PM NAJIB CRONIES & THEIR RELATED COMPANIES : StockTube

Nak survive katakan..............

Everyone knows whenever there’s a change to the premiership not only political landscape changes but also the stock-market landscape. When Mahathir called it a day in 2003 almost immediately his cronies listed companies were affected. The same goes to Badawi although his departure doesn’t have the same impact due to his short-term in office. And now with Najib Razak as the new Prime Minister naturally his cronies or rather those who are closely linked to him are instantly on investors or punters’ radar. Malaysia politics and business model is rather unique because you will see both scratching each other for survival and prosperity. This is something that foreign investors found rather hard though amuse to accept or understand, not to mention frustration due to escalating in business operating costs.

Dow Jones went crazily above the psychological-level of 8,000-points before profit-taking trimmed the gains and closed at 7,978.08, thanks mostly to G20’s pledge of over $1 trillion to combat global economic crisis. However, the KLCI was marginally down following the release of the external trade data by the statistics department. Malaysia exports for February 2009 fell 15.9% year-on-year, while imports were 27.3% lower. Total trade in February was 21% lower at RM67.2bil, with trade surplus of RM11.97bil. The one-day bull in anticipation of Najib’s big day was over with KLCI didn’t move much despite the overnight jump in Dow Jones. Local KLCI is waiting for Najib’s speech to determine the next direction.

If Badawi’s circle of businessmen included Equine Capital Berhad’s Patrick Lim, ECM Libra Group's Kalimullah Hassan and Scomi Group's Kamaluddin Abdullah (his own son), Najib’s circle of businessmen is many times larger. So who are the people and companies closely linked to the new Prime Minister Najib Razak that could see their fortunes skyrocket?

1) Top on the list is non other than his youngest brother Nazir Razak, CEO of Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Berhad (KLSE: COMMERZ, stock-code 1023) who studied philosophy at Cambridge University. Perhaps the most business-savvy within the family members Nazir was known for his infamous controversial acquisition of Southern Bank from owner Tan Teong Hean. After failed the initial attempt Nazir turned to Chua Ma Yu who architected the downfall of Southern Bank ultimately. With the largest lender Malayan Banking Berhad’s (KLSE: MAYBANK, stock-code 1155) in its bad shape would we see Bumiputra-Commerce acquire Maybank to become the largest bank instead?

2) Johari Razak, the second eldest who read law from University of Kent is one of the senior partners since August 2007 at Shearn Delamore & Co , a law firm located at Wisma Hamzah-Kwong Hing. He also holds the following positions:

Ancom Berhad (KLSE: ANCOM, stock-code 4758): Non-Executive Chairman
Nylex (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE: NYLEX, stock-code 4944): Non-Executive Deputy Chairman
Hong Leong Industries Berhad (KLSE: HLIND, stock-code 3301): Non-Executive Director
Daiman Development Berhad (KLSE: DAIMAN, stock-code 5355): Non-Executive Chairman
Tower Real Estate Investment Trust (KLSE: TWRREIT, stock-code 5111):

Non-Executive Director
Deutsche Bank (M) Berhad: Director

3) Mohamed Nizam Razak, the middle brother studied politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University in the UK and was a stockbroker, being CEO of PB Securities Sdn Bhd in the 1990s. He also holds the following positions:

Hiap Teck Venture Berhad (KLSE: HIAPTEK, stock-code 5072): Non-Executive Director
Delloyd Ventures Berhad (KLSE: DELLOYD, stock-code 6505): Non-Executive Director
Mamee Double-Decker (M) Berhad (KLSE: MAMEE, stock-code 5282): Non-Executive Director
Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Berhad (KLSE: YHS, stock-code 4642): Non-Executive Director
Deutsche Bank (M) Berhad: Director

Nizam Razak together with Syed Mokhtar were once eyeing for the 19.4% stake in DRB-Hicom held by the family trust of late Yahaya Ahmad.

