For King, Berjaya cancels meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Group has denied permission for MIC leader S Vell Paari to hold a meeting with its workers in the Nigel Gardner estate in Hulu Selangor tomorrow.

In a letter dated today, Berjayas general manager Sandy Tham said the decision was made because tomorrow was the Kings birthday, which is a public holiday.

The management has decided not to allow any activities to be held in our estate as a mark of respect for our King, she added in the letter addressed to local MIC branch leader P Nagamuthu.

On June 1, Nagamuthu had filed an official request on behalf of Vell Paari for the latter to meet the residents at the Nigel Gardner Tamil school canteen.

After visiting the Berjaya-owned estate last Saturday, Vell Paari, who was appalled by the living conditions of the residents, had mooted the idea of relocating them.

Tomorrows meeting was supposed to determine how many of the residents wished to relocate and to document their grievances.

Hopefully, this is not an excuse

Contacted later, Vell Paari said he was disappointed that Berjaya had cancelled the meeting.

But since the management mentioned that it is out of respect for the King, then I will abide by their decision. Hopefully, it is not a convenient excuse to prevent me from meeting the workers.

I am also hearing rumours that residents are being threatened not to meet me. I hope this is not true as well. As for the residents, I urge them not to be afraid. I guarantee that no action will be taken against them for exercising their right to speak up, he told FMT.

Despite the setback, Vell Paari said that he would meet some of the residents outside the estate tomorrow and brief them on his plan.

I have also discusse! d the ma tter with the prime ministers special aide, and I will submit the residents complaints to him, he added.

Vell Paari, who would be leaving for overseas tomorrow night, said that he would request for another meeting to be held in the estate next Sunday when he returns.

Berjaya is owned by business tycoon Vincent Tan while Nigel Gardner and the surrounding estates fall under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency held by MICs P Kamalanathan.

SELANGOR WATER AND FAMILY TIES (BONDS)

I would like to start my post by quoting a statement written in the The Edge business daily dated May 12, 2011. I quote,You must understand, the water sector is full of very powerful personalities, the source said.
The newspaper never revealed their sources and I guess it is for the obvious reasons. It could very well mean a shortened career or simply kaput. According to the The Star newspaper, the deal has been concluded today with repayment to be made in June.

I quote from MARC the rating agency In absence of resolution by second half of 2011, the rating agency expects a rating cliff situation to occur in respect of the affected bonds. MARC however is still maintaining investment grade ratings on the majority of Selangor water-related bonds on expectation that the Federal government will intervene to prevent defaults. The water business is a political minefield that bondholders like KWAP, EPF, GE Life and several banks would not have any interest in controlling such businesses despite having the rights to do so because of the ongoing default.

Whoever controls the bonds actually control the water players. I would be surprised that PAAB would go in and control the water operators. I predict that that the water players would be allowed to restructure their repayment and give them the necessary breather in pursuing their negotiation with the SSG. We must appreciate that there is a probability that water is the life line of certain political party in Malaysia and giving the present SSG operational control would led to disastrous outcome. By my standard this is an act of treason to the State and people of Selan! gor.

The issue is not so much about the value of the asset as the total asset value is less than 1% of the cost of every liter of water produced. The main crux is that the operational expenses are high because the major procurement of services and materials are done with external companies with common shareholders. From pipes, chlorine, Alum and landscaping they are all controlled. When such companies act as suppliers to Syabas or PN the transparency of deals is lost and cost is marked up. In the end the cost is past down to customers. I think whoever controls the operations and deals directly with the service and material producers would be able to maintain price of water or raised it minimally. It is quite obvious on why the present concessionaire must be accommodated and SSG is a less preferred entity.

Ani Arope blames high power tariffs on Economic Plundering Unit...

Former Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) chief executive Tan Sri Ani Arope is blaming the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for rising electricity tariffs, saying the powerful agency forced the national power company to sign lopsided purchase deals nearly 20 years ago.

Ani said EPU, which he sarcastically dubbed "Economic Plundering Unit", forced Tenaga to buy electricity from an independent power producer (IPP), believed to be Genting Sanyen, at 14 sen per kilowatt hour (kWh) despite an existing offer of 12 sen/kWh then.

