked brains in their crooked backsides. If it was meant as a panacea for all traffic ills then they have got another thought coming because it certainly will not solve the problem of choke holds on both sides (ends) of the bridge.

If it was meant to allow a safe passage for ships, its really a no-brainer because the Johor Strait is too shallow for ships and besides, the swing bridge (on left of photo) is only meant for small craft. This will be very expensive to maintain just so that a few millionaires can sail their luxury yachts through at our expense.

If it was due to environmental concerns to allow water on both sides of the causeway to flow freely, well, haven't they heard of tunnels?

I believe the Singaporeans are also not thrilled to bits about the idea in the first place and I doubt if they will change their minds soon, especially during this economic downturn. Their factories are retrenching workers and with about 300,000 Malaysians in Singapore who may soon lose their jobs, perhaps JB UMNO Youth should look elsewhere to fill their pockets. Lets just forget about it and dont make us all look like idiots of the first order.

Surprises, Surprises

(Source: Malaysiakini)

I believe I am man enough to admit that I am wrong and I was really surprised that the 2-man personal police security detail of Najib, chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar (photo) has been found guilty of the grisly murder of Mongolian beauty Altantuya Shaaribu some time in October 2006. I had expected them to go free since there was no clear motive for the murder and they never knew the victim from Eve. It was also never established whether the two had acted on their own or were directed to act by someone else. But this morning, Shah Alam High Court judge Mohd Zaki found them guilty and sentenced them to death since "the prosecution has successfully proven its case against both accused beyond any reasonable doubt" based on the circumstantial evidence that had been adduced.

But then again, this is not the end of the story since both men will be appealing to higher courts. Lawyer Karpal Singh, who was holding a watching brief for the Altantuya family, has said the battle is not over as he had filed for a judicial review to compel the prosecution to file an appeal against the acquittal of Najib's pal Razak Baginda, the dead woman's former lover. (Read the Malaysiakini report, here).

Another big surprise is the inclusion of Mukhriz Mahathir, the losing contender in the recent fight for the post of UMNO Youth chief, as a deputy minister in Najib's nondescript new cabinet which was also announced this afternoon. This must be a tight slap in the face of Khairy Jamaludin, the new youth chief, who has been left out in the cold amidst talk of the revival of 'Mahathirism' in the BN government.

Or perhaps I am not really that surprised either.

Fools on the Hills

At this stage of my life, I do not suffer fools gladly.

When the by-election results were announced late last night with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) winning 2 out of 3 seats, the first thing that struck me quite honestly was those 14 independent candidates on the two bukits, who all lost their deposits ... what were they thinking? Or do I smell rats here.

I was also probably the only non pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) blogger at a lunch meeting yesterday, where the quiet consensus was that BN would win 3-0. These poor misguided youngsters will have to eat humble pie now.

And Muhyiddin has the gall to say that 'the feel-good factor' from Najib coming to power on Friday is still 'too new and has not sunk in.'

What 'feel good factor'? The only people who must have felt good about it are the UMNO/BN ship of fools, a delusional former apa nama prime minister, and of course those impoverished dayaks in Batang Ai, who obviously now truly deserve the government they have got.

The writing is already on the wall and the word is: CHANGE.

And change we must, lest we become a Nation of Fools too.

Loose Ends

I think I am a reasonable man, with reasonable expectations. As an old salt, I have always been uncomfortable with loose ends*, i.e., when there is no simple closure or simple answers to simple questions, such as:

Who ordered the 'neutralisation' of Mongolian beauty Altan whatshername?

Where is private investigator Bala whatshisname? etc., etc.

I simply cannot accept pulling of rank by swearing to a higher authority in His house that one is innocent and had nothing to do with all these mysterious happenings and disappearances. I would if I was born yesterday.

One of the first things Najib did as the new PM was to release 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees and also lifted the ban on two opposition publications. Big deal. He also espoused a new 1-Malaysia concept, whatever that means.

Sounds familiar? Before we go gushing over this, many of us old timers may recall that former PM Tun Dr Mahathir (Oh how we adored him!) also pulled the same stunt when he became prime minister. He released some ISA detainees but a few years later dumped many others into the slammer in Ops Lalang. Remember BCA for Bersih, Cekap, Amanah? Now where did that lead us.

More form than substance I would say. So lets not be bloody gullible here.

Lets not fall for the so-called 1-Malaysia claptrap either.

* Nautical etymology: based on the idea of a wire or rope with untidy ends that are not neatly tied or spliced together.

A Day of Infamy

I didnt buy the rumours via SMS going around town that the swearing in ceremony of the new PM at the palace was being postponed from 10 a.m. today to a later date. Despite some cock-ups about protocol (read about it, here) and a petition by 81 MPs asking the King to postpone appointing Najib as PM until he was cleared of allegations against him, etc., I believe the ceremony would go on as scheduled.

The petition noted that "Lately the DPM has been implicated in many scandals such as the commission for the purchase of French submarines. The most shocking is the murder of the Mongolian woman in which his name has been implicated. This has been published by newspapers around the world.

“Because of all these things and the fact that the position of the PM is very important, it is appropriate for Seri Paduka Baginda postpone the swearing-in ceremony of the PM until all the allegations are investigated by an independent commission and his name is cleared.’’

I am not really surprised that His Majesty has chosen to ignore this petition.

Folks, our nightmare has just begun.

April Monkeys

In the run-up to the April 7 by-elections, the opposition is now barred from bringing up a number of controversial issues including the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in their electoral campaign. This was announced by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, probably as his last hurrah if he cannot make it into incoming premier Najib's "dream team". (Read the Malaysiakini report, here).

This must really take the cake especially since the poor dead woman's name is now already well known in every town and kampung in this country.

My old classmate Dr Nik Azam in Kelantan writes of his kampung coconut plucker who has named his female monkey "Altantuya" and happens to be a staunch "dacing" or BN supporter. Not to be outdone, his only business rival in the same kampung who is a "bulan" or PAS supporter has named his male monkey "Razak Baginda".

Now what will our men in blue make of this?

Sokmo mu, Pak Habib. Benata beruk.