Saturday, 30 August 2014
HADI AWANG FAILED THE MUSLIM YOUTHS OF MALAYSIA
Hadi Awang Could Have Been an Effective Muslim Leader in the Environment of New Politics in Malaysia Which Began in 2008
...Instead, He Chose the Wrong Path for Himself and for the Islamic Party.
READ HERE FULL ARTICLE : http://www.mal...aysiakini.com/columns/273103
In politics, there are always some characters who may have appeared to be rather dull and even mediocre, but may eventually rise to the occasion and establish themselves as statesmen (or women).
One such person is BJ Habibie (left) of Indonesia.As Indonesians look back at history, they really should not forget Habibie’s audacity in seizing the historical moment to right all that was wrong with the country, while giving credit also to the people who were determined for change, even if it meant they had to pay with blood.
Sadly, the same cannot be said of Hadi Awang, the PAS president.
Hadi Awang , too, was presented with a golden opportunity to help the country rid of more than five decades of Umno that is deeply tainted with nepotism, cronyism and corruption - three issues that consigned Suharto to history - but has only proven himself to be nothing more than a political flimsily calculative and full of vengeful spirit.
Hadi belongs to the generation of idealist Malay youths who, having witnessed student movements around the world, were inspired to change Malaysia through political activism.
His comradeship with Anwar Ibrahim actually dates back to the late 1970s when they were both prominent leaders of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), although the latter subsequently joined Umno rather than the Islamic party, which shocked many.
While he did rise through the rank to assume PAS leadership through hard work at the grassroots level, Hadi LACKS the critical outlook and skills that would have better prepared him for national leadership.
He was given a chance to prove his worth when Terengganu fell to the opposition following the Malay backlash over Mahathir Mohamad’s persecution of Anwar, only to squander it five years later.
When PAS was entrusted to run Kedah in 2008, Hadi did nothing to rein in the underperforming but arrogant Azizan Abdul Razak despite growing discontent over the latter’s administration, causing the Islamic party to lose in 2013 and, worse, making it possible for the equally uninspiring, run-of-the-mill Mukhriz Mahathir to become menteri besar.
Like the Ulama wing, Hadi Awang feels increasingly challenged and even threatened by the rise of the professionals within the party.
As the Young Turks in PAS represented by Khalid Samad, Saari Sungib, Husam Musa and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad become household names and seek to shift the political discourse from religion to policy as well as ideas of human rights and democracy, THE CONSERVATIVE FORCES (in PAS) well-versed only in religious rhetoric, ARE ILL-EQUIPPED TO ADAPT TO A NEW ERA.
After all, not everyone could be as visionary as Habibie with the acute awareness that historic chances are hard to come by.
But in the case of Hadi, he has messed things up by refusing to allow a smooth replacement of menteri besar in Selangor out of his personal jealousies and sense of insecurity.
That he and his allies in the party are deepening the constitutional crisis by proposing more than one candidate to the sultan is indicative amply of his short-sightedness as a leader.
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has already secured the support of more than half of the support in the state assembly, and there is no reason for the sultan to request more names for consideration. The refusal by PKR and DAP to go along with the condition should not be interpreted as disrespect of the ruler, but a move to ensure Malaysia’s system of constitutional monarchy remain intact and well-respected. And this is not what SMALL-MINDED POLITICIANS SUCH AS HADI UNDERSTAND IT TO BE.
The longer the conundrum drags on, the higher the chances of more royal interference in other states in the future, and Hadi, Khalid Ibrahim and all their ardent supporters could one day be considered as undermining the foundation of Malaysian politics by simply procrastinating in solving the crisis.
It is indeed tragic that Hadi and his supporters refuse to tackle the imminent crisis but continue to indulge in their own selfish interests and calculations. Most likely, he will go down in Malaysian history not only as just another has-been, but also someone who, together with Khalid, is responsible for the erosion of constitutionalism in Malaysia. See More
...Instead, He Chose the Wrong Path for Himself and for the Islamic Party.
READ HERE FULL ARTICLE : http://www.mal...aysiakini.com/columns/273103
In politics, there are always some characters who may have appeared to be rather dull and even mediocre, but may eventually rise to the occasion and establish themselves as statesmen (or women).
One such person is BJ Habibie (left) of Indonesia.As Indonesians look back at history, they really should not forget Habibie’s audacity in seizing the historical moment to right all that was wrong with the country, while giving credit also to the people who were determined for change, even if it meant they had to pay with blood.
Sadly, the same cannot be said of Hadi Awang, the PAS president.
Hadi Awang , too, was presented with a golden opportunity to help the country rid of more than five decades of Umno that is deeply tainted with nepotism, cronyism and corruption - three issues that consigned Suharto to history - but has only proven himself to be nothing more than a political flimsily calculative and full of vengeful spirit.
Hadi belongs to the generation of idealist Malay youths who, having witnessed student movements around the world, were inspired to change Malaysia through political activism.
His comradeship with Anwar Ibrahim actually dates back to the late 1970s when they were both prominent leaders of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), although the latter subsequently joined Umno rather than the Islamic party, which shocked many.
While he did rise through the rank to assume PAS leadership through hard work at the grassroots level, Hadi LACKS the critical outlook and skills that would have better prepared him for national leadership.
He was given a chance to prove his worth when Terengganu fell to the opposition following the Malay backlash over Mahathir Mohamad’s persecution of Anwar, only to squander it five years later.
When PAS was entrusted to run Kedah in 2008, Hadi did nothing to rein in the underperforming but arrogant Azizan Abdul Razak despite growing discontent over the latter’s administration, causing the Islamic party to lose in 2013 and, worse, making it possible for the equally uninspiring, run-of-the-mill Mukhriz Mahathir to become menteri besar.
Like the Ulama wing, Hadi Awang feels increasingly challenged and even threatened by the rise of the professionals within the party.
As the Young Turks in PAS represented by Khalid Samad, Saari Sungib, Husam Musa and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad become household names and seek to shift the political discourse from religion to policy as well as ideas of human rights and democracy, THE CONSERVATIVE FORCES (in PAS) well-versed only in religious rhetoric, ARE ILL-EQUIPPED TO ADAPT TO A NEW ERA.
After all, not everyone could be as visionary as Habibie with the acute awareness that historic chances are hard to come by.
But in the case of Hadi, he has messed things up by refusing to allow a smooth replacement of menteri besar in Selangor out of his personal jealousies and sense of insecurity.
That he and his allies in the party are deepening the constitutional crisis by proposing more than one candidate to the sultan is indicative amply of his short-sightedness as a leader.