Other IPPs then were charging 16 sen/kWh Genting Sanyen became the first IPP to transfer 15 million watts (MW) in electricity to TNBs national grid on April 15 and is scheduled to complete a RM1.8 billion upgrade on its existing gas-fired plant with a capacity for 720 MW by June next year.

You dont need to go to a fanciful business school to figure out why we need a tariff hike just revisit the terms given to some IPPs, Ani, who helmed the utility company between 1990 and 1996, said in his last Facebook posting three days ago.

With the take-or-pay clause and with the 40 per cent excess reserve that we have today, one only has to produce half of ones capacity and be paid 80 per cent of the agreed capacity. Well done the then-EPU Economic Plundering Unit, he added, mocking the economic unit under the Prime Ministers Department.

Ani called for a review of the original terms with the IPPs as the storm over energy price deals continues to build up.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua cited today Anis 2006 interview with English daily, The Star, to increase pressure on the federal government to! declass ify the power purchase agreements (PPAs) inked between TNB and the IPPs.

Ani caused a stir 15 years ago when he chose to resign from his executive chairman post rather than sign the imbalanced deals, which saw the first generation of IPPs created, such as YTL Power Services, Powertek and Malakoff during the Mahathir administration.

TNB is the whipping boy. TNB has no control of the price it has to pay to the IPPs. Get to the source of the problem, said the Penang-born now in his early 80s.

The Najib administration has been savaged for allegedly protecting the interests of IPPs rather than the public. Putrajaya announced the 7.12 per cent hike in electricity rates in an effort to trim a subsidy bill that would otherwise double to RM21 billion this year and promised the hike will not affect 75 per cent of domestic consumers.

But power prices will now rise by as much as 2.3 sen per kWh in areas taking TNBs electricity supply, a potential source of public anger just ahead of a general election expected within the year.

The Star daily reported today the government was close to inking a deal for a 1000 MW coal-fired plant in Manjung which will charge 25 sen/kWh.

source:malaysia insider

cheers.

My Friday Question

What is it that is carried by four, led by three, one sits in a chair while two lead him along?

Perak coup: A play of brute and refined force

MalaysiaKini - KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional (BN) takeover of Perak indicated clearly the ruling coalitions clout and ability to manipulate and muscle its way to power, noted US diplomats.

The BN victory in Perak was a successful political power play both in terms of brute and refined power.

(This) reminds us that of the two coalitions, only the BN has the clout, money, and ability to manipulate the government system (election commission, courts) to muscle its way to power, added the US diplomats.

The diplomats also felt that while Pakatan Rakyat leaders have been critical of the manner in which the state was taken away from their control, there were also cracks appearing in the Pakatan coalition.

They (Pakatan) remain somewhat fragmented both within their coalition, and within their component parties, added the diplomats, referring specifically to the internal fight for influence in the Perak DAP.

These comments were made by the US diplomats based in the US embassy here to their State Department in Washington in a confidential cable dated Feb 19, 2010.

Details of the cable were leaked by WikiLeaks to popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who had published the leaked cable in his Malaysia Today website today.

The US diplomats had visited Perak one year after the BN takeover, and just after a February 2010 Federal Court ruling which affirmed BNs Zambry Abd Kadir as the righful menteri besar.

The BN now has firm control of Perak and is working to regain some of its lost influence among voters, having allocated resources into projects to win back support of the people, added the diplomats in the cable.

With the Chinese vote firmly supporting the opposition, the d! eciding votes in any future election rest with the ethnic Malays, they added.

They also noted that the Malay support was split between the ruling coalition and the opposition.

Zambry vs Nizar

The diplomats had also met up with politicians from both BN and Pakatan during the visit to Perak, including meetings with Zambry and Pakatans menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin.

Both sets of politicians had claimed that the people of Perak supported them, and had slammed the state administration of the other.

While Nizar had said that his short administration was successful and people-friendly, Zambry had said that he had the will of the people to rule and had pointed out his people-friendly policies.

Zambry had also informed the US diplomats that he was confident of winning snap polls if it had been held then in 2010 saying that BN would win 34 out of 59 state seats.

He, however, ruled out calling for a snap election, saying that the Perak BN state government does not operate based on the dictates of the opposition.

Nizar, meanwhile, had informed the US diplomats that he had the support of 80% of the Chinese and Indian vote, and at least 50% of the ethnic Malay vote.

However, he admitted that even with fresh elections, there was no guarantee that the Pakatan would win a majority of seats to form a government.

