Of fuel relief, savings salary, and...

Barely a week after Malaysian Government announce 41 % fuel hike, the AAB-led government seems to be reeling back from the peoples' backlash.

The Government announce the cost cutting exercise of 10 % affecting the Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The announcement does not pacify the public as some demanded Ministers entertainment allowance to be slashed up to 50 %.

The initial handouts failed to impress the public when former PM, in his blog questions the supplier to rapid KL. One question worth thinking is - why can't the Government buy over the buses and refurbish it to improve the public transport system?

Apart from that, the Domestic Trade Minister has failed to impress the public during a "live" debate with the PAS youth on the actions taken to cushion the fuel hike.

In trying to win the peoples' heart and confidence, the Government announce further relief on 11th June '08. Amongst others, the Government pledge that there will be no further fi\uel hike for 2008. The same was mentioned as part of the BN's election campaing and yet, BN still increase the fuel price.

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

Of fuel hike...

The Nations's free newspaper headlines graphically indicated the 78 sen increase in petrol and Rm 1 increase for diesel in Malaysia effective from 5th June 2008.

The first inkling of the impending fuel price was first detected on NST online before the official announcement by the Government at 5.30 pm on 4th June 2008.

The impact of the increase will be far ranging. Along with the news of fuel increase, AAB's govt has offer cash rebates of up to RM 625 to individual owners of cars with capacity of less than 2000 CC, whilst the motorcyclist were offered cash rebates of up to RM 150 for owners of less than 250 CC motorcycles.

Then comes the double whammy...electricity tariff will be increased effective from 1st July 2008.
The fuel price will be reviewed on monthly basis.

In an immediate response, motorists que up the petrol kiosks to fill in their tanks, and the savings can come up to RM 50 or more. In the BSKL, the composite index loss 27 points in the early trading and by 10.03 am, the composite index drops to 34 points.

Let's hope that the legislators can do something about this and come up with a better idea. It seems that the Government are doing things on ad hoc basis without proper planning. A recent case of banning foreign vehicles from filling in their tanks in Malaysia just took effect on 2nd June '08 and by 4th June '08, the Government has reversed their own decision when the STAR quoted Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad of announcing the decision.

And all this come in the midst of unsettled rice price issue and the talks of possible cross over by politicians. Is this the beginning of the end for AAB ?

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


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Of challenges, rewards, goodies and...

The former PKR youth leader caused a stir mid-week when he announced that he will e joining UMNO, one of the component parties in BN. The announcement came amid claims and counter claims that the opposition may call for vote of no confidence and boot AAB out from office.

Days later, Ezam sketches out his dateline to AAB to prove himself by next GE to prove AAB's commitment for political reform. That said, Ezam give a long lifeline for AAB to prove his sincerity. Anf come to tjink about it, is Ezam really sincere in joining UMNO or is there any hidden agenda to his action? And to add to te bait, Anwar has issued a statement to Ezam's move...

At this critical times when allegiance are sought and co-erced, AAB has provided a bagful of goodies to Sabah state when he visited Sabah during the wekend. Whether the goodies are enough to satisfy the Sabah politicians are yet to be seen. With an additional 1 billion for development, it is a grand windfall.

However, Sbah PKR claims of possible crossover shall never be discounted. Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has indicated many dates before and has issued a new date for the possible crossover, Something must be up his sleeve, either to push AAB to announce the windfall or maybe it is a genuine statement of the possible cross over.

In other subject, Rahim Thamby Chik, the former Melaka CM has been appointed as RISDA's Chairman, replacing TS Muhamad Muhamad Taib. That is the reward for being an ardent supporter of AAB. This is a reversal of fortune to Mokhzani Mahathir who has been asked to relinquish his post as Chairman of Sepang International Circuit (SIC).. The call was made by Youth and Sports Minister. Is this a thinly disguised call for Tun Mahathir to reliquish his posts as advisers to a few Malaysian GLCs'? Tun Mahathir says that he prefers to be sacked...over to you AAB...

