Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

A bridge too far for Malaysia’s premier
By Mageswary Ramakrishnan

KUALA LUMPUR - A growing tussle between Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his strong-willed predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad, has complicated the premier’s reform plans and cast a dark cloud over the political scene.

Abdullah rose to power with Mahathir’s overt blessing in 2003, and with a promise to reform the links between government and business that characterized Mahathir’s 22-year tenure. Nearly three years later, a series of politically charged policy decisions has put the two leaders on a collision course that is testing Abdullah’s grip on power.

Abdullah’s recent decision to suspend construction of a half-built bridge from Malaysia’s Johor province to Singapore reportedly infuriated Mahathir, 80, who made an executive decision to build the massive bridge two months before announcing his resignation in 2003.

Mahathir had earlier promised to inspect the bridge’s construction, even if he was no longer in power. His son sits on the board of one of the Malaysian companies involved in the bridge’s construction.

Abdullah also recently sacked the chief executive officer of the national car maker, Proton, a well-known Mahathir associate. Mahathir, who currently serves as a senior adviser to the company, publicly condemned the decision. Proton was largely shielded from international competition during Mahathir’s tenure, where high tariffs made foreign cars as much as triple the price of Proton’s cars. Abdullah has since moved tentatively to reduce those trade barriers.

On his resignation, Mahathir overtly decided against taking on the title of mentor minister, as Lee Kwan Yew did in Singapore to maintain a measure of influence over major government policies. Now that Abdullah’s policies have exposed chinks in Mahathir’s political legacy, the tough-talking former premier is fighting back with a surprising vengeance. (more…)

“After yesterday’s press conference on PM Abdullah’s link with the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project, I told members that either there would be big coverage or a complete blackout in the next day’s newspaper.

By evening after surfing the website of several Chinese dailies and found nothing reported about my “expose”, I knew the newspapers would be extra cautious with this piece of news as it involved the Prime Minister.

Actually, stories about Abdullah’s role in the PORR project could be found in certain website. However, no one has brought the matter to the mainstream media yet.

This morning, I found that almost all the Chinese presses have black-out the news.
Kwong Wah, Sin Chew, China Press and Oriental Daily did not carry the story.
Normally, the Chinese newspapers (usually in the local sections) would provide enough space for Opposition news but that was no ordinary news.

I was surprised that the more conservative Nanyang Siang Pau carried the news on their national page. Another write-up was also found in the local section. Guang Ming Daily carried the news in the same page as the reports on the Penang State Legislative Assembly.

However, both Nanyang and Guang Ming Daily treated the news with the “utmost care”, reporting it in a “backdoor” manner. I have said clearly the PM Datuk Seri Abdullah was named as a director of Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang, who owns 34% of the PMW share via two wholly-owned companies, Kumpulan Pinang and Kumpulan Perhubungan.

The news report said a person bearing the same name as the PM was named as a director. In a cheeky manner, the report said the I.C. Number and the address at Putrajaya also matched that of the PM.

Only theSun carried a 3-paragraph brief on Page 2 under the heading, “DAP questions PM’s credibility.”

Do you expect the NST, Star, Utusan and Berita Harian to carry this news?

PM Abdullah told the people that he wanted to hear the truth. But local media owner have their annual licence to take care of. But it is this fear that would not help PM Abdullah in his fight against corruption and to promote good governance, integrity and ethics in his Administration. Without a free media, no chance can happen.

I can assure you that I will continue to seek for an answer.

Press Conference Statement by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow at the Penang State Legislative Assembly on Monday, 29 May 2006.

Prime Minister Abdullah linked to PORR concessionaire company, named as director of Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang Berhad
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The DAP today expresses shock that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is linked to the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project’s concessionaire company, Peninsular Metroworks Sdn. Bhd. (PMW)

According to corporate information obtained from the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Abdullah (I.C. No.391126-07-5077) was first appointed director of the Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang Sdn. Bhd. His name is still listed as a director.

Yayasan Bumiputra now controls 34.78 percent of PMW through its two subsidiary companies; Kumpulan Pinang Holding Sdn. Bhd. and Kumpulan Perhubungan Sdn. Bhd.

This was a result of restructuring of the ownership equity in PMW. The shareholders areas follows:

Kumpulan Pinang Holding Sdn. Bhd. (222310-D) 10,000 share
Lingkaran Tanjung Sdn. Bhd. (676910-W) 340,000 share
Setegap Berhad (107232-X) 12,750 share
Kumpulan Perhubungan Sdn. Bhd. (60597-A) 1,190,000 share
Nadi Senandung Sdn. Bhd. (381079-U) 1,897,250 share

Setegap Berhad is a construction company listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Lingkaran Tanjung (formerly known as Jasminata Sdn. Bhd) was registered on 30.12.2004 and its registered address is at Suite 2.01, Tingkat 2, Wisma K.P.Loh, No 42 Jalan Besar, Kajang, Selangor. There is no information on the nature of its business and its financial standing. Sources said the directors are related to Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

Major shareholder, Nadi Senandung is principally controlled by Datuk Ahmad Ismail via a dormant company, Cedar Heights Sdn. Bhd. (267289-U).

