TIMBANGTARA DALAM MALAYSIAKINI: UMNO khianati Zahar Hashim?

Begitulah kata Zahar Hashim dalam berita yang dipapar oleh Muda Mohd Noor dalam Malaysiakini semalam. Sering waktu kecil, strategi sebegitu sangat berkesan untuk melepaskan diri. Bila digasak, ada yang akan berkata "saya tak ambil, Farid yang ambil". Atau waktu si Ahmad berdalih "dia yang tumbuk saya dulu..." Begitulah lebih kurang, dalam melihat episod Zahar cara santai.

Bukan saya khianati Umno, Umno yang khianati saya.

2. Lebih baik kita lihat perkara asas tentang adat bisnes dan tender. Tender Eurocopter bukan sesuatu yang unik, ada beribu lagi tender dalam negara ini. Dalam tender ada beberapa hak. Yang berwibawa ada hak untuk bertanding, yang berkehendak ada hak untuk memilih. Proses tender adalah langkah selamat untuk memilih penender terbaik. Satu sahaja akan berjaya, manakala yang lain akan gagal.

3. Soal 1 juta kena bayar untuk masuk tender bukan perkara pokok, kerana untuk mereka yang lebih kecil, walaupun bayaran bukan satu juta, komitmen untuk bersaing tetap ditunjukkan walau hanya RM 100 sahaja. Dokumen juga bukan percuma. Untuk beribu kontraktor kecil kelas F, mereka tidak mampu untuk merajuk dan marah-marah setiap kali kalah. Kontraktor kelas F juga tidak akan merungut rugi RM100, kerana mereka tahu itulah caranya.

4. Yang kalah hari ini, mungkin akan menang esuk. Kerja-kerja untuk kelas F ada bersepah, dengan itu mereka berupaya untuk cuba berkali-kali, kalah berkali-kali dan mungkin menang beberapa kali. Untuk Eurocopter, tender itu sekali dalam berpuluh tahun. Tetapi penender bukan satu .......

5. Tender Eurocopter adalah tender kerajaan Malaysia. Memang ada orang Umno dalam kerajaan, tetapi untuk keluar Umno, masuk Pas dan pertikaikan pemilihan tender kerajaan Malaysia, adalah sesuatu yang sukar dimengertikan dalam business circles. Malaysia sebenarnya akan terus maju dengan peniaga-peniaga yang ada dayasaing sama ada peniaga itu ahli Umno, Pas, DAP, MCA atau insan tanpa parti namun tetap turun mengundi.




beritadarigunung

Rujuk
Umno khianati saya, kata Zahar | Muda Mohd Noor
Umno's Zahar joins Pas New Straits Times, Malaysia
After complains about Eurocopter, Umno man defects to Pas The Malaysian Insider, Malaysia

WITH MALAYSIAKINI: EUROCOPTER: apa aku dapat?

Zahar Hashim joining Pas is not a surprise. It is a natural thing to do for a man who had been an Umno divisional chief for quite sometime. Eurocopter controversy may just paint the true picture of the man by the name Zahar Hashim. As Muda Mohd Noor put it in Malaysiakini, Zahar was a former Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division leader.

• 
  

• Eurocopter whistleblower joins PAS from malaysiakini
• Muda Mohd Noor | Dec 24, 08 11:11am
• Former Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division leader Zahar Hashim, who had alleged discrepancies in the Eurocopter deal, joined the opposition PAS today.

2. Zahar handed his application form to join Pas in the presence of Nasharudin and Hasan Ali and his most probable first move will be to join the Kuala terengganu by election campaign. It will not be too difficult to guess what will be his political cry ... Eurocopter!

3. Permatang Pauh and Ijok witnessed Najib as the main target for the oppositions. Altantuya and eurocopter were just the right ingredients to "goreng". A political mee "goreng"?

