Why spend millions to launch a climate change awareness program.
Me feeling bitchy.
No accident that I'm feeling bitchy on world earth day. No I'm not going to the KL Freeze event because we're going to visit some friends and celebrate world earth day. Some of my colleagues said they will be there though so if you see some people walking around in shirts saying 'Save the firefly' or some blue-janitor-like uniform with a TNB logo on them, you know why they're there… (unless of course there's a sudden blackout…)
If you read the papers in the last few days, The Star specifically, you would have seen the full page advertisements on page 5 or 7 of the tabloid sized daily by YTL community, promoting their efforts in responding towards the call for environmental conservation. YTL Climate Change Week, and hey, it's a full-coloured ad you know, telling people to don't waste paper, don't use so much energy, telling us about some fully sponsored movie program at some swanky place (like how YTL events always are, swanky, classy, EXPENSIVE).
several version of the advertisements came out in consecutive days, how many I Can't be sure, I didn't bother to count how many, it stinks too much of hypocrisy. I mean Full Page Advertisements in the country's best selling English Daily cost over RM20 k each, plus production costs, and they're talking about Climate Change? PUHLEESE.
…
It is no secret that YTL was one of the very first companies who was awarded the highly controversial closed door negotiations that is now known to us as the curse of the Independant Power Producers. Thanks to YTL Power, the company has moved by leaps and bounds, and our friend, who proclaims to be God fearing, nature loving, Malaysian citizen has just recently indicated to the government that they should seriously think about speeding up the negotiations to allow it to build that RM10 billion two-hour fast-train link to Singapore (which we don't need).
The YTL Community page has an article about how the Fast Rail Link is good for economy. Whose economy, one wonders?
YTL thinks that by spending millions of dollars to promote that they are concerned about the climate, the people can be misnomered into believing that YTL really really loves the environment. However the people as a whole are NOT this stupid. We know (or at least, by this time you should you know), that if YTL were willing to budge on the IPP negotiations, YTL could perhaps make a bigger difference for the environment, the country and subsequently the poorer people of this nation, without having to organize expensive and swanky climate change dialogues at The Ritz Carlton to have people in expensive Armani Jackets walk in and drink from plastic mineral water bottles, all pretending to give a shit about the environment.
If YTL really wants to make a difference, why not for a start, lead a renegotiation on the IPPs. Why not YTL generate just enough power as required for this country and not contribute to the current surplus of 40% (that TNB has trouble bringing to Klang Valley that runs on low power margines)? Why not YTL consider letting go even of the highly profitable Power Purchase Agreement that is highly responsible to the phenomenal and rather recent boost in its corporation profitability?
For the unasuming, the PPA that YTL was accorded in October 1994 is expected to last 21 years. There is another seven more years to expiry. All IPPs have a fuel pass-through clause where they could pass all the cost increase to TNB while you can't assure TNB won't pass the cost to you consumers.
Unless of course the government allows the utility giant to increase its tariff so that its consumers can absorb the high capacity charges.
So if indeed the government approves for the next round of tariff hikes, remember tariff hikes will not be necessary if companies like Malakoff, Genting Sanyen AND YTL be proactive and think about us the poor folks, and be open to an IPP renegotiation to help TNB ease its rising operation costs.
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Some people say that it is because I am working for Tenaga that my opinions are pro-TNB. 'Why save a corporate giant that is bent on sucking the money out of Malaysians?'
I fear that people do not understand the importance of keeping the providers for electricity a vertically integrated organization for as long as we can. In countries like Australia and Britain where power has been turned into a profit making business, the people have to deal with the absorption of rising fuel prices into the tariff prices, and it is extremely expensive to have power in countries like that. As long as TNB remains vertically integrated, expensive costs of operation from the businesses of distributing and transmitting power can be balanced through the profits gained from the generation business, and when the unit cost of electricity is evened out through the all three components of generation, transmission and distribution, price of electricity can be kept affordable.
Right now, Tenaga is paying atrocious amounts to the IPPs (including our great environment loving corporate giants at YTL) for whatever power they produce. In the last financial year alone payouts to IPPs came up to over RM 900 million ringgit, a spending than can be minimised should the IPP renegotiations actually continue with a humble understanding and realization that this country cannot afford to keep enriching the rich. Such as the Yeohs.
