Next, Dr Mahathir may teach Pas how to make peace like himself

Finished unpacking and have a bit of time before going to sleep.

It's past midnight but I better write this now because tomorrow is going to be a busy day.

The big story at the moment is that meeting between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DS Anwar Ibrahim in court.

Dr Mahathir said he was not making peace with Anwar but instead just there to support him for filing that injunction against the implementation of the National Security Council Act.

However, I don't buy it.

I still think that he is indeed making peace with Anwar, one way or another.

At least, as far as I am concerned, that's how this picture seems to indicate,

Otherwise, I don't think Anwar would hold Dr Mahathir's hand like that.

Anwar may be very good at putting up an act, but I don't think he was faking it this time.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who see it that way.

The NSC is just an excuse.

All that 18 years of intense animosity between the two guys seems to be over now.

All those allegations of Anwar being a sodomite and Dr Mahathir a cruel mahafiraun don't matter too, I guess.

They are allies once more and the common enemy is PM DS Najib Razak.

The fact that Dr Mahathir was willing to see Anwar in person again after almost two decades and in my eyes make peace with him, it is a clear sign that the fight against Najib will go on to its bitter end.

I also believe that the meeting with Anwar must had surely sealed Dr Mahathir's bond with the Pakatan Harapan coalition of PKR, DAP and Amanah.

If I'm an Umno or BN leader, I would be worried.

The biggest weapon Umno and BN have at the moment is the disunity of the opposition.

Dr Mahathir is clearly trying to repair the rifts between and within the opposition rank to prepare for the assault in the next general election.

Dr Mahathir had most likely told Anwar that he is not interested to take over the opposition and later on lead the country again.

He's only interested to get at Najib.

Anwar can have the power.

Maybe that's why Anwar was willing to make peace with the man whom he accused of jailing him for almost seven years using trumped up charges.

If Anwar is willing to accept Dr Mahathir, the rest will follow along.

They know it's the only way they would stand a chance to put up a united front against Umno and BN.

Next, I believe, Dr Mahathir will approach Pas.

Pas  is the key now.

If Dr Mahathir manages to persuade Pas to rejoin the opposition coalition, then BN will really be in danger in the next general election.

How Dr Mahathir is actually going to do it is beyond me.

I can only think of two possible ways,

1. Offer Pas to have straight fights with BN (particularly Umno) in states it can realistically wins. That's Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah. Dr Mahathir may even offer tiny Perlis to Pas for good measure. In return, Pas will have to let Pakatan Harapan and his new Pribumi party to have straight fights with BN and Umno in the other states.They may win in Penang, Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan while hitting hard in Malacca, Johor and Pahang. BN and Umno may only count on Sabah and Sarawak to counter those.

2. There are quite a few stories about how Dr Mahathir actually own a huge war chest to be utilised in his fight against Najib. I always doubt this allegation about Dr Mahathir, but if it is indeed true,  then he should just use the money now. Let's imagine that Dr Mahathir tells the Pas leadership that he will give them RM1 billion in exchange for their cooperation in the fight against the Najib-led Umno and BN. I suspect that the Pas guys will be very tempted to take up such an offer. They are humans like us after all.

Again, let me remind you that if Dr Mahathir manages to persuade Pas to make peace with DAP, Amanah and PKR, the same way he made peace with Anwar, then BN and Umno may expect a life and death fight in the next general election.

KL and a beautiful old song

I'm going back to KL tomorrow.

Really don't feel like it.

But I have to.

Packing now.

No mood or time to write properly.

For now, I just want to share this song by my father's favourite Indonesian singer of all time, the late Lilis Suryani,

My father said his first true love looked like her.

Whatever.

Okay, I will write properly again after I'm in KL.

Take care

Please don't make 1MDB even more confusing

Sometimes my friends laughed at me when I told them I don't write much about the 1MDB issue because I don't really understand it.

They said I'm dense.

Well, I don't mind them calling me that. I can managed my ego. I just don't like to pretend to know something which I actually am ignorant about.

For instance, if I have never been on the political battleground of Johor or even live in the state, I would not try to pretend to be a political expert of Johor and advise Johor Umno to kick out half of its members just simply because they disagree with the party leadership over something.

Either you are with us or against us, remember?

Unless of course if I'm a DAP undercover operative working inside the Umno camp trying to create havoc within the party.

Anyway, the 1MDB issue is complex, so I prefer to let those who really know about it do the explaining.

I would try to listen and understand as much as I can.

As to why I still don't understand it, it's because there are so many conflicting explanations and reports

The other day an accountant friend who is a prominent blogger told me that the 1MDB money was not stolen but the very next day another accountant friend who is also an equally prominent blogger told me otherwise.

