Talks are abound that corruption is fast breeding among the defenders of our nation i.e the noble profession of the armed services. In the past, one rarely hears of reports of corrupt practice and abuse among the officers corps, and the armed service has always been looked upon with honour and dignity. But of late, this view has somewhat changed, and one will be surprise to view postings in the internet alleging corrupt practice and abuse, and of all persons, senior army officer.
If this allegation is true (and hopefully it isn’t true), the shameful act of just one person can tarnish the entire service, and with it goes the honour and dignity that is associated with the armed service since its inception.
Having served the army before and have held so dearly to the sacred pledges of loyalty to king and country, one cannot fathom how the hearts and minds of the alleged senior army officers can be so twisted and disarrayed to succumb to the ills of corrupt practices.
Civil society have all along claimed that corruption and abuse is somewhat ‘synonymous’ with politicians (not Malaysians only). There is also a saying that for one to become rich, go into politics. This may or may not be true, but that’s the perception that one has of politicians.
Now, this perception is beginning to take its roots among officers of the armed services, notably the army, and this is a scary thought.
Are they to be in a league with the Royal Malaysia Police that has come under criticism for corruption and abuse by its former Inspector General of Police, or the Immigrations Department where its top officials were roped in recently? Even the judiciary is alleged to be corrupt, and so is PUSPAKOM.
We, the retired members of the army takes a serious view at the allegation of corrupt practice and abuse among senior army officers today that has been posted in cyberspace. We plea to them to discard this dishonorable practice, and to return to their sacred pledges of loyalty to king and country.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2.30 pm on Mar 5, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
CAN THE DEFENCE MINISTRY KEEP CONFIDENTIAL ITS DEFENCE PURCHASES?
I wish to refer to a Bernama report citing the Prime Minister’s remarks that direct negotiations for defence equipment contracts “were for those that involved security equipment or certain strategic projects which must be kept confidential such as the purchase of weaponry systems”.
The Prime Minister said this in a written reply in parliament recently in responding to a question from Tian Chua (PKR – Batu) who wanted to know what is the total value of purchases or projects carried out by the Defence Ministry from 2006 until last year.
Personally, I don’t believe the answer given by the Prime Minister is totally correct.
Malaysia being a net importer of defence equipments (strategic or otherwise) cannot possibly keep its purchases a secret from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or from any of its competitors. This is a well known fact, that the moment a planned purchase is known, manufacturers of similar equipment (through its authorized agents) will be knocking at the doors of the Defence Ministry to start proposing their product.
It is also a fact that authorized agents will even have in their possession the full specifications of the equipment almost immediately upon an intended purchase is made by the ministry. Under normal circumstances, the specification of the equipment will be prepared by specially designated military officers and held under restricted distribution. However, this does not really happen and the specification document will invariably be leaked out. How this occurs is anyone’s guess.
On the part of the international defence media, they too have their own means of acquiring ‘intelligence’ regarding any intended defence equipment purchases by a potential buyer. Even if there is no firm letter of intent issued to the OEM, a write-up in the defence media will already be published. One only need to refer to Jane’s defence magazine to read an entire write-up of the intended purchase. And on the local scene, the Asian Defence & Security magazine will also have something to write.
Then how do we ensure confidentiality in the purchase of certain defence equipment? This will be a question that only the Defence Ministry can answer.
And once again, I wish to reaffirm that the award of contracts through direct negotiation is undeniably a source of corruption.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 5.00 pm on Mar 4, 2009
The Prime Minister said this in a written reply in parliament recently in responding to a question from Tian Chua (PKR – Batu) who wanted to know what is the total value of purchases or projects carried out by the Defence Ministry from 2006 until last year.
Personally, I don’t believe the answer given by the Prime Minister is totally correct.
Malaysia being a net importer of defence equipments (strategic or otherwise) cannot possibly keep its purchases a secret from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or from any of its competitors. This is a well known fact, that the moment a planned purchase is known, manufacturers of similar equipment (through its authorized agents) will be knocking at the doors of the Defence Ministry to start proposing their product.
It is also a fact that authorized agents will even have in their possession the full specifications of the equipment almost immediately upon an intended purchase is made by the ministry. Under normal circumstances, the specification of the equipment will be prepared by specially designated military officers and held under restricted distribution. However, this does not really happen and the specification document will invariably be leaked out. How this occurs is anyone’s guess.
On the part of the international defence media, they too have their own means of acquiring ‘intelligence’ regarding any intended defence equipment purchases by a potential buyer. Even if there is no firm letter of intent issued to the OEM, a write-up in the defence media will already be published. One only need to refer to Jane’s defence magazine to read an entire write-up of the intended purchase. And on the local scene, the Asian Defence & Security magazine will also have something to write.