From the web of ownership structure and list of directors, it has confirmed DAP’s allegation that the PORR project is a classic example of Umno’s crony capitalism.

We await PM Abdullah’s explanation and see how he can get out of this web of intriguing ownership of the RM1.02 billion PORR project.

Press Conference statement by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow at the Penang State Assembly building on Wednesday, 24.5.2006.

Dr Koh Tsu Koon must not evade responsibility over Umno bankrupt Councillor issue
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Yesterday, I said Penang CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was trying to protect an Umno bankrupt Councillor as he has refused to reveal the councillor’s name when asked by the Press.

In an immediate response, Tsu Koon’s political secretary Mark Ooi told the Press that there was no cover-up in the matter by the CM.

Mark Ooi said, “This is a local government issue. The statement should come from the Council.”

I have expected the CM to clear the air on the matter but instead he directed his secretary to respond. I found the response way off the mark.

I went to the Penang State Assembly this morning and spoke to waiting reporters.

I asked: “Why is it so difficult to name Datuk Ahmad Ismail as the bankrupt Councillor.”

Mark Ooi was very wrong when he implied that the State Government has nothing to do with the issue.

The Local Government Act, 1976 empowers State Authority on the appointment of Councillors.

Clause 10(1) stipulates that the Mayor or President and Councillors are to be appointed by the State Authority.

Clause 10(2) gives the State Authority power to determine who shall be appointed as Councillors. Three years ago, the State Executive Council headed by Tsu Koon rejected a MCA nominee because the candidate was said to have dubious dealings.

Clause 10(7) says that the decision of the CM shall be final and binding on the local authority in matter referred to him by the President of the local council.

Clearly, the CM has all the power to deal with the matter. He has refused to publicly name the bankrupt Councillor and continue to protect him, why?

Mark Ooi also slammed the DAP for trying to capitalize on this issue.

This issue is about good governance, accountability and political integrity. Ahmad is behind the concessionaire of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project.

We have objected to Ahmad’s credibility and financial’s ability to implement this project.

This is a case of Umno’s crony capitalism of the highest degree. The NST said Umno leadership will leave it to PM Abdullah to decide on Ahmad’s fate. Pak Lah should also decide whether Ahmad’s company should be awarded the PORR project.

Yesterday, Sin Chew Daily exposed in an exclusive report about a Penang Island Municipal Councillor who was declared a bankrupt.

As a result, Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon was beseiged by the media at the opening ceremony of the Penang State Legislative Assembly.

He commented that the said Councillor had been stripped of his post after he was declared a bankrupt.

But Tsu Koon did not dare to name the person, why?

This is of public interests and it is the public responsibility of the CM to clear the air on the matter. Most reporters were disappointed that they were unable to get an official confirmation from Tsu Koon. All newspapers (but one) were unable to name the person involved and readers were left in the dark.

theSun, the nation’s free newspaper however reported on its front page that Council President Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan had confirmed that the person Tsu Koon was trying to protect is Umno Bukit Bendera chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

Does the name ring a bell? Ahmad Ismail is the figure linked to the controversial PORR project in Penang. He is the director of Peninsular Metroworks Sdn. Bhd., the concessionaire for the project.

I have written about the PORR and Ahmad Ismail the past few years. Please check the news archive.

Ahmad is an influential Umno divisional leader and Tsu Koon is beholden to him for support. The CM’s constituency of Tanjong Bungah happens to be in the Bukit Bendera division.

No wonder Tsu Koon appears so powerless in Penang when a mere Umno division leader could wield so much influence over him.

Minister in charge of Energy, Lim Keng Yaik had said that Tenaga Nasional will be allowed to raise electricity rates very soon.

The reasons for the proposed hikes are untenable. What on earth has caused Tenaga’s financial problem and a RM30 billion debt burden?

One of the reasons is the high electricity reserve margin of 40% compared to international benchmark of 20%.

It is reported that Tenaga would be able to save a few hundred millions each year if the reserve margin is reduced to 20%. This action is deemed necessary to save the utility company from bankruptcy.

The reason for the high reserve margin is the contractual supply of electricity by the Independent Power Producers to Tenaga, which are not used.

To save Tenaga, there is a great need now to review the agreement with the IPPs.

Keng Yaik had said Malaysia is not a banana republic and therefore the government must honour agreements signed by the government.

I say Malaysia will become a banana republic if we do not get the agreement renegotiated.

So many concessionary agreements were signed by the previous administration and the rakyat is burdened by them.

There is no way out, Keng Yaik. Review the IPP agreements or consumers will suffer.