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has already secured the support of more than half of the support in the state assembly, and there is no reason for the sultan to request more names for consideration. The refusal by PKR and DAP to go along with the condition should not be interpreted as disrespect of the ruler, but a move to ensure Malaysia’s system of constitutional monarchy remain intact and well-respected. And this is not what SMALL-MINDED POLITICIANS SUCH AS HADI UNDERSTAND IT TO BE.
The longer the conundrum drags on, the higher the chances of more royal interference in other states in the future, and Hadi, Khalid Ibrahim and all their ardent supporters could one day be considered as undermining the foundation of Malaysian politics by simply procrastinating in solving the crisis.
It is indeed tragic that Hadi and his supporters refuse to tackle the imminent crisis but continue to indulge in their own selfish interests and calculations. Most likely, he will go down in Malaysian history not only as just another has-been, but also someone who, together with Khalid, is responsible for the erosion of constitutionalism in Malaysia. See More
SULTAN HAS NO CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO ASK FOR MORE NAMES
SULTAN HAS NO CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO ASK FOR MORE NAMES, SAYS CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERT ABDUL AZIZ BARI.
http://tinyurl.com/lqwuzya
Without mincing words, constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari claimed that the Selangor sultan had NO POWER t...o request for more names with regard to the menteri besar post.
He also said THE REQUEST IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL since THERE IS candidate, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, with CLEAR MAJORITY SUPPORT.
"MAJORITY is the ONLY CRITERIA, thus the sultan has no power to ask for more names when there is already a majority," he told Malaysiakini today.
Aziz pointed out that UNDER PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM, THE GOVERNMENT IS OWNED AND ANSWERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE HOUSE, NOT THE PALACE.
And the PALACE's ONLY ROLE, he added, IS TO APPOINT WHOEVER THAT HAS MAJORITY SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.
Meanwhile, Aziz said the request for more names when there is a clear majority also deviated from the usual practice in Malaysia.
Normally, he added, the sultans, governors, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong accepted ANY NAME submitted by the majority party.
"Note the smooth changes the Agong and sultans accepted and appointed incoming leaders WITHOUT A FUSS.
http://tinyurl.com/lqwuzya
Without mincing words, constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari claimed that the Selangor sultan had NO POWER t...o request for more names with regard to the menteri besar post.
He also said THE REQUEST IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL since THERE IS candidate, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, with CLEAR MAJORITY SUPPORT.
"MAJORITY is the ONLY CRITERIA, thus the sultan has no power to ask for more names when there is already a majority," he told Malaysiakini today.
Aziz pointed out that UNDER PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM, THE GOVERNMENT IS OWNED AND ANSWERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE HOUSE, NOT THE PALACE.
And the PALACE's ONLY ROLE, he added, IS TO APPOINT WHOEVER THAT HAS MAJORITY SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.
Meanwhile, Aziz said the request for more names when there is a clear majority also deviated from the usual practice in Malaysia.
Normally, he added, the sultans, governors, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong accepted ANY NAME submitted by the majority party.
"Note the smooth changes the Agong and sultans accepted and appointed incoming leaders WITHOUT A FUSS.
SELANGOR PALACE IS PROLONGING THE CRISIS IN SELANGOR
Constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari said the palace is "unnecessarily" prolonging the crisis by "flouting" the rule of appointing the person who has majority of the House.
http://tinyurl.com/lsymc8e
Aziz, who had contested on a PKR tic...ket in the last general election, added that the palace is also going against the principle that "the sultan must have a government at all times".
"(A government) must be appointed without delay, as government business can only be done by an elected government.
"Sultan or civil servants cannot run the state as they are not elected and cannot be made answerable to the House," he said.
He said that with 30 reps backing Wan Azizah, the palace may "end up in an embarrassing position" as a candidate from PAS, for example, may only get up to 26 members to back him or her.
He also said PAS for making a "baffling" decision to accede to the decree unlike its Pakatan partners.
"But it appears that PAS has become the spokesperson for the palace as it (the palace) never denied what the party said about the wishes of the palace," he said. See More
http://tinyurl.com/lsymc8e
Aziz, who had contested on a PKR tic...ket in the last general election, added that the palace is also going against the principle that "the sultan must have a government at all times".
"(A government) must be appointed without delay, as government business can only be done by an elected government.
"Sultan or civil servants cannot run the state as they are not elected and cannot be made answerable to the House," he said.
He said that with 30 reps backing Wan Azizah, the palace may "end up in an embarrassing position" as a candidate from PAS, for example, may only get up to 26 members to back him or her.
He also said PAS for making a "baffling" decision to accede to the decree unlike its Pakatan partners.
"But it appears that PAS has become the spokesperson for the palace as it (the palace) never denied what the party said about the wishes of the palace," he said. See More
PAS Grassroots Upset with Hadi Awang
PAS LOYALISTS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEIR PRESIDENT HADI AWANG FOR TRYING TO FORM A UNITY-GOVERNMENT WITH UMNO WITHOU...T THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PARTY
by
Abdul Rahim Sabri
Read here in malaysiakini:http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/273040
PAS loyalists are furious PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang attempted to form a unity government with Umno in Selangor behind the party's back.
PAS leaders, particularly among those who are pro-Pakatan Rakyat, were said to be incensed that Hadi had offered PKR deputy president Azmin Ali the post of Selangor menteri besar and enticed state assemblypersons aligned to him to defect to PAS - giving the party enough numbers to take over Selangor by forming an alliance with arch-rival Umno.
Hadi was reportedly confronted about the secret plan by other PAS central committee members at a party meeting on Aug 25 to discuss its latest move on the Selangor crisis.
Hadi Awang, through his political secretary Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, vehemently DENIED the matter ATER IT BECAME PUBLIC.
But SEVERAL PAS SOURCES told Malaysiakini that Hadi DID ADMIT at the central committee meeting HIS CLANDESTINE SCHEME TO WORK WITH UMNO.
The revelation even shocked some conservative PAS members who have been Hadi’s most ardent supporters.
PAS sources said that several leaders had engaged in a heated argument with Hadi at Monday’s meeting, while OTHER DISGRUNTLED MEMBERS GAVE UP TALKING TO THEIR LEADER.
Some PAS leaders were also upset that Hadi's stubborn refusal to back Wan Azizah had put them at odds with their Pakatan partners, THUS PROLONGING THE SELANGOR CRISIS.
The PAS muktamar, scheduled for Sept 18 to 20 in Johor Bahru, will not see any party election which was already conducted last year.
But a party insider told Malaysiakini that a manoeuvre against the president is not out of the question.
HISTORY OF PAS OUSTING ITS PRESIDENT
At least two PAS presidents have been ousted in past muktamar sessions, even though not election years.