Nizar stated that the BN has managed to poison the minds of the rural Malays by convincing them that he was a lackey of the DAP and had committed treason by defying the Sultan after the defections, noted the diplomats in the cable.

Non-Malay support

The cable also spoke about the meetings between the US diplomats and non-Malay BN leaders on the support of the Chinese and Indian communities for BN.

Gerakan deputy president and state chief Chang Ko Youn openly blamed Umnos racist policies as the reason for the Chinese voters to dese! rt the B N by droves in the last general election.

He also added that the Chinese media were unfriendly towards BN, stating the Chinese newspapers were more independent and at times favoured the opposition rather than BN parties.

He had also said that it would be difficult for BN to win over the Chinese voters in the next general election.

However, this view was not shared by MCAs Mah Hang Soon, who said that BN was now more aware of the Chinese problem and was working on overcoming it. Mah is the state MCA Youth chief and the sole non-Umno state rep.

He said the state BN had given land titles to Chinese farmers and had funded nine independent Chinese schools in the state, admitting that in the past, the BN state government had completely ignored the plight of independent Chinese schools.

As for the Indian community, the BN state assembly speaker and state MIC secretary, R Ganesan, was of the opinion that the BN government has enacted numerous polices for the benefit of non-Malays.

Ganesan proudly stated that for the first time the state government has allocated funding for Hindu temples, added the cable.

The cable also noted that the previous Pakatan government started the policy of allocating funds to non-Islamic religious institutions, but it is the BN which was seeing this through.

The cable also quoted Ganesan as saying that he could see the Indians returning to the BN based on the number of people attending BN-sponsored meetings and political rallies.

DAP infighting

The US diplomats also said that they were informed of infighting within the Perak DAP, with senior leaders blaming state chief Ngeh Khoo Ham and his cousin, the state DAP secretary, Nga Kor Ming, for calling the shots.

The cable said DAP leader M Kulasegaran admitted that all was not well with the DAP in Perak by claiming that the Ngeh-Nga clan was running the show in Perak.

The veteran DAP leader cla! imed tha t the top party leadership is unable to control the two, as they have managed to bring the state DAP machinery completely under their control.

Kula claimed that due to their dominance, the DAP may face some problems in the future because they are not popular among all the Chinese in the state.

For example, the cousins tried to force out popular DAP MP Fong Po Kuan from running in the 2008 general election in order to replace her with their own crony, but her constituency fiercely resisted this move against the three-term MP, forcing the cousins to back down, the cable quoted Kula as saying.

However the diplomats stated when they raised this topic while meeting Fong for lunch, she refused to be drawn into a conversation on this issue.

Hadi spurns cooperation with Umno-BN...

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today made it clear that any bid to forge cooperation between PAS and Umno in the name of Malay unity is an effort in futility.

Not mincing his words during his keynote speech at the Muktamar in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur today, Abdul Hadi said that Umno had forsaken the Malays and bumiputera by plundering wealth through dubious means.

Umno as a Malay-bumiputera majority party was entrusted with leadership (but)... the wealth of the nation has been turned into the private property of leaders, while the rakyat struggle to make ends meet.

(We teach society that) there is a difference between PAS' cooperation in Pakatan Rakyat, with cooperation with Umno in BN, which sacrifices Islamic principles, he told an audience of about 1,000.

Abdul Hadi, who was delivering the speech on behalf of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said that the claim of Umno Malays to seek Malay unity but continue to vote non-Malay BN candidates against PAS.

Umno has created a flock of Malays and Muslims who are blind and deaf to money politics, with entertainment and media used to turn Malays and Muslims stupid, he said.

Abdul Hadi's strongly-worded speech comes on the back of renewed calls by BN that the Islamic party abandon Pakatan Rakyat and join BN in the name of Malay unity. Abdul Hadi added that PAS has an obligation to clean up politics from disgusting acts like corruption, money politics, slander, racism, lies and all manner of things which embarrass even our children who are watching us.

Politics needs to be cleaned up but this cannot be done by Umno-BN who have sullied it with their own hands, he said cuttingly, during the hour-long speech.

Lambasting the call for Umno-PAS cooperation as narrow communalism, Abdul Hadi said that Islam acknowledges the existence of racially plural societies.

We need to realise that a plural (majmuk) society is part of Islam's political message.