4) Mohamed Nazim Razak, the fourth brother is an architect who married former host of TV3’s Nona show, Norjuma Habib Mohamed. He also holds the following positions:

Hong Leong Bank Berhad (KLSE: HLBANK, stock-code 5819): Non-Executive Director
Hong Leong Capital Berhad (KLSE: HLCAP, stock-code 5274): Non-Executive Director
Nazim is also the Chairman of Meru Utama Sdn Bhd which won a seven-year advertising concession from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in late 2007. Besides, Nazim is also a director of Eng Wah Organization Limited, a Singapore-based business involved in cinema operations, film distribution and rental of retail and office space. But of course the multi-billion dollar question is would Quek’s Hong Leong Bank leverage on this latest political landscape to acquire Public Bank?

5) Tan Kay Hock, chairman of Johan Holdings Berhad (KLSE: JOHAN, stock-code 3441) and George Kent (M) Berhad (KLSE: GKENT, stock-code 3204). Both Najib and Tan Kay Hock are golfing buddies and have known each other for a long time. Tan is also a member of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and owns 49.59% stake in George Kent. Interestingly, Malayan United Industries Berhad (KLSE: MUIIND, stock-code 3891), controlled by Khoo Kay Peng owns 9.3% stake in George Kent and 7% stake in Johan Holdings.

6) Robert Kuok, second PM Abdul Razak and third PM Hussen Onn were childhood friends and their friendship going back to their school days at Raffles School Singapore. Another of their classmate was Lee Kuan Yew, the first PM of Singapore. Razak juniors used to visit their “Uncle Kuok” and although the Malaysia’s richest man’s businesses are mainly based in Hong Kong, he still has leftovers such as Transmile Group Berhad (KLSE: TRANMIL, stock-code 7000), PPB Oil Palms Bhd (KLSE: PPB, stock-code 4065) and Malaysian Bulk Carriers Berhad (KLSE: MAYBULK, stock-code 5077).

7) Shahril Shamsuddin, owner of Sapura Group is said to have close family relationship with Najib. Companies related included SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad (KLSE: SAPCRES, stock-code 8575), Sapura Industrial Berhad (KLSE: SAPIND, stock-code 7811) and Sapura Resources Berhad (KLSE: SAPRES, stock-code 4596). He is one of the six trusted individuals personally picked by Najib for ideas on issues ranging from economy, capital markets and general business soon after Najib was appointed Finance Minister.

8) Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, the tycoon whose empire is said to be the most comprehensive and includes almost every sector. He also enjoys good relationship with former PM Mahathir and his DRB-HICOM’s assembly plant provides huge employment in Pekan, Najib’s political base. Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd or Deftech, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM, is the country’s leading supplier of land-based defence vehicles to the Defence Ministry, Najib’s favorite ministry. Stocks related to Mokhtar Albukhary includes:

MMC Corporation Berhad (KLSE: MMCCORP, stock-code 2194)
Padiberas Nasional Berhad (KLSE: BERNAS, stock-code 6866)
Kramat Tin Dredging Berhad (KLSE: KRAMAT, stock-code 2151)
Amtek Holdings Berhad (KLSE: AMTEK, stock-code 7051)
Integrated Rubber Corporation Berhad (KLSE: IRCB, stock-code 2127)
Tradewinds Corporation Berhad (KLSE: TWSCORP, stock-code 4804)
Tradewinds Plantation Berhad (KLSE: TWSPLNT, stock-code 6327)
Zelan Berhad (KLSE: ZELAN, stock-code 2283)

Mokhtar also is very close with Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy PM and should Muhyiddin become the next PM, Mokhtar is definitely the businessman to benefits the most. Their relationship started when Muhyiddin was the Johor Chief Minister and Mokhtar was building his empire in the state then.

