Expanding the Bumiputra Economic Agenda

The market flavour of the week is Some Darby Bhd. breaking up into three different core group and be listed separately as Sime Darby Bhd., Some Darby Property Bhd. and Sime Darby Plantations Bhd.

NST online:

Sime Darby may raise RM27 billion from unit listings

 

BY AMIR HISYAM RASID – 28 JANUARY 2017 @ 4:15 PM

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KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd could raise more than RM27 billion from the listings of its plantation and property companies while maintaining controlling stakes in them, analysts estimate.

Analysts gave thumbs-up to the spin-off plans but were split over upgrading, maintaining or even downgrading their recommendations on Sime Darby. Kenanga Research said if it kept a 51 per cent stake in each entity, the conglomerate could raise some RM27.2 billion from the listings.

The plantation arm could fetch RM19.4 billion and the property firm is expected to raise RM7.8 billion, which represents cash per share of RM4.10. Sime Darby announced on Thursday that its plantation and property units would be listed on Bursa Malaysia as Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd.

“We are positive with this move which should unlock value in both spin-offs, while substantially improving Sime Darby’s balance sheet position and potentially providing a bonus to shareholders in the form of dividends or shares in the new companies,” said Kenanga Research .

“Assuming Sime Darby retains 50 per cent of the RM27.2 billion funds raised and pays out the rest as dividends, this would represent a bumper dividend of RM2 per share or 22 per cent of the current share price.

“With the remaining funds, we would expect Sime Darby to enter into a net cash position from the current net gearing position of 0.4 times,” said the firm.

Kenanga Research upgraded its call on Sime Darby to “outperform” from “neutral” with a higher target price of RM9.88. MIDF Research downgraded Sime Darby to “neutral” with an unchanged target price of RM9.05 as it believed most of the optimism on the corporate exercise had been priced in.

The firm said its shareholders are likely to enjoy long-term benefits from the removal of “conglomerate discount” attached by the market.

“This is especially true for the plantation division as pure planters tend to command higher price earnings valuation against conglomerates with many businesses,” it said. Public Investment Bank Bhd affirmed its “outperform” call and RM9.30 target price.

It said Sime Darby Plantation, which was set to become Malaysia’s biggest listed plantation company, also had the largest planted landbank in the world. This is based on its vast planted landbank of 603,254ha across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Liberia.

“Taking into consideration its landbank size, regional footprint, fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production growth, FFB yield, age profile and current strong crude palm oil prices, we strongly believe the plantation arm should be able to attract healthy valuations for its listing.

“Based on our preliminary studies, the market capitalisation would likely be in the range of RM48 billion-RM55 billion or an estimated price earnings ratio of 25-30 times,” it said. PublicInvest said Sime Darby Property is set to be one of the largest players in the country based on its annual property sales of more than RM2 billion.

“Based on our valuations, the property arm could be listed at an estimated market capitalisation of not less than RM10 billion. However, the listing might be in the later part of the year as property sentiment remains lacklustre,” it added. Sime Darby kept its improvement on Bursa, edging up 4.65 per cent to RM9.23 from Thursday’s close of RM8.82.

The stock was Bursa’s top gainer yesterday and best performer year-to-date with a 13.95 per cent gain.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/207936/sime-darby-may-raise-rm27-billion-unit-listings

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The decoupling of groups from the existing Sime Darby Group, which arisen from the merger of Some Darby, Guthrie and Golden Hope Plantations ten years ago is timely and a brilliant step moving forward.

The conglomerate now is listed under the Forbes Global 2000 list as number 813. If measured under market cap, then it is at number 867 of the same list.

It would provide better growth, arisen from focused separate teams and strategies. Example is property is a segment which Sime Darby could really capitalise and existing resources be optimised for better return on investment and value creation.

This is a strategy where Sime Darby Property could horse-back on the Government strategy of wealth creation and gallop on the bullish-ness of making Malaysia a high income nation.

The appetite for property, especially for commercial and high end and luxury segment is quite promising. Considering the Forest City development in Iskandar Malaysia, is a good example of the opportunities available and waiting to be capitalised.

The development of the High Speed Rail from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is expected to pass through many of Sime Darby assets and investments, which could be developed for new satellite townships along the route.

Unlocking, realising and optimising value creation for PNB is a strategy laid by the new management team led by Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar as Chairman and Dato’ Abdul Rahman Ahmad as Group CEO two months ago. Unit trust schemes under PNB are strategic and majority shareholder of Sime Darby Bhd.

The Star story:

Friday, 25 November 2016

Malaysia’s largest fund-manager unveils strategic plan

BY HANIM ADNAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), the country’s largest fund-management company which has a new team at the helm, has unveiled a six-year strategic plan to deliver sustainable, consistent and competitive returns to its unitholders.

PNB has set a target to increase its total assets under management to about RM350bil by 2022 from about RM259.49bil currently.

In a rare press briefing on its performance, PNB disclosed that was expecting a gross income of RM18.64bil and a net income of RM15.18bil with a return on assets of about 6.1%.

According to group chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, PNB has been able to deliver consistent returns to its unitholders, with over RM136bil having been paid out since its inception 38 years ago.

PNB is currently the market leader in the local unit trust industry, managing RM220bil in unit trust assets with 12.8 million accounts, representing over a 60% market share in terms of total fund value.

PNB also expects the dividend payout this year to be maintained, said Wahid as he unveiled PNB’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022 yesterday.