It is compulsory for us to spread the message of no compulsion in religion, and that Islam is fair for all... so (non-Muslims) can see how Islam should be practiced, and Islam's image which has been tainted by Umno's antics can be redeemed, he said.

PAS vows to defend Pakatan states

PAS today vowed to use "every ounce of their energy" to defend the four Pakatan Rakyat states from returning to the BN in the next general election.

"Let us all vow to defend Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor and Penang which we have governed together, with every once of our energy; let our sweat soak the earth, with high spirits and through God's will, we will defend our victory," said its president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Speaking to about 1,000 people at the opening ceremony of PAS' muktamar (annual assembly) in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Abdul Hadi said the battle drums for the 13th general election can already be heard.

"We don't know when it will be but I am hereby instructing the entire PAS machinery to be prepared to face general elections the very minute the muktamar concludes, by opening operation rooms and preparing for strategic activities that will be detailed out by the central election department," he said.

Abdul Hadi also instructed all divisions to ensure that they have completed at least 70 percent of their programmes and to meet with as many vote! rs as po ssible.

"All machinery must approach voters with patience...meet personally with them, as our message at ceramahs sometimes only reach our members," he said.

The seasoned politician also urged the audience not to be disheartened by PAS' string of defeats in by-elections and the recent Sarawak polls. "The results did not favour us, but we had succeeded in expanding our reach and have opened more PAS branches.

"Realise that we are victorious even if only one person voted for us, even if we lose our deposit," he said, quoting a hadith which states that showing one person to Allah's path is worth more than the most expensive vehicle.

In an earlier speech, PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali said the fact that party polls went on as scheduled despite word of snap polls reflects maturity. "PAS did not delay our party polls because we were confident that the members are mature enough that there will not be any negative implications feared by other parties," he said.

He said that, to date, no complaints have been made to the secretariat of infringement in party election rules. "I am confident this will be the case until the end of the process," he said.

The youth and women wings held their selection yesterday, while central posts will be decided today. "All machinery must approach voters with patience...meet personally with them, as our message at ceramahs sometimes only reach our members," he said.

The seasoned politician also urged the audience not to be disheartened by PAS' string of defeats in by-elections and the recent Sarawak polls.

"The results did not favour us, but we had succeeded in expanding our reach and have opened more PAS branches. "Realise that we are victorious even if ! only one person voted for us, even if we lose our deposit," he said, quoting a hadith which states that showing one person to Allah's path is worth more than the most expensive vehicle.

The youth and women wings held their selection yesterday, while central posts will be decided today.

source:malaysiakini

PAS flogs welfare state ahead of GE13

PAS ikrar pertahan negeri Pakatan sepenuh kudrat

Hadi: PAS mesti ketuai usaha bersihkan negara dari politik fitnah Umno

cheers.

3 June, 2011 By Leong ChowPong

View/download the complete Lynas Radiological Impact Assessment Report here, and please give us your feedback.

Green Ink - LoyarBurok's Environmental Rights Column

It is commendable that these reports are made public. The government has given the public this platform, it is up to us to make use of it.

Now, it is crucial that we gather feedback from our readers, and the public, and convey them to the relevant authorities. Although the report is very technical, and voluminous, do try your best to give us some feedback.

When we do not make use of this platform, the government may just use the lack of response as an excuse, and push through future projects without consulting the public.

The reports (in PDF for viewing/download):

• Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) of Advanced Materials Plant, Gebeng Industrial Estate, Kuantan, Pahang
• References and Appendix of the RIA
• Technical Report - Quantitative Risk Assessment Study by Det Norske Veritas of Proposed Advanced Material Plant within the Gebeng Industrial Estate, Kuantan

All feedback, both for and against, are welcome. Please direct your views to chowpong.leong@gmail.com.

Chow Pong sells black in the day and turns green at night; "I fade in and out of existence; and I walk both worlds, to deliver the message in completeness."

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Tags: Advanced Materials Plant, Energy, Environment, environmental issues, Gebeng Industrial Estate, GreenInk, Kuantan, Leong Chow Pong, Lynas, Lynas rare earth plant, Malaysia, renewable energy

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Kickdefella Tak Bawa Apa-Apa Bukti Beliau Terima Duit dari Husam

Setakat yang kita nampak dari sidang akhbar Kickdefella, hanya beliau membuat tuduhan semata-mata. Tiada satu bukti yang jelas bahawa Husam Musa memberi beliau wang.