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I'm singling out YTL of course because its not Malakoff who's doing the expensive RM20k per page colour advertisements in The Star, and neither is it Genting Sanyen who's doing some gathering of pretentious tree-huggers at the swanky Ritz Carlton hotel to discuss climate change (some more they charge RM300 per pax). It is YTL.
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It is also no coincidence that three years ago when I was still visiting the megachurch Full Gospel Assembly, a speaker representative from YTL who shared his testimony of how being faithful to the Lord and worshipping at FGA had led him to believe that it is through true faith that great people (such as Tan Sri Francis Yeoh) are blessed. I recalled clearly the senior manager at YTL's testimony, telling of the day that they had won the award from the government to build the IPP power station. I remember him saying, 'Tan Sri Francis Yeoh fell on his knees and thank the great God Jesus for the blessings that God had bestowed upon him.'
While I must admire this tycoon for remembering to praise God and thank God in his successes, I also felt that the testimony sounded strangely unChristian. Jesus, my Lord, did not come to tell us to believe in him to be blessed. We are called, as Christians to be like Christ, so that we can bless other people.
Going back to fundamentals, When YTL won the IPP award, did he bless the rest of us?
To me, the corporation's prides in Starhill Gallery, the YTL Platinum club, the six star hotels in Pangkor Laut Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort and of course the famed Spa Heritage relaxation centres are not akin to blessing the rest of us. None of the normal minions who still have to work very hard to enjoy the next movie at GSC (preferably on Wednesday nights) can hardly afford one night's stay at the exclusively expensive Pangkor Laut Resort.
I was sick to the gut when someone from YTL told me once, that among the more christian circles in the company, YTL is also known as Yahweh The Lord.
Of course our friend the Tan Sri wastes no opportunity to praise Jesus and give public testimonies about how God has blessed him.
Y. Bhg Tan Sri, but I'm sure God has been blessing you richly, but what about you, have you taken to become a true salt and light of the world?
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How controversial have I been in this post? I have taken three years to deliberate on the content. Today, I've decided its time to end this silence. This blog post is a personal opinion and does not represent the views of my employers.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Spot on. You couldnt have said it better.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
All the IPP(s) business models were established theoretically to ensure all parties from top to the bottom benefited and shared risks at all levels.
For the business operator, profits made give them enough fund to make sustainable development and reward for taking risks. Same with the receiving end, ppl benefited from getting power. However, every good or raw material comes with a price and price does not stay constant, that explains why IPP goes back to TNB to ask for more money because we are living in the world that is subjected to inflation.
Their actions which might looked harsh but seriously there is nothing much they (including TNB) can do other than passing on the cost to the poor citizen because the raw material to generate electricity is on the up rising (I said this based on the assumption that there is no illegal price-fixing practice amongst themselves), do you think IPP will suck up all the cost themselves just like an Angel? Obviously no. If IPP (or TNB) decides to suck up all costs, they (or TNB) would have to take a pay cut within their organization and no one in their mind would like it. However, does that mean we as on the receiving end can do nothing at all? Those standing for the highest authorities, who approves upon such business practice, should have had put up a thorough study over such practice before even implement. It can be a perfect private and public partnership if being well managed, in this case, it wasn’t complete package because coal generation or LNG generation is still the main generation source in our country. For not taking a more balance strategy, then in face of inflation we all have to suffer. However, even managing with the best approach, there is still chance we will suffer because we simply can’t control the price of the commodity. Unless our government takes a similar approach like China does by disallowing any price hike, which is not a fancy practice too because IPP can retaliate by all retreating and pull out from the industry then leave this mess to our government who would have to buy back all generators and run themselves. You might clap your hands and think it’s a good idea but at times this is not an ideal job for any ruling party because to hike prices all day and night definitely don’t sounds like it is going to help them in winning the next election.
The Yeohs is just attempting to present themselves in the planet of opportunities, Malaysia government has the responsibility to ensure tendering price is within budget and economic benefits are going to outweigh cost in the longer run.
Ultimate question to all of us, is cheap price generated by coal worth more than having a clean sustainable society? do we want temporarily cheap electricity by compromising the life of our next generation? because coal is probably renowned for being the most polluting yet cheapest energy source in the electricity industry. We have to think, decide and be responsible as to whether it’s worth to opt for or not because there is definitely a price to pay for in order to be sustainable.