Meanwhile, PNB president and group CEO Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad said PNB recognised the challenges ahead in the period of global uncertainty, given the flat global economic growth and low interest-rate environment.

“This is exacerbated further by the negative trend of the FBM KLCI for the past three consecutive years attributed by the weak shareholders’ return of large-cap Malaysian corporates over the period,” he added.

PNB is a major investor in Bursa Malaysia with investments of nearly RM170bil or 10% of the market capitalisation of the bourse.

Its strategic holdings are in Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Sime Darby Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd and MNRB Holdings Bhd.

It also has sizeable stakes of more than 10% in large caps such as Axiata Group Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

To counter the challenges ahead, Abdul Rahman said the PNB Strategic Plan 2017-2022 would chart the way forward for the group to deliver sustainable, consistent and market-leading returns.

However, he said that corporate Malaysia has to perform.

“Companies should not undertake mergers and acquisitions without enhancing shareholder value. Every single action that they take should create shareholder value,” he added.

To attain PNB’s vision to be a distinctive world-class investment house, PNB has formulated the Strive 15 programme which comprises three pillars – enhancing sustainable returns, effective investment management and driving operational excellence.

Abdul Rahman said: “We have developed a clear strategic plan to address current and future challenges, thus ensuring PNB can sustain its performance for the next six years and beyond.”

He pointed out that PNB would continue to invest in high-performing Malaysian corporates.

“Our cash is sizeable and we will continue to invest whenever the opportunity arises, including in fixed income when the time is right.”

At the moment, out of PNB’s investment portfolio, the cash position is about 20% and fixed income is 4%.

A 20% cash holding is about RM50bil in terms of absolute amount.

Towards this end, Abdul Rahman said that it would be redeploying some assets to reduce its cash position when the opportunity arises.

“We think that while it is important to hold cash, RM50bil is a bit too much,” he said.

Wahid added that there were a lot of things that could be done and achieved with PNB’s existing strategic investments.

“We will work closely with the management and board of our strategic investment companies to see how we can further maximise returns and create more value for these companies,” said Wahid.

Recently, there was a news report of a break-up of Sime Darby, the conglomerate in which PNB has close to a 55% controlling stake.

Spculation has been rife that both Wahid and Abdul Rahman were keen on seeing the board of Sime Darby come up with a plan to unlock value by having more individually listed entities as opposed to a single public-listed parent holding an array of different businesses.

On PNB’s cash position, Abdul Rahman said that the current cash position of 20% of total assets was definitely not optimal and that PNB would be looking to deploy those monies to work soon.

“We will source for new strategic investments and core portfolio companies. Private equity and fixed income will be another asset class that we are looking to increase exposure to,” said Wahid.

“For now, given the weak ringgit, we will not move into acquiring global assets.”

Abdul Rahman, meanwhile, is bullish on the positive growth of PNB’s funds, given the lows in the earnings cycle, historically low foreign ownership and the fact that “not often the KLCI underperforms for three consecutive years”.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/11/25/pnb-unveils-strategic-plan/#EBFD7oRdWT4QIXlC.99

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Hence, it is quite achievable that PNB increase its value by 34.6%, equivalent RM90 bil, from the current asset at RM260 bil to RM350 bil in six years.

The surplus of cash from the listing of two other Sime Darby groups is extra resource, to be realised in the optimisation of the existing market capitalisation of Sime Darby. Currently, it is hovering in the neighbourhood of RM62.8 bil.

Three years earlier, Some Darby set the target to bring the market cap to RM100 bil.

Bernama story:

Monday, 9 June 2014 | MYT 6:00 PM

Sime Darby aims to double market cap to RM100bil by 2016

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia-based multinational conglomerate, Sime Darby Bhd, plans to almost double its market capitalisation to RM100bil on Bursa Malaysia by 2016 from RM57.73bil recorded to date.

In line with the five-year strategy blueprint for financial year 2012 until 2016, Sime Darby would continue to expand and strengthen its position in diversified business activities such as plantation, industrial, motor, property and energy and utilities.
Executive Vice-President Group Strategy and Business Development Alan Hamzah Sendut said from the financial perspective, the company has recorded a lower financial result due to volatility in global commodity prices.

Sime Darby’s profit before interest and tax for the nine-month period ended Mar 31, 2014 slipped 16% to RM2.922bil from RM3.478bil recorded in the same period last year.

“However, our production (palm oil) is increasing, and volatility in the crude palm oil prices is beyond our control,” he told reporters on the sidelines of Invest Malaysia 2014.

Alan also said the company has outlined strategic thrusts for each of the division under the group.

“For the plantation division, we will be looking at land bank expansion. We are looking for opportunities to acquire land outside Malaysia,” he added.

Sime Darby Bhd registered a pre-tax profit of RM1bil in its third quarter ended March 31, 2014 compared with RM934.74mil registered in the same period a year earlier.

The group, however, posted a lower revenue of RM10.295bil for the quarter compared with RM10.84bil in the same period last year, while earnings per share was higher at 14.09 sen against 11.5 sen previously.

The conglomerate attributed the quarter’s higher profit to improved results from the plantation division and a lower effective tax rate. – Bernama
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2014/06/09/sime-darby-seeks-to-almost-double-market-cap-to-rm100-bln-by-2016/#IdHplLtjU7BjC7vR.99

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The global financial crisis hitting at the end of 2014 and all throughout 2015 set the target back. In all, market cap of company listed in Bursa Malaysia saw an unprecedented reduction in value, despite the fundamentals such as operations and NTA are still encouraging.