Sebagaimana beliau juga pernah menuduh Tok Guru Nik Aziz makan rasuah dulu, yang kemudiannya dibuktikan SPRM tidak benar, itulah juga bentuk tuduhan yang kita lihat sekarang ini.

Kita menunggu masa Husam Musa menyaman Kickdefella dan kita lihat bagaimana Kickdefella masa itu.

Inshaalah

Tulang Besi

ps Ingat Suyuti MSO pun pernah disaman Husam Musa

Tahniah Muslimat PAS. Bersihkan Musimat PAS Pusat dari Unsur "PERPADUANG"

Syukur Alhamdulillah. Saya tengok line-up Muslimat yang baru ini dari Ketua sampai ke AJK boleh dikatakan tiada yang pro PERPADUANG. Semuanya dari kalangan yang anti PERPADUANG ataupun BUKAN PERPADUANG.

Cuma yang sedihnya Pemuda PAS. Habis Pemuda PAS dikuasai GENG PERPADUANG. Alamatnya, 2 tahun ni Pemuda PAS hanya akan terus mandum dan reput macam sebelum ni.

Line up hampir kesemuanya Ustaz. Kuat berceramah je la. Alamat lepas ni tiada sapa yang nak pegang lujnah, buat kerja di lujnah dsbnya.

Pemuda PAS jadi Dewan Ulama yang kedua lah nampaknya

Tulang Besi

From a gallop to a canter

Every year when the Singapore Turf Club (STC) stages the glittering Singapore Airlines International Cup meeting in May, Malaysian punters feel a terrible letdown: why is there a great gap in the quality of racing between the two countries now?

Given the fact that racing between us and them was on par before, and the same racing association still governs the sport in both nations the Malayan Racing Association (which is probably the only link left with Singapore that has still not been severed), why the huge disparity?

This years event held at the Kranji racecourse in Singapore was a glittering affair that drew top racehorses, top trainers and top jockeys from across the globe. It was a real feast to behold. The two major races of the day lived up to their billing as a classic encounter and left no doubt whatsoever as to the quality and integrity of the races.

In the main event the 2,000m SAI cup race the eventual winner, Gitano Hernando, was content to play second fiddle to California Memory till the turn into the final straight. Gitano Hernando quickly romped past California Memory to win the race from the fast finishing River Jetez while Irian and Waikato finished in a dead heat for the third spot.

In the major sprint race the 1,200m Krisflyer it was the globetrotting Rocket Man who duly obliged fans for an easy win. In a sure indication that Singapore racing has truly reached international stature, clair Fastpass, Perfect Pins and Ghozi made it a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Singapore horses to triumph over sterling quality horses from across the world.

Every year it is this event that leaves local punters with bad feelings and with anger and disgust over the state of the horse racing industry in Malaysia. If we punt on Singapore or Hong Kong races, the! re is th at feeling that we are getting our moneys worth. But with the local races we often just feel cheated, complained angry day members at the Selangor Turf Club in Sungai Besi.

In comparison with the STC, the three Malaysian turf clubs in Sungai Besi, Ipoh and Batu Gantong in Penang score low marks in their delivery of the sport to racing fans. A litany of wrong practices that have gone unchecked for a long time is threatening to kill the sport in this country as attendances in the three Malaysian turf clubs continue to decline.

To begin with, the authorities governing racing in this country are seemingly helpless when it comes to solving the bookie menace. Despite the presence of plainclothes policemen on duty, the illegal bookmakers thrive, causing enormous losses to the turf clubs. And betting has also gone on the Internet in a further blow to local clubs.

Unscrupulous jockeys

Punters at the clubs reportedly state that the police are in cahoots with betting syndicates and are paid to turn a blind eye to illegal activities. While illegal betting syndicates not only siphon a large chunk of the betting turnover, they are also supposedly into fixing the result of races in collaboration with unscrupulous jockeys.

Horses being doped are also not a new happening in the Malaysian scenario. And even if horses are not on dope, it is the jockeys who might be on dope and even if they themselves are not on dope, they sometimes fail to ride out their mounts with full vigour and enthusiasm.

This has caused even leading jockeys to be hauled up by the racing stewards to be suspended or disqualified for wrongs done. This has led punters to surmise that jockeys, betting syndicates, trainers and owners are not concerned much about ethics and integrity.

