The MB briefing on the water MoU started at 5.45 pm today. DAP and PAS MPs were not present for the MB briefing on the Water MoU. The no show by DAP and PAS MPs was due to a technical glitch from the MB office in failing to send out an invite to them. Hannah Yeoh raised the matter and was visibly upset about it since the DAP water experts, Tony Pua and Charles Santiago were not there. The only PAS representative was Dr. Dzul, the former MP. Despite the official briefing, we were not shown the actual MoU. We were shown 2 slides of notes on what the MoU purports to contain. When Hannah and I pressed the MB to commit to making the MoU public, his staff told him that it was rahsia. Nevertheless he said he will use his powers as MB to make it available for all very soon. He then said that in Putrajaya he had read out the terms to the media, so he dont see why it shouldnt be made public. When I asked him to reconfirm this stand, he said he may have to speak to Putrajaya first. I asked him which terms are binding and which are non-binding. He said all terms in the MoU are binding. Note that at this point the briefing was going on without the text of the MoU shown to us. It was at best a guessing game, discussing something without being able to see it. He said that the water concessionaires have no choice but to accept the RM9.65 billion offer, but when I pressed further on the issue of international arbitration, he conceded that the international arbitration clause actually allows the water concessionaires to ask for more money. And if the arbitrators find in favour of the water companies, the deal could balloon to RM14 billion. He also confirmed that he has given full support to Langat 2. Contrary to reports of a RM1.2 billion price tag, the MB officers when queried by me for details, admitted that it could cost RM4.5 billion. His green light will now allow BN to tender out the project and the two leading companies eyeing this, are Syed Mokhtars MMC and Ahmad Zaki Resources. On informing Pakatan Rakyat leaders, he said he did not have to inform us about the MoU because in his view, they do not sit in his EXCO. Also according to him, the MoU terms are the same as the old briefing. He also confirmed that the MoU was drafted by his office and the deal took several weeks of negotiations. He said another reason why Pakatan Leaders were not told, was to prevent insider trading. However when I asked him during their weeks of negotiations, were BN cabinet members also forced to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent insider trading, he said he didnt know. I asked him to explain about the Star report where he said that he was lobbied by PKR leaders to increase payment to water companies. To this he said he was misquoted and his words were twisted by the press. I suggested that if that is the case, he must retract his statements immediately to the media. He said he will do it when he finds the appropriate time for that. At 7.15 pm, I left the meeting to go to the Townhall talk organised by Hannah Yeohs office in Wangsa Baiduri, Subang Jaya. Overall, without the MoU text, it was a surreal briefing. I just hope that the MB will publish the MoU as soon as possible. Then we can all judge the matter on what was signed. This should put to rest all the speculation. The lack of transparency is causing confusion and damage to Pakatan Rakyat. The timing of this MoU by BN is sinister and is aimed at derailing Anwar in Kajang. Thus Kajang is shaping up to be the mother of all by-elections. UMNO BN is using every arsenal available, including the proverbial kitchen sink. Pakatan Rakyat must now re-double our efforts on the ground.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:37:21 +0000
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