Both had insisted that they were right.

There are so many of these conflicting stories being told that I don't know which to believe.

Just look at these two reports by national news agency Bernama.

This is a report yesterday

KHALID-1MDB/BM (WITH PIX)
1MDB: RMP SEEKS MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST TO US AUTHORITIES
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have sent a mutual legal assistance request to the United States' (US) authorities to record statements from witnesses in the country in connection with investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
 He said the request was the beginning of the second phase of PDRM's investigation.
 "We have sent a request to the (US) authorities to record statements from witnesses there and it will take a long time.
 "As for the first phase of the 1MDB investigation, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has returned the investigation papers to us because there are things that need to be reviewed.
 "The AGC had also directed a number of things to be done...so we will take action as directed before re-submitting the investigation papers to them," he told a press conference after an appreciation ceremony to thank officials who handled the 36th ASEANAPOL Conference, in Bukit Aman here today.
-- MORE
KHALID-1MDB 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Asked on whether police would be conduction an investigation based on the report of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) regard misappropriation of 1MDB funds, Khalid said PDRM would not interfere in the matter.
 "The action by the United States is civil lawsuits, PDRM will not intervene and do not try to associate us with politics.
 "Our job is to safeguard the country's security and order and don't drag us to (make) political statements," he said.
 The DoJ had recently filed civil lawsuits to seize assets said to have been acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, a government strategic investment fund.
-- BERNAMA
ROZ SHI NZM NCD HA

And this is a report today,

KHALID-1MDB
1MDB: IGP DENIES SEEKING MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH USA
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has denied that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is seeking Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) with the United States to interview witnesses overseas relating to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigation.
 Khalid affirmed that several reports published by the media today was incorrect.
 "This is false, and I did not say this...earlier today I was just explaining the process if an investigation were to be conducted outside Malaysia.
 "Namely, in the event of us seeking to take witness statements overseas, PDRM would follow the required international protocols and seek MLA under the guidance of the Attorney General's Chambers," he said in the statement today.
 Khalid said PDRM was satisfied with the progress made relating to 1MDB investigation and was hoping to conclude the investigation as soon as possible.
-- MORE
KHALID-1MDB 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
As the investigation was ongoing, all parties should refrain from any reporting that could be prejudicial, he said.
 "Failure to do so will result in action from PDRM in accordance with the law," he said.
 Khalid added that PDRM had completed the first phase of its investigation into 1MDB, which is based on the bi-partisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
 He said the investigation papers had been passed to AG Chambers and discussed.
 "The AG Chambers has returned the papers and requested further investigations, which PDRM will implement," he added.
-- BERNAMA
AMSI SNS CJ

See, it's all very confusing.

How can they make such a mistake?

That's why I said the 1MDB issue is very complicated.

Even the IGP and Bernama got it all mixed up.

I hope those responsible in clearing up the mess can get their acts together so that we, the ordinary rakyat would not get all muddled up by the issue.

A happy news once a while is good

Okay, this is good news,

Selangor Sultan marries RTM news reader Norashikin

It's nice to read happy stories such as this from time to time.

Not so gloomy all the time.

It was particularly nice because Sultan Sharafuddin, 70 has been single for quite a long time.

His previous two marriages ended in divorce.

His first marriage was to Raja Zarina Raja Zainal in 1968. They divorced in 1986.

His second marriage was to American-born Nur Lisa Idris Abdullah (Lisa Davis) in 1988. They divorced in 1997.

So, it's good that Sultan Sharafuddin found love again.

His new wife, Norashikin, 45 looks very pretty.

Single ladies in their 40s should cheer for her.

There's hope of finding love at that age, okay :)

I was told Norashikin has two children from a previous marriage.

As for Sultan Sharafuddin, he has three children from his previous marriages.

I think they make a very nice couple.

Well, it's good that they found each other and be happy.

Better than being alone and lonely.

I always like Sultan Sharafuddin based on the reports about him.

He carries himself well as a Ruler.

So, congratulations to him and his new wife.

May they always be happy together.

As for the people of Selangor, they will have a new Sultanah.

Congratulations to them too.

Waking up in September

I wrote this last night but didn't get to publish it because my date arrived before I could finished it. Just feel it's a waste if I throw it away.

I'm in my car now and writing this using my phone as I'm waiting for my date.

Simply to while away time.

I'm still in a relaxed mood today after yesterday's public holiday.

Not planning to write anything serious.

Well, nothing new worth being serious about today.

Rahman Dahalan not being very clever in his BBC interview is not something worth being serious about as far as I'm concerned.

All those 1MDB things are really tiring to follow, okay.

As if anything good can come out of it....

I think worrying over Zika is more worthy.

