Much has been made in the media about a RM14.5bn golden yacht being made in Europe for an “anonymous Malaysian businessman”. The first reports originated in the British tabloid press – but a London-based website, Motorboat & Yachting, claims the story is now confirmed to be fake.
The yacht story had initially looked genuine as the golden yacht was featured on the website of UK designer Stuart Hughes. The yacht ‘History Supreme’ is apparently a gold-plated Baia 100, a model introduced by Baia Yachts of Italy in 2008.
But basic journalistic tenets were apparently ignored. The golden yacht story was picked up by half the UK press (and elsewhere) and “reported faithfully, without a call to Baia to check the story’s authenticity”, claims Motorboat & Yachting deputy editor Stewart Campell.
The images that were circulated appeared to have been taken from the Baia Yachts website and ‘photoshopped’. The Baia Yachts sales manager Mario Borselli informed Motorboat & Yachting: “Who would believe that a boat would have 100 tons of gold on board? They took some pictures from our website without our permission. We will write him a letter asking him to take them down, but we are not thinking to go legal. It’s such a stupid story it’s not worth it… I can’t believe people would believe someone would be so stupid to commission this boat.”
In an earlier story, Campbell had earlier explained why he was suspicious about the story. He claimed that Stuart Hughes had said the boat was commissioned for display purposes, and would be kept in dry dock – “so we suppose that does away with any doubts about the boat’s seakeeping”.
Interesting though that the story should mention an “anonymous Malaysian businessman”. Perhaps that was thrown in to make the tale more believable!
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Now Tony Fernandes is plotting a £100million move to buy Premier League football team Queens Park Rangers?
Is he tired of tired of the poor performance of his Lotus F1 team?
I think he should put his focus on Air Asia.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2020010/Lotus-chief-Fernandes-buy-QPR-100m.html
Hello,
How about checking this out…
jeweller, Stuart Hughes Luxury Yachts – products new home – The History Supreme – http://stuarthughes.com/newdawn/product_info.php?products_id=107
And what do you know… Beware!
http://www.computer-choppers.com/stuart_hughes_fraud.html
You be the judge.
Shalom.
Anil,
As usual, ALL the Opposition Supporters would Still swallow Hook, Line & Sinker!!!
Sooo…ooo Typical!!!
If a teeth puller can own a multi-million mansion, god knows how much some msian rich ppl are actually making. 14.5bn could be nothing.
yet (one paper) reported that molasses king Robert Kuok himself bought this boat….how stupid they can be!!!
Haizzzz – officially Malaysia dont have Forbe type of richmen.
Under the counter who said tak ada? Hehhhh an good example … an old old goatee with a young voluptuous bini – got swanky office blocks, palaces,littered all over the world. if you convert them in USD or AUD even your eyeballs will pop like firecrackers!
I am NOT SURE if this platinum-au yatch is a fake… remember 1 ring for the fat and short finger already $$$$$$$….
and we even one local umNO paper claiming the boat was Robert Kuoks ..how ironic is that ?
Will Robert Kuoak sue the local daily for defamation ?..he could get some quick buck and public appology from this arrogant paper
Quote “I can’t believe people would believe someone would be so stupid to commission this boat.”
Considering the stupidity of some of my fellow Malaysians and their propensity to show off, I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually did commissioned this boat.
I knew from the start that it has to be a fake, even the richest man in Malaysia, Robert Kuok, has that amount to throw around. You need to be as rich as some of the playboys in America or in Europe to display around the water or should I say to throw around billions of dollars on a yacht. Malaysia will never ever has such a rich man even with all the commissions or mark up on the submarine deal. It is enough to buy up a major part of (a big Malaysian bank). In short Malaysian has not… Read more »
wow..is this an honour or pure humiliation.. that when one create such a out of the world story they have to include someone from Malaysia to make it believable.. I guess that must have been in the Malaysia Boleh spirit..he..he..
“Interesting though that the story should mention an “anonymous Malaysian businessman”. Perhaps that was thrown in to make the tale more believable!”
You mean this part:”… I can’t believe people would believe someone would be so stupid to commission this boat.”
Mario obviously hasn’t met some of our nouveau riche yet.