Needless, this corporate move is extending the expansion of the Bumiputra Economic Agenda as part of the nation’s high income economy, which Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak first assured the Malays in 2013.

It is a good start for the year of the Fire Cock.

Emperorissimo Eroticism

Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is really taking a huge political suicidal risk for teaming up with arc enemy Chinese Chauvinist Emperorissimo of DAP Lim Kit Siang, in his personal quest to oust Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak.

NST story:

Kit Siang only concerned if issues serve his purpose: Former DAP vice-chairman

BY SYED UMAR ARIFF AND BALVIN KAUR – 30 JANUARY 2017 @ 2:01 PM

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KUALA LUMPUR: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has been labelled an “opportunist” and a “hypocrite” for his nonchalance over the controversial Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal in the early 1980s.

This was despite the opposition leader then leading a crusade against then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the issue. Lim’s indifference was likely to appease a segment of Malay voters ahead of the 14th General Election (GE14), said former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim.

“This shows that Lim is an opportunist who will only take matters into his concerns if they serve his purpose, (and in the process), turn them into huge criminal issues. Otherwise, he will just sweep them under the carpet.

“The issue will remain the same. Only his reaction will be different,”

Tunku Abdul Aziz said yesterday. As of now, Tunku Abdul Aziz said Lim would have to downplay his response to the BMF controversy to establish a working relationship with Dr Mahathir and subsequently, hope to secure a certain deposit from a Malay vote base.

“If he upsets Dr Mahathir (by raising the BMF scandal), the already fragile relationship between them will simply disintegrate.”

Tunku Abdul Aziz said such opportunistic traits were synonymous with Lim.

“I have seen such traits in him. That is how he treats PKR and Pas. He is just using them for DAP’s purpose. I had once asked him personally, are we (DAP) taking (former opposition leader Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) and Pas seriously? Lim could not give me a straight answer.”

It was reported last week that the United States Central Intelligence Agency had linked Dr Mahathir’s administration to the BMF scandal between 1979 and 1983 that had cost the country nearly US$1 billion (RM3.57 billion) in two botched loan deals.

The scandal also involved the murder of a Bank Bumiputra auditor.

In response to the issue, Lim had published two books on BMF. The first was published in 1983 titled The BMF Scandal and the second was in 1986, titled BMF: The Scandal of Scandals. So far, Mahathir has denied his involvement in the scandal, while Lim was reportedly to have said that the CIA findings “did not reveal anything new”.

Lim’s disposition had also courted criticisms from other former DAP leaders. Law lecturer Shamsher Singh Thind said while Lim had the moral capacity to forgive Dr Mahathir for jailing him during the infamous Op Lalang period, he should not forgive him for causing the country to lose billions of ringgit.

“Lim had written two books on the BMF scandal and issued numerous press statements, demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be established for what he called ‘the greatest banking and financial scandal in Malaysian history’.

“In a 1987 press statement, Lim had also said that Dr Mahathir was personally liable for the US$200 million (RM886 million) loss suffered by Bank Bumiputera after he (Dr Mahathir) requested the said bank to give a loan to Maminco Sdn Bhd, a company which had no asset.

“Lim also said that the BMF scandal cost Malaysians US$2.5 billion and ‘the government had given the Malaysian people and the world the impression that it had a lot of things to hide, and was going out of its way to protect the BMF culprits.’

But now, Lim himself is protecting Dr Mahathir,” Shamsher said. Former Sepang DAP parliamentary liaison committee member, Tan Tuan Tat said Lim used to “howl” at any issue in order to prop himself up as the “people’s champion”. “

Of course, he is an opportunist. He has to be nice to Dr Mahathir now because he needs the Malay votes to win GE14. “One wonders what has happened to DAP’s mantra on Competency, Accountability and Transparency, or CAT,” he said.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/208221/kit-siang-only-concerned-if-issues-serve-his-purpose-former-dap-vice-chairman

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Dr Mahathir failed in every stunt to oust Prime Minister Najib, since the former launched the open attack against the latter in March 2015.

Focusing on the 1MDB, first he tried to use then Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy UMNO President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin to canvass support amongst strategic UMNO and Government leaders, as his foreign media partners incessantly started to shell.

Then the ‘Four Horesmen of Conspiracy’ in lightning speed formed a Special Task Force to “Investigate what had been reported by WSJ and Sarawak Report”.

The flanked attacks on Prime Minister Najib’s position failed miserably. When Muhyiddin was sacked, Dr. Mahathir tried to use UMNO to mount that pressure.

He hoped UMNO delegates raised the matter in the Dec 2015 AGM and cause a ripple, which eventually pressure Prime Minister Najib to step down. It failed too.

He then was counting the same ripple was created amongst the Opposition MPs and some of BN MPs to join in the fray for a vote of no confidence at the Dewan Rakyat.

He was wrong.

Then he quit UMNO. He was hoping that would create a desired snowball effect.

The truth is majority of UMNO members were not bothered. 

Dr Mahathir came to realisation that Prime Minister Najib cannot be toppled through UMNO. The only way left is to sink Barisan Nasional.

He cannot do this with his existing or perhaps waining clout. It has to have a more powerful push-factor, so that at least half of the nation would participate in the force to topple Prime Minister Najib.

Then on 4 March 2016, he launched ‘Deklarasi Rakyat’ teaming up with arc enemy Lim Kit Siang, DAP, PKR, anti-establishment activists, like-minded NGO, the works.

