Unbelievable! We bought a third submarine!

The question is, why do we continue to buy SECOND HAND products at such costly price?

When the Malaysian government signed a deal in 2002 with the joint naval builders, DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain, to commission two Scorpene-class submarines, it did not realise that the purchases would create an international scandal.

The controversy surrounding the Scorpene-class submarines refuses to sink into oblivion. Now, attention is focused on the little known Agosta-class submarine, the Ouessant (S623), which was completed in 1978 and served the French navy until she was decommissioned in 2001. It appears Malaysia also owns the Ouessant.

A few readers may recall very sketchy details about a third submarine which was used to train the Malaysian submariners. That was the Agosta-class Ouessant, which the “Asia Sentinel” described in its reporting on the Scorpene scandal as a “retired submarine manufactured by a joint venture between DCN and Spanish company Agosta”.

Opposition politicians have bombarded Umno with questions about the submarine deal but have been thwarted by unintelligent and conflicting answers from the Defence Ministry.

Now, the curious case of the Agosta-class submarine, the Ouessant (S623), is only just surfacing.

“The Asia Sentinel” stated in April 2010 that this third ageing submarine was leased for training purposes.

However, we are now told that the Malaysian Navy has bought the Ouessant, the Agosta-class submarine.

If so when? And, for how much?

Why has there been no mention of the Ouessant until we hear that it will be made into part of Malacca’s maritime museum? Gaining ownership of the Ouessant is akin to learning to drive in a 20-year-old Proton Saga, then buying the car for RM200,000 only to use it as a reban ayam (chicken coop).

So, was the Agosta thrown in as as sweetener for the purchase of the two Scorpenes? Did the French try to appease the Malaysians because one of the Scorpenes was faulty?

Malaysians first read of the Agosta-class submarine in a rather obscure report by Bernama on April 22, 2011, when the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Abdul Aziz Jaafar said that the Ouessant was unsuitable for naval operations but would be converted into a museum piece to show the progress made by the RMN.

Abdul Aziz said, “We are expecting its arrival in August. There will be a signing ceremony between the Defence Ministry secretary-general and the French side before it is handed over to us.

“It is a second-hand submarine we bought for training RMN personnel. Now that its services are no longer needed, it will be brought to the Lumut naval base in August”.

RM12.6 million museum project

Abdul Aziz explained that the Ouessant had been used as a training submarine for the submariners of the two Scorpene-class submarines KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, which were commissioned in 2009 and 2010.

Then on the Sept 23, the Malaysian Ambassador to France, Abdul Aziz Zainal and the Director of International Development in the French Defence Ministry Yves Blanc, signed the documents for the transfer of ownership of the Ouessant.

The submarine was then transported on a floating dock to Malaysia in early October in an operation organised by Felda Transport. After being at sea for 32 days, the Ouessant arrived off the Malacca coast.

Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said that the submarine would be transported to the exhibition site at the 1Malaysia Square, Klebang.

During the site visit, Ali explained that the Malacca government had been given custody of the French-made Ouessant. The submarine museum project, he said, had cost RM12.6 million and would attract more tourists to Malacca.

Earlier, Abdul Aziz denied that Malaysia’s first two Scorpenes, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, were not operational and he affirmed that they were “in the open sea and operating smoothly”.

He also rubbished claims that kickbacks were involved in the purchase of the two Scorpenes, and by way of assurance, stated that neither the European Union nor the RMN condoned such acts.

Is Abdul Aziz really that naïve?

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) convention states that it is a crime to bribe foreign public officials in international business transactions.

The OECD convention may have been signed by countries in Europe but it didn’t prevent former premier Tony Blair from stopping investigations into allegations of kickbacks by the arms company BAE and the Saudi royal family, under the guise of national interest and security for Britain.

There are numerous questions about the purchase of Malaysia’s Scorpene submarines.

Why did the Malaysian government omit to procure the weapons systems for the two submarines and why did they purchase submarines that were not fitted out for use in tropical waters?