My perception is if Malaysia deregulate their electricity industry just like NZ or Australia, the best thing you can do is to buy the company share and hope for the dividend delivered is enough to offset the rise of electricity price but I have also seen cases where the power price actually drop in relative to the consumer price index as a result of superior management, planning and operation under the deregulated environment.
Having a fully integration giant cooperate, can be inefficient and lack qualities in all level of services. It would be interesting if Miss Minishort can inform us the SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) of TNB’s and explain how long it takes to improve the their front desk customer service or how long it takes for an operator from TNB to restore power during a power cut?
while my disclaimer allows me to claim ignorance to your question and challenge, it would be interesting if you can trying googling for TNB’s saidi. Technically I am putting myself at great risk (might lose my job) for writing this post in itself, so really I cannot reply to your challenge. But TNB announces our SAIDI four times a year during the quarterly financial results announcement, but what are KPIs to the people, right? Very much like the story of the six blind men and their individual experiences of the elephant, even with astounding KPI achievements people will still complain about TNB’s customer service. And here’s the other secret, I TOO COMPLAIN ABOUT TNB’s CUSTOMER SERVICE– but I am of the opinion that a company needs criticisms to keep it on its toes. Since I’m here on a whole blame the Yeohs post, wouldn’t you have noticed the point of this post? Maybe I’ll paint slander on Genting Sanyen one day, but at this point in time the Lims haven’t been so blatantly vocal about how much they love love love our environment, thus, IMHO more responsible as they do not practise hypocrisy.
This whole subject can be written into a thesis, but all I want to say is Malaysia government need to put their act together fast, to come out with some good governance policies to ensure all citizen can share the fruition of prosperity as Malaysia develops, then we would have the bigger capacity to buffer the pain caused by inflations. Blame or not to blame the Yeohs is far more complicated than what is being written in my opinion. But I do agree this business model mentioned is flawed to some extent because there is little incentive for the business operators to inject or build more generation capacity in order to reduce the chance of price rise.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Happened to be passing your blog.
Some interesting points on this point. Not sure I understand it all. YTL is indeed a multimillion company that people envy. Not sure about their practices, which may, as you argue, be suspect in motivations.
I, however, don’t exactly see anything wrong about the environmental adverts. At least, it’s still something, and will perhaps do some good when people see them or reminded about the environment because of them. Off course, it’s good publicity for the company, just as Toyota and Shell and a host of other countries. [Shell causes a major environmental disaster many years ago (when I was too young to know)]. Still, an environmental message is useful, as much as i personally think it’ll be more of a matter of delaying, rather than preventing what will be a very bleak environmental future.
The second point is I do know for a fact that pastors from the East Coast are given a night stay at YTL’s exclusive Tanjong Jara once a year for their retreat. Well, perhaps YTL as a company may not be doing everything right, but even with our skepticism, one could perhaps acknowledge a few of the things they do right. Off course, if they are wrong in their business practice, they should change that.
April 20th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Maybe it’s my own bias, but to me at least it’s because at least in part of YTL that we in the arts community have the fine facilites KLPAC is housed in and for that I’m grateful enought to not see them as the scumbags you’re painting them out to be.
Just saying.
I must say this also, a company like YTL (or even TNB) needs its critics to keep it on its toes. Its a personal opinion that the money towards the entire fiasco of promoting how much they love the environment can be put to better use (such as running tree-planting events, or upgrading the EMS standards at their powerplants/cement factories).
Arts has got to have a purpose. I am not discounting the good that YTL has done for the arts. But there is a need for that corporation to stop hoodwinking the minions (such as you and me) into believing that YTL can only do good, not wrong.
In your own words, ‘Just saying.’
April 20th, 2008 at 4:34 am
there’s little clarity amidst the verbosity, ddd. the post is not about sustainable energy or who God is but about the contract btw YTL and TNB.
btw, i dont know minishorts but she’s pretty precise about the point she’s making.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:15 am
hi sicko, it’s a bit wordy i agreed.
All i wanted to say is (to me) YTL is given the right to bargain and charge TNB more because in the current business model, it legally allows them to do so. (from that i think they shouldn’t be blamed 100%) They are private entity there to make money (not angels) and when the coal price increased which means they will just pass on the costs to us.