9) Mohamed Azman Yahya, director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad (KNB) and founder and group chief executive of outsourcing firm Symphony House Berhad (KLSE: SYMPHNY, stock-code 0016) as well as ex-CEO of Pengurusan Danaharta Berhad. He is one of the six trusted individuals personally picked by Najib for ideas on issues ranging from economy, capital markets and general business soon after Najib was appointed Finance Minister.Listed companies related to Azman includes:

Bolton Berhad (KLSE: BOLTON, stock-code 1538): Executive Chairman
Malaysian Airline System Berhad (KLSE: MAS, stock-code 3786): Non-Executive Director
PLUS Expressway Berhad (KLSE: PLUS, stock-code 5052): Non-Executive Director
Pharmaniaga Berhad (KLSE: PHARMA, stock-code 7081): Chairman
Scomi Group Berhad (KLSE: SCOMI, stock-code 7158): Non-Executive Director

10) Rohana Mahmood, Najib’s milieu and chairman and partner of Ethos Capital, a RM200mil private equity firm. Rohana and Omar Mutapha Ong, a former special assistant to Najib, are co-founders of the boutique advisory firm Ethos & Co. She and another close aide of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, are co-founders of the independent think-tank, Malaysian Strategic Research Centre. Najib was chairman of the think-tank, now disbanded. Listed companies related to Rohana includes:

Paramount Corporation Berhad (KLSE: PARAMON, stock-code 1724)
TH Group Berhad (KLSE: THGROUP, stock-code 8109)
Dijaya Corporation Berhad (KLSE: DIJACOR, stock-code 5401)

11) Azman Mokhtar - the managing director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. He is one of the six trusted individuals personally picked by Najib for ideas on issues ranging from economy, capital markets and general business soon after Najib was appointed Finance Minister.

12) Md Nor Yusof - an ex-banker who was the former managing director of Malaysia Airlines and past chairman of the Securities Commission. He is currently director and chairman of Khazanah’s executive committee. He is one of the six trusted individuals personally picked by Najib for ideas on issues ranging from economy, capital markets and general business soon after Najib was appointed Finance Minister.

13) Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh - chairman and MD of express bus operator, Konsortium Transnational Bhd. The former Proton boss was called upon by the Government in 1996 to revive the ailing public transport company. He is one of the six trusted individuals personally picked by Najib for ideas on issues ranging from economy, capital markets and general business soon after Najib was appointed Finance Minister.

14) Bakke Salleh - Felda Holdings Bhd CEO

15) Lodin Wok Kamarudin - Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera chief

16) Politicians closely related to Najib - Jamaludin Jarjis, Shafie Apdal, Ahmad Hamidi, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Having said that it doesn’t mean the old cronies during Mahathir time would not shine again since the former premier is expected to play important roles in Najib’s administration as well as to ensure Najib behaves accordingly.

NAJIB DOWN FALL - FASTER THAN ABDULLAH BADAWI?

Elok sangatlah tu............kelakar pulak bila baca ada usaha untuk mendirikan bangunanan setinggi 100 tingkat didalam keadaan ekonomi yg tidak tentu arah ini.

StockTube 25th January 2010

Judging from the missing jet engines scandal to the latest “Allah” issue, it seems Najib’s administration may be short-lived – shorter than former PM Abdullah Badawi. You may not like Badawi’s administration because, well, there was no administration in the first place *grin* simply because the country was on auto-pilot while the pilot was dozing off most of the time. Of course Badawi managed to “steal” his first 4-year term with rosy promises otherwise he would have been booted out within a single term.

Najib’s mentor, former PM Mahathir, was quick to joke that the country would be in better shape since Najib Razak does not sleep on the job although he (Mahathir) is amazingly quiet on Najib’s most tainted allegation – the allegedly link to Mongolian Altantuya’s murder. Mahathir was however quite annoyed with the allegation that he has squandered about RM100 billion during his 22-year rule. Without denying Barry Wain’s claim, Mahathir pointed that Abdullah Badawi’s administration was worse - indicating his chosen successor has squandered more than what he did.

Nobody was surprised; instead it would be super strange if the current ruling government led by UMNO is not corrupt. That’s how serious the corruption this country has plunges into. Corruption has been part of the culture in the society, thanks to Mahathir Mohamad, and there’s no sign showing it’s slowing down. As a matter of fact, the corruption is heading for the worst due to the Mar 2008 general election factor. Najib’s administration is actually at the crossroad. The next general election may see the first defeat of the current government which has been ruling since independence. So what shall the government of the day do?