The empty shells that were purchased then had to be equipped with torpedoes, sea-to-surface missiles and mines, all of which cost the taxpayers several millions more ringgit. Perimekar Sdn Bhd, which received the kickback in the Scorpene deal, is intricately linked with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak through his friend Razak Baginda and Baginda’s wife, Mazalinda.

Baginda and his wife are co-owners of Perimekar and it is alleged that the Scorpene deal involved kickbacks, money-laundering and a series of unexplained “co-ordination services”.

What is the actual cost of the submarines?

What does the Malaysian government mean by “co-ordination services”, “supporting the contract” and for “housing the crew” of the submarines in France? A sum of 114 million euro was paid to Perimekar for these services.

Why was KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd, the company which owns Perimekar, set up just before the payout of 114 million euro? This company has done little since.

Why did the Malaysian officials forget about the maintenance contract for the Scorpenes? Why did they also forget to buy weapons for the Scorpenes, one of which was reported to have diving problems?

What is the actual cost of the Scorpene submarines? And how much did the Malaysian taxpayers pay for the Ouessant? When was it purchased and when was it decided to hand it over to Ali Rustam?

One hopes that Malaysia will not end up with three submarines in the Malacca maritime museum.

We would be the envy of the world with three submarines as exhibits. Tourists will flock to Malacca to view them. Probably.

[Source: Mariam Mokhtar]

Ahhh, some contradictions in life

Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage.

EVER WONDER ...

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavoring, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even a chuckle)...in other words, send it to everyone. We all need to smile every once in a while.

Ever wonder why Hawaii (a state on its own) have inter-state highways?

Ever wonder why "phonetics" is not spelt the way it is pronounced?

Halal or no Halal, can it be less confusing?

Jakim: Yes, if not we cannot confirm that their meat is halal.
Hotel: Okay, never mind, we will stop selling imported meat and just serve local meat. Would that be okay?
Jakim: Yes, that is okay as long as you can show the halal certificate from the supplier.
Hotel: Okay, we also sell beer. Does the certificate cover this as well?
Jakim: No, beer is haram. We cannot issue a halal certificate for that.
Hotel: But we can sell beer?
Jakim: Yes.
Hotel: But we can’t sell meat unless we can prove it is halal?
Jakim: No.
Hotel: Can we accept credit cards?
Jakim: Yes.
Hotel: But credit cards involve interest. Is that not haram?
Jakim: Interest is haram.
Hotel: So the meat must be halal but you can pay by credit card even though interest is haram?
Jakim: That is correct.
Hotel: And we can employ Malay staff who are Muslims?
Jakim: Yes, you can. In fact, if you have no Malay staff you cannot get a hotel licence under the rules of the New Economic Policy.
Hotel: But our hotel has a bar, disco, karaoke lounge, massage centre and everything that is haram to Muslims. We can, or must, employ Muslims?
Jakim: Yes.
Hotel: But their salaries would come from haram sources.
Jakim: No problem. Even government staff get paid from revenue from banks, finance companies, money-lending, liquor, bars, night clubs, massage parlours, gambling, lotteries, casinos, cigarettes, and so on.
Hotel: That is allowed?
Jakim: Yes, allowed.
Hotel: But aren't all those businesses haram?
Jakim: Yes, they are haram.
Hotel: So banks, finance companies, money-lending, liquor, bars, night clubs, massage parlours, gambling, lotteries, casinos, cigarettes, and so on are allowed but meat that is not halal is not allowed?
Jakim: That is correct. The meat must be halal. And Jakim will not issue a halal certificate unless you can prove it is halal. So you must sponsor ten officers to go overseas for two weeks to visit the factory first before we can issue the halal certificate.
Hotel: Two weeks? Why so long?
Jakim: We need one whole day to visit the factory and the other 13 days for rest after the long journey.
Hotel: I think never mind. We will stop selling imported meat, just sell local meat, and we will continue to sell beer and run our bar, disco, karaoke lounge and massage centre where most of our revenue comes from anyway.

Jakim: No problem. Then you can get a Jakim halal certificate.