The source drew parallels with the 1982 muktamar where the policy speech of the then president, Asri Muda, which would customarily be approved by delegates, was suddenly voted down.
The move was seen as a symbolic rejection of Asri, similar to how a defeated budget in a Westminister parliamentary system is taken as a vote of no confidence against a prime minister.
Asri, who later joined UMNO, was subsequently replaced by Yusof Rawa.
Meanwhile in 1986, Yusof himself came under siege when a motion on using the Chinese Consultative Council (CCC) to promote PAS policies to non-Muslims was rejected by the muktamar, even though the idea was promoted in Yusof's policy speech. "This was seen as a rejection of the president," said the source.
However, according to the source, the groundswell against Hadi may not have reached a breaking point as yet and those disillusioned with him may have to wait until next year's polls to oust him.
PAS elected leaders serve for short two-year terms, compared to other parties which generally observe a three-year term. "The president will be challenged (in an election)," the party insider said.
WHY PASS GRASSROOTS UPSET WITH HADI AWANG
1. Those upset with Hadi are puzzled by his particular resentment with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as their leader's anger against the opposition leader was apparent at Monday's meeting.
Hadi was reportedly outraged that two PAS state assemblypersons had unanimously backed Wan Azizah, seeing it as PKR's “theft” of its elected representatives, and used it to justify enticing defections from PKR to PAS and for the Islamic party to join forces with Umno.
2. Hadi had, in the past, also caused friction in Pakatan, particularly during the 13th general election, when he approved PAS candidates in several constituencies that the coalition initially agreed would be contested by PKR, resulting in three-cornered fights.
3. PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli earlier this month also revealed that Hadi did not want Anwar as prime minister had Pakatan taken Putrajaya the last general election, preferring instead Umno's Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in the top job.
4. Others are also unhappy with Hadi for his ‘one man show’ in leading the party.
This perception stems largely from the president's tendency to rely on his inner circle, mostly from the conservative faction, instead of delegating tasks or discussing issues with his elected lieutenants, who include the Erdogans.
WHO WILL SUCCEED HADI AWANG
However, many PAS members are in two minds about ousting Hadi as there is no clear successor given the convention since the early 1980s requiring that PAS's president be an ulama (cleric).
At present, there is only one ulama in the senior-most leadership, PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, with the deputy president and other vice-president posts being dominated by the Erdogans.
One of the party's vice-presidents, Salahuddin Ayub while conceding that the ouster of PAS president in the past was not unheard of, called on the members to judge Hadi fairly.
Regardless of whether a manoeuvre against Hadi is initiated next month or next year, the president can still rely on his core support base. Already, some of his supporters have come out in his defence, albeit subtly. See More
Selangor Sultan's Appointment of Khalid as Interim MB is Questioned
THE LEGITIMACY OF KHALID IBRAHIM TO CONTINUE AS MB IN THE INTERIM PERIOD UNTIL THE NEXT MB IS APPOINTED IS QUESTIONED.
Read here fu...ll article by Law Professor Gurdial Singh Nijar http://tinyurl.com/k7v56u7
( SINGH NIJAR is professor at the Law Faculty, Universiti Malaya. He is part of the Perdana Global Peace Foundation's Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal )
by
Professor Gurdial Singh Nijar
The disquiet expressed by the Palace over remarks regarding the Selangor MB crisis is perfectly understandable, and to some extent, even justified.
The LIMITS of a monarch’s discretionary powers in a functioning democracy has exercised the minds of many a constitutional lawyer the world over. The debate always intensifies and burnishes when there is intense political contestation; and a party feels that its mandate, so painstakingly won through elections, may be at stake.
As the Palace statement, with respect, correctly points out:
"The sultan wants someone who will take care of the RAKYAT'S NEEDS and develop Selangor to HIGHER levels".
AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO GAUGE THE "RAKYAT'S NEEDS" THAN HAVE THE RAKYAT ITSELF PROVIDE ITS FEEDBACK - THROUGH THE MEDIA AND OTHER RECOGNISED CHANNELS.
1. The rakyat chose the party that must govern. And their expectations as to who must helm the government to develop the state “to higher levels” must rank at par with that of the Ruler’s.
2. That’s why an orderly and smooth transition – consonant with respect for the ‘constitution and established conventions’, which is how the federal Court phrased it in the Nizar case, is vital.
And that, precisely, is what is being advanced.
3. Our Federal Court said that once this loss of majority confidence is made clear, then resignation must follow; indeed the Chief Judge said if the MB refuses to tender his resignation (as happened in the Perak case) “… the fact remains that the executive council is dissolved (which include the Menteri Besar) on account of the MB losing the confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly”.
The Court went on to say: “Therefore, it is not necessary for the DYMM Sultan of Perak to remove Nizar and other members of the executive council”.
4, In short the MB and his exco lose all legitimacy to continue to govern.
5. BUT can the power to govern be extended? Indeed an intriguingly novel question.
Perhaps we can refer then to constitutional conventions established by the country on which our Westminster model of the constitution was crafted. An authoritative constitutional authority says this, of the practice in England:
“In the event of … resignation of the Prime Minister, the governing party would doubtless expedite its election procedures. If there were still to be substantial delay before a successor could be chosen, the Cabinet could be expected to bring forward a minister who would assume temporary leadership of the government, the Queen being invited to confirm his or her authority to act. Otherwise the Queen might call on the deputy Prime Minister or, if there were none, the Minister ranking highest in precedence to take this responsibility”.
Practically, THIS CONVENTION SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT IT MAY NOT BE QUITE APPROPRIATE TO APPOINT IN THE INTERIM A PERSON WHO HAS LOST THE MAJORITY SUPPORT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY.
(Note: The Sultan asked Khalid Ibrahim, who had lost the majority support of the State Assembly, to continue to be MB until the next MB is appointed)
THE QUESTION IS : IN WHOSE NAME DOES THE PERSON (read Khalid Ibrahim) REJECTED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE EXCO, RULE? See More
PAS CAN FORGET ABOUT NON-MUSLIM VOTES
IF PAS LEAVES PAKATAN, PAS WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOSER BECAUSE THE CHINESE WILL NOT VOTE THEM ANY MORE, SAYS FORMER UMNO SELANGOR AND CURRENT PAS MEMBER, TAN SRI MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD TAIB.
http://tinyurl.com/lj5z5nf
Muhammad Muhammad Taib, .a... former Selangor menteri besar, who is also known as Mat Taib, reminded PAS that Chinese voters had supported PAS since it joined the Pakatan pact.