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

Of quit, thorn, overstaying and...

When those from Buddhist faith celebrate their Vesak day on 19th May 2008, UMNO is hit with the sudden announcement by Tun Mahathir that he quits the party. From his own words, it seems that there are certain pre-conditions attached for his return to UMNO. All the conditions seem to revolve around the departure of AAB as the PM, President of UMNO and BN.

The why's of Tun Mahathir's decision is best left at that and no amount of speculation can unearth the truth of his actions.

Looking through the fine prints of Malaysian insider, is the sudden announcement made because PAS member and former election candidate Ismail Wan Teh dare Tun Mahathir to make good his urge for party members to leave UMNO?

Tun Mahathir's long time political nemesis cum friend, Tun Musa Hitam, likened Tun Mahathir's quiting UMNO as removing thorn from the flesh . Is this a fitting description to a elder statesman who propels Malaysia into the world map ?

With parliment still in session, all eyes will be on Sabah MP's who have been extensively vocal in putting forth their displeasure to the treatment from Taiko UMNO. DAP adviser, Mr Lim Kit Siang shall be incorporating a clause calling for an inquiry on Sabah’s longstanding illegal immigrant problem in his motion of thanks on the Royal Address. Sabah MP's have to decide whether to support the clause and go against the traditional backing to the Government or to stick to their normal role of stamping the Government's proposal.

The final days of May signals that AAB has overstay and needs to think of exit plans before December 2008. As it stands, it is immaterial whether 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000 follow Tun Mahathir's footsteps but the message has been transmitted, loud and clear that AAB needs to go.

And during this time, the opposition will find time to politically capitalise on the event, to their maximum advantage where Anwar Ibrahim, TG Nik Aziz, Lim Kit Siang will find extra mileage in their quest to topple BN.

Now the bigger question is not if AAB steps down but more of when AAB will step down...

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

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Of Nero, desperate measures and...

It is said that Nero, the Roman emperor "fiddled while Rome burned". Of late, things get moving faster and faster, as if there is an invisible finishing line to be crossed. The competitors ? Obviously one of them is AAB whilst the rest are masked participants, unknown publicly but nevertheless guesses are openly made, albeit whether it is spot on is anybody's guess.

Star reported the cabinet's decision to start investigation on persons who may have break the laws with regards to the Lingam gate. De facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim mentions offences under the Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code, which included obstruction of justice. Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said he would go through the report before announcing whether he would be ordering a probe.

The first thing to note is the terms of reference (TOR) of the commission. Wiki has it here. In approaching the commission's report, one must not be bias or to make any pre-judgement to any of the names mentioned. Above all, it shall also be noted that humans could not unwind time and correct what is perceived as incorrect.

Malaysiakini reported an interesting point raised by the EC chairman. According to Rashid - after being informed about the cabinet’s decision to cancel the use of the ink - he was ordered to be responsible for the controversial scrapping of the indelible ink use.

This is the first time that TS Rashid touched on the issue.

And from the same EC, his deputy gives anoher probable bombshell - snap polls can be called. This statement is highlighted by Malaysiakini here. The deputy, Wan Ahmad was asked to comment on the uncertain political scenario following speculations of possible party-hopping by Barisan Nasional members to Pakatan Rakyat.

In the backdrop, Malaysia today says it with "As they play the final curtain"

Desperate people will do desperate things...do you agree?

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

Of PAM, VKL, HDC and...

Even before the dust settles, another prominent Sabah politician drops a bombshell. Pandikan Amin Mulia (PAM) has quit his post as the UMNO chief of Kota Marudu to "concentrate" on his role as speaker of Dewan Rakyat. This news was flash in rockybru's blog. Star carry out the report here.