The curtain finally comes down on Istana Negara

After serving for 54 years, Istana Negara at Jalan Istana in Kuala Lumpur, which is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, today ended its function officially with pomp and pageantry. The ceremony beginning at 9am, witnessed the marching in of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) comprising two officers and 58 men of various ranks accompanied by the RAMD central band. The ceremony continued with a team of flag bearers comprising 10 members of the RAMD who lowered the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s private flag as the last post was being played to signify the shifting of Istana Negara at Jalan Istana to the Istana Negara in Jalan Duta. Later, the ceremony continued with the procession of the flag bearers with the ceremonial horse squadron to the palace main entrance to present the flag to Istana Negara grand chamberlain Tengku Farok Husin Tengku Abdul Jalil who represented Istana Negara in signifying the palace’s completion of duty. The flag was presented by Acting RAMD First Battalion officer-in-command Major Mohd Kadri Abu Bakar. As a symbolic closure of the monumental building with its golden dome, the Grand Chamberlain later directed Istana Negara officer Rosli Asri to lock the main entrance of the palace, signifying all duties at Istana Negara had completed before moving to the Istana Negara at Jalan Duta for another flag raising ceremony. The teams in attendance comprised RAMD First Battalion and the Ceremonial Horse Squadron with three officers and 69 men of various ranks with 12 horses. Among those present to witness the flag lowering ceremony were senior deputy secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s Department, Othman Mahmood; Armed Forces (ATM) chief of staff Lt-Gen Raja Afandi Raja Mohd Nor and ATM’s deputy chief of staff Maj-Gen Abdul Aziz Ibrahim. Meanwhile, at the Istana Negara in Jalan Duta, a ceremony to raise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s private flag began at 10.25am when the grand chamberlain handed over the flag to a team of flag bearers to signify the commencement of duty of the Malaysian Armed Forces at the Jalan Duta Istana Negara square. Automated flag raiser The new palace, in tune with technology today, uses an automated flag raiser unlike the manual approach at the old palace. Istana Negara began shifting its operations to the new complex in Jalan Duta in stages since Oct 19 while the assignment of guards from ATM began today. The 11.34 hectare old palace which was the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was originally a double storey bungalow built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. The bungalow was bought by the Selangor state government and renovated to become the residence of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sir Hishamuddin Alam Shah. The building, which was made a palace of the Sultan of Selangor, was later acquired by the federal government as the official residence of the first Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad, a few weeks before the declaration of independence. Meanwhile, the new Istana Negara built with Islamic and traditional Malay features is located on a 96.52 hectare site compared to 11.34 hectare at the old palace. It will witness the installation of the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah, in December. - Bernama

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HISTORICALLY

The palace was originally a double-storey mansion built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. During the Japanese occupationfrom 1942–1945, it was used as the residence of the Japanese Governor. After the surrender of the Japanese on 15 August 1945, the British Military Administration (BMA) commandeered it for a senior military officers mess from the rank of brigadier. With the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1950, the Selangor State Government rented the residence from the owners for Straits Dollars 5,000 a month until Merdeka or Indepencence in 1957. It was renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor. In 1957, the owners sold the property of 13 acres to the Federal Government at an agreed valuation of Straits Dollars 1.4 Million.

The Federal Government then converted the residence into the Istana Negara for the newly created sovereign post of Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya which was about to achieveindependence that August as scheduled. Since then it has undergone several renovations and extensions. But the most extensive upgrading was carried out in 1980, as it was the first time that the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held at the Istana Negara. Prior to this the Installation Ceremonies were held at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur^[1] with the first one held in 1957.

How convenient!!

For a paltry sum of RM2,000+, Teoh Beng Hock had to appear at the MACC office to be interviewed, albeit as a witness but to later appeared dead outside the building. For RM10m, it was a blatant case of CBT but MACC passes buck on cattle condo to cops. How convenient!

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has refused to probe the controversial RM10 million purchase of a condominium by a federally-funded cattle project, claiming today the issue is a police matter.