He hoodwinked the rakyat to sign the petition, which would be brought upon to His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong for the ouster of Prime Minister Najib.

The Sarawak State Election and the twin bi-election middle of 2016 is the proof that BN’s popularity is still good if not strong. At least, the Chinese votes have improved compared to 13GE.

When the petition did not reach the desired effect, he quickly launch his All-Malay parti Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Pribumi Bersatu was quick to Alliance themselves with the Opposition, particularly DAP and PAN. 

Despite there are uneasiness and resentment amongst DAP hardliners for Lim to be politically so chummy-chummy with DAP’s arc enemy for half a century, the Emperorissimo still steam on.

Lim calculated that Dr Mahathir is the ticket for the Opposition to break the conservative-Malay support, which is the mainstay of BN.

So at the moment, Lim views Dr Mahathir’s obsession to topple Prime Minister Najib even at the expense of the Malays losing power for the first time in six decades as the perfect opportunity for Chinese Chauvinist DAP be the real power despite being minority.

No Love is Lost

The Chinese Chauvinist DAP Emperorissimo Lim Kit Siang failure to realise that the Muslims value virtues of the faith and brotherhood amongst themselves, up above any political strong political stance even for common objective.

NST Online story:

Kit Siang says may act against Hadi over Islam

 

BY BALVIN KAUR – 28 JANUARY 2017 @ 5:21 PM

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GEORGE TOWN: DAP Supremo Lim Kit Siang is considering to take Pas president Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang to court for insinuating that he is “anti-Islam”.

Lim said he had instructed his lawyers to consider whether Hadi’s remark was defamatory and a cause for legal proceedings.

“I am not anti-Islam and I support the inclusive, enlightened, progressive and tolerant Islamic vision as spelt out in the “Pas for All” slogan in the 2013 General Election.

“However, I cannot support an intolerant and extremist Islamic vision, whether by Islamic State or by any Islamic leader claiming to use the religion to hide their extremism and intolerance,” he told reporters after the Penang’s Chinese New Year open house at SPICE here today.

Pas was formerly with DAP and PKR in the opposition’s Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. The coalition was declared ‘dead’ after Pas pulled out following a spat with DAP, particularly with its secretary general Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang Chief Minister.

Last week, Lim (Kit Siang) called upon Pas to work with DAP to “save Malaysia from a global kleptocracy” and “from becoming a failed and rouge state”.

On Friday, Hadi, in responding to his call, said that the party was shutting its doors to any further cooperation with DAP. Hadi had said that DAP failed to show any proof that it supported Pas’ struggle for Islam and the formation of an Islamic government, which was the core of the party’s struggle.

He said that DAP also showed its true colours to the Muslims in Penang when it failed to look after their interest although it had one term to do so.

Lim said Hadi’s response was not only “haughty and arrogant” but also “misconceived and misinformed”. “It is Hadi’s prerogative to dismiss any possibility of working with DAP, but he has no right to turn and twist facts to justify his position.

“It was not DAP but Hadi as Pas president, who had violated the PR common policy framework and consensus principle that all decisions in the coalition should be reached by consensus of all the three component parties.” he said.

Lim also said that Hadi should look into the mirror when he alleged that the DAP has failed to look after the interest of the people of Penang.

“Lest Hadi forgets, DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat won 30 state assembly seats in GE13 as compared to 29 seats in the 2008 general election.

“In the general elections, DAP not only won all the 19 seats it had in the 2008 general elections, but with a bigger majority in everyone of the 19 seats, “In contrast, Hadi was thrown out of the Terengganu state government after one term as the Menteri Besar.” he said.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/207958/kit-siang-insists-he-not-anti-islam-mulls-taking-action-against-hadi

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PAS and DAP had all along been like oil to water. They can’t mix and complement each other. The only purpose they got together several times in a number of Opposition coalition is work on their luck to capture each own’s market share and bring to the table in the common objective to topple Barisan Nasional.

Their ideology is way on opposite extreme of the spectrum. They leaders and members of both parties have deep distrust against each other. It is almost impossible for them to have a common manifesto and as a result, for a coalition there have been unable to list down their ‘shadow Cabinet’.

No doubt DAP has benefited immensely by the foot soldiers provided by PAS, whenever they hold a public demonstration.It is very apparent when PAS started to issue ‘non participative’ to its members that the participants significantly dwindled.

This is not withstanding the composition of the demonstrators of BERSIH 4 and 5 did not really reflect the true segmentation of Malaysians.

Without PAS in the fray, the Pakatan Harapan stooge and errand dogs for DAP PAN would face herculean task to canvass for the Malays-Muslim conversation votes in the upcoming 14GE.

The ‘Flip-Flop’ polemic of faux pas by the Chairman of Pribumi Bersatu and defect Supremo Dictator of Parti Peribumi Bersatu Malaysia DR Mahathir about “DAP becoming Prime Minister”, “DAP demanding Deputy Prime Minister post” and “We basically agreed”.

If Lim Kit Siang and Dr Mahathir has casted in stone this commitment to topple Prime Minister Najib by 14GE, then it would be very difficult for PAS to join into that political fray.

Hj Hadi and most of PAS stalwarts and hardcores, particularly from Kedah, which is the home state of Dr Mahathir, have never forgotten and forgiven for the massacre of Ustaz Ibrahim Libya and 12 of his supporters in Kg Memali in Novermner 1981.

