In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

20070501

Ramblings

As the Ijok by-election is already over, let's take a look on what is left to be written:

1) Proton
Alright, this news have been silent for a time. Ramblings about Volkswagen AG buying Proton is far from over yet, though the officials have yet to say anything. Then again, rumours about Naza buying Proton is also there, just in case Volkswagen AG is not interested, somehow. But, for whatever is at stake, the percentage is high. 50%, if I am correct. With such percentage you can control the company and drive it anywhere you wanted, even if you were told to only handle them technically and let the elders take care of their management. And so on, and so on.

Of course there were dismissed issues, which are actually meant to help save Proton, like the 'salvage your old car and buy a new one with a CHEAPERRRR price', but officials say it was merely a suggestion, not an implementation. Proton could be better, if they wanted to, but they could not. They very reason behind it is perhaps their inability to counter foreign cars. Creating cheap cars for Malaysians, but with moderate CCs, is certainly a hard job. Perhaps they might want to look into how the Americans created their cheap cars which run fast?

2) WPI & FTA
Quite a controversial issues. Malaysians are already scared of seeing Singaporeans and Americans to actually run the whole place up.

Under the effect of FTA, we will see our rice farmers to be gone in at least 6 months. Under WPI, we will see a 2nd Singapore, right in our country.

But then again, what else could be done? In any way, these two countries are becoming our main supporters, like it or not. Most companies are already running away from Malaysia, and set off sail for countries with better oppurtunities such as China and Vietnam. The main reason, NEP. Believe me or not, NEP may be important for a country like Malaysia, but that is the trade off that we must bear in mind.

10 years ago, NEP may be relevant, as we are one of the best negara dunia ketiga which offers places to build foundries and plants, for the very reason that there is no place else as better as Malaysia. But as time goes by, China became more democratic. Vietnam became more democratic. In the end, companies have to let go of Malaysia, because countries like China and Vietnam offers better manpower and other.

3) ECM-Libra Avenue
Well here is something. Apart from the Ijok by-election, Starbiz wrote an article about Kalimullah Maseerul Hassan who is appointed as the new executive director for ECM Libra Avenue, after he stepped down last year from ECM Libra Avenue's helm, together with Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) and his friends.

Then again, he made a comeback now, and maybe it could be worse as time flies. What people are thinking right now, at this very right time, as Malaysia's economy has gone 'boom' earlier this year, ECM-Libra Avenue is going to be a major key player in the upcoming events, at least some of the ramblings above. Also, just as a reminder, Temasek Group should also have some influence in ECM-Libra Avenue, right? And not to mention KJ (well, if Kalimullah is there, somehow, unofficially, Khairy must be there too, right? It does not need to be in the black and white, for some level of friendship)

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