Of Man U's Rooney, KNerang's Sobri and ...

Syed Sobri is only valuable if he is still UMNO elected state rep. However, his value diminishes gradually as time goes by and his value may depreciate to zero by March 2011. Why March 2011?

Man U fans is not going to like it but I am not an MU fan so this is good news for me! Yes, Wayne Rooney is ready and set to leave old Trafford. Since Khairy has declared his undying support for MU, does Rooney's moves indicates Khairy's intention to leave UMno?

Seriously, Webster's ruling may see Rooney leaving Manchester with 5M pounds whilst Rooney is valued at at least 50M pound. It sounds like "Lelong" sale to me, if MU does not treat this issue properly.

That's soccer and since Rooney's departure does not affect my Arsenal, I really don't care...

Talking of "lelong", there is another one in the air now and it happens right under our noses. Yup, it's Kedah's Kuala Nerang state seat. It seems that BN state assemblyman, Syed Sobri Syed Hashim was declared a bankrupt for failing to pay contributions to EPF. The amount? A whooping RM 700,000 when the case began in 2003!

It seems that in 2009, BN party leaders managed to talk Syed Sobri off relinquishing his state seat due to some financial matters. involving RM 150,000. Then somewhere in May 2010, Syed Sobri squashed off rumours about him joining PAS. Here's where the fun begins....

It is now confirmed that Syed Sobri is in financial doldrums. He needs money to resolve the issue. So, where did he run to? Yes, he runs to Shafie Afdal and Muhyidein Yassin for help and "comfort". Syed Sobri could ill-afford to join PAS as his financial burden may forced him to vacate his state seat. With limited moves, Syed Sobri makes the decision to stick to UMNO and make hay while the sun shines! Malaysian Insiders news of "By election looms as Kedah...). I see this as mirroring Rooney's Webster ruling!

Syed Sobri is only valuable if he is still UMNO elected state rep. However, his value diminishes gradually as time goes by and his value may depreciate to zero by March 2011. Why March 2011? Well, remember that the elected state government may declare that an election is unnecessary if the remaining time until the next scheduled election is less than 2 years. GE 12 was held on that historic March 8, 2008. And going by convention, the next Kedah state elction should be held by March 8, 2013. So, by this reasoning, the last day for the state to opt for any by-election should be March 8, 2011. After that, the state can choose to advise EC that they do not need any by-election.

That means Syed Sobri nett worth will depreciate to zero after March 8, 2011. That also means that if BN is desperately trying to avoid Kuala Nerang by-election, BN needs to use all its legal skills and resources to avoid Kedah government to declare Kuala Nerang seat vacant before Marh 8, 2011. What happens after March 8, 2011 is insignificant and will only serve as ego booster for whichever party who wins the state seat. After March 8, 2011, Syed Sobri can be considered as "lelong" material - no book value!

Can you see the similarity between MU's Rooney and KNerang's Sobri now? Both will be dirt cheap after March 2011! Rooney wants out of MU. Syed Sobri wants out of his financial complications. If Syed Sobri choose to vacate his seat, will BN provide "walk over" to PR? Afterall, Najib has declared that UMNO (and BN) will only field winnable candidates in future elections and since BN has only 16 reps, why bother to contest in Kuala Nerang (if Syed Sobri indeed needs to vacate his seat)?

May I offer another face-saving solution for Syed Sobri. Why not pass the hat around in the ongoing UMNO AGM? Who knows, maybe the delegates will chip in enough money for Syed Sobri to pay off his outstanding RM 700,000 EPF contribution. Or better still, why not get Najib to sweetalk Rosemah in investing RM 1M PERMATA project in Kuala Nerang? Get RM 300K building for a price of RM 1M. Then, and only maybe then, Najib will truly stands by his "Syed Sobri didahulukan, BN diutamakan" in rhyme with his "Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan"...

Whatever, I am truly looking forward to see Rooney leaving Man U and for Arsenal to "school" Man U in the coming matches. Although it is remotely probable for KJ to depart from UMno, I sincerely hope that Syed Sobri can works his magic and avoid by election in Kuala Nerang! Not that it is not welcome, but it's tiring ... and age is catching up on me...:)

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More