Muhammad said based on his 10 years experience in helming the state, he understood the voting trends of the electorate and he felt PAS would be safer if they continue to be with the coalition.
He said regardless of whatever decision the party takes, there should be cognisance that Chinese voters do play an important role.
Mat Taib was speaking to a Merdeka forum in Universiti Selangor in Shah Alam attend by about 100 people.
Mat Taib said,:
.
"PAS will lose out as the Chinese will NOT want to vote for them any more.
" Do not carry Allahu Akhbar sentiments only, we need to be practical with the needs and mood of the voters. If we miscalculate, Pakatan will win and PAS will not obtain any votes.
" If there is an election in Selangor, I feel PAS will lose at least 10 seats.
"I think if PAS takes a new stand, they will lose a lot. The Chinese voters will leave and will not vote for PAS candidates. I have looked at the Selangor voters trend and found that PAS candidates did not win with a huge majorities.
"This is based on my experience as MB. I know the trend, WE SHOULD NOT BE SYOK SENDIRI.
"If PAS changes its stand and feels that it can stand on its own or for example, wants to form a partnership with Umno, I think Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) had repeatedly stated 'do not believe'.
" Umno will continue to find opportunities to strengthen people's support towards itself in all kinds of ways.
"PAS had previously worked with Umno before and the partnership did not last.
"Umno only wants PAS when it showed some weakness. In my opinion, it is better for PAS to stick with Pakatan. Let Umno be with MCA and MIC.
"Any views that said Umno and PAS can administer together, that is just temporary. When Umno and BN regain back Selangor, they will kick out PAS when they are back in power.
"We must know our strengths. Don't change our strategies just because we have won because in the end, we will fall into Umno's trap."
http://tinyurl.com/lj5z5nf
Muhammad Muhammad Taib, .a... former Selangor menteri besar, who is also known as Mat Taib, reminded PAS that Chinese voters had supported PAS since it joined the Pakatan pact.
Muhammad said based on his 10 years experience in helming the state, he understood the voting trends of the electorate and he felt PAS would be safer if they continue to be with the coalition.
He said regardless of whatever decision the party takes, there should be cognisance that Chinese voters do play an important role.
Mat Taib was speaking to a Merdeka forum in Universiti Selangor in Shah Alam attend by about 100 people.
Mat Taib said,:
.
"PAS will lose out as the Chinese will NOT want to vote for them any more.
" Do not carry Allahu Akhbar sentiments only, we need to be practical with the needs and mood of the voters. If we miscalculate, Pakatan will win and PAS will not obtain any votes.
" If there is an election in Selangor, I feel PAS will lose at least 10 seats.
"I think if PAS takes a new stand, they will lose a lot. The Chinese voters will leave and will not vote for PAS candidates. I have looked at the Selangor voters trend and found that PAS candidates did not win with a huge majorities.
"This is based on my experience as MB. I know the trend, WE SHOULD NOT BE SYOK SENDIRI.
"If PAS changes its stand and feels that it can stand on its own or for example, wants to form a partnership with Umno, I think Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) had repeatedly stated 'do not believe'.
" Umno will continue to find opportunities to strengthen people's support towards itself in all kinds of ways.
"PAS had previously worked with Umno before and the partnership did not last.
"Umno only wants PAS when it showed some weakness. In my opinion, it is better for PAS to stick with Pakatan. Let Umno be with MCA and MIC.
"Any views that said Umno and PAS can administer together, that is just temporary. When Umno and BN regain back Selangor, they will kick out PAS when they are back in power.
"We must know our strengths. Don't change our strategies just because we have won because in the end, we will fall into Umno's trap."
Thursday, 14 August 2014
SURAT KEPADA TOK GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT DARI ZULKIFLI SULONG
SURAT PANJANG UNTUK TOK GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT
dari Zulkifli Sulong
(Zulkifli adalah bekas Ketua Pengarang Harakah, Harakahdaily dan Siasah dan telah bersama kumpulan Harakah selama 26 tahun, Sekarang beliau bertugas sebagai Pengarang Analisis dan Rencana.dengan Malaysian Insider)
KE HADAPAN TOK GURU NIK AZIZ YANG DISAYANGI.
Apa khabar Tok Guru?
Semoga Tok Guru sentiasa tabah dalam menghadapi penyakit yang dihidapi.
Saya yakin, Tok Guru dikehendaki Allah untuk terus hidup bagi menjadi penyelamat kepada parti dan jemaah yang Tok Guru pimpin ini ketika ia sedang dilanda badai sekarang.
Tok Guru,
30 tahun lalu iaitu pada 1983, saya menjejak kaki ke Pejabat PAS Kelantan untuk bertugas sepenuh masa dengan PAS. Ketika itu Tok Guru adalah pesuruhjaya PAS Kelantan.
PAS keseorangan ketika itu Tok Guru. Tidak ada kerjasama dengan mana-mana pihak. Sebagai pekerja muda yang baru berusia 20 tahun, saya tinggal di bangunan PAS Kelantan di Jalan Tok Pati. Setiap pagi Jumaat saya akan bersama-sama dengan allahyarham Ustaz Bunyamin Yaakub mempersiapkan Dewan Zulkifli Muhamad untuk Tok Guru mengajar.
Di situlah tempat bekerja dan di situlah juga tempat saya tidur. Saya masih ingat lagi bagaimana saya terpaksa makan mi segera selama dua hari ketika Kota Baru dilanda banjir pada tahun itu. Tanyalah Hashim Omar tentang cerita ini.
Kuliah Tok Guru ketika itu tidak ramai orang yang mendengarnya berbanding sekarang, tetapi cukup untuk memenuhi Dewan Zulkifli. Kuliah Tok Guru semakin ramai dari hari ke hari tetapi PAS hanyalah parti pembangkang yang mempunyai Adun tidak seberapa orang ketika itu kerana PAS bersendirian selepas ditendang keluar Barisan Nasional (BN). Tok Guru tentu lebih faham bagaimana ia berlaku.
Husam Musa (kini datuk) adalah bos saya ketika itu. Dia yang baru tamat pengajian dari Universiti Malaya (UM) bertekad tidak mahu bekerja dengan kerajaan kerana mahu berkhidmat sepenuh masa dengan jemaah. Husam pelajar yang cerdik masa di UM. Dia juga adalah pemimpin pelajar. Husam adalah setiausaha Penerbitan Persatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya (PMUM).
Bagi memastikan beliau tidak dipaksa oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) yang memberikannya biasiswa agar bekerja dengan kerajaan, Husam tidak pergi ke peperiksaan akhir di UM Tok Guru. Akhirnya beliau hanya lulus dengan gred yang rendah dan dibiarkan begitu saja oleh JPA tanpa menawarkan tempat di mana-mana jabatan kerajaan.