It’s looting time dude, well, literally. It would be stupid if the current ministers, warlords and whatnot do not start filling their pockets knowing the voters have suddenly become intelligent overnight. On the other hand, the situation can be salvaged if the ruling government manages to swing back some percentage of protest votes. It’s still not game over yet, at least that is what Najib’s party UMNO is trying to convince one another till today. But the ruling government only knows one method in the nation’s administration – the corrupt way.

The criterias of good governance are too alien to the ruling government.However, PM Najib Razak should be given the credit for trying to change the anti-government sentiment. He visited China hoping to replicate his father’s success in winning the Chinese hearts. He deliberately chose to visit Tamil Nadu hoping to swing the Indian votes since 85% of them have their roots to the state. Brilliant, he may just hit the bull-eye and the protest votes would return come the next general election. But he did something super silly when he endorsed the so-called mass demonstration in protest against a court decision allowing the Catholic weekly Herald to use “Allah” as God’s name. His cousin, Home Minister Hishamuddin, has earlier agreed to the demonstration.

Every Tom, Dick and his dog instantly suspected the churches’ fire attack thereafter was the work of UMNO, nevermind that Najib had denied it repeatedly. The reason was simple, as the theory goes. It was to start another incident similar to 13th May 1969 unrest (if both Christians and Muslims started to retaliate against each other) and hopefully would bring the Malay-ethnic votes back to UMNO with the consolation prize; direct emergency rule over the state of Selangor which is under the opposition rule. Better still, it would be fun to see how opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s jaw drops when the supposedly caught arson suspects mysteriously admit that they did it under the instruction of Anwar (who else).

Besides sloganeering and copied his father’s pattern in visiting China and later India to push up the supports from Chinese-ethnic and Indian-ethnic, Najib is also toying with the idea of building iconic or mega projects in order to re-brand his tainted image. Already there is plan to build a 100-storey (or higher) tower on a 25-ha site near the proposed Matrade Center in Kuala Lumpur – higher than the current highest 88-storey Petronas Twin Tower. Most importantly mega projects are required in order for leakages to happen and this is precisely why the most developed state Selangor need to be captured, evil plan or not. But Najib’s plot was not perfect though, if it was indeed the plan of UMNO in the first place.

Najib’s administration has dearly under-estimate the power and influence of internet and blogs. Unlike his father’s period in 1969, the world is now borderless and information travels faster than Najib could say “1Malaysia”. Except for a handful of UMNO supporters, opposition leaders were fast in asking their supporters to stay away from the demonstrations and thereafter the visits to the attacked churches resulting in calms. Heck, the oppositions even deployed their own “troops” in safeguarding the churches – something unimaginable if today is in the year 1969.

Najib has to get one thing right. The reality is while it was a perfect plan to get Chinese-ethnic and Malay-ethnic against each other back in 1969, the same obsolete plan cannot be applied today. Today it is the Malay-ethnic, Chinese-ethnic and Indian-ethnic who are working together against UMNO-ethnic. Racism is outdated and cannot be used anymore. If UMNO still thinks its’ split-and-conquer policy is still relevant then they’re indeed obsolete. There’s however another hidden force that Najib’s administration may not be aware of *ahem*.

One may wonder why the highly sensitive information about Northrop F-5E jet engines reportedly stolen from a military base could be leaked out to the public in the first place. It was embarrassing to the PM Najib as the incident happened during the period he was the Defence Minister. Interestingly countries that subject to U.S. arms embargoes such as Iran, Sudan and Venezuela have F-5 fighters that uses the engines reportedly missing under the nose of PM Najib Razak. It seems the dark force has access to top secret papers only accessible to the Defence Ministry.

If your old memory serve you right, before Najib took over the premiership he switched his Defence Minister portfolio with former PM Abdullah Badawi’s Finance Minister. The question is did Abdullah Badawi seize the opportunity in digging some documents (how hard could it be?) as collateral to ensure his son-in-law Khairy Jamaludin’s survivability in the government post-Badawi’s exit? It would be super stupid not to hold Najib’s balls ready to squeeze them knowing well the anti-Khairy sentiment exist not only within Najib’s circle but also the old man Mahathir Mohamad. Could there be plan to route out Khairy which prompted the missing jets scandal (and more to come?) to be revealed? Also, one has to remember that it was Najib who forced Abdullah Badawi to resign so there are bad bloods all along.

f I were Najib, I would go back to the drawing board with genuine plans on how to fight corruption, attract foreign investments, prevent brain-drain, appoint only capable ministers, promotes racial harmony and whatever it takes to start a good government. But then maybe UMNO is beyond repair so why waste time on them.