Is that the beginning and a signal of the much anticipated exodus of elected representatives to the opposition side ? And if that happens, and if 30 or more elected representatives choose to switch their allegiance, does that mean the loose cooperation of the so called "Pakatan Rakyat" will be able to form a new government ? And if that happens, will the Dewan Negara, comprising of Senators will mirror those of Dewan Rakyat ? The plot thickens as the days go by...

On another front, MSN reported that the report presented by Royal Commission fora prominent lawyer (VKL) shall be discussed during the weekly Cabinet meeting. Amongst other, it is expected that the proposals by the Royal commission shall also be discussed at depth during th emeeting. This VKL issue may be used by AAB to divert the attention of public from the more critical PAM's resignation as UMNO division head and possibly heads off any domino effect. Updated news as reported in Malaysiakini the de facto law minister Zaid has announced that the report shall be made public and follows the commission proposal to investigate a few including former premier MM.

AAB is capitalising on VKL issue as a smokescreen for the Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) fiasco that may explodes in AAB (and SIL's face). Again Rockybru highlight the HDC issue here ,.
Dr Ghazie Ismail, SVP of HDC responded to the article by commenting on it. Someone remarked that one of the Directors for HDC is related to SIL. Let the experts out there trace the family tree.

As if this is not enough, Lawyer Kampung blogs on the newsreport in Harian Sinar where the former MB of Terengganu, Datuk Seri Ideris Jusoh (UMNO man) denied knowledge that Terengganu oil royalty is in the tune of RM 2.45 billion yearly compared to the State record of only RM 1.4 billion. AAB may have a tough time explaining this to Terengganu UMNO liason on the shortage of RM 3.15 billion (for the period covering 2003 to 2007).

Looks like AAB is going to have nightmares before December 2008 comes visiting or maybe AAB will be out of job by then...and joins the rich and famous unemployed club, either in Australia or crusing in Turkey via AA way.

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

Of loyalty, royalty and...

Since the recently concluded general election of Malaysia, PM AAB is under tremendous pressure from his own party stalwarts as well as the component parties due to the dismay performance of UMNO and BN during the said election.

Initially, there are talks that AAB is going to hand over the UMNO presidency to others but the talks and demands seems to lose momentum and goes underground, at least physically and the next weeks will see whether it is a serious threat or just a whimper of UMNO members antics.
This is more so when his deputy has publicly supported AAB through thick and thin.

On the other front, east Malaysian lawmakers are openly voicing out their displeasure on how BN ill treated them as was seen by statements from Anisah Aman and Ghapur during their speech in parliment recently. This fuelled more talks on the possibility of Sabah and Sarawak lawmakers cross over to the opposition. Apparently, these "coffee shop" talks is getting to AAB's nerves as it is reported in Malaysian insider that AAB is in overdrive to secure the pledge of loyalty of Sabah and Sarawak's lawmakers. Based on these reports, it seems that AAB is given a lifeline up to August to make good his promises to look into Sabah and Sarawak's interest.

Politic life in Malaysia will be more interesting comes June when UMNO starts their branch and division elections, the commission report on video involving a senior lawyer etc...

On the other front, the oil royalty payment to Malaysian oil producing states is another point of interest.
MB of Terengganu, Ahmad Said had previously called for the federal government to return the oil royalty money to the state to manage. He further stated that the money to the tune of RM 1.5 billion per year as reported by newspaper.

Well, brace for the shock when the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Amirsham A.Aziz revealed in the parliment on 12th May '08 that the royalty money or wang ehsan to the state of Terengganu is RM 2.45 billion annually.

This RM 2.45 billion annually is a simple arithmetic calculation of dividing RM 7.364 billion by three since the figure quoted by the Senator is for three years i.e. from March 2004 to Mar 2007.
No wonder, AAB is clapping his hands previously. He was appreciating the "good works" done by those behind the scene guys in spending to projects that are not fully beneficial to the people of Terengganu.

AAB may have smiled before but the threat of crossover is real.

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