Untuk membolehkan PAS mempunyai media, kami terbitkan Gema Pemuda. Mula-mula kami edarkan di Kelantan saja. Tanpa modal yang cukup tetapi dengan semangat tinggi, kami usahakan projek ini untuk jemaah. Kami terbitkan seminggu sekali dan edarkan di tempat kuliah Tok Guru. Apabila masuk keluaran ketiga, kami mula edarkan di negeri lain iaitu Kedah dan Terengganu pula.
Begitulah susahnya PAS ketika itu. Tetapi kami sangat senang bekerja. Tidak ada fitnah memfitnah dan serangan yang bukan-bukan kepada kami di kalangan petugas PAS.
Pada 1990, menerusi kerjasama dengan Semangat 46, kita berjaya merampas Kelantan. Semua kerusi DUN di Kelantan berjaya kita menangi bersama dengan Semangat 46 pimpinan Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Tok Guru dilantik sebagai menteri besar. Alhamdulillah melalui kerjasama itu, kerajaan kita di Kelantan kekal sehingga kini.
Kita berjaya menang besar lagi pada 1999 apabila kita bekerjasama dengan Barisan Alternatif (BA) iaitu bersama dengan DAP dan PKR. Bukan saja berjaya mengekalkan Kelantan, kita juga berjaya merampas Terengganu. Kita berjaya menang atas sentimen masyarakat Melayu terhadap penganiayaan yang dibuat terhadap Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Presiden PAS Allahyarham Datuk Fadzil Mohd Nor menubuhkan Gerak ketika itu dan membawa pelbagai pihak bersama dengan PAS melawan BN.
Namun apabila datang isu Dokumen Negara Islam, kita kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya 2004 kerana, DAP mengambil sikap keluar BA selepas tidak senang dengan kita.
Kita kehilangan Terengganu dan hampir kehilangan Kelantan. Beza kita dengan BN hanya tiga kerusi saja di Kelantan. Apabila pilihan raya kecil Pengkalan Pasir diadakan, kita kalah dan menjadikan beza kita dengan BN hanya satu kerusi.
Di era inilah Tok Guru banyak diuji. Pelbagai ujian datang Tok Guru. Yang paling besar dan saya masih ingat adalah Tok Guru diuji dengan menantu Tok Guru yang ketika itu menjadi ketua pegawai eksekutif Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan (PMBK). Pelbagai fitnah yang Tok Guru hadapi.
Ingat tak lagi bagaimana Husam pergi menangis di depan Tok Guru memohon agar menantu Tok Guru itu ditamatkan perkhidmatannya? Akhirnya Tok Guru bersetuju dengan pandangan Husam dan selamatlah Tok Guru daripada fitnah itu.
Dengan pelbagai projek yang dibuat olehnya, kerajaan Kelantan berjaya mengharungi zaman cemas apabila bermajoritikan satu kerusi saja di Kelantan. Akhirnya pada pilihan raya umum 2008, kita menang besar di Kelantan dan juga Malaysia. Kita juga berjaya membentuk kerajaan di Selangor, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang. Selepas itulah terbentuknya Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Melalui PR juga kita menang besar dalam Pilihan Raya Umum 2013 lalu walaupun kita kehilangan Kedah kerana perpecahan dalaman yang berlaku di dalam parti kita.
Tok Guru yang dikasihi,
Kini, buat pertama kalinya PR berada dalam suasana paling runcing sekali. Ini ekoran krisis yang berlaku di Selangor apabila PKR tidak berpuas hati dengan Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. Mereka memutuskan untuk menukar Khalid dengan Presiden PKR Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Namun, sebelum mesyuarat AJK PAS Pusat yang akan memutuskan sikap kita, Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyatakan sokongan terbuka kepada Khalid. Tok Guru juga kemudiannya menyokong pendirian presiden itu. Majlis Syura Ulama yang diketuai Tok Guru juga membuat keputusan yang sama, menyokong Khalid kekal sebagai MB.
Namun sehari selepas mesyuarat itu, Tok Guru dalam sidang media di Majlis Rumah Terbuka PAS Kawasan Kota Baru berkata kepada media, Tok Guru hanya mempengerusikan mesyuarat itu setengah jam saja kerana tidak sihat. Tok Guru juga kata, tidak berminat untuk campur urusan MB Selangor itu dan biarlah orang Selangor menguruskannya.
Daripada kenyataan itu, saya terasa Tok Guru cuba untuk menjarakkan diri Tok Guru dengan keputusan Majlis Syura itu. Apa sebabnya semua orang tidak tahu. Mereka hanya boleh meneka-neka saja.
Saya beranggapan Tok Guru cuba menjadi orang tengah dengan tidak memihak ke mana-mana pihak yang sedang berbeza pendapat ini.
Tok Guru yang disayangi,
Sejak 10 tahun lalu, saya mula merasai kehadiran suasana yang tidak sihat dalam parti dan jemaah kita. Ramai orang muda di kalangan kita yang mudah sangat membuat tuduhan dan fitnah sesama kita, seolah-olah nilai ukhuwah yang ditanam dalam setiap usrah dan tamrin yang kita lalui dulu sudah tidak ada.
Sejak kebelakangan ini Tok Guru, perkara ini semakin menjadi-jadi. Ada-ada saja tuduhan yang dilemparkan sesama kita. Mereka yang paling banyak menjadi mangsa adalah pihak yang mahu mempastikan PR yang kita dapat manafaat maksima daripadanya terus kekal dan utuh.
Saya antara sasaran mereka kerana tugas saya adalah menulis dan premis utama tulisan saya adalah mempertahankan kerjasama yang kita bina melalui PR. Turut diserang adalah beberapa pemimpin PAS. Mereka dituduh lebih wala' kepada pemimpin lain daripada pemimpin parti kita sendiri. Padahal jika itu benar, baik mereka menyertai parti lain bukan menyertai parti Islam PAS ini.
Ada antara kita yang mengeluarkan fatwa golongan yang mempertahankan PR ini sebagai Munafik Haraki.
Ada juga antara kita yang melancarkan Gerak 2 selepas Gerak yang pertama dilancarkan allahyarham Fadzil dulu.
Yang peliknya Tok Guru, Ustaz Fadzil menarik seramai mungkin orang perseorangan dan pertubuhan untuk bersama dengan kita dalam membela Anwar yang teraniaya, tetapi Gerak 2 mempunyai tujuan yang lain.
Gerak 2 dilancarkan untuk membela seorang individu yang kononnya teraniaya walaupun terpaksa menghalau sekurang-kurang dua parti yang mempunyai pengikut puluhan ribu yang selama ini berjuang bersama dengan kita.