4. Kita difahamkan zahar juga berminat dan melobi untuk membekal helikopter untuk kegunaan tentera negara ini. Kononnya proposal beliau tidak diterima. Eurocopter hanyalah satu bisness venture pada peringkal awal iaitu proposal atau bidding. Mereka yang serius berniaga, menyertai sebutharga atau tender bukanlah dengan gurantee bahawa mereka akan dapat. Seni bisnes adalah mencabar.

5. Kalau boleh berpesan sedikit kepada Zahar, bukan ada cara pintas yang mudah untuk lahirkan peniaga . Mana boleh turun ke padang dengan gol yang telah dijanjikan, seolah satu pertandingan bolasepak yang telah ditentukan keputusannya. Itu rasuah namanya. Memang begitu, ada masa kita berjaya dalam tender dan ada masanya kita gagal. So what?

6. Dalam perspektif itu, tidak ada apa yang istimewa di sebalik keluarnya Zahar dari Umno dan masuknya beliau dalam Pas. Sekadar paparan imej manusia dalam pentas hidup yang mencabar. Namun ramai juga terjebak dengan perangkap yang bahaya ini. Sepertimana Anwar menjaja kata-kata keramat sekitar 90'an dulu, NEPOTISMA, KRONISMA, seolah beliau sangat bersih dan penuh integriti.

7. Malangnya, rakyat biasa sering terpesung dengan mantra politik. Yang mereka canang hanyalah isu-isu menarik yang mampu mengusik emosi dan minda pengundi. Rakyat sudah tunjuk berani dengan menghantar videoman ke parlimen. Rakyat Perak sudah bergembira dengan freehold land titles untuk kampung baru cina sedangkan mereka yang biasa dengan Ayer Tawar sangat masak dengan permainan-permainan, yang Nizar [MB] pun tidak nampak bawah hidung sendiri.

Kita sering dapat apa yang kita hajat. Zahar tidak perlu kecewa sebenarnya. Kita pula jarang bersyukur dengan apa yang kita pernah berkali-kali dapat .


Beritadarigunung



On Eurocopter and Zahar, I wish to share the meaning of whats in it for me. Another malay phrase with similar effect will be "apa aku dapat?".

a short note on What's in it for me?

1. The failure of American media to properly vet the political beliefs of Barack Obama during thejust concluded presidential campaign was on full display when the president-elect made clear just how much of a socialist he really is, and did so with nary a challenge from "Meet the Press" moderator Tom Brokaw [What's In It For Me']

2. It is very easy to see the glass as half empty but, as you know, it could be half full. During tough times we can drag ourselves down with looking at all the negatives. We look at life and realize all the bad things that are happening to us. Sometimes we need to lean on the benefits we get instead. [What is in it for me? 2]

ACA begins probe into deferred RM1.6bil Eurocopter deal

SEREMBAN: The Anti-Corruption Agency has begun probing into the proposed purchase of 12 Eurocopters with its officers taking away several documents, connected to the now deferred RM1.6bil deal, from the Defence Ministry.

ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency would be thorough in the probe headed by its investigations director Datuk Shukri Abdull.

"We have already opened a file on this. We have taken several documents on the purchase of the helicopters from the ministry and are currently looking at them," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after opening a shooting competition organised by the agency at the Mantin shooting range near here.

Ahmad said the ACA would check to see if procedures for the purchase of the helicopters were adhered to.

"We want to see if there were any irregularities. We can't tell for sure if there was an element of corruption involved in the deal...we have to investigate this," he said.

He was asked to comment on a police report lodged by Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy youth chief Fariz Musa against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on alleged abuse of power in the proposed purchase of the helicopters.

The Opposition had also claimed that there were flaws in the deal as there had been no physical inspection and specification tests on the helicopter.

However, the purchase of the Eurocopter helicopters to replace the Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings or Nuri helicopters was shelved earlier this week to reduce Government expenses in tight economic times.

On Friday, Najib had said that the Opposition was making a meal of the purchase, especially with its contention that the government had not conducted physical and specification inspections on the helicopter.