We on the receiving end ( consumers )should take responsibilities too because the way we consumed electricity, in some way do dictate the up stream generation pattern (we want cheap price then cheapest source would be coal and we get caught because of inflated price of coal currently). That’s why I touched a bit on sustainable energy.
Same with the government, we pay tax and give them money to decide and make investment on behalf of us, they have to do an AAA+ job for us to ensure it’s 110% good for the citizen. And if we shared the prosperity with good government policy we are less likely to feel the pitch when inflation hits.
Having a broader view on all points, I concluded (without looking into the pricing practice of IPPs) it’s not a case just bloody IPPs increasing power price with no regard for the poor citizens. If you want we (consumer, government and private sectors) all have to bear the responsibilities if we wanted to make a difference.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Alright, to sort of repeat what I’ve IM-ed you in public, firstly, I have no idea what IPP entails, etc. so it’s quite hard for me to decide if anyone will put you away or something. We now live in a all-UMNO-member-must-have-a-blog era right? Maybe controversial isn’t the right concern, since it sounds like IPP has always been a controversial issue anyway whether it’s for YTL or others, but whether you’ve been critical enough towards YTL to generate hostility
In that respect, by my barometer, you’re quite far 
But as to other points:
KeretapiYTL: lest you forget - SG is fast turning into a switzerland of the east where lots of money is washed. Any form of infrastructure trying to link KL and SG will mostly benefit KL as there is insufficient outlet for the spillover effects here. You have to talk to a JB-ian to understand the dynamics.. That said, I’d rather go for better Internet Link from KL to SG (so that data centers can be built in cyberjaya) than train (which i can take to have dinner at home on friday nights). I think a win-win is to find a halal way for them to acquire the rights and operate it to compete with airlines instead of KTM (so it’s not high class per say, just a different market segment, which will ensure AirAsia’s prices stay low with Open Skies).
VerticalTNB: You do know through some form of basic economics training that competition is still the best right. The question is the form which the competition takes such that it doesn’t create social issues and the people doesn’t suffer from it. So the argument that being able to pay the distribution cost with generation profits can be turned around and say, with competition at the generation level, the distribution grid can, at real time, choose how much electricity to buy from each generator, and constantly choose the lowest to guarantee the lowest cost. Expensive sources of energy will just be priced out of the market, while the country as a whole move closer to cheaper energy. What I don’t agree is to build a 2nd distribution system, which cost is inherently not tied to the energy market anyway (mostly fixed operational cost and capex refreshes over the decades).
Rich-Poor-Gap: I think our generation is particularly susceptible to this phenomena. Is Malaysia like Japan, M-shaped economy, where most people ends up in the lower hump while some manage to jump? I don’t think it’s as bad as what I’m experiencing in S’pore right now, withe vanishing of the middle class income people, but being middle class, you will ALWAYS face this angst of why people got so much I got so little. It is important to then ensure that your happiness is not built on these fundamentals ($) but on other things (say, family) so that you can get on with life. A few might take on the challenge (is Eric like that btw hehe) to join the ranks of Yahweh The Lord, but for me, I rather be a YouTube Loner, or a Youth Team Leader, or Young Trombone Lover, then just do you best in achieving what your conviction is, be it religious or whatever, and move on with life.
April 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Quote from TNB 07 annual report “Duration Index (SAIDI) has been reduced to a double-digit of 83 minutes, from 104 minutes the previous year. This remarkable achievement has ranked the Company as one of the best utility companies in the world.†to me this is truly an outstanding performance for a utility company like the size of TNB (provided the way they measured and calculated is of good standard practice). I agreed SAIDI alone is not good enough to testify whether the way a utility being run is of good standard but it does hold some significant indications; anyhow I shall stop elaborating because the reply will end up being perceived as verbose.
Good on you (minishort) for having the gut to stand out and admit there is still place for improvement; I think TNB should take this positively and give you a pay rise :). In regard to how YEOH promote and spend, I reserve my opinion because I haven’t seen the advertisement. In regard to KPI, I haven’t put much thought as yet. I am just arguing more on the flaw the business model rather than on how YEOH spent the money. And I think I know you are coming from now.