Kita sekarang dalam dilema Tok Guru. Antara membela seorang individu dengan membela dua parti yang selama ini menjadi rakan kita berkempen untuk mendapatkan mandat dari rakyat.
Tok Guru yang dikasihi,
Saya penuh keyakinan, PAS mendapat manafaat maksima apabila kita bekerjasama dengan pihak lain berbanding dengan kita bersendirian.
Lihatlah apa berlaku kepada kita di tahun 1980-an apabila kita bersendirian dan pada 2004 apabila pihak lain meninggalkan kita.
Bandingkan dengan apa yang kita dapat apabila kita bersama dengan Semangat 46 pada 1990 dan apabila bersama Pakatan Rakyat pada 2008 dan 2013.
Kini Tok Guru, ada semacam satu kecenderungan kita hendak diajak agar bersendirian semula. Semua keputusan, ucapan, tulisan melalui media sosial dan sebagainya menjurus ke arah kita bersendirian.
Saya dengan rendah hati memohon Tok Guru agar campur tangan segera. Jangan dibiarkan jemaah kita ini terpaksa berundur ke belakang iaitu zaman 30 tahun lalu. Jika itu berlaku saya yakin, kita akan memerlukan 30 tahun lagi untuk membina semula jemaah kita ini untuk mencapai tahap yang ada sekarang.
Sekian Tok Guru. Terima kasih kerana sudi membaca coretan panjang saya ini.
Saya sanggup bersengkang mata untuk menulisnya kerana hanya Tok Guru harapan saya untuk menyelesaikan kemelut ini.
- ZULKIFLI SULONG
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
UPDATE: KHALID IBRAHIM: THE BEST WELL KEPT SECRET MOLE OF UMNO IN PAKATAN ?
UPDATE:
UPDATE:
..Insiders speaking on anonymity say events up till now seem to fulfill their predictions they most feared..KHALID IBRAHIM HOLDING ON TO THE MB POST AT ALL COSTS.... starting from the time when the Kajang Move was initiated after PKR leaders realising the implications of the out-court-settlements of Khalid Ibrahim's debts and the players involved and what it means if Khalid is not removed.
The generally held view by some insiders as of yesterday is that Khalid will be holding on to the MB post UNTIL ALL the business deals and promises he made to the powers-that-be as part of his settling of his Bank Islam debts are finalised AND SEALED before he will actually let go of his MB position.
PAS support is more crucial than BN for Khalid to achieve his objective. And to seal PAS support, acccording to some insiders, Khalid needs to get the Sultan on side because PAS leaders will NOT oppose the position of the Sultan. Khalid knew this from the Bible incidents in Selangor. (NOTE: Khalid did say confidently the 4 PAS Exco will be working under him after he met up with the Sultan)
The worst case scenario which is seen as a strategy of last-resort was to have Selangor under emergency rule by Putrajaya on the excuse that Selangor is ungovernable (as in Kelantan 1977) and the state taken over by the Federal Government. Well aware of that fact, insiders believe that seems to be the fear of Pakatan leaders when they told their Exco members not to resign and stay on their jobs until the du
--------
EARLIER ARTICLE BELOW:
According to another insider who did not want to be named, the strategy was to be in place until close to the GE 14. But it was flung open early and UMNO had to follow through.
Somehow PKR knew something was not right and when Bank Islam did not pursue the RM 66 Million debt from Khalid, PKR leadership's worst nightmare became a reality and all those suspicions seem to fall in place. The peculiar behaviour and decisions by Khalid throughout begin to make sense.
That was why the KAJANG MOVE became urgent and imperative for PKR and for Pakatan.
Remember, according to the insider, the out of court settlement between Khalid and Bank Islam took place in mid-February 2014, and immediately the KAJANG MOVE was put into effect in March 2014 to stem the political damage to Pakatan.
Because the Selangor Palace got enmeshed in all this, it became sensitive for PKR to spill out the true details and reasons for the KAJANG MOVE. However, that became a fact in recent days.
By then, Khalid knew the game was up. He played on his role in the Kajang Move while his handlers sort out this un-expected hit back by PKR.
Khalid was advised to hang on to the post after UMNO knew they secured the support of the Selangor Palace. The forced outcome when it comes to the final push and shove by Pakatan is fresh elections in Selangor
The MB Selangor issue was too big and the stakes were too high, and that is why the Kajang Move was crucial to counter act and negate the POLITICAL manuveures of Putrajaya and those advising the Selangor Palace.
Unfortunately, PAS had a myopic view of the Selangor MB issue because Khalid played the Palace card.
What is not understood is why PAS President Hadi Awang decided to continue to back Khalid since it is rumoured he was told and knew exactly the reasons for the Kajang Move. Has UMNO-BN got one on him too ?
Friday, 8 August 2014
SELANGOR 2014... DE JA VU... KELANTAN 1977
1977 IN KELANTAN
PAS BEHAVING EXACTLY LIKE UMNO ...What UMNO did to PAS in 1977 , PAS is doing the same to PKR in 2014
PAS was in a partnership coalition with UMNO-BN in a Unity Govt to govern Kelantan at that time.
Datuk Mohd Nasir was the PAS MB for Kelantan. PAS had the majority in the Kelantan State Assembly.
In 1977, PAS passed a vote of NO Confidence on their own man, the Kelantan MB through the 20 PAS ADUNS,But the Kelantan MB still refused to resign.
PAS's partners, the 14 ADUNs from UMNO and MCA walked out in protest because they did not agree to PAS removing their own man as Kelantan MB.
The Kelantan MB instead wants to dissolve the Kelantan state assembly for fresh elections to be held. Chaos ensues.
What happens next. AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED IN KELANTAN.
IRONICALLY, IT WAS PAS WHO IN 1977 complained that UMNO and MCA refused to abide by the coalition principle that the party entitled to the MB post shall have the full right to nominate the candidate of its choice.
The circumstances are eerily similar in Selangor, with REVERSAL of Role by PAS. PAS was the victim of its coalition partners in 1977.
In 2014, PAS now takes the role of the villian in the coalition, as UMNO-MCA did in 1977.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
BETTER TO ASK PAS TO LEAVE THE PAKATAN RAKYAT COALITION NOW THAN LATER
MALAYSIAN INSIDER EDITORIAL
http://tinyurl.com/qjvnqa3
The only bright spark from the sorry Khalid Ibrahim saga is that it has shown PAS HAS DELUSIONS about its own stature and grandeur.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang seems to carry a boulder on his shoulder regarding his standing in PR, and his camp is stuffed with politicians with serious reservations about working with non-Muslims and viewing women as equals.