This is why punters usually wait for the STC or Hong Kong Jockey Club to stage its races rather than place bets on doubtful races organised by the three Malaysian turf clubs. But all the parties in the Mal! aysian r acing industry are to be blamed because there is little regard or interest in genuine racing activity.

Even a visitor to these clubs can witness the huge difference between the manner in which countries with a high standard of racing like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore conduct their races and the way the Malaysian clubs conduct theirs. The standard of Malaysian horse racing is glaringly and evidently poor.

One surefire shocker for visitors is that the tote can change dividends while the race has started or, worse still (and it has happened), when the tote dividends change drastically after a race has ended. This leaves a visitor utterly in shock and disbelief as to why there are still punters who wish to participate in Malaysian horse racing.

The number of punters during the Singapore and Hong Kong races is significantly higher. Unless its a big cup race in Malaysia, the number of punters attending Malaysian races has dwindled. Those who still remain are the die-hard faithful.

And should it rain, the three clubs will often call off the races for the day. In Hong Kong and Singapore, their tracks can withstand rain and at the most the races will be delayed unless its a torrential downpour. Local clubs have been spending millions of ringgit to upgrade their tracks but are still surprisingly unable to solve this problem.

Stooping to a new low

Besides, the number of registered racehorses and the number of horse owners have also gradually declined over the years primarily because the stake money offered by the local clubs is meager and incentives given are still not attractive enough. Even the prize money for the big cup races have been scaled down.

Compounding the situation are trainers with unsuitable qualifications and experience, improper training given to stable hands and operators, and the poor care of horses. All this has caused the sport of kings to stoop to a new low in this country.

It is imperative, for the well being of t! he Malay sian horse racing industry, that a major revamp be done of the over 100-year-old sport in Malaysia. There is a need to replace corrupt, inept officials with only dedicated officials committed to promoting the sport.

Horse racing can be an interesting and healthy pastime for those who practise a responsible gaming policy and also an indicator of the progress and prosperity of a nation such Australia, Japan and Singapore where it has grown world-class in stature and drawing racing fans from all over the earth.

Christopher Fernandez can hardly be considered a punter. But he has followed horse racing in the region since 1978 and has become totally fascinated with equine races.

Did Najib travelled with Altantuya and Baginda to Paris...

A guessing game has begun over the identity of the mystery man who had accompanied murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu and her lover Razak Baginda on their trips to Paris to discuss the submarines deal.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's PKR party has already called for a press conference at 12 noon on Thursday to demand further clarity and transparency from the government over the RM6.7 billion acquisition, as well as full details of Prime Minister Najib Razak's role in it.

It was SUARAM director Cynthia Gabriel who piqued the public's curiosity when she announced last week that "a third person's name came up" during the French investigations. She was referring to the lawsuit filed by her group against DCN, the vendor of the 2 Scorpene and one Agosta submarines purchase by Malaysia's defense ministry in 2002.

Najib, who was then the defense minister, approved the acquisition and he is accused of receiving kickbacks from DCN. Under scrutiny now is a 114 million euros side-deal granted to Perimekar, a firm connected to Baginda, who is his close friend.

Who can it be

Meanwhile, all eyes are on who the mystery man is. Nearly a year ago, after being quizzed by the French financial police, Baginda's private investigator P Balasubramaniam had mentioned two new names - Major Rahim and Abdul Rahim Saad.

The French prosecutors had asked him if he knew about the two men, their background and involvement. These 2 names had not appeared in his controversial statutory declaration made in 2008, which had linked Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor to the Altantuya murder.

Bala said these were two names the prosecutors had brought up. ! He has n o idea who they are, Balas lawyer Americk Sidhu had told Malaysia Chronicle in July 2010.

So, who are these two men? Were they part of the ministry of defense? Should not the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission have picked up the thread and begin an embarrassingly long-overdue probe at the Malaysian end?

Sad to say, these questions were asked a year ago. And till now, there is still no action from the Malaysian side. By contrast, the authorities in France are already preparing to shift the inquiry against DCN into open court in Paris. It is illegal in France for any company to offer kickbacks or bribes in order to secure a deal.

One way or another, it looks like highly sensitive information will soon be dredged out that may even be powerful enough to bring down the Najib administration.