The soft approach of Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak to slowly winning the comfort and eventually of trust of PAS President Hj Hadi and other headliners.

The list is growing like  appearing in events commonully  benefit for the Malay-Muslims, BN ADUNS supported the enactment for Syariah criminal acts in Kelantan State Assembly, the announcement BN MPs shall support Hadi’s private bill of amendment to RUU325 and eventually BN shall undertake to present the Bill in Dewan Rakyat, are examples that pointing healthy co-operation for the betterment of Malay-Muslim.

Lets face it, the 1MDB and so called “Kleptocracy” allegations without admissible substance and evidence already got majority of the rakyat lost and uninterested,

There is very little that Chinese Chauvinist Emperorissimo and his DAP party to entice the majority of Malay-Muslims in the rural areas, which simply translate into bills worthy of tender issued by Bank Negara in the pockets often enough, to alleviate their economic position.

After all, for the fifty years of formal existence, Chinese Chauvinist DAP never had any affirmative action policy, considering the Bumiputra makes up almost two-thirds of Malaysians.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Recklessly leaky

The flavour of the week is about financial crisis and scandals during Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ Tun Dr Mahathir’s administration as Fourth Prime Minister, surfacing in various form and template and opening up more ambiguity to the Malaysia public, particularly the Millennials.

NST online story:

‘Actual losses were more than the ones reported by central bank’

 

27 JANUARY 2017 @ 10:56 AM

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The following are excerpts from a question-and-answer session with former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid. Murad, who resigned from BNM on Feb 1, 1999, was the manager of the central bank’s banking department (between April 1992 and March 1994) and was its bank regulation department manager (April 1988-March 1992).

During his tenure with BNM, Murad was involved in the investigation into Sime Bank. He took over BNM’s foreign exchange operations in late 1992 after the central bank incurred paper losses of more than RM9 billion, in that financial year.

He was also made the central bank’s representative in the Oversight Committee of Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd and director of Danamodal Nasional Bhd.

Question: What were the total losses incurred by BNM in foreign exchange (forex) during that period?

Answer: The total losses were US$10 billion and not ringgit. Our losses were in foreign currencies. It means that our reserves in US dollar, pound and yen all went down the drain. We lost them just like that. This (amount) was accumulated losses over several years. Over the years, we discovered and closed the book in 1994, and recognised all the losses. The total losses depends (on the exchange rate). It would become RM44 billion if you convert it based on the present exchange rate. The exchange rate was between RM2.3 and RM2.5 for US$1 at that time.

Q: What were the causes?

A: There was no control. No internal control and nobody knew what was happening at that time. It was real money. As if we lost the money that we had in our pocket. For example, if you buy Tenaga Nasional Bhd shares at RM10 (per unit), a week later, you will have to pay. Tomorrow, (if) it falls to RM7, you will have to pay the difference if you sell it. They kept on rolling over the contract.

Q: When was the bulk of the losses recorded?

A: I think from 1991 to 1993. I’m not sure (if Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) was involved. I cannot say that (the then prime minister) knew about it as I was not involved in the top management (meetings) between the minister and governor. I didn’t know what happened.

Q: Who was responsible? Would you name them?

A: No, I would not name them. The most important thing is there was no investigation at all. You lost US$10 billion, but there was no investigation. The police or the Anti-Corruption Agency (now the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) did not come. No one came to investigate.

Q: In your knowledge, did anyone lodge a report with the ACA?

A: It was highlighted in the newspapers. The stories were big and (nothing was done), even after the governors have changed several times.

Q: Did the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigate the case?

A: PAC only called (us) and asked us as a group from BNM. That’s all.

Q: It was reported as losses in the BNM report… didn’t the then prime minister know about it?

A: I’m sure the governor briefed them. Because the transactions were so big, you cannot unwind them in one day as it would take months to unwind. It involved mainly major currencies, such as the US dollar and Deutsche mark, as they didn’t have euro at that time, yen and pound.

Q: At the bank level, was any action taken against the dealers?

A: No. It was not their (the dealers’) decision. They only executed, but were not (involved) in the decision-making. I don’t know how it could happen as it was not the role of BNM to speculate.

Q: Was it a pure business decision or were there other things that motivated them?

A: I cannot say for sure. It’s possible (that they did it to make a lot of money). For example, in 10 transactions, if you can make profit from one, then that is possible (to make money).

Q: Is it only on paper or real losses?

A: It was real losses. Real money was involved. Our money from our reserves. As I told you earlier, if you have a bank account and you have lost some profits, you have to issue a cheque to pay. It’s the same. Very simple analogy there. It’s not the role of BNM to speculate. It should only intervene to smoothen the movement of the ringgit.

Q: Normally, the government will charge those involved and retrieve the funds… in this case?

A: No. And it’s up to the government as the case occurred more than 20 years ago. I will tell you what I know, but the most important thing is to ensure that the records are still there.

Q: Is it the biggest loss in our history?

A: Not only in Malaysian history, but in the world for forex losses. Even the Nick Leeson case (whose fraudulent, unauthorised speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank) is small. US$10 billion is not a small amount. It was quoted as RM9 billion in the Bank Negara 1992 Annual Report. But, the total accumulated amount is much more than that.

Q: Do you have proof to support your claim that the actual loss was US$10 billion?

A: You can go to BNM and look at its accounts in that few years. The RM9 billion, or US$4 billion, was only recognised by BNM for 1992, while the US$10 billion was accumulated from several years. The actual losses were more than the ones reported in the BNM account.