SALLEH ABBAS : MENTERI YANG TIDAK FAHAM UNDANG - UNDANG USAH CAKAP SOAL ROYALTI

Ana berharap sangat selepas ini, menteri - menteri atau makhluk - makhluk yang tidak paham undang - undang akan mula faham maksud & saranan Tun Salleh Abbas.

Oleh Mohd Zuharman ( The Malaysia Insiders )

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 21 — Bekas ketua hakim negara Tun Mohd Salleh Abas berkata, ahli-ahli politik termasuk anggota jemaah menteri dari Umno, yang tidak mahir tentang undang-undang pembangunan petroleum tidak wajar memperkudakan isu pertikaian wang royalti antara kerajaan negeri dan pusat khususnya dalam tuntutan Kelantan sekarang.

Oleh itu tegas beliau, dari segi undang-undang, rakyat kini seolah-olah dikelirukan oleh ahli-ahli politik yang berfikiran sempit tentang selok-belok perundangan dalam isu tuntutan royalti minyak oleh Kelantan dan Terengganu.

“Persoalan yang ada di hadapan kita semua sekarang ialah berkaitan hak sesebuah negeri dalam menuntut royalti dari Petronas, bukannya dari kerajaan pusat.

“Orang ramai mesti faham perkara ini. Sekali lagi saya tegaskan, bukanya dari kerajaan pusat.
“Kerajaan pusat juga mendapat royalti dari Petronas,” kata beliau ketika ditemui di kediamannya di sini.

Timbulnya penafian hak oleh kerajaan pusat terhadap Terengganu dan Kelantan dalam isu tersebut, beliau berkata adalah kerana terdapat unsur politik, lantaran dendam kesumat pemimpin Umno terhadap PAS.

Salleh merujuk sejarah pembayaran royalti minyak kepada Terengganu sebanyak lima peratus, yang dibayar dua kali setahun semasa pemerintahan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).
Namun kata beliau, hak itu disekat selepas berlaku peralihan kuasa kerajaan negeri kepada PAS pada 1999. Terengganu dikuasai PAS pada 1999 manakala Kelantan diambil alih oleh PAS sejak 1990.

Salleh antara individu terlibat langsung dengan penubuhan Petroliam Nasional Berhad pada 1974 yang terikat dengan Akta Pembangunan Petroliam 1974 amat memahami matlamat awal penubuhannnya terlalu kecewa terhadap kesulitan yang sedang berlaku sekarang ini. “Ia tidak lain semata-mata kerana hati busuk sesetengah pemimpin Umno. Dulu Terengganu. Sekarang Kelantan pula dinafikan haknya,” katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, isu tuntutan royalti minyak kini dicemari pelbagai tafsiran tidak jelas dari mereka yang tidak mahir dengan undang-undang kerana politik telah mengatasi kepentingan rakyat.

Tegasnya, bab undang-undang perlu ditelaah secara mendalam oleh ahli politik sekiranya perkara itu ingin dicanangkan kepada rakyat bukannya bercakap berdasarkan kepentingan politik peribadi kerana semata-mata ingin menonjolkan diri di mata ketua.
“Saya amat berharap kepada Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, bekas Pengerusi Petronas akan membuat penjelasan yang sebaik mungkin demi kebaikan rakyat terhadap hak sebenar dalam menuntut royalti minyak ini,” katanya.

Tengku Razaleigh dijadual memberi penerangan berhubung perkara berkaitan itu di Stadium Sultan Mohd IV di Kota Baru pada 28 Jan ini.

Ditanya beberapa kerat pemimpin Umno Kelantan cuba menjadi hero menafikan hak itu, Saleh berkata, “itulah sifat rakyat yang cuba derhaka pada negeri sendiri.”
Menurutnya situasi begitu tidak menjadi satu perkara yang menghairankan jika tentangan itu datangnya daripada rakyat negeri lain.