Najib, who was Defense Minister when the decision was made, said the Eurocopter was a proven helicopter in several developed nations, including France.

He said Malaysian pilots knew of the aircraft's capabilities as they had flown them at exhibitions as well as during last year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.

Ahmad said the Public Accounts Committee could continue with its own probe into the matter.

"Let them (PAC) investigate this first. We will do so in stages," he said.

On a separate matter, Ahmad said the ACA has received reports on alleged money politics in the on going Umno divisional elections.

"These are serious allegations...it can be in Umno or any other political party, we will surely investigate these reports," he said.

Ahmad said overall, every three out of 10 reports received by the ACA received were mere accusations.

"Many of these are also poison pen letters and the information given is sometimes insufficient.

"It is better if complainants lodge reports with us so that we can act accordingly," he added.

ACA begins probe into deferred RM1.6bil Eurocopter deal
Malaysia Star

Eurocopter purchase: Abdullah gives exact figure for deal

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and DPM Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday provided the exact figure for the Eurocopter deal after he was given a clarification by the Defence Ministry.

The prime minister said the correct figure was RM1.607 billion, and not RM1.7 billion quoted when he announced to the media earlier this week the government's decision to defer the purchase.

"I have been told that the actual amount is RM1.607 billion. I apologise for the mistake," he said after chairing a cabinet committee meeting on palm oil industry competitiveness.

Abdullah questioned why the opposition was making so much fuss about the issue as the deal was not binding in the first place.

"It is really very technical and academic to argue about the price, especially when a decision has been made (to postpone the purchase)."
He said if conditions permitted in the future, negotiations on the purchase would resume.

"When we feel there is money to spare, then we will negotiate the price."

Abdullah, however, declined to say whether the price would differ should fresh negotiations take place.

"Whatever it is, we will still have to negotiate."

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was present, said the opposition was making a meal of the proposed purchase, especially with its contention that the government had not conducted physical and specification inspections on the helicopter.

He said the Eurocopter was a proven helicopter in several developed nations, including France.

"The helicopter has also seen combat in Afghanistan, and our pilots have flown it in exhibitions. They know the performance of the Eurocopter."

According to Najib, before a sale is confirmed, a free delivery inspection is held and that is when the helicopter would be thoroughly examined.

"So, what we have done is nothing unusual. It's not experimental and it's not that it has not been tested."

At the press conference, Abdullah also said the government would embark on an oil palm replanting scheme for trees aged over 25 years.

The government will allocate RM200 million for this scheme to replant trees in some 200,000 hectares.

"An incentive of RM1,000 per hectare will also be given to those who want to take part in the scheme."

He said plantation owners and smallholders had been reluctant to replant before due to the high prices for palm oil.

"Now that prices have dipped, the government feels that this is the right time to embark on the scheme."

The committee also decided to implement a five per cent bio-diesel blending exercise using methyl ester and diesel.

Abdullah said the programme would be implemented in stages beginning February. The blended fuel will be used in government vehicles, followed by the industrial and transport sectors.

"We estimate using about 500,000 tonnes a year for this. Since our yearly palm oil production is about 17.8 million tonnes, this should not be a problem."

Abdullah gives exact figure for copter deal
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Kerajaan batal Eurocopter?

Kita faham jika pembatalan ini dibuat dalam perspektif ekonomi tak menentu. Tetapi masih ada yang ragu sama ada itu wajar dan betul. Yang lebih berani cuba meneka, apakah ia isu menambat tali unta di pinggir Pekan supaya rumput tidak diragut licin. Ada anak kambing hitam yang masih lapar. Yang masih keliru, meminta maklumat apakah progres Koridor Ekonomi sebenarnya, dengan tamparan ekonomi kini.

Orang Terengganu akan tetap bersuka ria disember ini kerana dapat menonton orang-orang kaya belayar, bukan untuk menangkap ikan tetapi untuk menjampi supaya wang turun dari langit bersama dengan pelancung asing........ Tahap kegembiraan mungkin turun kerana Patrick Lim lebih awal turun menyepi.