Q: Does it surprise you that the opposition did not raise the issue at that time?

A: They raised it, but there was nothing much they could do. The power is in the government’s hand.

Q: Should the authorities reopen the case?

A: They should and I’m willing to cooperate. The records are already more than 20 years old and might have been eaten by termites. The dealings were done here (in Malaysia). There are two things, one is speculation and another is reserve management . Reserve management is where you move your assets or foreign currencies, such as the US dollar to Deutsche mark. It’s a real thing and (involves) real assets if you invest in Treasury bills or government bonds. That’s the role of BNM, but what it did (at that time) was speculation. This one (forex speculation), they could be rolled over or take position. They used to call it “contra” dealing in the stock market before, but it’s actually forward trading or betting.

Q: How did it cover the losses?

A: In the BNM account, it already had RM10 billion. It (might have) used that reserves first.

Q: Is BNM the only central bank involved in “betting” in the world? A: Yes. It’s a big loss, but there is no investigation. Bigger than other cases and why there was a cover-up? The truth must prevail.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/207665/actual-losses-were-more-ones-reported-central-bank

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For an Ex-Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Abdul Murad to admit the accumulated foreign exchange losses was in excess of USD10 bil in very damning. It created minus capitalisation to BNM.

USD10 bil losses to foreign exchange simply wiped 55% of BNM foreign reserve, which is RM18 bil.

The losses saw the untimely departure of Governor Tan Sri Jaafar Hussein. However, no one in the Malaysian Government took to fall for this economically hazardous gamble.

Asst Governor Murad’s revelation is adding the public curiosity, to the Pandora’s Box which was opened earlier in the week upon the Asian Correspondent story about CIA files on the BMF scandal being declassified.

*Updated 2100hrs

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak reacted that BNM views on Assistant Governor Murad’s revelation would be sought by Cabinet before any further action be taken.

Bernama story:

Cabinet seeks BNM’s views on alleged foreign exchange loss: Najib

Posted on 27 January 2017 – 07:37pm

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak during a media conference after chairing the party’s Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato Onn, Putra World Trade Centre on Jan 27, 2017. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet will seek the opinion of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on the alleged foreign exchange losses of US$10 billion in the early 1990’s before taking any further action.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the government took a serious view on the matter.

“However, other members of the administration and I need to get the opinion and comments of BNM and other parties. Later, the Cabinet will make a decision on the matter,” he said.

Najib, who is also UMNO President, said this to reporters after chairing the UMNO Supreme Council meeting, here today.

Former BNM Assistant Governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid was reported to have said that the central bank suffered foreign exchange losses of US$10 billion in the early 1990’s.

BNM said in a statement replying to the allegation that the institution had achieved progress that was stronger, more transparent and responsible since the foreign exchange losses occurred almost 25 years ago. — Bernama

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Langley Limitless Looking Glass?

It was anticipated that the Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ would wiggle his way through manipulation of obvious points, circumstances and convenience of time.

He was rationalising his innocence, to absolve his responsibility to the BMF scandal which saw losses for Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Bhd (BBMB) up to USD1 bil at the times when Bank Negara Malaysia foreign reserve stands only at USD3.8 bil.

What is interesting, what else CIA knew about Dr Mahathir and other scandals in his administration during the same period.  Naturally, it is very strategic information to the very ‘privileged’ who knew the details and it had affect on Dr Mahathir, then and now.

There are many issues or crisis which the Malaysian public could demand for explanation.

Maminco is an example. It was a RM2 company created to raise borrowings and play the tin market in London. The company failed its objective and maintain the artificial demand for tin and collapse. It accumulated RM1.5 bil in borrowings from BBMB.

The foreign exchange losses by BNM in 1993 is another interesting topic, which should draw nation-wide attention.

Probably Dr Mahathir was involved or in the know of or about some secret deals made by Langley, in some covert operation in the region. Particularly, in Cambodia and The Philippines.

The acquisition of 40 moth-balled Ex-US Navy A4 Skyhawks from a yard in Arizona in the mid 80s is another interesting point of contention.

The Perwaja Steel is another interesting ambitious project embarked not long after Dr Mahathir came into power. It continued to be financially not viable and eventually scandalous.

Twenty years later in 2002, Dr Mahathir admitted Perwaja had a total loss of RM10 bil.

Then again, it is impossible Dr Mahathir had a sin-free admimistration for him to live in a glass house and pelting pebbles around.

Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ forgotten folly

The recent story by Asian Correspondent  about declassified US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report about the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance scandal in the early 80s in Hong Kong, had political linkages and implications to Fourth Prime Minister then Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“CIA document produced in March 1985 said “circumstantial evidence” suggested that the scandal extends into the Mahathir administration. This was because as a government-owned banking institution, Bank Bumi was closely monitored buy the both the Finance Ministry and Central Bank”.

BMF scandal was about fraud of unsecured loans were drawn to non existent projects and accounts, which brought forth a loss of USD1 bil.

It was Godly sum those days for monies to be pumped from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong and disbursed without control, which prompted an investigation. Assistant General Manager A Jalil Ibrahim was posted to Hong Kong and found irregularities, which ended with his brutal murder.

It was by far the most scandalous case in Malaysian banking history and the longest criminal case in Hong Kong.

Dr. Mahathir is trying to absolve responsibility from the case with the excuse that the loss was not money by the Malaysian Government but it was owned by Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Bhd.

The ownership of Bank Bumi then was 100% by the Malaysian Government.