April 20th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Things I can say, having worked for YTL before:
- They really work their staff. 5.5 days week, complete monitoring over what you do and do not in the office and when I left, they really put very high demands on they expect you to do. The pay? Ngam ngam makan only. Sometimes want to eat lunch also have to skimp.
- Stuff on the YTL community page? Must all be PRO-YTL. Can’t say anything bad about the company. Always paint the company in a flattering light, there shouldn’t be any hints that the company is doing wrong.
- Climate Change Week? Way for them to change their PR. They’ve done some good things but mainly are bleh.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:31 am
IMO this angry post is in need of a happy bunny pic…
April 21st, 2008 at 10:04 am
One of the Yeoh children was living with me in the same hostel in England. She mistook chocolate sauce as gravy and put them all over her rice. When I saw it, I told her to thrash the thing and get a new plate. She said, “No, don’t waste food lah.” And she ate every single bit of it - not a single grain left. And at that point in time, none of us on that dining table knew that her father was the man behind Starhill and the Ritz in KL.
I hope that says something about the Yeoh’s.
It doesn’t say something about the yeohs, it says something about someone who is part of the yeoh. You can’t define the father by the daughter…. that is to say, it is UNFAIR of us to say that a convict’s son is incapable of being a good person. I’m sure you understand that in this post we’re not all so shallow, kan?
And BTW, I wouldn’t mind eating chocolate sauce with rice. Sounds delicious.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Harlow….i used to be a regular leader, but lately, your blog has been very political & full of rants…
very sien neh. I know i know, i dun have to read it rite? that’s why i’m leaving and taking you off my bookmarks.
really? it still shocks me that little girls still read my blog. thanks for staying and heres hoping you grow up soon.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
i totally agree about wasting money on huge adverts.it is time to stop all those syok sendiri greasing people adverts too.
ps: astro is really super cute
April 21st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hi. used to frequent your blog a few years back and i just revisited..glad that you and Eric are engaged!! Congratulations and happy planning!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 am
Growing up, I was told that every grain of rice left on your plate would be a pockmark on your future mate’s face…
maybe she didn’t want to have a pockmarky husband with chocolate sauce all over his face…
btw, chocolate + toasted rice = nice
so it stands to reason that chocolate + steamed/boiled rice also = nice?
maybe what it says is that the Yeohs are not afraid to try eclectic food…
witness Starhill Gallery’s dining floor?
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
While I agree with what you are saying in the post (shocking as that may be, as I’ve been reading your blog on and off over the years and honestly mostly it’s because i’ve been very bored or just wanting to kaypoh) and I applaud your convictions in writing the post, I think a little elaboration is necessary.
You do acknowledge up top in the comments that you can’t define the father by the daughter, but by the same token I think you are defining the daughter by the father somewhat by the post.
I understand that the environmental push recently is mostly the brainchild of one of the Yeoh daughters - i.e. the next (our) generation, and not so much of the father Yeoh. I’m sure she is doing what she perceives is good for raising awareness of an issue, although I agree with you that it’s not what *I*, in her shoes (or even mine), would have done or would do. And I understand that she is an extremely, extremely sweet and caring girl (not sure if she is the chocolate sauce girl mentioned above).
Being cheeky one might say that Yeoh is helping with the environment as higher electricity costs = less wastage of electricity, so indirectly = better for the environment. Can you imagine if electricity was as heavily subsidized as petrol. Everyone would have their air cons running 24/7.
I have a confession to make. Prior to publishing this post, I had written a scathing paragraph about Ruth Yeoh (let’s call them by their names shall we), and then I realized that I was being very unfair and judgemental by painting Ruth with the same brush. Upon deletion of that paragraph, the ferocious tone of the post remained and yes, I confess, I did little to correct that. But since we’re on the subject, I support also we must be tolerant towards very rich children’s ways of saving the earth (by spending a lot of money to raise away), because the background and the upbringing allows them the luxury of such creativity. I’m being sarcastic here, I know. But really, there are other ways to go about this saving the earth business, and I still very much do not agree with night functions in swanky hotels, with the upper class elite walking in and out drinking from champagne glasses and expensive china, which obviously will need *more detergent, more water* for washing.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I actually think there is nothing wrong with what they are doing.