Berbalik kepada isu eurocopter....

Sila rujuk yang berikut:-

Malaysia reported scraps big chopper deal
Radio Australia, Australia - 2 hours ago
Malaysia has reportedly decided to axe a controversial 657 million US dollar military helicopter order from Europe. The news website Malaysian Insider says ...

Govt Yet To Discuss Helicopter Purchase
Bernama, Malaysia - 3 hours ago
A posting in the the Malaysian Insider news portal Sunday that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had cancelled the purchase of new ...

Malaysia to scrap $657 mln Eurocopter order - report
Reuters India, India - 8 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia has decided to axe a controversial $657 million military helicopter order in the government's first major budget cutbacks ...

Malaysia ditches Eurocopters on gloomy economic outlook
Malaysia Today, Malaysia - 13 hours ago
Opposition leaders and critics had savaged the purchase of the dozen EC725 helicopters, saying its RM193 million price tag per aircraft was more than double

Secretary-general to be asked about copter deal
New Straits Times, Malaysia - Oct 23, 2008
PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the committee would scrutinise details leading to the purchase of the helicopters at a two-day meeting beginning ...

Najib: Copter deal open to scrutiny

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is free to start an inquiry on the Defence Ministry's decision to procure the Eurocopter EC725 in a bid to allay any misconception over the matter.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he had submitted a motion in the Cabinet meeting on Friday that the matter be scrutinised by PAC and that was approved.

He added that the Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abu Bakar Abdullah had already issued a public statement pertaining to the processes and were said to be in accordance to tender procedures and that there was no external influence. "However, the matter should be studied in detail by PAC and PAC can hold a hearing in order to make a conclusion over what have happened. "I had suggested this and it was accepted and I hope PAC will start to work on it," he told reporters during a Hari Raya open house on Sunday.

Early this month, Mentari Services Sdn Bhd chairman Capt (Rtd) Zahar Hashim alleged that the tender made during Najib’s tenure as Defence Minister to replace the aging Nuri helicopters had been too costly. He claimed the Government could have saved almost RM1.5bil if it had bought the Kazan-M172 helicopters from Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd, the firm he represents, instead of buying Cougar EC-725s from the German-French firm Eurocopter.

He said the Kazan-M172 met all the specifications required by the armed forces and cost RM898mil while the Cougar units cost the Government RM2.317bil. On Oct 17, Abu Bakar issued a detailed statement saying that the decision was done following proper procedures.

source: Najib: Copter deal open to scrutiny
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

other related stories:

PAC urged to pore over Eurocopter deal Malaysia Today
Procedures followed in helicopter deal Your Defence News (press release)
Cabinet wants probe into copter deal probe New Straits Times
All rules were observed in acquiring Eurocopter EC725, says Ministry
New Straits Times, Malaysia
Ministry: Chopper deal proper Malaysia Star

Mengulas Malaysiakini: Inikah jenis pemimpin yang kita mahu?

(Ulasan ringkas dari beritadarigunung terhadap posting Malaysiakini bertajuk "Is this the kind of leader we want?)

From Malaysiakini
'Is this the kind of leader we want?'
Oct 16, 08 9:09am
free 'I really shudder at the approaching future. Our next PM will have so many ‘scandalous baggage' accompanying him. Is politics in Malaysia really at this level?'

BERITADARIGUNUNG:

1. Posting di atas adalah himpunan pandangan dari sedozen (12) penulis. Penulis adalah seperti berikut:-Fatima Abdullah, Ong Chiaw Hong, Jonathan, Jesmine, Garry Khoo,Peter Yew,Concerned Citizen, KSN, BJ Fernandez, Hal, Jasper, Appum.

