On 17 June, the Penang Chief Minister was asked why the Penang state exco members had not yet declared their assets. He said they were waiting for the right forms from KL to ensure “uniformity” and “maintain good federal relations”.
I said back then that there was no need to wait for KL. The BN federal government is not interested in a public declaration of assets. The PR governments are supposed to show us they are different.
The crude oil price has dipped below US$50/barrel. Similarly the prices of other commodities have plunged. Steel prices, for instance, have crashed from $1,200/ton in June to below $300 – and it is likely to fall even further with demand from China expected to weaken.
Now the question is how low can these commodity prices go?
The speculative boom run in commodity prices began in 2001-2002, when oil broke the $30 barrier.
Certain analysts are now suggesting that we are now only half way down the road back to that trough. So commodity prices still have room to fall further and they could continue sliding until the end of 2009. But it is hard to say if oil will approach the $30 region given that it is getting harder and more expensive to find new global oil reserves.
Anyway, I heard on the radio that the government is intending to further cut oil prices.
The more immediate issues are:
In the light of Razak Baginda’s press statement, this appears to be his version of the current state of play (if I read what he is saying correctly):
Baginda is not involved.
Najib and Rosmah had never met Altantuya.
It had nothing to do with an arms deal. Baginda only met Altantuya later.
Bloggers have been spreading lies.
Two men are now in court in the Altantuya case; so he can’t say much in the interests of “legal ethics”.
That leaves at least two simple but unanswered questions:
They knew that an application had been submitted to Unesco a few years ago for George Town to be listed as a World Heritage site. An updated dossier was submitted on 23 August 2007. At the very least, they knew the area is an historical site.
So why did they, how could the previous administration (three approvals) and the current adminstration (one approval) approve high-rise buildings in the heritage zone? That’s why I found it hard to celebrate the World Heritage listing.
In the heritage core zone (guidelines: max 5-storey/18-metre height restriction; tighter restrictions in certain areas):
In the heritage buffer zone (guidelines: 5-storey/18-metre height restriction):
Collective prayer: Justice and love will prevail over the ISA
About a hundred people turned up for the Mass to pray for ISA detainees this evening at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It is the latest in a series of Wednesday ISA services that is likely to continue until the ISA is repealed.
Parish priest Fr Marshall Fernandez pointed out that prayer is a powerful means of advancing the kingdom of love and justice and peace. It was also important to have hope, he said.
So all the toll concessionaires except for one are ready to reveal their toll concession agreements.
While almost everyone is blaming the hawkers and roti-canai vendors for not lowering their prices, the big guys escape public scrutiny and pressure to cut their toll rates.
The PR Penang state government has probably learned a few hard lessons from the “Kings of Tennis” flop. At the very least, they will now learn to thoroughly scrutinise proposals from women and men in business suits who claim their ventures will be free i.e. at no cost to the state government.
I was just as interested to see the concerned reaction by the BN folks towards the damage to the Esplanade.
Human Rights Camp 2008
Calling all youths out there!!
Amnesty International Malaysia will be organising a 3-day human rights youth camp for the first time in Penang on 29 Nov – 1 Dec.
Come and learn about fundamental human rights, the Malaysian human rights realities. There will be a movie, games, exposure trips to see and speak to human rights victims and how they stand up for their rights, discussions, sharing session by human rights activist and many more!!
Fees: RM 30 (inclusive of meals, accommodation and transportation for the exposure trip in Penang only)
Venue: Yayasan Aman, Permatang Pauh, Penang.
Hurry, register quickly as we have limited places!!
For more information please call Yohen at 03-7955 2680 or email yohendra@aimalaysia.org
PROGRAMME
Okay, you tell me what the local petrol price should be now, bearing in mind that they have removed subsidies completely now.
Of course, we also need to factor in the need to conserve scarce fossil fuels.
I think RM1.80 without any subsidy would be a more acceptable price now, taking into account the need to bring down food prices and stimulate the local economy while trying to encourage fossil fuel oil conservation and prevent wastage at the same time.
Thanks to Ong Eu Soon for compiling this chart:
| Petrol price | Global crude | |
| RM/litre | US$/barrel | |
| 01/10/00 | 1.20 | 35 |
| 20/10/01 | 1.30 | 20 |
| 01/05/02 | 1.32 | 26 |
| 31/10/02 | 1.33 | 28 |
| 01/03/03 | 1.35 | 31 |
| 01/05/04 | 1.37 | 38 |
| 01/10/04 | 1.42 | 47 |
| 05/05/05 | 1.52 | 48 |
| 30/07/05 | 1.62 | 57 |
| 26/02/06 | 1.92 | 63 |
| 05/06/08 | 2.70 | 120 |
| 17/11/08 | 2.00 | 55 |