abang nak beli heli

Although the Public Accounts Committee [PAC] was concerned that there was no physical examination on the 12 Eurocopter helicopters which the government wanted to purchase, it found no procedural abuse in the Eurocopter tender process. – Malaysiakini 3 Nov.

Lim Kit Siang on 4th Nov [Malaysiakini]:

“Azmi cleared the government of grave procedural abuse in the tender process. However, in the next breath he admitted there was grave procedural abuse as no physical evaluation and test flights of the helicopters concerned,”

Najib [in same report]:

Najib … claimed that ‘joyrides’ of the Couger EC725 helicopter by RMAF pilots at the Lima Airshow in Langkawi were adequate as physical evaluation and test-flights.

Here’s how I suppose it went:

Najib [picks up phone]: Eh-helo, RMAF? Boleh saya becakap ngan mana-mana pilot yang saya nampak kat Lima Airshow hagi tu?

Pilot: Ya chief! Boleh saya tolong?

Najib: Hagi tu you ada bawak heli-kop-ter Cougar pegi pusing-pusing kan? Amacam? Best tak?

Pilot: Ya ya! Best giler chief!

Najib: Kalu saya beli a few bijik untuk you all, orait ke?

Pilot: Okey jugak, chief. Nanti bila order sampai, I jemput chief pegi pusing-pusing terbang joyride, okey?

Najib: Orait, pass! Cun bredder! [Puts down phone].

Najib [calls out to secretary]: Ahh … Kak Long? Tolong bikin satu cek RM1.604 BILLION - abang nak sign beli heli-kop-terrr.”

 

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LATEST: Badawi says “anyone, regrdless of race and religion can be” PM

freeze! drop that chopper najib!

BREAKING NEWS: Malaysiakini [excerpts]:

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced that the controversial multi-billion ringgit deal to buy a fleet of military helicopters has been put on hold until the economy improves.

‘Arntil der e-ko-no-mi improof’, kononnya … not ‘because the price offered by Eurocopter had ballooned from its RM1.1 billion bid price to RM2.3 billion, as well as the fact that the government was paying over twice the price for the aircraft compared to aircraft from other countries’?

The investigation into the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal must go on even if the controversial deal is called off, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said.

The public accounts committee (PAC), a powerful parliamentary committee tasked to ensure that public funds are well spent, is scheduled to hold a two-day inquiry from tomorrow to look into the matter.

What’s the bet that the PAC-men will, after two days say, “Takde ‘pe-pe pun? … Jadi semuanya OKlaabredderrrrrr….” UPDATE 3 Nov: What did I tell you?

But not if this investigation is the ‘ace’ Badawi has up his sleeve to checkmate Najib at this simultaneous chess and poker game for the UMNO presidency …

The Eurocopter controversy was first highlighted in a letter dated Oct 7 addressed to Najib Abdul Razak, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister.

[In two separate letters here and here ], Mentari Services Sdn Bhd chairperson Kapt (rtd) Zahar Hashim suggested that the tender process, initiated during Najib’s tenure as defence minister, could have been a “gimmick” since the ministry appeared to favour one company.

Zahar also accused Najib (left) of providing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over the defence portfolio on Sept 17, with an “inaccurate” report pertaining to the contract.

_______________________________

What? Who? Me? Nooooooo …

 

 

  

 

Careful with that chopper Najib, you might well cut yerself now…

Which reminds me of this wierd old Pink Floyd number called:

The song really gets wierd at 4:55
Find out what Roger’s whispering here

najib’s ‘manifesto’ contents plausible

You must have read the NST article slamming Malaysiakini upside down, titled “Malaysiakini grovels like a teenager in trouble” for publishing the purportedly “false report” on “Najib’s Manifesto”, labelling the online news portal’s mistake a ”sloppy gaffe”, accusing it of “zealotry” and possessing a “journalistic credo – to err towards gung-ho recklessness”. And oh yes, Malaysiakini, the NST gleefully added, is “still a teenager lacking in the social graces and still short in maturity,”

Oh well, the NST has been waiting patiently FOR YEARS AND YEARS for this chance, and when it came, it was no surprise they pulled out their Uzis, bazookas, rocket launchers and C4 explosives and used them all in one go.

The reporter who ran the [purportedly] false story has resigned in shame say some, or as a right royal Rajinikanth hero, say the Malaysian Insider.

But ‘angonaminnit! What did the purportedly “false story” claim?

Excerpts from the purportedly “false” Malaysiakini report: “DPM unveils manifesto for top UMNO job” - in the [did i mention purportedly false?] manifesto, Najib said:

1] “I will defend the supremacy of the Malays until the last drop of my blood if I win the mandate of the delegates to become the next Umno president at election to be held in March 2009,”.

