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Must a business be profit driven?

Anil Netto
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18

Before 1Malaysia, there was already OneHeart, the story of a multi-ethnic group of young Malaysians who wanted to run a business – without being driven by profits.

Today, blog reader Mist commenting on my “Two Million Ringgit Man” posting observed:

I had spent a large part of my life in academia and I was blissfully oblivious of much of what went on in society, mostly in the corporate world. Recently I got involved in the real estate business and got to meet quite a few people in the corporate world and those who have close association with what went on in the business world. It would seemed that kickbacks are quite common. Proxies are often used to facilitate the process.

And then of course there were other rather unethical practices and I had been given the advice so often that we won’t be able to make a living if we were honest. This advice came about after a bit more than five months of relentless effort and without anything to show for it; being played out by sellers and buyers on more than one occasion.

My point is this: much of society is dishonest and everyone seemed to be out to get an advantage – honest or dishonest – to move forward. We cry foul over governmental corruption and yet it is merely a reflection of what is going on in the wider community.

How depressing! Yes, corruption and unethical practices seem widespread and entrenched in the system, not just in the public sector but also in the private sector.

Is there really no alternative way of doing business? Kelly Law, CEO of OneHeart, and husband Jeffrey, whom I met over a cup of coffee this afternoon, along with their friend and godpa Vincent, think there is.

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The Two Million Ringgit Man

Anil Netto
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24

Nor Mohamed Yakcop’s political secretary Hasbie Satar resigned last night, according to a statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department today.

The statement did not give a reason for Hasbie’s resignation.

But the Malaysian Mirror reported that Hasbie, a Sarawakian, was believed to be the political secretary to a senior minister who was detained during an MACC raid last Thursday on an apartment in Teluk Air Tawar in Butterworth. It added that the fourth-floor apartment was thought to have been “rented by the minister’s election team weeks before the 8 March 2008 general election and later used as a transit-home for the minister’s staff”. The portal said that it was learnt that two of the minister’s service staff were present in the apartment during the raid.

The political secretary was detained after MACC officers found RM2 million in cash, a 4WD and a BMW at the apartment. Bank accounts have now been frozen.

Teluk Air Tawar is one of three Penang state assembly constiutuencies that lie within the federal parliamentary constituency of Tasek Gelugor, which is held by Nor Mohamed.

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How to fix a submarine (Part 2)

Anil Netto
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8

A blog reader has found a couple more helpful videos on how to fix submarine technical problems.

To solve plumbing problems, call Roto Rooter, the plumbers.

If your submarine doesn’t dive, you may want to consider calling in Dr Ernest Otherford, Kitchen Scientist, to understand what makes the vessel go up and down:

Remember Suu Kyi this Lunar New Year

Anil Netto
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1

This Lunar New Year, remember Aung San Suu Kyi, still imprisoned by the military dictators of Burma.

I received this meaningful new year greeting from a colleague and I thought I would share it with you.

May the year of the Tiger bring you MORE
– freedom from fear
– appreciation of our multi-racial society
– unity in our diversity and in times of adversity
– peace of mind in our struggles against injustice
– solidarity with the poor and oppressed

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How to fix a submarine

Anil Netto
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6

A submarine that won’t dive? I guess that’s the cue for a submarine joke.

But then when you think of all that money spent, you probably won’t be laughing.

Live – Ceramah Perdana in Penang

Anil Netto
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10

Coming to you ‘live’ from Penang: State government leaders will attempt to set the record straight on recent allegations hurled at them.

Now Tee Beng lodges report with MACC

Anil Netto
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11

Updated: It turns out that Tee Beng’s “report” was actually a statement to defend himself over allegations by Ramasamy and Jeff Ooi that he had asked the state to give his uncle preference over a PDC shoplot. He had earlier challenged the two to show up as well.

1620: Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng is now lodging a report with the Penang MACC. It’s not known as yet what the report is about. Journalists at the MACC office have been asked to leave the building.

It’s turning out to be another eventful day. Reflecting on the events of the last few days, a journalist at the scene observes, “This whole thing is a manufactured controversy.”

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Zahrain quits PKR: No sad loss

Anil Netto
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26

So Bayan Baru MP Zahrain has quit PKR. All I can say it’s no sad loss for the party – and instead it’s a blessing in disguise for Pakatan.

Quite a few Penangites are familiar with Zahrain and his Penang Port background, apart from the current controversy surrounding the golf club tender.

How did he get selected as an election candidate in the first place? Pity the voters of Bayan Baru who opted for change.

According to a well-placed PKR source, Zahrain, who is (was?) an old friend of Anwar’s, was likely to face punishment – probably suspension or the sack – by the PKR disciplinary committee, which was due to deliver its decision next week. And he would have seen the writing on the wall. “We are not afraid of losing people who do not share our vision or principles,” said the source.

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More on beach erosion in northern Penang

Anil Netto
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6

I asked an environmental specialist about the beach erosion in northern Penang Island, and this is what he had to say:


A groyne in the UK; Butterworth used to have similar groynes at the beach fronting the RMAF base – Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Various modelling studies were done during the construction of the Penang Bridge, land reclamation of Batu Maung and Bayan Baru and the North Butterworth Container Terminal to try and predict the likely impact on sediment transport and the likely erosion and sedimentation.

However, when one side is the open sea, such as along the north coast of Penang Island, the volume of water flowing through is not affected by the fixed volume of the straits.

When any structure is constructed, such as land reclamation or the construction of a “groyne” to prevent beach erosion, it will interfere with the natural beach processes.

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Accused in arsenic protest acquitted!

Anil Netto
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0

The magistrate in the long-running arsenic protest case has acquitted the 27 accused after the prosecution failed to produce material witnesses in court.


It’s all over! – Photo courtesy of Tian Chua

The prosecutors had failed to produce the seven remaining witnesses including CID director Bakri Zinin in court, according to Tian Chua, one of those acquitted.

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