Then how do we ensure confidentiality in the purchase of certain defence equipment? This will be a question that only the Defence Ministry can answer.
And once again, I wish to reaffirm that the award of contracts through direct negotiation is undeniably a source of corruption.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 5.00 pm on Mar 4, 2009
ARMY TOP BRASS ACCUSE OF CORRUPTION!
I was surprise when a friend called me up to view a blog that is hitting hard at the Army top brasses for alleged corruption. Never have I expected that a blog such as this could appear in cyberspace, confirming the many calls that I have received alleging the web of corrupt practices that has infected the officers corps of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Blog can be viewed at http://ops2012.blogspot.com
This is indeed a sad day for the noble profession that I was part off, and if it is true that corruption has seeped dangerously into the very veins of the Armed Forces,then it is time that the authorities stepped in to weed the 'disease' out before it becomes cancerous.
The officers and soldiers have a noble duty to perform i.e. to defend the country to its very last breath......but never to indulge in corruption.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2 pm on Mar 4, 2009
This is indeed a sad day for the noble profession that I was part off, and if it is true that corruption has seeped dangerously into the very veins of the Armed Forces,then it is time that the authorities stepped in to weed the 'disease' out before it becomes cancerous.
The officers and soldiers have a noble duty to perform i.e. to defend the country to its very last breath......but never to indulge in corruption.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2 pm on Mar 4, 2009
WHO IS SYDNEY FRANKLIN?
Many maybe wondering who is Sydney Franklin. But for those in the Defence Ministry, that name has been in circulation around the corridors of the ministry for quite a while, and is a popular figure, especially among the top brasses in the ministry. He is full of generosity; readily making contributions for important golfing events organized for the top brasses. He takes pride to be in the inner circle, and he features regularly at weddings and functions hosted by the ‘who’s who’ of the ministry
Speculations are rife among defence equipment representatives, suppliers and contractors that Sydney Franklin, a British citizen is one of the favoured defence equipment ‘middlemen’ for the Defence Ministry. He is said to have been instrumental in securing several defence contracts through direct negotiations with the Defence Ministry over the last 5 years or so.
He operates an office from a penthouse located in a posh apartment at Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur. His official business address is in London where he is a registered contractor for the UK Defence Ministry (www.franklin.co.uk).
The first known contract involving Sydney Franklin was for the supply of the Astros II Multiple Launcher Rocket System (MLRS) for the Army in 2002. The MLRS is a product of Avibras Industria Areospacial International Ltd of Brazil, where a total of 18 launchers were supplied to the Army at the costs of US 207,764,155.00 (RM 727,174,542.50 approximately). Sydney Franklin is said to have been the ‘middlemen’ for this contract, concluded between the Defence Ministry and the equipment manufacturer.
In a speech by the Chief of Army at a parade to mark the 76th Army Day celebration on 1st March 2009, it was announced that the Army will be receiving its second consignment of 18 MLRS launchers scheduled to arrive before the end of the year, to complete the second MLRS regiment. The cost quoted by the Chief of Army was RM 27 million (Star 2 March 2009) which is believed to be an error, as the figure is grossly different to the cost quoted in 2002 above. It was said that Sydney Franklin was once more a party to this contract, which was again offered through direct negotiations. And anymore purchase of this same equipment will be a waste of public fund.
What is unusual about the purchase of the MLRS (and questioned by many) is that the award for the maintenance of the entire system is believed to have been given to Sydney Franklin. This deal certainly sounds odd for a strategic purchase like this. Wouldn’t it be proper for the maintenance job be awarded to a Malaysian company; thus developing some local expertise in the maintenance of strategic weaponry? Little wonder that despite the millions spend on the purchase of assorted weapons over the last five decades, the country is yet to produce a simple weapon indigenously.
In 2007, the Army acquired and was supplied with the VERA-E passive surveillance radar; a product of the Czech Republic. A similar product was also acquired by the People’s Republic of China earlier at the costs of US54.7 million for 10 systems (JDW 28 April 2004). It will be interesting to know how much was paid by our Defence Ministry, which many says is many times more than what China had paid. Again, Sydney Franklin’s role in acquiring this contract sticks like a sore thumb.