Third possibility

There is also a third possibility. The person who travelled frequently with Baginda and Altantuya might be Najib himself. Altanutya's cousin has previously told the Malaysian authorities that she has seen a photo of the Malaysian premier having dinner with Baginda and Altantuya in Paris.
As for Najib, he has denied ever knowing Altanutya and has even sworn on the Quran to prove his sincerity. Yet he has been unable to shake off public suspicion that both he and Rosmah are involved. The two men sentenced to hang for her death are the first couple's former bodyguards. Neither men had prior knowledge of Altantuya or motive to kill her unless instructed or paid to do so.

Altantuya had come to Kuala Lumpur to get her US$500,000 share of the 'commission' allegedly paid by DCN to Baginda and Najib. Bala, who was hired by Baginda to keep Altantuya from harassing him and his family, had said Rosmah refused to let the men pay Altantuya any commission at all.

Altantuya had been blackmailing Baginda and threatened to blow the whistle on the entire deal. It is be! lieved s he was killed for this reason.

Malaysia Chronicle appends below the statement released by Balasubramaniam after his interview with the French prosecutors. This is his account of what transpired during the interview.

Place of interview: Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciare DNIF, Nanterre, Paris. Interviewed by M Ryckewaert assisted by an English interpreter and another officer. Interview conducted in French through the English interpreter.

Observation: The French investigator appeared to be very familiar with the events in Malaysia relating to the Altantuya murder. The interview however centred on the Scorpene submarine deal and the alleged commission paid in connection with that.

The following were the areas covered in the interview.

1) My background [including date and place of birth] and my occupation from the time I was with the Malaysian police to the time when I became a private investigator in 1998.

2) The validity of my PI (private investigator) licence.

3) The whole story as to how I was recruited to do a job for Razak Baginda and my interview before the job done by Dhirren Norendra, a lawyer practising in Kuala Lumpur. I was questioned about the scope of my assignment, the target and objectives of my assignment.

4) The background to the Altantuya murder. I briefed them on the events leading up to and after the murder and also told them to read my first SD (statutory declaration) and the Singapore interview. Also the identity of the two police officers convicted of the murder, who they worked for as well as the identity of the various other people identified as being about when Altantunya disappeared and their link to Raza! k Bagind a and/or the PM (prime minister).

5) Razak Baginda's relationship with our present PM, the information and events narrated to me by Razak Baginda including the SMS sent by the PM to Razak Baginda at the point of his arrest for the murder of Altantuya.

6) The Malaysian company, Perimekar, its ownership, and link to Razak Baginda and his wife. Also nature of business undertaken by Perimekar. I told them of the presence of army equipment in Razak Baginda's office. Information concerning Razak Baginda and his present whereabouts.

7) Financial payments by Razak Baginda to Altantuya, including the three US$5,000 payments by Baginda to Altantuya, which included a penalty of US$1,000 because of late banking in. Also the purchase by Razak Baginda of an apartment in Mongolia for Altantuya. Also the background to the US$500,000 payment demanded by Altantuya, how it arose, its link to the Scorpene submarine deal, Altanunya's involvement in the negotiations, and admission and confirmation by Razak Baginda that he should have paid Altantuya the money.

8) How Rosmah Mansor teamed up with Deepak to exile me from Malaysia, the threats to my family after I signed the first SD as well as the involvement of the PM's brother in the events that led to the second SD and my being smuggled out of Malaysia and asked to stay away till Najib Razak became PM.

9) I was asked to retrace the events in Rawang coffee house where Deepak, Dinesh and ASP Suresh were present.

10) The length and time I have been in exile.

11) Details concerning Altantuya's cousin, Ammy, who had knowledge of the Paris dinner where the PM and Razak Baginda were present with Altantuya.
12) The identity of the French individuals involved in the Scorpene deal.

13) My knowledge of any payments by the French to Perimekar and information given to me by Altantuya that her US$500,000 was because of the successful deal concerning the Scorpen! e submar ine transaction.

14) The identity, background and involvement of two Malaysians identified as Major Rahim and Abdul Rahim Saad.

15) Altantuya's family background.

16) My links with Suaram, if any.

17) The need for justice to be served for the Altantuya murder and the truth to be told concerning the Scorpene deal.

I signed the statement that the French officer recorded.

source:malaysia chronicle

cheers.