Tajuk yang dikupas terdiri daripada:-

1. Najib nominations rise despite allegations
2. Najib: No abuse of power in SMS, will explain chopper deal
3. Letter questions 'shady' chopper deal
4. PAC to discuss helicopter deal
5. PM: Let Tan explain bumiputera remarks
6. Amirsham: Our economy not under threat
7. Nominations will not determine victory
8. Indelible ink: No action against complainants
9. Gov't cuts petrol, diesel prices by 6.1%
10. Lim deflects criticism over Queensbay land deal
11. Najib should preserve sanctity of PM's office

2. Najib adalah mangsa kritikan dalam posting ini. Kritikan untuk PM adalah sangat kecil. Itu realiti politik negara ini. Semakin serius sekarang kerana Abdullah sudah hampir nyata akan turun Mac ini dan Najib pula naik. Amat perit untuk diterima Anwar.

3. Sekitar akhir 90'an Abdullah dan Najib adalah junior Anwar. Setelah meletak dan menunda tarikh menjadi PM, Anwar diyakini rasa tercabar bila UMNO belum kucar-kacir malah mampu mengurus peralihan kuasa. Dengan kes liwat sedang berjalan di Mahkamah, bagi menjamin kredibiliti political, adalah lumrah Najib diasak bertubi-tubi.

Siapa Najib?

4. Anak Tun Abdul Razak yang telah berkecimpung dalam politik sejak berumur 23 tahun. Beliau lulusan ekonomi dari University og Nottingham. Kini najib berumur 55 tahun. Pendedahan Najib dengan perjalanan kerajaan dan politik memang luas. Selain pernah menjadi Menteri Besar Pahang, beliau pernah menjawat jawatan Timbalan Menteri dan Menteri Penuh di samping Timbalan Perdana Menteri.

5. Naiknya Najib dalam politik negara, adalah seangkatan dengan Muhyiddin, Rahim Thamby Chik, dan Isa Samad. Pengalaman yang luas bersama Mahathir memacu negara adalah sangat berfaedah. Anwar datang dalam persada UMNO lewat sedikit tetapi laluan Anwar seterusnya penuh dengan insiden demi insiden menumpaskan lawan.

6. Rupanya Anwar bertemu buku dan ruas dengan Mahathir. Selebihnya adalah sejarah bagi Anwar dengan membawa dua watak, all conquering and all vulnerable. Element conquering ditunjukkan dalam street political fighting serta strategi manipulatif. Element vulnerable dapat dirasai waktu beliau berselindung di kedutaan Turki dan episod lepas di Mahkamah. Kes liwat kedua akan merobek Anwar jiwa dan raga. Seingat-ingat kita, Anwar selesa malah leka dengan politik simpati dan publisiti. Anwar tidak ada rekod untuk ditunjukkan.

7. Tuduhan demi tuduhan keatas Najib adalah lumrah. Abdullah adalah lembu sakti, wajar dibiar saja bebas dan lepas. Kepaduan Najib dan Muhyiddin adalah benteng kukuh. Dengan Mukhriz dan semangat dan kebijaksanaan Mahathir Pakatan Rakyat hanya mampu melalak kosong.

8. Kes Altantuya adalah hal mahkamah. Ada masa-masa, bar council malah Anwar memuji-muji integriti kehakiman negara. Untuk kes Altantuya, mereka memilih untuk melalak dalam mahkamah dan dijalanraya. Ijok jadi merah kerana serpihan semburan sireh dari mulut Anwar. Waktu itu Najiblah yang paling tidak berguna dalam dunia. Hantu dipaksa berkeliaran. Altantuya wajar aman bersemadi seperti jua Conny Ong.