He then also went on to highlight that he was not the Minister of Finance. It was presumed that the Minister of Finance should be responsible.

Dr Mahathir became Malaysia’s Fourth Prime Minister on 16 July 1981.

Then again, out of the concept and practice of ‘Collective Responsibility’, the Prime Minister should be aware than the sinful amount of cash (RM2.5 bil) was channeled by Bank Bumi to BMF in Hong Kong in so quick and short period of time. In 1982-3, the movement of over USD1 bil is something very significant.

It is also important to highlight that even though Dr Mahathir was not the Prime Minister and UMNO President yet in 1978, he was made the Chairman of the Committee for the development of PWTC. It means that it was his burden to find money, to pay for the development of PWTC.

Dr Mahathir was the Minister of Trade and Industry in 1978, until he assume the Premiership.

PWTC was completed in 1985 with the cost of then RM400 mil. It was a princely sum since no commercial development project in Malaysia was that big and UMNO was not an entity which is bankable and could borrow money.

What ever money to pay for PWTC, must come through the coffers. And UMNO had not have business enterprise, to generate enough dough for the complete development of PWTC.

An investigation was carried out then Auditor General Tan Sri Ahmad Noordin Zakaria. However, he never had the opportunity to present the findings to the public when his three-man panel competed their case in 1986.

Then Attorney General Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman also never charged anyone for the BMF scandal.

Another interesting point to note is that Dr. Mahathir and BMF Chairman Lorrain Esme Osman served on the board of FIMA in the early 70s.

George Tan, the founder of the Carrian Group had been chummy-chummy with many top Government and party leaders.

For all intent and purpose, the BMF scandal and the loss which was burdened upon Bank Bumi came and went as if it was an ordinary day at work. This is despite Jalil was a victim and his family was denied of their father, without proper closure.

Perhaps it is the best opportunity to bring a closure to the case. Lately it has been a pattern that Dr Mahathir might ‘Flip-Flop’ against the things he had said before.

Some expects “I can’t remember”. That, would be entertaining!

Buck Up!

Barisan National has been forewarned that the coalition party is grossly lacking on the cybersphere and social media platforms in the age of information are being shared at 4G connectivity, Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said launching Wanita UMNO IT outfit yesterday.

NST online story:

Studies reveal most cybertroopers in M’sia are anti-BN: DPM

BY ADRIAN LAI – 22 JANUARY 2017 @ 8:15 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: An overwhelming majority of cybertroopers operating in the country are against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.

He said according to a recent study, only 6.6 per cent of the country’s cybertroopers are supportive of BN, while the rest are anti-establishment.

“This means that for every pro-BN cybertrooper, there are 15 others who are working against the government,” he said when launching Wanita Umno’s Skuad Komunikasi dan Media here today. As a result, and according to another study conducted by a group of academicians, 87 per cent of Malaysians hold negative perceptions of BN, he said.

“We almost lost the 12th and 13th general elections because we failed to create a presence on social media,” Zahid said, adding that Umno must work harder to win the war of perception against the opposition.

It is understood that Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, will disclose the research papers he cited to the media at a later date.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/206418/studies-reveal-most-cybertroopers-msia-are-anti-bn-dpm

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The material consideration in this statement is not about the 6.6% but BN is is seriously lacking on this ‘information democracy’ front, where information travel both ways in unimaginable speed, volume, depth and naturally, spread. Quotes are on in video format and live streaming is improving by the week.

It is true that BN suffered immensely, translated from the opinion and perception casted on the party in 12GE and 13GE. The advancement of communication technology in terms of platform, enabler apparatus, connectivity and growth of social media were the enablers pf the new found ‘ICT democracy’.

Cyber and online perception, mainly through the exponential growth of users prior to both GE particularly amongst the urbanites, educated, professional and internet savvy and connected, changed the political landscape.

BN was terribly shaken in the 12GE where the party lost control in five state governments (plus the majority of seats in Wilayah Persekutuan) and inadvertently, the psychological 2/3 power in Dewan Rakyat.

In slightly over 51 years of sovereign nation, the Chinese chauvinist and anti-Malay and anti-Islam party formed a State Government and there on, the Chief Minister accompanies HE TYT Governor at the Council of Rulers meeting.

Parties like UMNO scrambled to balance the gross lacking in then the ‘new media’ and started to recruit an army of cyber troopers, mainly on the SOPO blog arena to fill in the gap (in the interpretation of some of the ambitious leaders trying to capitalise on the lack of online warfare capability).

The effort for UMNO, which is interesting combination of volunteers, recruited and some measly funded keyboard warriors managed to create an army of ‘infantry cyber-troopers’. Some more specialised and productive groups were derived and working with upstream information providers mean that they did gain some grounds in the online psychological-warfare.

However there were some gross lacking, which were never properly rectified even there was enough opportunity, space and resources till the 13GE.

A few example is the the depth of the subject matter and how the analysis could be stretched in getting more attention and debate, mostly by the intended target such as the urbanites, educated, professionals and connected savvy lot. Most of issues raised and scrummed over are trivial.

The ability to control the social media fields in the English language was also lacking when there is the argument about UMNO cybertroopers. This is the segment where the urbanites, professional and biggest user of internet per capita. This segment mostly is in the category apolitical and fence sitters.

The lack of strong, convincing and timely rebuttals whenever the Opposition take online a challenge, manipulation, skewed and biased opinions, lies and slanders, eventually demonstrated to BN’s worsening performance at 13GE in the urban and semi-urban constituencies.