In a statement here, the graft-busting agency said the matter has been classified as an offence under the Penal Code, which does not come under its jurisdiction.

“MACC confirms receiving a public complaint on the RM9.8 million purchase, said to be made using the National Feedlot Centre’s (NFC) funds.

“This complaint was referred to the legal and prosecution division.

“Upon studying the complaint, the division classified it as an offence under the Penal Code and not under the MACC’s powers as enshrined under the MACC Act 2009,” the agency said in a statement made available on its website.

The agency said it has referred the case to the police, adding that this was in line with advice from the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board to only investigate offences under the MACC Act.

“In referring the case to the police, due action has been taken. The complainant has also been informed and has agreed with MACC’s decision,” the agency added.

PKR was first to claim of corruption in the purchase of the multi-million ringgit condominium belonging to the National Meat and Livestocks Corporation (NMLC), a company wholly-owned by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil’s family.

Its secretary-general, Saifuddin Nasution, said the luxury apartment at One Menerung, Bangsar, was recorded by NFC, a cattle-farming project managed by the minister’s family, as part of a RM83 million “loan” to NMLC.

But Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin savaged the party for the allegations, claiming the condo was bought as an investment when the NMLC found itself with excess funds when the government ran out of funds to develop satellite cattle farms.

It then decided on real estate investment as a means to put the excess liquidity to work.

Khairy also claimed the condo had appreciated in value since it was purchased. He did not, however, specify the rental yield.

Many real estate experts have concluded that Kuala Lumpur is facing a glut of luxury properties, with rental yields falling as much as 50 per cent in some cases.

The Auditor-General’s Report released last month had criticised the NFC, pointing out that it was now “in a mess”. The report said production in 2010 was only 3,289 head of cattle or 41.1 per cent of the target set.

But Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar responded on October 31 that the project was a success and had met its targets.

[Source: The MI]

"ICE" your phone

Apparently this is a standard procedure paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.

ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call.. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell (mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' (In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today! It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

Monday Humour

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW THE HUMAN MIND WORKS

In the picture below, we will analyze the perception by different group of people.

- For young men, it's a nice ass. Only the most observant will define this as an ass crossing the street. The really observant will see the thong.

- For older men, it is a respectable woman with a nice ass crossing the street.

- The perverts will imagine her as a naked woman.

- The wise men will ponder the presence of mind of the photographer in the face of such beauty and gratitude that it was shared with humanity.

- For half of the women, this is an ordinary woman who should not have left home dressed that way.

- The other half is wondering where she bought that blouse.

- The wise women imagine the misery that this will be at 50.

- Children, the curious, and monks will probably notice a dog driving the taxi..

Don't be alarmed, I didn't see the dog either.

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MY DOCTOR

Let me tell you about my doctor

He's very good!

If you tell him you want a second opinion

He'll go out and come in again

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He treated one woman for yellow jaundice for three years

Before he realised she was Chinese

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Another time, he gave a patient six months to live

At the end of the six months, the patient hadn't paid his bill

So, the doctor gave him another six months!

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While he was talking to me, he nurse came in and said,

"Doctor, there is a man here who thinks he's invisible."

The doctor said, "Tell him I can't see him."

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Another time, a man came running in the office and yelled,

"Doctor, Doctor, my son just swallowed a roll of film!"

The doctor calmly told him, "Let's wait and see what develops."

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One patient came in and said, "Doctor, I have a serious memory problem."

The doctor asked, "When did it start?"

The man replied, "When did what start?"

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I remember one time I told my doctor that I had a ringing in my ears.

His advice, "Don't answer it."

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My doctor sure has his share of nut cases

One said to him, "Doctor, I think I'm a bell."

The doctor gave him some pills and said, "Here, take these.

If they don't work, give me a ring."

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Another guy told the doctor that he thought he was a deck of cards

The doctor simply said, "Go sit over there. I'll deal with you later."

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When I told my doctor I broke my leg in two places

He told me to stop going to those places.

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You know, doctors can be so frustrating.

You wait a month and a half for an appointment

Then he says, "I wish you had come to me sooner."