Unlike the GLCs, these guys have no obligation to ‘give back’ to the people, and calling them greedy is perhaps not right, since it is well within their rights to exercise the terms of the PPA. For that, blame the old man instead.
But what is done, is done.
Moving on to the next point, the reason you need to spend loads of money on climate change awareness is because the kampung folks (ironically in the very place YTL operates its plant) don’t really give a hoot about the environment. You can fault the way its done, but perhaps not the intention.
By the way, Ruth quite cute!
April 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Going by the way big deals are sealed over a few cups of teh tarik with the politicians, past or present,I wouldn’t blame anyone for being suspicious and upset over lopsided contracts.The pain is borne by the masses and in Malaysia most people are still poor.
A BIG question begs to be answered. Who do we blame?? The ruling politicians or the tycoons. If the businessman does not pay, it means no business. If the politician does not take, it means no money for campaigning, and therefore you go down the ladder. Is this a problem only in corrupt under developed economies or does it run this way in all nations of this earth.
Believe me the worms are everywhere. Some places have more some places have less, that’s the only difference!!
Please lets not argue amongst ourselves about whether the Yeoh’s are heavenly or just hypocrates.He is not perfect for sure, but he does work very hard and that’s what we need to grow. As for ensuring better and fairer deals, nothing is better than practising your democratic right to vote for more responsible leader’s. The last election was a good wakeup call for the ruling elite. If they think they can continue to hoodwink us then they can pack up their bags, cause the public is getting smarter by the day. Thanks to the sacrifices of Anwar,Lim,Karpal and many others.
With love for all malaysians.
Gurdev Singh
April 26th, 2008 at 12:44 am
I just want to add in to CLIMATE CHANGE
If you ask me today, climate change and the ultimatum price that we and our children going to pay is eminent. Why, because countries are too selfish and do not bother. For example the US and the Australian refuse to sign Kyoto agreement, and many more countries who sign the agreement ignores their responsibility.
Well we will be seeing dramatic climate change in our lifetime, and do not start with our children’s lifetime. Sometimes, human being will pay the price first before they change…
April 28th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
IPP’s and TNB … all sucking PETRONAS gas and really enjoy super duper below the market rate. For me, they all the same.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Well, I know it’s fun to vilify rich children, but it’s an easy target and you’re buying into the stereotype that rich children have easy lives (which is very NOT true).
Who’s not to say that you actually go out more and consume more than Ruth Yeo? Perhaps this is the only grand function she has been to in a year? I certainly don’t know.
As I believe I said before I do completely agree that this kind of function / publicity stunt is not, in my opinion, the best way to save the environment, but awareness can be a funny thing, so I have an open mind to someone explaining to me why it might be important.
The funny thing is, if someone glamorizes environmental issues (like a celebrity or whatever), then a fair proportion of the average population may actually take on the cause as well (albeit for the wrong reason, but they still DO it, which is the important thing)
So I wouldn’t write off her good intentions either. It’s better than having a grand gala function for… being pretty or getting married for example.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:20 am
hi
just giving my two cents worth..
i came across your blog while searcing for the ‘hot’ topic of our country’s ipp issue. while i agree with some parts of your post, your post is also quite unfair on the ‘god fearing’ yeohs.
a friend of my father used to be a subcontractor that worked with ytl and he would always say that the yeohs were very humble and genuinely cared for their people. once he fell down and hurt himself quite badly and even though it was really late, tan sri ytl got his driver to send him to the hospital while he hitched a ride home on a worker’s motorbike. although i dont know any of them personally, i think that this is quite a good testimony as it goes to show that with all that wealth, they still found time to build relationships with ‘normal’ people like us.
i know that you are ‘biased’ because you work for tnb but i think they have done our country proud by being successful overseas- more than 70% of their revenue comes from overseas anyway. they are also the second biggest overseas investor besides petronas and bring back alot of money into our country. they even own the best uk water company according to the uk water regulator. malaysians successful abroad, how often do we read about that?
even the resorts which you are so against bring malaysia many affluent tourists that in turn contribute to our gdp and then again to us. im sorry but we havent seen any other company trying to help save the environment (even tnb!) and although they do things with a certain style, at least they are doing something. this climate change week is also not for profit so wouldnt they lose money for themselves (as owners are shareholders of the company) by hosting it?