The Opposition and the support system to their cause like NGOs, likeminded activists and loud individuals managed positioned themselves as opinion leaders, enabled by the cybersphere and social media platforms to the fullest.

Off late, foreign mainstream media added to the thorny fight against perception and trust deficit, suffered by BN leaders.

Naturally there would be issues more prevalent to territorial in nature such as co-ordination, face-saving (if involved certain high ranking party officials, who is also one of the major backers of the UMNO cyber-trooper groups), local and territorial sensitivities and the list is endless.

Dr. Ahmad Zahid is sounding out on this matter which should not to be taken lightly and based on expected party strategy and best guestimated  opportunity for the 14GE, there is enough time to improve.

Perhaps getting an equal standing against the Opposition would be a little too wishful but not withstanding allocating the proper resources, which include the right people and tools, might provide a worthy chance in the game.

Sunk in attempt to sabotage Johor

Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ Dr Mahathir failed in his attempt to sabotage the Johor economy and future global trade on the Forest City, in his strategy to demonise Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak as part of the integral plan to destroy the BN Government.

The Star story:

Monday, 23 January 2017 | MYT 11:27 AM

Khaled Nordin: Dr M won’t succeed in scaring Johoreans

 

BY NABILA AHMAD

JOHOR BARU: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s efforts to intimidate Johoreans with statements about Chinese nationals being given citizenships at the mammoth Forest City project will not succeed, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Johor Mentri Besar said Dr Mahathir’s allegations about the US$100bil (RM443bil) investments in the project were not based on facts and he was “out to scare the people of Johor”.

“The total land size of the state is 1.8 million hectares while the total land size affected in the Forest City project is only 1.977ha, which is only 0.108% of the land in Johor.

“With only less than 1% of the area involved, it is impossible for the China mainlanders to occupy the state and this shows that Dr Mahathir is only making the accusation to scare Johoreans,” he said.

“The Forest City project is a state government project while the investors are foreigners who happen to be from China.

“It is not 100% foreign-owned as locals have a 42% stake in it,” he said at the Muafakat Johor Chinese New Year Bazaar 2017 organised by the Pasir Gudang Tiong Hua Association here in Taman Johor Jaya.

He added that the project, expected to complete in 30 years, is important as the state now needs big projects to compete with Singapore.

“The world economy is very challenging now and without foreign investments, we will be faced with a worsening economic situation,” he said.

Khaled said there was no proof to allegations that some 700,000 Chinese would get citizenships by buying property at Forest City.

“I believe the rules applied by our Immigration Department are very strict as it is impossible for Chinese mainlanders to get Malaysian nationality only by purchasing a house in the state,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with The Star, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar accused Dr Mahathir of fear-mongering by playing racial politics that he claimed had no place in the state.

The Ruler said then he was “deeply offended and hurt” by the political spin against mainland Chinese investments in the state.

He singled out Dr Mahathir for “putting political interests above Malaysian interests, particularly Johor”.

In response, Dr Mahathir said in a letter to The Star that he was quoting a report by Bloomberg on the details of Forest City, of which he said has yet to be challenged nor denied.

*******************

The Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ Dr Mahathir tried to frightened Johoreans by manipulating and lying about the consequences of the Forest City development to the Malays.

In full appreciation of the sanctity of UMNO to the Johorean Malays, he falsely projected that 700,000 mainland Chinese would eventually be given citizenship and the Johorean Malays would lose power in their own state, the birth place of UMNO.

The strong outright calls by HRH Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar last week and several attempts of the Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ to rebut and manipulate his earlier calls, is the clearest depiction of Dr Mahathir’s humiliating failure.

What started as a political stunt which failed miserably, inadvertently is also a failed strategic economic sabotage against Johor.

The madness of Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ Dr Mahathir in his obsession to oust Prime Minister Najib has started to take a toll even on the Malaysian economy, which should be viewed as a political-anarchy.

A good example is the economy that would be driven by the Forest City Development. The 700,000 foreigners, mainly believed to be from mainland China are of the extra-upper middle income or more.

If they make Malaysia their residence, means they would be paying income tax. Let say pro-rata their income attributable from Malaysia is RM1mil per annum.

Hence, they would pay RM260,000 income tax. That is on top of RM15-20,000 in GST each on the consumption they make.

That is already in the neighbourhood of RM40bil for the Inland Revenue Board and Royal Customs, of reoccuring revenue annually. Johor State Government would also benefit from all the local authorities taxes and charges.

The Faust of ‘Flip-Flop’ failed to foil, even for a obsessed political agenda.

“He (Dr M) would invent crisis!”

“He (Dr Mahathir) would invent crisis!”, proclaimed political analyst and former Transparency International (Malaysia) Tunku Aziz describing how Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir in his manipulative and deceptive ways to demonise and bring down Prime Minister Najib.

Dr Mahathir has been manipulating, lying, slandering, back paddling, contradicting himself and making about 180 degree turns, to capture the moment of glory in his obsession to demonise Prime Minister Najib.

This include in manufacturing crisis.

An example is the complain that his minion made to various international authorities which include the AG office of United States of America and Switzerland about 1MDB. So far, no real progress have been made on these authorities’ side to nab these “International white collar criminals”.

It is utter shameless of disbelief proportion the hypocracy that the Statesman willing to do in his desperation trying to win an inch for a brief moments, in attempts and stunts which failed all the way in his objective to oust Prime Minister Najib coming to two years now.