Hmmm… didn’t he already say something quite similar way back in 1987? Wikipedia has the memory refesher – click HERE

2] He also promised to set up a Council of Presidential Advisors to be made up of Umno elders and past prime ministers, giving basis to speculation that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was poised to make a comeback.

Hmmm … with the big M making statements left, right and centre every other day, it looks like the old coot’s ALREADY made his right royal Rajinikanth comeback as an active advisor to UMNO’s President-in-waiting.

3] “I will also not hesitate to use all means to destroy elements that can threaten the stability and peace of the country.”

Hmmm … ‘elements’ like Raja Petra, the Hindraf 5 and Anwar Ibrahim? … Where are they again? I.S. what? Sodo… who?

4] He also denied allegations that he’s a practising Hindu, had anything to do with the Altantuya murder or meddling in its trial and that anything was amiss in the Eurocopter deal. [See my previous post]

Hmmmhmmmhmmmm … hasn’t he already sworn to high heaven denying most of the above? Won’t he not be, in the next few days, denying whatever he hasn’t yet?

Susan Loone, in her blog, asks: “… how can an experienced journalist make this “mistake’? I believe she had full confidence in her source and released the information. An investigation, as many have suggested, is in order. Malaysiakini, we need to know the story behind the story.”

Therefore I would conclude [and quite unnecessarily in a pompously British manner] that granted, there isn’t even a thinnest sliver of any so-called MANIFESTO written by this Najib fellow, but I doo dare so say ‘ol bean … its contents therein doo bear an uncanny affinity to past and recent events, doo they not, wot, wot?

najib, resign! patail, follow najib!

Malaysiakini [excerpts] – don’t hold your breath for NST or Star to report this:

Nominations for Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for the post of Umno president continued to nudge up despite the cloud of scandal hanging over him.
…
Najib is dogged by talk he was involved in a high-cost helicopter deal sanctioned during his time in the defence ministry.

(Two letters from a top military gun have surfaced saying that Najib had bought overpriced ‘copters – read them here and here. Full Malaysiakini report here.)

 He is also fighting off allegations he had an affair with a murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He is ALSO fighting off ‘abuse of power’ allegations over a series of SMS text message purportedly between him and Razak Baginda’s counsel which smack of interfering in the Altantuya trial - see Malaysia Today report.

Meanwhile Attorney General Gani Patail is also up to his ass in trouble:

Malaysiakini [excerpt]:

A high-level investigation has ‘confirmed’ that current attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail had abused his power to fabricate evidence in Anwar Ibrahim’s trials 10 years ago, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.The claim was made by veteran politician Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor), while debating the Budget 2009 this morning.

Quoting unnamed sources, Lim told the House that he understands that solicitor-general Idrus Harun had carried out an investigation into the claims in July.

“I have come to know the solicitor-general has concluded that the AG had indeed abused his power to fabricate evidence against the Permatang Pauh MP (Anwar) and I am asking him to resign immediately now,” said Lim.

“How can we allow a criminal (to serve) as AG? What is happening to Malaysia?”

“Criminal” should be in the plural.

anti-najib banners seen in kl

These banners were seen on 9th Oct over Jln Duta near the courts and over Jln Bangsar near NST
[pix taken by Amin Iskandar]
http://aminiskandar.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/bermulalah-perang-terhadap-najib-razak/:

“Rakyat Merayu kepada Pak Lah Agar Tidak Serah Malaysia Kepada Penjenayah”.

“Najib Tun Razak Perdana Menteri Ke 6? Rasuah hampir satu billion dalam urusan pembelian peralatan pertahanan. Tuduh isteri pertama Tengku Puteri Zainah gila babi untuk kahwin dengan isteri orang. Membeli isteri orang untuk dikahwini. Punyai isteri yang tamak, boros dan queen control umpama Imelda Marcos. Misteri pembunuhan Altantuya. http://antinajib.blogspot.com Selamatkan Melayu”

 … and right next to a BN-UMNO Hari Raya banner, too. Tsk, tsk, tsk … the sheer aud-dacity!

The blogger at http://antinajib.blogspot.com/, Faisal is his name says, ”saya tidak tahu menahu mengenai ‘banner’ tersebut tetapi saya berbanga kerana dipopularkannya.”

Also, Malaysia Today has an exclusive on a series of SMS text messages [how they got their hands on it is the scarily unknown]  between Najib and Razak Baginda’s first counsel:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/13687/84/

things are not looking very good

BREAKING NEWS 8 OCT:

“PM to step down in March, deputy PM to take over. He won’t stand for Umno election,” a component party leader told Malaysiakini via an SMS message. The (BN Supreme Council) meeting is still underway.

OK, that’s it then, Najib is now our unofficial PM and will be officially PM in March 2009. The Mahathir Head raises it’s ugly head.

Wonder what Altantuya’s family’s reaction will be. We already know what Raja Petra and P. Balasubramaniam’s reaction would be. Remember Bala’s and RPK’s Statutory Declarations?