But the most troubling fault line is this: PAS BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE A KING MAKER AND FINAL ARBITER ON ALL DECISIONS OF PR, from the choice of the country's prime minister to the Selangor menteri besar.
In anticipation of winning GE13, PAS leaders picked Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as their choice of PM. LITTLE REGARD was obviously paid to the important fact that the prince, for all his bluster about transparency and good governance, is still a MEMBER OF UMNO and in fact, seems unable to sever his links with a party he criticises regularly.
But what PAS wants, PAS believes it must get.
Never mind that PKR and DAP were comfortable with making Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the PM of Malaysia if PR had won GE13.
In the minds of PAS, the majority view must give way to their way.
WHY ?
Because PAS LEADERS ACTUALLY BELIEVE that they are doing the heavy lifting in the coalition and have the strongest support base. Therefore, they deserve to have the final say on all things in PR. It is the same thinking that is making Hadi and his clerics believe that they should decide whether Khalid should be removed or retained as the MB.
Yet, there is NO EVIDENCE that PAS has outperformed its coalition partners or is even carrying PKR and DAP on its shoulders. In fact, empirical and anecdotal evidence would suggest that for its bluster and posturing, PAS HAS BEEN A LET DOWN AT THE BALLOT BOX.
1) It did not secure the rural Malay vote for the coalition in GE13.
2) Prior to joining Pakatan Rakyat, PAS had been struggling for its voice to be heard beyond the east coast. Let's put it more simply, the party that has its roots in the rural Malay heartland COULD NOT DELIVER WHAT IT PROMISED.
3. More than half of the parliamentary seats PAS candidates won were delivered because of NON -Malay votes. In Selangor, at least seven of the 56 state seats held by PAS were won BECAUSE OF THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF NON MALAYS TO PAKATAN RAKYAT.
4 So in effect, it was DAP and PKR WHO HELPED PAS PUT UP A RESPECTABLE SHOW IN GE 13, and NOT the other way around.
The non-Malay electorate were willing to cast aside their long suspicion of PAS because of the inclusive rhetoric of Anwar, Rafizi Ramli, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng.
5. To be fair to PAS, the electorate were also enamoured with Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Khalid Samad and other moderate voices in the Islamist party, BELIEVING TGE MODERATE AND PROGRESSIVE BLOC WAS STEERING THE WAY FORWARD FOR PAS.
In short, non-Malay voters were willing to support PAS candidates because they contested on the PR platform.
6. WiITHOUT this important support from Chinese and Indian voters, PAS would have performed disastrously in GE13.
PAS would have returned to what it was before it joined PR: a political party struggling for its voice to be heard beyond the east coast of West Malaysia.
7. The party could not even hold on to Kedah, losing the state to Barisan Nasional (BN) after it refused to change a menteri besar who was not only out of his depth, but insistent on focusing on the form as opposed to the substance of Islamic governance.
Incidentally, it was this same combination that led to the fall of the HADI-led TERENGANU government in 2004, AFTER JUST ONE TERM IN OFFICE,.
BUT THIS POLITICAL REALITY IS LOST ON PAS.
Hadi Awang and friends actually believe that they are in a position to dictate terms. THEY ARE NOT.
And it is time that PKR and DAP stand up to the bullying and posturing of PAS.
It is far more palatable to TAKE THE PAIN NOW AND EVEN AT THE NEXT GENERAL,ELECTION , than to go along hoping that the major fault lines (PKR/DAP - PAS) in this coalition will go away.
The rhetoric of Hadi's camp about its queasiness in working with NON-Malays, and their archaic and offensive ideas about women in high political office, ARE PROOF THAT PAS DOES NOT HAVE THE CREDENTIALS to be a coalition with supposedly progressive ideas about governing Malaysia.
Let alone lead it.
MALAYSIAN INSIDER
– August 7, 2014.
SELANGOR MB KHALID'S 'HONEY DEALS' WITH UMNO CRONIES IN RETURN FOR SETTLING HIS DEBT WITH BANK ISLAM
WHY PKR LOST THE TRUST AND CREDIBILITY OF THEIR MAN AS MENTERI BESAR OF SELANGOR AND SEEK TO REPLACE HIM NOW.
THE "SWEET-HEART HONEY" DEALS OF KHALID IBRAHIM WITH THE UMNO-LINK CORPORATE CAPTAINS FOR OUT-OF-COURT SETTLING OF HIS BANK ISLAM DEBT MADE AT THE EXPENSE OF SELANGOR STATE'S INTEREST.
QUESTION: Is this one of the peculiar reasons why as Menteri Besar, Khalid Ibrahim deliberately adopted an abrasive style and aloofness and unwillingness to listen to anyone but himself? To pursue a personal agenda?
Read here full article. "The 'Sins' of Khalid Ibrahim" in Malaysia Chronicle:http://tinyurl.com/nfune4t
A.. THE SELLOUT OF SELANGOR STATE TO UMNO-LINKED CRONIES
Selangor MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim must have been feeling as if the walls were closing in on him. His luck had run out.
The MB’s abrasive style, aloofness and unwillingness to listen to anyone but himself had alienated all his allies but for a few sycophants.
He had managed to buy time with his cynical decision to hand out huge pay rises to state assemblymen, but even this goodwill quickly dissipated.
He has of late drawn a lot of heat regarding his mishandling of recent issues:
1. Doing a SECRETIVE DEAL with the BN Government on Langat 2 water after years of fighting to delay the project
2. FAVOURING the UMNO-linked Puncak group in the water companies buyout AFTER YEARS OF ACCUSING THEM OF GREED, MISMANAGEMENT AND DEFAULT.
3. GIVING STATE APPROVAL for the controversial KIDEX tollway project
4. WEAK HANDLING OF THE CONFISCATED BIBLES
5. Giving a SWEETHEART DEAL to Danny Tan’s Tropicana (formerly Dijaya) Corp.
B. THE SECRECY OF THE OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT OF HIS MASSIVE DEBT WITH BANK ISLAM AND "HIS GOOSE WAS COOKED WELL AND GOOD"
Love fest with the FEDERAL (UMNO-BN) GOVERNMENT began with the settlement of the Bank Islam suit.
What has been most intriguing is the MB’s perceived love-fest with the Federal Government AFTER the settlement of his suit with Bank Islam.
Rumours have been swirling and doubts cast upon his loyalty to PR ever since, especially in light of his recent spate of bizarre and logic-defying decisions.
Central to the story are TWO NAMES, PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE UMNO LEADERSHIP:
1. UMNO lawyer Rashid Manaf, and the second,
2. Ethos Capital chairman Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood.
Khalid's goose cooked well and good.
