'The mother of all these IPPs and the mother of all these wasteful ‘piratisation' is none other than the PM of 22 years.'
Well-connected IPPs, badly conned consumers
Poppyie: The first and pioneering IPP (independent power producers) was YTL, which was granted two licences - one in Pasir Gudang and another in Paka.
Certainly YTL must be well-connected, otherwise it would not have gotten two licences. And with added sweetener: it was allowed to operate next door to TNB power stations at both sites.
In Pasir Gudang, YTL was offered to operate on TNB land at a nominal rental cost while in turn it charges TNB hefty amounts for the energy delivered. Situated next door to TNB's systems, YTL simply connect to TNB's system thereby saving hundreds of millions in transmission cost in terms of erecting pylons, cables, way leave and land cost.
Because of their well-connected system, IPPs get paid promptly within a month from their invoice date, otherwise TNB would be penalised with 8 percent interest over any delay exceeding 30 days. While other contractors have to run around, and it would be manna from heaven if they got paid within 30 days.
Tailek: Don't blame the IPPs. They are commercial enterprises out to make profits and if they can get a sweet deal from the government or TNB, why should they reject it? Blame Dr Mahathir Mohamad for taking us down this road full of bumps and potholes.
Cala: Who is the enabler of the ‘royal screw' on TNB? So yet again we see another set of privatisation projects failed under the personal tutelage of Mahathir. Through time, Mahathir comes to symbolise failures, insincerity and hypocrisy. He was, and still is, Malaysia's largest liability.
Michael Angelo: The mother of all these IPPs and the mother of all these wasteful ‘piratisation' is none other than the PM of 22 years. The MACC should investigate these IPP agreements and other wasteful ‘piratisation' projects.
I am sure if they do a reasonably good job, the former PM should be behind bars in no time.
Interlok: Niat ready to fast unto death
David Dass: A fast to the death is not the answer. Gandhi used this method because there was no democracy in India at the time. Moreover, he was placing his life at risk to stop rioting and killing. Because he was an iconic figure, it worked.
It may not work here and may simply provoke Perkasa, Pembela and Gaps to reinforce their efforts to stir Malays up. More imaginative forms of protest should be developed. A detailed critique of the book should be posted on the web. Well-known historians should be invited to write reviews of the book so that the public at large are engaged.
All the public know is that an offensive word ' pariah' was used and that it is now removed. The Chinese have not protested the stereotyping of them as people who sell their daughters. I think that for a long time non-Malays have learnt to memorise unpleasant distorted truths about themselves so as to pass exams.
Few believe the text book version of history. ‘Patriotic' history books will not work. Truth shall prevail.
Norman Fernandez: Fast to death? In the Tenang by-election, a constituency with a large Indians voters, we raised the ‘Interlok' book issue.
Indians were presented with a opportunity to demand that the book be banned and pulped. Instead, their concern, question and reply was "never mind the book, what goodies are you giving us?"
Indians were prepared to accept humiliation. Had it been the Chinese and had the book cast a slur on them, ask yourself if the book will see the light of day.
Raja Chulan: The BN leaders will be very happy the Indians fast to death, I think...
Probe on Taib is on, says MACC chief
20121221Disaster: Under the Umno government, the investigation on Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is meant to find ways to cover up the allegations and finding an escape for him in order to save face for BN government.
If the rakyat expect a real investigation on Taib to carry on, vote Pakatan Rakyat into the federal government in the coming general election. Then it stands the chance for the truth to prevail.
Kalui63: Congratulations MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed. I know you have opened the file for investigations, but several years will pass before anything is reported to the public. By that time you would have retired, Taib would have stepped down too, and your successor will not do anything else.
Malaysians Are Not Stupid: Yes, it on. But what we like to know is when the investigation would be concluded. Is it when Taib steps down or cannot deliver the votes to BN anymore?
Lim Chong Leong: ‘Investigation is on-going' usually means a manila card folder has been opened and labelled, in this case with ‘T Mahmud' on its cover. What they do with it after that is another story.
We see a different fervour from the MACC in the TBH (Teoh Beng Hock) case. Overnight interviews and witness after witness. Here, it is "we have opened a case". That is all. Abu Kassim is just another Umno running dog. We don't expect anything from him when it comes to the likes of Taib Mahmud.
Malaysiawatch4.blogspot: My wild guess is that this probe will be used to leverage the CM out before the next GE, nothing more.
AnakPinang: The Bhutan Anti-Corruption Commission coming here for training? That says it all about our standards. Next year, Zimbabwe will be enrolling in the MACC academy. Wonder if their training module included creating alibis, ways of getting out of trouble, lifting weights, throwing the shot putt and opening windows.
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