The Shadows

Zahid's Shadow Cabinet

So maybe they may need to replace Azeez Rahim quickly in view of  his current predicament but that aside the Opposition's "shadow Cabinet", unveiled yesterday, is a breath of fresh air: a welcomed political scent to the current stench. I am quite impressedf especially with the fact that both Ku Li and KJ, who lost to Zahid Hamidi in the contest for Umno presidency (and the right to become the Opposition Leader) on June 30, are in.  Zahid is a man of his words, indeed. And I have no doubts whatsoever about KJ's ability, in his capacity as shadow Finance Minister, to outrun, outtalk and outsmart Lim Guan Eng. Let's hope, though, that the Opposition provides their shadow ministers, deputies and staffers the resources they would require to be effective. The BN's shadow Cabinet will be effective only if it can champion the wishes of the people, especially those who are in dire need. It's not just about politics or trying to embarrass the Ministers appointed by the Pakatan Harapan government (which won't be that difficult, in some of the cases), it's a responsibility that doesn't come along with the usual pomp or perks. 

Wish list:

Kamalanathan, Dira, Shahril

How I wish there were several more young ones in the shadow Cabinet. Shahril Hamdan for the Youth and Sports portfolio would have been apt. P. Kamalanathan for Human Resources, given his background. Dira for Foreign. Maybe if they decide to repale Azeez, they can include them. In the meantime, wondering why Jo Ghani, Salleh Said Keruak and Rahman Dahlan have been left out. And surely one or two professionals would surely have added value to the whole exercise, no? 

Still, for a long-awaited start from this Opposition, not bad a move at all.

Dr M, Pak Lah and Petronas: The thing that really matters ...

Three men and a country

Friday 24/8/2018: That Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who succeeded Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister in 2003 and Petronas advisor in 2016 [Mahathir sacked ...], would again fall victim to their bitter political adversary was expected, even if totally unfair. And if some people think it's all about sweet revenge, they can't be faulted: the Old Man made sure that the non-renewal notice to Pak Lah with regards to his position at the national oil corporation was served on the coldest platter.

“He is going to be retired because we don’t need an adviser anyway.
“I was adviser for a long time, but of course when I was adviser, I knew a little about the business and so I gave advice.
“But advisors sometimes don’t give advice, so I think we would be wasting money if we just paid as a way to give some money to people,” the prime minister told TMR,

Vintage Mahathir. He wasn't going to allow Pak Lah to step down gracefully when his term ends.

But revenge and rivalry aside, the PM made this important point to the newspaper: there was no need for an advisory role at the national oil firm as the company had been performing well:

Dr Mahathir noted:

“Petronas is actually rated by investors as a very well-run company. That is because the people there are ... well, we don’t see any signs of stealing money and all that.

“They do pay better salaries but overall, their performance is recognised by the market as a company that is well-run. That is why it is the only company in Malaysia which is on the Fortune 500 list.
“We cannot really blame Petronas. Surely, its president and group CEO Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin is there. Who appoints him is not relevant if he performs.” 

I think that is what matters. To know that the national oil corporation has been performing well, no matter who the PM or the advisor was. Certain individuals in this new Pakatan Harapan government have been harping on all kinds of crap - a lot of it mere accusations - about the past in an effort to make the previous government look bad. It's time to give credit where it's due as the Old Man is doing.

And move on, make things even better for all of us, as you've said you could.


Read also
Petronas first quarter profit up 26%
FY18 volume expected to grown for Petronas Dagangan

Washing dirty laundry

Najib faces 3 charges under the Anti Money Laundering Act 

KL 8/8/18: Surprised no one that instead of being charged with stealing billions from 1MDB, which was the issue his political foes had used successfully to bring him down at the May 9 polls, former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been charged with something else altogether this morning. But Najib should still count his blessings. Two decades earlier, he could have been charged with sodomy.

Of Dr Mahathir's totally corrupt Cabinet

Abdullah notched the biggest GE victory ever (in 2004) partly
because Malaysians believed he would clean up after Mahathir

27/7 2018: Having sacked thousands of so-called political appointees in the public sector, including heads of government-linked companies, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he "inherited a government lousy with corruption and with few trustworthy officials". He announced to the world: "Most of the top echelons in the government are corrupt". Those fellas at the CNN may find this a brutally frank and, perhaps, refreshing, admission from the leader of a Third World country. But we have heard this before. Quite often, too, especially towards the end of Dr M's original tenure as PM (1981-2003).

Once, when asked why he chose to retain some blatantly corrupt politicians as his Ministers, Mahathir quipped: "If I were to take action against them for corruption, I won't have a Cabinet left!"

We never failed to laugh at his witty response. It is funny, isn't it?

Praying for the blues, this Sunday

Message from the organisers:

"It hasn't been a good year for Blues fans as two co-founders of the Blues Gang suffered misfortunes. Jim passed on and we believe his soul is resting in peace in Heaven. Shaik Karim, is out with dialysis treatment.These two great musicians formed the rhythm of Blues Gang. Karim is also gifted with true blues vocals. We are sure that these two will be like a fish in a pond if asked to perform with any Blues Band in the world. "July 29 2018 is a Fund- Raising Night for Karim. Zzz Blues is urging all Blues fans to congregate at Rock Bottom from 5.30pm till late to help raise funds for Karim’s treatment."He has entertained many of us so let’s chip in for a good cause. See you on July 29 at Rock Bottom Bangsar. Thank you."