To recap, Khalid took a loan from Bank Islam in 2001 to buy Guthrie shares.
--That was meant to be a golden handshake from PNB for their loyal servant.
- When he failed to service the loan, in 2007, Bank Islam sold the Guthrie shares and claimed from him the balance sum of RM66.7 million.
- Khalid sued Bank Islam and Bank Islam countersued him.
- Bank Islam won a summary judgment against Khalid in 2009 but he managed to have that set aside a year later.
- In essence, he did not dispute that he borrowed money from Bank Islam. What he argued was that the loan did not comply with Syariah law, therefore it was illegal and he need not repay the loan.
- In 2011, the High Court ruled that the Syariah Advisory Council of Bank Negara had the ultimate authority to decide whether an Islamic loan was legal or not. This ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in May 2012.
Khalid’s goose looked like it was cooked, his fate in the hands of the Syariah Council, which presumably had already approved the mode of loans at Bank Islam before certifying them Syariah-compliant.
If he was made bankrupt, he would lose his post and likely his political future.
C. THEN CAME UMNO LAWYER RASHID ABDUL MANAF TO HELP SETTLE HIS DEBT
This was when WELL-KNOWN UMNO LAWYER reportedly approached Khalid to broker a settlement with Bank Islam.
The out of court settlement is rumoured to be generous in the extreme to Khalid, who was required to pay less than 10% of the outstanding amount over 5 years.
The settlement was SHROUDED IN SECRECY, with Khalid’s own lawyers Matthew Thomas and Malik Imtiaz unaware of the signing in December 2013, to the extent they even showed up in court on the accorded date only to be told that the case had already been settled.
Now WHY would Rashid Manaf be doing Khalid any favours?
D. . KHALID'S SUDDEN ABOUT-TURN IN POLICY AND ATTITUDE AFTER HIS DEBT WAS HELPED TO SETTLE.
Before we answer that let’s look at Khalid’s about-turn in policy.
- The SYABAS CONCESSION AGREEMENT
Since he came to power in 2008, the MB had been striving to terminate the concession agreement of SYABAS, majority owned by Puncak Niaga, which is controlled by UMNO state treasurer Rozali Ismail.
He EVEN REFUSED TO ALLOW a scheduled tariff increase to come into effect on grounds that the company had defaulted on its obligations.
Fast forward to November 2013 and KHALID STUNNED OBSERVERS by offering RM450 million to buy over SYABAS and RM1.1 billion for Puncak.
The generosity of the deal and HIS CLOSE RAPPORT with Federal Minister of Water Maximus Ongkili RAISED EYEBROWS.
Meanwhile construction blue chip Gamuda, State-controlled KPS and former Daim protégé Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah got the short end of the stick as their water company SPLASH was offered just RM250 million despite many analysts acknowledging the company was more profitable and in better financial shape.
The poor minority shareholders of public-listed KPS copped it in the unmentionables too, but that’s just collateral damage to Khalid.
What prompted Khalid to embrace his nemesis, moving in one short hop from threatening fistfights to offering fistfuls of money to Rozali?
To the extent of even short-changing a state GLC? Why the proximity to Maximus?
E. . ENTER ETHOS' ROHANA AND VINCENT TAN'S BROTHER, DANNY TAN
Into the story comes Rohana of Ethos Capital, said to be a close confidant of the PM himself, until she somehow fell afoul of FLOM.
Rohana was a fellow at ISIS, a position she shared in common with both Khalid and Maximus in the past.
IT WAS ROHANA WHO RENEWED LINKS FOR KHALID TO MAXIMUS. It is said that the two unlikely bedfellows, MB and Minister, even held their trysts at her office, hammering out the now infamous State-Federal Water MOU.
F.. THE TROPICANA LAND "SWEET HEART"DEAL WITH DANNY TAN WHEN KHALID WAS ONLY A CARETAKER MB.
When did the process of building bridges start?
One cannot say for sure but what is factually indisputable is that in April 2013, the STATE-OWNED Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) sold 1,172 acres of land to Tropicana Corp, a company CONTROLLED BY DANNY TAN.
And the CHAIRMAN of Tropicana when that controversial land deal was done was … (drum roll)... ROHANA TAN SRI MAHMOOD.
Controversial not only because it was SIGNED BY MB when the PR Government was in CARETAKER MODE pending the 2013 Elections, BUT ALSO FOR THE ONE-SIDEDNESS OF THE DEAL. AND NOT IN FAVOUR OF THE SELANGOR STATE !!
The land, sited next to well-established townships like Kota Kemuning, was sold for RM587 million, to be paid over 12 years! That translates to RM11.50 psf compared to RM120psf for industrial land at Kota Kemuning.
And the company is being charged a super soft interest rate of 5% pa, payments heavily back-ended as well – the state government itself would struggle to achieve those kind of borrowing terms, let alone a heavily geared property developer.
To be fair the deal does have a profit sharing element, with potentially a further RM710 million to be paid, BUT ONLY OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS AND ONLY IF if Tropicana can generate their targeted sales and profits.
“Smart partnership” was what Khalid termed it – yeah, FOR DANNY TAN!!
The land deal was announced in February 2013 but Tropicana was given at least three extensions of time to settle the first cash payment and the transaction only completed a year later in February 2014.
One month AFTER that Tropicana announced the sale of a 309-acre parcel from that land to Eco-World, so obviously Danny had been given time till he had done a deal first, otherwise, no money to pay.
But wait, the partnership gets smarter still!
To rub dirt into the State’s face, Danny sold that 309-acres parcel in March 2014 to Eco-World for RM35 psf, ALMOST THREE TIMES the price of land purchased from MBI!
Which is not to say that RM35 psf was a steep price to pay given the location and what Eco-World can do with it. Bungalow land in Kota Kemuning is going for RM180-200 psf.
Champagne all round, COURTESY OF THE SELANGOR MB!
And one of beneficiaries is a shareholder and director of Eco-World … (drum roll) RASHID ABDUL MANAF .... PAYBACK TIME ?
It gets cozier. Selangorkini reports that an MOU was signed in February 2014 between the state and Eco World for the company to “project monitor” the RM100 million Selangorku Homes project.
---What on earth is a “project monitor”?
--- What’s in that MOU, Tan Sri MB?
--- Or is that under OSA too?
IRONICALLY, Khalid is currently campaigning for the post of deputy president of PKR on a platform of trust and integrity.
Is it any wonder that the catchword “ABUK” is going viral among the PKR faithful … “Anyone But Khalid”! -
- MALAYSIA CHRONICLE
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