anilnetto.com

Taib: “Most successful CM since Independence”

-

24 Jul 2010

I am not making it up. That’s what it says in Taib Mahmud’s biography on the Oxford University website.

And since Oxford University – that centre of academic excellence and rigorous research – says so, it has got to be true, right?

Get to know the Chief Minister of Sarawak up close and personal. Read the bio here.

Did you know that he wrote a piece titled ‘Appropriate Strategy for Developing Countries in a Period of Resource Scarcity’? No doubt leaders of other developing countries will be able to pick up many useful tips.

Continue

Botanic Garden fiasco: Who was responsible?

Anil Netto

-

23 Jul 2010

44

The Penang Botanic Garden case is a bit complicated if you are trying to establish who exactly is responsible and who contributed to the mess.

The ill-conceived eco-stream walkway and the bambusetam projects were approved during the previous administration. So that part is clear.

Two other projects – the garden mall and the administrative and visitors’ centre – were approved during the tenure of the present administration in Penang.

Continue

Taib Mahmud invited to Oxford University

Anil Netto

-

22 Jul 2010

19

The Sarawak Report has issued an apology and correction.

Apparently, the website had incorrectly reported the monthly income of Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. See here.

The folks at Oxford University are obviously nonplussed by the Sarawak Report (if they have read it). They have honoured Taib by inviting him as a special speaker at a major event.

Continue

RMAF school: Tussle over federal-local powers

Anil Netto

-

22 Jul 2010

79

An RMAF school building under construction in Tanjung Bunga, Penang, has been the site of another tussle between federal and local authorities.

View Larger Map

This time, according to a source, federal officials allegedly refused to heed Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) requirements for the project, located along Jalan Geh Chong Keat, until last month.

Continue

Police at PKR headquarters

Anil Netto

-

21 Jul 2010

17

1233: Police are now at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana.

They are believed to be interested in confiscating a computer in connection with investigations into an allegedly seditious posting by Chegu Bard (Badrul Hisham), according to a senior PKR official.

The blog posting apparently was made from the PKR office.

Continue

Our ‘favourite’ millionaire cavorts with Paris

Anil Netto

-

21 Jul 2010

31

So our ‘favourite’ Malaysian millionaire, Low Taek Jho, is making waves with Paris Hilton in … where else but Paris.

The celebrity gossip blogs and websites are full of it.

And to think young Jho Low only graduated in 2005 from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is believed to have established Middle-East connections.

Continue

Tengku Idaura is new Botanic Garden chief

Anil Netto

-

20 Jul 2010

24

The Penang state government has appointed Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim as Chief Controller of the Botanic Garden in a move seen as a positive development after months of wrangling over controversial ‘upgrading’ projects.

Victoria Amazonica lilies at Kew Garden: One suggestion is for the dug-up area between the two soon-to-be-demolished arches at the PBG to be converted into a large pond for giant water lilies and other water-based plants

The present Director of the garden, Nor Wahida Hassan, is expected to report to the new Chief Controller, who will in turn report to the Chief Minister and the State Secretary.

In recent months, the Botanic Garden has hit the news for all the wrong reasons after ill-conceived federally-funded ‘upgrading’ projects marred the lush garden surroundings.

Continue

‘Retrocommissions’ for Pakistan subs: Lawyer

Anil Netto

-

20 Jul 2010

4

A judge in France investigating a 2002 bombing in Karachi that killed 11 DCN employees has confirmed the existence of “illegal rétrocommissions” linked to the sale of submarines to Pakistan.

This was revealed by a lawyer for the victims’ families, according to a French general information magazine.

‘Retrocommissions’ are funds skimmed off ‘commissions’/kickbacks paid which are then illegally remitted to French officials i.e. individuals or entities in both countries get a share of the ‘commissions’.

The Paris-based Le Nouvel Observateur (or Le Nouvel Obs), a prominent weekly in terms of audience and circulation, along with AFP reporting, observed on 19 June:

Judge Marc Trévidic in charge of the investigation into the bombing of Karachi in 2002, confirmed the existence of “illegal rétrocommissions” outside the contract of sale of submarines to Pakistan, said Friday, June 18 counsel families of victims, Mr. Olivier Morice.

Continue

Housing in Penang: Development for whom?

Housing

Anil Netto

-

20 Jul 2010

30

One of the worrying things about Penang is the rising prices of houses, even as communities in certain areas are displaced.

Some of these problems are probably inherited. But where are the displaced residents going to move to? Can they afford to buy new homes?

Penang needs to have a housing policy that caters to the needs of its own residents. At the moment it seems like developers are building for foreign and outside speculators/’investors’ even as home ownership and property prices soar across the island.

One reason for the property investment or speculation is that bank interests rates are low, and the other is that regional investors still find Penang prices fairly cheap compared to say, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Continue