The question that need to be asked urgently is how many more defence contracts will portray prominently Sydney Franklin’s role as its middlemen? He has no official business representation in Malaysia, nor does he own a registered company in Malaysia. But yet he is consistently involved in a direct negotiated defence contract with the Defence Ministry. How could this possibly happen right under the noses of our policy makers, is beyond anyone’s belief. Are they that dumb and stupid not to have noticed the fallacy in awarding strategic defence contracts involving a foreigner without the participation of a local representative? This is a question that only our political masters and the powers-that-be in the Defence Ministry (both civilian and military) could answer.
Recently, there was a talk about acquiring the Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (AEWAC) for the Armed Forces. Will Sydney Franklin again feature in this deal through the infamous direct negotiation?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 10.00 am on Mar 4, 2009
Speculations are rife among defence equipment representatives, suppliers and contractors that Sydney Franklin, a British citizen is one of the favoured defence equipment ‘middlemen’ for the Defence Ministry. He is said to have been instrumental in securing several defence contracts through direct negotiations with the Defence Ministry over the last 5 years or so.
He operates an office from a penthouse located in a posh apartment at Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur. His official business address is in London where he is a registered contractor for the UK Defence Ministry (www.franklin.co.uk).
The first known contract involving Sydney Franklin was for the supply of the Astros II Multiple Launcher Rocket System (MLRS) for the Army in 2002. The MLRS is a product of Avibras Industria Areospacial International Ltd of Brazil, where a total of 18 launchers were supplied to the Army at the costs of US 207,764,155.00 (RM 727,174,542.50 approximately). Sydney Franklin is said to have been the ‘middlemen’ for this contract, concluded between the Defence Ministry and the equipment manufacturer.
In a speech by the Chief of Army at a parade to mark the 76th Army Day celebration on 1st March 2009, it was announced that the Army will be receiving its second consignment of 18 MLRS launchers scheduled to arrive before the end of the year, to complete the second MLRS regiment. The cost quoted by the Chief of Army was RM 27 million (Star 2 March 2009) which is believed to be an error, as the figure is grossly different to the cost quoted in 2002 above. It was said that Sydney Franklin was once more a party to this contract, which was again offered through direct negotiations. And anymore purchase of this same equipment will be a waste of public fund.
What is unusual about the purchase of the MLRS (and questioned by many) is that the award for the maintenance of the entire system is believed to have been given to Sydney Franklin. This deal certainly sounds odd for a strategic purchase like this. Wouldn’t it be proper for the maintenance job be awarded to a Malaysian company; thus developing some local expertise in the maintenance of strategic weaponry? Little wonder that despite the millions spend on the purchase of assorted weapons over the last five decades, the country is yet to produce a simple weapon indigenously.
In 2007, the Army acquired and was supplied with the VERA-E passive surveillance radar; a product of the Czech Republic. A similar product was also acquired by the People’s Republic of China earlier at the costs of US54.7 million for 10 systems (JDW 28 April 2004). It will be interesting to know how much was paid by our Defence Ministry, which many says is many times more than what China had paid. Again, Sydney Franklin’s role in acquiring this contract sticks like a sore thumb.
The question that need to be asked urgently is how many more defence contracts will portray prominently Sydney Franklin’s role as its middlemen? He has no official business representation in Malaysia, nor does he own a registered company in Malaysia. But yet he is consistently involved in a direct negotiated defence contract with the Defence Ministry. How could this possibly happen right under the noses of our policy makers, is beyond anyone’s belief. Are they that dumb and stupid not to have noticed the fallacy in awarding strategic defence contracts involving a foreigner without the participation of a local representative? This is a question that only our political masters and the powers-that-be in the Defence Ministry (both civilian and military) could answer.
Recently, there was a talk about acquiring the Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (AEWAC) for the Armed Forces. Will Sydney Franklin again feature in this deal through the infamous direct negotiation?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 10.00 am on Mar 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
DEFENCE MINISTRY RENEGOTIATING TERMS OF SUBMARINE RESCUE SERVICES
One ought to be puzzled at the statement made by Deputy Defence Minister Abu Seman in parliament Monday March 2nd, 2009 (Star, Tuesday March 3rd, 20009) regarding the award to a bumiputra company for the submarine rescue services for the Royal Malaysian Navy. He is reported to have said that the offer made by the company was RM 98.4 million per year for a period of 20 years which was disagreed by the ministry. Hence, a fresh offer has to be made by the company.
The deputy minister further said that, “the offer to the company was through direct negotiations as the navy wanted to gain full knowledge on the submarine rescue procedures and also to get the best terms for the services”.
The statements made by Abu Seman is littered with contradictions, and smells of nothing less than an attempt at inflating costs and awarding the contract to a favoured company. This has been the issue that most defence related companies has been arguing all along i.e. why direct negotiation, and worse still the award was made to a company whose core business is not defence related, but that of a construction company. This is where Abu Seman was shy in revealing.