“Kalau itu boleh dikira sebagai hasad dengki tetapi kalau dari rakyat negeri sendiri, susahlah nak kata apa pada mereka ini,” ujarnya.

Sebelum ini dua rakyat kelahiran Kelantan dalam jemaah iaitu Datuk Mustapha Mohamad dan Datuk Dr Awang Adek Husein dilabel sebagai tidak ‘cakna’ terhadap kepentingan rakyat negeri sendiri apabila mengambil langkah cuba menolak hak royalti Kelantan sebaliknya terus mempertahan pemberian wang ihsan.

Pemberian wang ihsan kepada Kelantan diumum Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak tahun lalu sebagai ganti royalti dan ia akan dibayar tahun ini.

Ketika diminta mengulas cabaran pemimpin Umno agar isu tersebut dibawa ke mahkamah beliau berpendapat langkah itu adalah pilihan terakhir selepas gagal menemukan titik penyelesaian melalui perundingan.

“Kalau kita tengok kes Terengganu, kes sama lah tu, hingga sekarang masih belum selesai,” katanya.

Menyentuh mengenai pembayaran wang ihsan, Salleh menambah, ia wujud setelah Kelantan membuat tuntutan Royalti.

“Kenapa dulu tidak diberi wang ihsan itu?” soalnya.

“Apa-apa pun yang penting sekarang ini kita semua perlu kembali kepada undang-undang yang dibuat. Khususnya yang berkaitan dengan hak sesebuah negeri terhadap hasil mahsul mereka.
“Dan sesungguhnya itu lah hasrat sebenar penubuhan Petronas,” katanya sambil menyifatkan selagi politik keperibadian menguasai nafsu individu, selagi itu hal ini akan berpanjangan.
Sehubungan itu beliau menyarankan kepada mereka yang tidak terlibat dalam bidang perundangan termasuk menteri-menteri agar berhenti bercakap hal tuntutan royalti yang dibuat kerajaan Kelantan kerana rakyat bukannya bodoh.

“Selagi banyak mereka bercakap hal ini, semakin jelaslah kebodohan dan kedangkalan mereka terhadap undang-undang negara ini,” tambah beliau.

MAHATHIR : " AGONG TANPA TENGKOLOK " Fathi Aris Omar

Memang Betui & confirm ana setuju komen Fathi Aris Omar.

Fathi Aris OmarJan 17, 1011:52pm

Selepas menimbulkan kegemparan, sehingga ditahan Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), buku Barry Wain tidaklah terlalu mengejutkan dan tidak pula benar-benar "baru".Cuma ia mungkin menarik bagi karya jenis biografi seorang tokoh politik apabila susunannya itu diulas dengan kritis oleh seorang bekas editor kanan.

Sebahagian besar Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times rangkuman maklumat yang sudah diketahui umum, khususnya di kalangan peminat tegar politik sejak selepas merdeka, termasuk melalui ceramah politik, gosip dan terbitan alternatif.

Generasi Lim Kit Siang atau Anwar Ibrahim misalnya, apatah lagi pemimpin politik berstatus mereka berdua, mungkin tidak terpukau dengan buku setebal 363 halaman ini.

Jadi, saya hairan kenapa KDN perlu memerap buku tersebut sejak beberapa minggu lalu.

Apakah rahsia yang hendak disembunyikan daripada kita, generasi muda politik yang baru belajar menggali sisi-sisi gelap Dr Mahathir?

Apakah agenda tersirat KDN dan menterinya Hishammuddin Hussein – untuk menyelamatkan imej mantan perdana menteri itu?

Dengan menangguhkan pengedaran buku itu, kelihatannya kerajaan cuba menyelamatkan imej Dr Mahathir, atau legasinya, walaupun dengan mencemarkan imej Najib Razak sendiri – tokoh yang dikatakan, pada kalangan tertentu, warisan Mahathirisme!(Dr Mahathir sendiri menggesa Malaysian Maverick diedarkan.)

Satu contoh bahan yang tidak mengejutkan itu: krisis Dr Mahathir dengan raja-raja Melayu seperti sering dirujuk sebagai episod pencemaran imej institusi istana pada 1992 hingga awal 1993.