9. Kes Eurocopter adalah kes bodoh. Tidak semudah itu untuk Najib bermain kotor dengan komisyen. Bukankah Abdullah dijerat lehernya dengan tuduhan kroni, scomi dan kamaruddin? Sekurang-kurangnya Lim Kit Siang dalam blognya cuba menyebut nama-nama itu. Maka Lim pun rasa hairan bagaimana Mr Clean bertukar menjadi Mr Greed. Pembelian senjata dan peralatan tentera adalah dengan tapisan kerahsiaan. Perdana Menteri mesti tahu kenapa Eurocopter dipilih. Sedang ECM-Libra boleh tergeliat inikan pula belanja berbillion ringgit. Klik ini : : Why Eurocopter’s Cougar has been selected to replace Nuri Lim Kit Siang

10. Abdullah sendiri mengumunkan "letter of intent" telah dihantar kepada Eurocopter pada 26 September lalu, 9 hari selepas bertukar jawatan. Ada sebab beliau membuat pengumuman itu tapi ramai sangsi sebab apa beliau ingin memanggil ketua setiausaha kem. pertahanan untuk penjelasan. Abdullah biarkan keadaan menjadi terlalu reactive dalam segenap sudut.

11. Seorang blogger KTemoc telah memberi perspektif menarik dalam isu Eurocopter. Beliau menyifatkan keghairahan pembongkaran isu berkenaan agak pre-emptive. Rujuk disini: Eurocopter Cougar deal - Malaysiakini's pre-emptiv....

12. Seorang teman yang pernah berurusan dengan Najib ada menyebut "he is sharp and intelligent". Exposure dan worldview Najib adalah mencukupi untuk memimpin negara dan rakyat.


beritadarigunung : cheers

Commenting Malaysiakini on EUROCOPTER CONTROVERSY, NAJIB AND ABDULLAH.

From Malaysiakini
Copter fiasco: PM to meet Mindef sec-gen
Syed Jaymal Zahiid |
breaking news updated 5pm The premier will meet the Defence Ministry secretary-general today to seek clarification on the Eurocopter controversy, and explain the matter to the public soon.

BERITADARIGUNUNG

I was reading what Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog on Eurocopter deal. He mentioned Abdullah, Minister of Defence, SCOMI and Kamaluddin in the article.

Abdullah should be aware that his first act as Defence Minister, announcing that the Defence Ministry has agreed to acquire new helicopters from European helicopter manufacturers, Eurocopter, to replace the Nuri has been immediately dogged by integrity and transparency questions – in particular, the allegation about the involvement of his son Kamaluddin Abdullah in the Eurocopter deal. The Eurocopter Cougar EC725 was one of four aircraft shortlisted by RMAF. The other three were the Sikorsky S92, Agusta Westland EH-101 Merlin and the Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip. If no full explanation is forthcoming from Abdullah, I will be raising this issue in Parliament when it reconvenes on October 13. Click here for more: Why Eurocopter’s Cougar has been selected to replace Nuri

2. Today, Debra Chong reported in Malaysian Insider that The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will be conducting inquiries into a number of recent controversial deals involving both the public and private sector, including the acquisition of Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) by Maybank, the Eurocopter deal and the broadband project awarded to Telekom Malaysia.

3. If we push the clock back a little bit, on 26th of September 2008, barely 9 days after taking over the Ministry of Defence from Najib, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the Defence Ministry has agreed to acquire new helicopters from European helicopter manufacturers, Eurocopter, to replace the Nuri, He said the ministry was now scrutinising the clauses in the agreement before signing it officially with the company concerned."I have been told that the Defence Ministry has identified Eurocopter as the replacement for Nuri. Click here: Eurocopter Awarded Tender To Replace Nuri

4. Purchasing defence assets has been critised over and over again. It was not too long ago that Anwar while campaigning for Ijok by election pushed Najib to the corner with the accusation of commissions on arm deals. As far as Anwar is concerned we do have to distinguish between the issue and the motive. Observers noted Anwar's strategy in climbing up the greasy pole when Najib is already half way up, and he himself is still blackened with dirts down below. Abdullah has been spared as sacred cow.

5. Even China has demanded US to scrap US6.5 billions arms deal with Taiwan! click here US must scrap Taiwan arms deal, says China.

6. Arms deal is always full of controversies. But everybody knows that no billion dollar deals will get through without Prime Minister's saying yes. Anyway Nuri has to be replaced. Full Stop!

Cheers