Having said all that, the requirement that the UMNO President becomes the Prime Minister is only a CONVENTION.

In the UK, breaking a convention can be deemed “unconstitutional but not illegal” (Sir Ivor Jennings), however there is no provision in the Federal Constitution which states that an UMNO President shall become, by convention or by operation of law, the PM.

Therefore, the analysis by Charles Hector, “Prime Minister Need Not Be UMNO President” does have its merits.

Another analysis by him says that under the constitution:

If Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resigns as Prime Minister, then it will be a great opportunity for the MPs to choose the next Prime Minister, and for the ‘Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Perdana Menteri (Prime Minister) to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of Representatives who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House..’(Art.43(2)(a) Federal Constitution).

Sources tell me Badawi is down but not out, and has a few surpises up his sleeve, possibly with regards to the above deceased person …

WATCH THIS SPACE

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OK, Raya is over and it’s down to the business of wondering who the hell is going to lead our country.

This Wednesday [tomorrow], Badawi will be announcing if he’s resigning now or in March, which means Najib and ‘The Mahathir Head’ of BN will take over the government and we shall swiftly see a return of the “old Mahathir-style order” – ie: we’ll take care of you like children; you don’t EVER question us.

The Mahathir Head wants a government that does ‘business’ with impunity (remember “Malaysia Inc.”) and in the course of “business as usual”, are free to pillage the coffers in pursuit of personal wealth for themselves and extended families, where its ’public opinion’, ‘popularity’ and standing amongst right thinking members of society does not matter – the only thing that matters is power and control, held by any means neccessary. 

Mahathir himself will have no role whatsoever in the Mahathir Head, [save for the occasional maniacal hallucinations of a grumpy old man that he'll record in his grumpy old blog] but it will be just like it was in Mahathir’s time.

Civil liberties: freedom of thought, speech, conscience, press etc will be like budding flowers trampled underfoot. Most, if not all political bloggers will be silenced and squashed like the miserable little ticks the Mahathir Head thinks they are.

The polarized racial lines will be etched deeper this time as they divide and rule. Fear and suspicion of ‘other races’ will be carefully nurtured. They have already begun – I have been receiving mass-forwarded e-mails aimed at race-bashing and stirring hatred for other races.

The Mahathir Head will NEVER want any Badawi-style reforms if it means forsaking ‘business’ and will NEVER want to lose power and the ‘business’ it brings and will crush anyone who stands in their way. Notions of ‘honesty, ‘integrity’ and ’good governance’ will merely be paid lip-service to.

So the only qustion is, will Najib and gang start tomorrow or next March? Or to coin Austin Powers’ infamous phrase, shall they shag us now or shag us later?

What has happened to Anwar Ibrahim? Where is he? After the failure of 916, he seems to have a few cats hanging off his tongue.

Are his purported 31+ MPs playing a wait-and-see-what-happens-on-October-9th? Do they figure that their ‘interests’ will be better protected as soon as The Mahathir Head comes to power?

Tengku Razaleigh [aka Coolie] in the Star today, claimed he has approached the three Pakatan leaders and proposed forming a BN-Pakatan “unity govt.” As usual the Star did not bother getting Pakatan’s response [which should in perpetuity be "fuck off"], thereby giving the impression that Pakatan will soon cave-in to big brother BN’s decree.

And while we await the fate of our nation, we the ordinary citizens are literally powerless to do anything.

Elections are four years away.

The machinations and manipulations perpetrated on both sides of the political divide are way beyond our reach – we cannot bring about a change in government, only Pakatan can; we cannot choose who our next Prime Minister will be, only UMNO can. 

According to inside sources in UMNO, as reported by Suara KeADILan, Badawi has already made up his mind to defend his post, thereby putting Najib and gang in a quandary for jumping the gun. But even Badawi is as powerless as we are – he may desire to defend his premiership, but if UMNO does not give him the requisite nominations, he’s a goner.

If Badawi announces that he won’t be defending his post, Najib unofficially takes over as PM tomorrow.

Anwar will have to show his hand pretty damn quick - his trial is still pending and once Najib comes into power, The Mahthir Head will stop at nothing to speed it up and, just like they did Raja Petra, put him away for a very long time.

Things are not looking very good …

Is it also always darkest before the new dawn for Malaysia?

I, for one, am scared and angry and frustrated and feeling utterly impotent, and so, as ridiculous as it seems, like a damsel in distress in a bad Tamil movie, can’t help but break into a song …

I need a HEERO! I’m holding out for a hero till the morning light! And he’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be fresh for the fight!

pic from Malaysiakini

ANWAAAARRRRR!!! OH WHERE, OH WHERE ART THOU ANWAAAAHAHAHAAAR….

Just like this ridiculous Holding Out for a Hero video with Bonnie Tyler, 
the political scene is so ridiculously going out of control, you can’t help but laugh till you cry…