Most in the defence industry will vouch that the Royal Malaysian Navy is about the best of the three services in terms of planning for its force development, as well as in making decisions for capital purchases and support services. This being so, the statement made by Abu Seman to justify the award through direct negotiations to a construction company is arguable.
The submarine rescue service is a highly specialized service, and the navies within the ASEAN region (notably Singapore and Indonesia) does not have a dedicated submarine rescue service within its organization. The service is being outsourced, and presently there are only two renowned submarine rescue service companies available in the world i.e. one is a US company and the other a UK company.
There is in Malaysia today representatives representing the two foreign submarine rescue service companies. The question asked is why were the representatives not called in to offer their bid. Knowing that the services required is so specialized, wouldn’t it be better for the navy to have more than one company bidding, thus allowing a thorough evaluation be made? Isn’t the open tender system the best in terms of getting good value for money?
Certainly the statement made by Abu Seman needs rethinking, and knowing our Royal Malaysian Navy, most would agree that the decision to award the job through direct negotiation is not the navy’s wishes, but that of someone else with pecuniary interest.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 11.00 am on March 3, 2009
The deputy minister further said that, “the offer to the company was through direct negotiations as the navy wanted to gain full knowledge on the submarine rescue procedures and also to get the best terms for the services”.
The statements made by Abu Seman is littered with contradictions, and smells of nothing less than an attempt at inflating costs and awarding the contract to a favoured company. This has been the issue that most defence related companies has been arguing all along i.e. why direct negotiation, and worse still the award was made to a company whose core business is not defence related, but that of a construction company. This is where Abu Seman was shy in revealing.
Most in the defence industry will vouch that the Royal Malaysian Navy is about the best of the three services in terms of planning for its force development, as well as in making decisions for capital purchases and support services. This being so, the statement made by Abu Seman to justify the award through direct negotiations to a construction company is arguable.
The submarine rescue service is a highly specialized service, and the navies within the ASEAN region (notably Singapore and Indonesia) does not have a dedicated submarine rescue service within its organization. The service is being outsourced, and presently there are only two renowned submarine rescue service companies available in the world i.e. one is a US company and the other a UK company.
There is in Malaysia today representatives representing the two foreign submarine rescue service companies. The question asked is why were the representatives not called in to offer their bid. Knowing that the services required is so specialized, wouldn’t it be better for the navy to have more than one company bidding, thus allowing a thorough evaluation be made? Isn’t the open tender system the best in terms of getting good value for money?
Certainly the statement made by Abu Seman needs rethinking, and knowing our Royal Malaysian Navy, most would agree that the decision to award the job through direct negotiation is not the navy’s wishes, but that of someone else with pecuniary interest.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 11.00 am on March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
STUPIDITY AT ITS BEST
One can't help but laugh at how desperate the new BN Perak state government's closure of the State Secretariat building to disallow a special sitting of the State Assembly to be convene Tuesday 3rd March 2009. The action smack of stupidity, foolishness and sheer arrogance that only reflects the archaic state of mind of the BN assemblymen.
Don't the BN assemblymen know that the special sitting can be convene anywhere, and not necessarily at the State Secretariat building? What if they elect to have the special sitting at the Ipoh Stadium or in some restaurant? Will Zambary and his merry-men declare the sitting to be illegal? And if he does, under what laws or rules will he be applying?
The new Perak state government has to accept that the growing confusion in the state is unlikely to be resolved that simply, and definitely not as easy as the way the new state government was installed. There is now a serious constitutional crisis that even the nations' constitutional experts are at tangent.
Didn't Zambary dispatched his lawyers to the UK to seek the expert opinion of the Queens Council? Has he lost the confidence of his own counsel? Even Najib has to declare that the new state government has to await the court's decision to affirm its rightful 'ownership' to the state. What does this imply? Simply put, it is an acceptance of defeat of the BN state government, but put is very subtle terms.
Nizar is persistent and has declared that he is still the duly appointed Menteri Besar, in 'defiance', if you may, to the Sultan's pronouncement.Zambary's co-hoots was quick to evict Nizar from the Menteri Besar's official residence and did an excellent job at clearing the office. The mainstream media was all around to catch a glimpse of Zambary at his first official day in office, with a broad smile to show.
