1MDB vs YTL Power: Shush, Tony (and how it was own and lost, fair and square)

DAP's YB Tony Pua has been very quiet after YTL Powe, the company that he was openly backing to win the RM11 billion coal-fired  power project, actually lost the bid to 1MDB. I'm glad the relevant authorities aren't keeping mum: in the papers over the weekend the Energy Commission explains why the 1MDB's consortium with Mitsui had won it fair and square. 

This blog tracks the relationship between politicians and some of the big businesses in the country, but while we have always understood Pua's obligation to question 1MDB in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, we were quite confused by his open support for YTL Power against 1MDB. There was something not right about that. 

We don't expect Pua to respond to the Energy Commission's clarification but there's still one thing that makes us wonder: Is there a special relationship between the Member of Parliament and YTL Power? When a politician openly supports one corporation against another that happens to be its competitor in a billion-ringgit bid, we feel obliged to demand for a clarification.

The Star's report 8 March 2014:

Prayers for MH370

Updated:
Who exactly is Malaysia Airlines Capt Zaharie Shah of MH370?

Original article 8/3/14

What can we do in times like this but to pray to the Almighty for the safety of all 239 passengers on Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370 that was bound for Beijing but now missing? Our thoughts to the families and loved ones. Amin. 

Buletin Awani Khas live [Recommended] #MH370 Updates

 Utusan's live reporting 

Zahid to Tian Chua: Don't push it!

Zero Tolerance against threat of uprising. The thing about Zahid Hamidi is that he hardly hesitates and he doesn't mince words. That has landed the Home Minister and Umno Vice President in the soup on more than a few occasions. But when it really matters, as in when you have an elected Member of Parliament like Tian Chua openly calling for an "uprising" against the Government over a Court decision that did not favour his boss Anwar Ibrahim (the same Court that has ruled in Anwar's favour many times), you need the kind of sound byte that probably only someone like Zahid dares to make. 

At the very least, I feel safer to be out in the streets tonight ...

The Malaysian Digest has the story h e r e.  

Zahid was responding to these tweets by the PKR Member of Parliament:

 YB Tian Chua, who has a history of violence against the police, has changed his Twitter profile to reflect his loyalty and support to Anwar who was found guilty for sodomizing a former aide and sentenced to 5 years jail. Story h e r e.

Petronas biggest loser in Iran over Shia' remark?

Which moron said that? The fact of the matter is, Petronas has no business operations in Iran. Our national oil corporation exited Iran several years ago. And in view of the US sanctions that still hold against Iran, it is really fantastic to imagine that Esso or Conoco "are making their way into the country", as claimed by Syed Azman Ahmad Nawawi, the PAS International Bureau Head. 

"The biggest loser is Petronas whose oil exploration in Iran has been met with hurdles from the Iranian government, while at the same time, American firms such as Esso and Conoco are making their way into the country," added Syed Azman. (As anti-Shia campaign hits the pockets, BN Minister seeks PAS help to restore Iran ties - The Malaysian Insider, 3 March)

"Petronas mengalami kerugian paling banyak apabila usaha cari galinya di Iran menerima halangan daripada kerajaan Iran sedangkan pada waktu sama syarikat Amerika Syarikat (AS) termasuk Esso dan Conoco sudah mula masuk ke negara itu," kata Syed Azman. (Syiah: Iran bertindak balas, UMNO mengaku silap - Harakah, 3 Mac)

Change your source, Syed!

Politics the real motive, as usual. What's quite obvious is that Syed Azman is trying to pit Home Minister Zahid Hamidi against another Umno minister (who had purportedly sought PAS' help to improve Malaysia's ties with Iran). The funny thing is how easily some Umno and pro-BN bloggers could fall for Syed Azman's tale that Petronas was losing millions over the Shia' remark. How can Petronas be the biggest loser in Iran when the corporation does not operate in Iran at all? How stupid can you get?

They should go for the Umno Minister who ran to PAS for help; that is, if Syed Azman didn't get that wrong, too.

p.s. Petronas maintains a liaison office mainly to facilitate the closure of certain matters related to the previous arrangements it had with the Government