But then again, I am not planning to get pregnant, and therefore am not too worried over the disease.

So,  I don't think I'm the best person to write about that.

I noticed that the other blogs also seemed a bit fatigued.

Some even repeating themselves over the same things over and over again, trying to convince people they are relevant and the best.

One even tried to pick up a fight with me again, probably due to lack of exciting materials to write.

But I'm not interested.

I'm trying not to be a repetitive or bitter bitch, okay.

That's why I think I should rest a bit some more this evening.

Better than me rambling and getting into fights with crazy people or something like that.

So I'm taking it easy.

Okay, still nothing new that really matter to write about so far this morning.

Maybe later in the day.

For now, I think, since it's September, I want to sing this favourite song of a lovely boy,

Cheers and have a good day.

A message on Hari Merdeka

A Chinese lady sent me this via Wassap earlier this evening,

She said it's for former Johor MB TS Abdul Ghani Othman and another person.

She probably read this posting of mine,

• Ghani, Umno election 2000 and Sultan Iskandar

Thanks Miss.

Since it's Merdeka Day and it's a quote of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the "Bapa Kemerdekaan" of Malaysia, I decided to share it with you all.

Selamat Hari Merdeka.

Parochialism affecting Petronas and it's not good for Malaysia

Parochialism is bad for Malaysia and its people.

Those who promote it are actually doing so for self interest, either it political or financial.

At least that's how I see the whole thing.

That's why I disagree with concepts such as Bangsa Johor, Sarawak for Sarawakians, etc.

All these can weaken the federation and could ultimately destroy our country.

No matter how proponents of such concepts tried to spin it, they will not be able to deny that to excessively promote such parochialism will undermine Malaysia itself.

Those who felt inclined to support such a concept should reflect on what such attitude will lead to.

Please do not blindly support such things.

It will not even be good for the people of any state if  they let themselves be seduced by such concepts.

Just look at the issues of oil royalties demands by Sarawak and the recent moratorium imposed against Petronas workers intended to be deployed in that state.

I had been told that Petronas people were not being nice enough in dealing with the Sarawakians, but that's besides the point as far as this posting is concerned.

What I'm more concerned is the parochialism sentiments being used in the bargaining process over those issues..

I have to agree with the arguments on the matter as put forth in this post by the blogger at BlackGold blog,

Petronas and Sarawak

Excerpts :

In reality, Petronas is a multinational and it should view hirings and appointments from a global perspective; within the Petronas universe, geographical and political boundaries should not exist other than some additional administrative processes, only its own structural boundaries matter when deploying staff.

It is only fair all around that employees with the right skills and experience are mobilised across the globe to meet the requirements of specific jobs.

Just as the freeze on work permits by Sarawak state have actually affected Petronas’ operations (and that of its suppliers and contractors), the restrictions of political boundaries may affect not only Petronas operation but also the career prospects of Sarawakians within Petronas.

Mobility across geographical areas is critical for any career development as it builds experience and skills while providing much needed exposure to different working environment that will only add value when being considered for career advancement.

I had done some digging too on the issue and these are 10 things that I feel Malaysians, particularly the people of Sarawak should realise:

1. More oil and gas projects around the world are being cancelled due to the current crude price slump.

2. The cancelled projects means more workers in the industry worldwide are losing their job.

3. The industry is not expecting things to improve soon and players are taking "drastic measures"to survive.

4. Petronas is doing the same and so far found itself with over 1,000 positions categorised as being "redundant".

5. The total number of Sarawakians, said to be unfairly dismissed by Petronas from their job in the State is 18. This triggered the recent uproar which led to the moratorium on Petronas workers coming from other states.

6. The 18 are actually among a batch of those (from Sarawak and other states) in the redundant positions. They were offered a very good voluntary separation scheme (VSS) package and assistance to find new jobs. They all accepted the offer.

7. More than three quarters of Petronas workforce in Sarawak, numbering about 5,000 are Sarawakians. But it should be noted that there are also many Sarawakians employed by Petronas for its operations in other states and across the world.

8. As pointed out in the post at the Black Gold blog, the moratorium on Petronas workers had caused disruptions to Petronas' operations and those of its foreign partners. This is not good for the reputation of Sarawak and Malaysia, at least within the world oil and gas industry, particularly as the country and state is known all these while as a reliable supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

 9. Petronas has not been biased when it comes to employing or restructuring its workforce even though it does tries to accommodate in instances of political pressure such as what happened in Sarawak.

10. Based on what happened, it was clear that parochialism was used by certain quarters to play up the issue and it caused detrimental effects on Petronas, which is not good for Malaysia.  Revenues of Petronas is very important to the country. If Petronas fails, the country will be in quite a fix.