More confusion was to follow with the PAC now unable to ascertain which of the two Menteri Besar is entitled to an official salary. Even Zambary's appointment of his 'special officers' with executive councilors status are being questioned by the PAC. It appears that Zambary has over stepped his powers by unilaterally deciding upon state appointments, which he is not empowered to do. Obviously, his showing off his executive power did not work. A shame isn't it.
Tuesday 3rd March can be an exciting day to watch. Let us see how Zambary reacts and the development to follow. These are exciting moments for Perakians.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9.30 pm Mar 2, 2009
Don't the BN assemblymen know that the special sitting can be convene anywhere, and not necessarily at the State Secretariat building? What if they elect to have the special sitting at the Ipoh Stadium or in some restaurant? Will Zambary and his merry-men declare the sitting to be illegal? And if he does, under what laws or rules will he be applying?
The new Perak state government has to accept that the growing confusion in the state is unlikely to be resolved that simply, and definitely not as easy as the way the new state government was installed. There is now a serious constitutional crisis that even the nations' constitutional experts are at tangent.
Didn't Zambary dispatched his lawyers to the UK to seek the expert opinion of the Queens Council? Has he lost the confidence of his own counsel? Even Najib has to declare that the new state government has to await the court's decision to affirm its rightful 'ownership' to the state. What does this imply? Simply put, it is an acceptance of defeat of the BN state government, but put is very subtle terms.
Nizar is persistent and has declared that he is still the duly appointed Menteri Besar, in 'defiance', if you may, to the Sultan's pronouncement.Zambary's co-hoots was quick to evict Nizar from the Menteri Besar's official residence and did an excellent job at clearing the office. The mainstream media was all around to catch a glimpse of Zambary at his first official day in office, with a broad smile to show.
More confusion was to follow with the PAC now unable to ascertain which of the two Menteri Besar is entitled to an official salary. Even Zambary's appointment of his 'special officers' with executive councilors status are being questioned by the PAC. It appears that Zambary has over stepped his powers by unilaterally deciding upon state appointments, which he is not empowered to do. Obviously, his showing off his executive power did not work. A shame isn't it.
Tuesday 3rd March can be an exciting day to watch. Let us see how Zambary reacts and the development to follow. These are exciting moments for Perakians.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9.30 pm Mar 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
WHO RUNS THE PERAK STATE GOVERNMENT
Dato' Seri Abd Najib Tun Razak was reported to have said, “the Perak state assembly cannot be held because there has been a court action”. He further said, “we have to first establish the status of the Perak government in terms of the constitution”.
Surprisingly, it is only now that Najib realise the illegitimacy of the new Perak state government which he had crafted. From the statements of Najib, Zambry and his exco can now take a rest until such time the court decides the status of the new Perak government. Meanwhile, it is only proper that Nazir be reinstate the Menteri Besar (that is rightfully his), and to run the state government during the interim period, which will also resolve the salary payment to the rightful Menteri Besar.
Najib is still left with an option to retain Perak, if he is so desperate not to lose i.e. to declare a state of emergency in Perak, citing the prevailing constitutional crises. It will be foolish if he does this, and the consequence of such a declaration can be devastating to the state.
This is the third time Najib has failed the BN. The first two being his failure to win back Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu by-elections. Should he now fail to win Perak through the constitutional and legal means, this may be a signal of his political demise. But being so close to being the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, surely his supporters within UMNO would be working hard to shove Najib popularity, despite the negativities about him, that has been drumming load outside UMNO.
There is no doubt that Najib will be the next Prime Minister, but will his term in office be smooth sailing? This will be interesting to watch.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9.00 am Mar 1, 2009
Surprisingly, it is only now that Najib realise the illegitimacy of the new Perak state government which he had crafted. From the statements of Najib, Zambry and his exco can now take a rest until such time the court decides the status of the new Perak government. Meanwhile, it is only proper that Nazir be reinstate the Menteri Besar (that is rightfully his), and to run the state government during the interim period, which will also resolve the salary payment to the rightful Menteri Besar.
Najib is still left with an option to retain Perak, if he is so desperate not to lose i.e. to declare a state of emergency in Perak, citing the prevailing constitutional crises. It will be foolish if he does this, and the consequence of such a declaration can be devastating to the state.
This is the third time Najib has failed the BN. The first two being his failure to win back Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu by-elections. Should he now fail to win Perak through the constitutional and legal means, this may be a signal of his political demise. But being so close to being the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, surely his supporters within UMNO would be working hard to shove Najib popularity, despite the negativities about him, that has been drumming load outside UMNO.
There is no doubt that Najib will be the next Prime Minister, but will his term in office be smooth sailing? This will be interesting to watch.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9.00 am Mar 1, 2009
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