Pencemaran – di sisi pembangkang – bagi menunjukkan sikap hipokrit Umno yang sering pula melaung-laungkan membela istana.Pada 18 Januari tahun itu, selepas serangan psikologi yang bertubi-tubi terhadap institusi raja, perlembagaan negara dipinda bagi membolehkan satu mahkamah khas dibentuk untuk mengadili sultan yang terlibat dalam salah laku di luar tugas rasminya.

Cara BN, yang dikepalai perdana menteri waktu itu, memburuk-burukkan raja khususnya melalui filem-filem klasik hitam putih di rancangan TV bersama rencana-rencana dan ulasan-ulasan politik di akhbar seolah-olah Umno atau BN sedang merencanakan projek pembentukan sebuah negara republik.

Tetapi Wain, yang menulis bab khas episod ini 'Agong yang tidak dimahkotakan', merumuskan betapa bekas PM itu tidak perlu sebuah republik kerana tindakannya melucutkan semua kehebatan istana berjaya mengangkatnya sebagai kepala negara berstatus 'agong'. "The erosion of the rulers' stature and influence 'diminished their constraining role in tempering the exercise of executive powers', which Dr Mahathir proceeded to wield with unprecedented latitude."In a remade constitutional landscape, he had no need to contemplate a republic. He was the uncrowned king," catat bekas pengarang kanan Asian Wall Street Journal itu.

Walaupun insiden 1993 menjadi ingatan kolektif ramai aktivis muda politik, kebanyakannya pula sudah melupai atau tidak menghargai kepentingan insiden awal sedekad sebelumnya. Insiden yang jauh lebih signifikan daripada mengekang kemelampauan institusi diraja seperti pindaan 17 tahun lalu.

Dalam bahasa Dr Mahathir sendiri, sewaktu berucap bagi mengikis lagi martabat istana pada 1993, beliau berkata: "Tetapi sekali lagi mengikut sistem di Britain, undang- undang hanya menjadi sah setelah ditandatangani oleh raja.

Di Britain, ini tidak menjadi masalah kerana raja tidak mungkin menolak nasihat jemaah menteri."Tetapi di Malaysia perkataan nasihat, yang penggubal perlembagaan percaya akan mempunyai makna yang sama seperti di Britain dan juga di zaman penjajah, tidak ditafsirkan dengan jelas.

Oleh itu pihak raja boleh menolak nasihat kerajaan."Jika Kerajaan diakui terdiri daripada wakil-wakil yang dipilih oleh rakyat untuk menentukan rakyat berkuasa, tetapi nasihat kerajaan berkemungkinan tidak diterima, ini bererti demokrasi berparlimen tidak wujud dan rakyat tidak berkuasa sepenuhnya.

"Dalam perkara-perkara tertentu bukan sahaja persetujuan Yang di-Pertuan Agong diperlukan, tetapi juga persetujuan Majlis Raja-raja."Insiden 1983 mengubah sama sekali lanskap demokrasi Malaysia dengan membuang kuasa Istana Negara, dan Majlis Raja-raja Melayu, sebagai kuasa penyemak dan pengimbang – kuasa keempat seperti sering dikhayalkan oleh Raja Dr Nazrin Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah.

Dengan terhakisnya cap mohor diraja daripada rang undang-undang yang diluluskan di Dewan Rakyat dan Dewan Negara, Dr Mahathir boleh berbuat apa sahaja sesuka hatinya.Pindaan perlembagaan 1983 ini pula diusaha dengan penuh sulit dan rahsia sehingga digelar Wain sebagai "kerahsiaan yang belum pernah lagi berlaku dalam kehidupan bernegara" di Malaysia.

Dengan lesen besar yang diperolehinya, bermula era baru kepemimpinan politik Dr Mahathir dan fasa-fasa gelap demokrasi negara.Selebihnya, apabila kita merenung kembali ke belakang seperti analisis Human Rights Undermined: Restrictive Laws in a Parliamentary Democracy demokrasi kita telah menelusuri liku-likunya yang malang mulai tanggal itu ...