LKY is quite a show-stealer

When the acronym LKY is mentioned, often it is asssociated in many minds with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yewacross the Johor Straits.

But lately a local LKY has taken over the Singaporean elder's place -- shall we give him some credit?

Lim Keng Yaik is Gerakan president and has often spoken out loudly against the grain of Barisan Nasional politics, maybe forced to since it plays a small brother role to MCA in the 14-member BN (or is it 15? I've lost count!)

As Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri LKY was reported by theSun today (Jun 7, 2005) as having accused Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) -- the first water privatisation project concessionaire -- that it was breaching the concession agreement by sourcing imported pipes from Indonesia when the agreement obligated Syabas to use locally-made pipes.

LKY warned that the contract, which was awarded last December,could be terminated, adding:"We have proof of imported pipes being used by Syabas and we have sent a letter to them to explain on May 30 but have yet to receive any response."

Another report in the NST-BT stated that the 835-km-long pipes project is worth RM375million, of which RM250million was given as grant by the Government,and is to be completed by 2006.

Syabas is 70percent-owned by listed Puncak Niaga Holdings which in turn is 40percent-owned by Tan Sri Rozali Ismail, the execeutive chairman of both Puncak Niaga and Syabas. The company appointed to supply thee imported pipes is LAKSANA WIBAWA Sdn Bhd -- which LKY commented: "We are not even sure if this company has an approved permit to import the pipes not are we sure of the quality of the pipes."

Desiderata: Bold comments from an outspoken minister -- I say "Syabas" to LKY for his bold action against Syabas. However, after monitoring BigBusiness-Politics links in the Malaysian corporate scene, I wonder how a minion of a cuttle-fish Gerakan can stand the weight of the giant UMNO octupus? I'd like to be proven wrong that any severe penalty would befall Syabas ... However, hopes sping eternal among many of us so weary and tired of such shenanigans we would clutch at the slighest straw of hope....Malaysian corporate history has many similar chapters when a siren always tapered off into a whimper!