anyway, about being hypocritical, i think that as you are a christian, talking bad about others on your blog is firstly not very christ-like. we are all just sinners after all. remember in the bible how jesus says not to look at the speck in your brothers eye but first at the plank in your own? im not claiming moral highground but its also very unfair to be so personal- let god be the judge after all. have you even met some of the yeohs?
i am saying all this because i feel that you are just treating them unfairly and this is rather one sided as they have no chance to rebut your comments (why not send this link to them and ask them what they think and for their response?) that would make for quite good reading!
again, only my two cents worth.
nick
ps. just because they don’t tell everyone what they do to help others doesnt mean that they don’t! look at what dreamer idiot said!
i never said i was saintly too. so you mean that just because i’m christian i have to say that everyone is good and no matter what? have you heard of Augustine’s Just War theology? ON this ground I’m using that to keep my stand. Besides, there are not many Christians working in Government Linked Organizations. when you’re put in a place and experience what I experience, after a while you just have to be convicted enough to say something.
YOu wanna know how I got into this company? I prayed one night about challenges, and the next day I met my current boss who offered me a job. A few days later I found out it was to handle media relations in Tenaga Nasional Berhad. I am a believer in God’s calling, and as I mentioned in the post, I have spent 3 years deliberating on the matter. And then, Just War as a concept floats into the picture.
And your honest opinion, if you are Christian too (I’m presuming), if you had someone told you YTL stands also for Yahweh The Lord, wouldn’t you be angered? I have never tried or pretended to be all nice and holy schmoly, I believe we are all born with certain characters - and maybe being caustic is just part of me. Might as well use it to talk about how hypocritical some Christian leaders are right? I wonder how would we feel if some celebrated pastor doesn’t get any checks and balances done on his behavior? We can’t help being into sin, and each day it is a living choice, whether we wanna steer further away from God, or move to be closer to him. And all I know with regards to this is - between the sin of ‘badmouthing’ another Christian, and pointing out what is so obviously wrong with misuse of public funds and investment powers (in the name of the Lord, don’t forget that), I made a choice.
Of course you can choose to be all holy schmoly and tell the whole world that every Christian is super nice. My calling was never to be that kind of kind-mouthed Christian.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
surely what is wrong is that you are judging and attacking them personally, against some pre-concieved and unshakable notion that they are evil. your personal hate against them seems to stem from what someone else seems to have said, with regards to Yahweh the Lord. I think that it is a bit too much, but can you critise someone for loving God so much? if he really feels that way then it can’t be bad at all.
Or maybe this fact can help you appreciate why it is important that we realize why what you have so broadly painted as ‘hatred’ on my end is, so far as I consider, justified. YTL Power is the builder, owner and operator of 2 power plants for a concession period of 21 years following Malaysia’s privatisation policy. As the first independent power producer licensed in Malaysia, its power purchase agreement has the best terms offered, which include a take-or-pay clause; which requires Tenaga Nasional to pay a guaranteed amount whether the power is uploaded or not.
If you are Malaysian and complaining about the tariff hikes (and I am one of them), putting aside the fact that TNB is already taking a lot of flack (I am not saying that we don’t deserve the flack), what I am saying is there has to be a broader understanding of the issue, and in this case, directly singling out of YTL as one of the more ‘evil’ IPPs in this matter, is not in anyway unkind.
Because no one is exempted from sinning. and some times, people will have to know. YTL has enough of nicktans saying how humble and kind they are. so what is just another minishorts? Right?
Also! isn’t it refreshing that someone in his position actually dares to praise God in public, knowing the ridicule and the ire that he will recieve from some quarters? surely many enemies in the govt. have been made based on his conviction.
even if it is ‘too much’, maybe it is his calling to spread the word with his influence! just like yours!
the climate change thing and the arts, it has definitely encouraged awareness and debate, and helped to develop our society - all of which can only be good for us all.
no one else does this to help our community, so i don’t think it is fair to single them out based on doing something they believe in.. other people simply pocket the money they make and laugh their way to the bank.
why critise them when they donate millions to charity as well but don’t tell the world about it? i know for a fact that they do, and being humble and not making a big deal about it is something to be admired. don’t you think that generous donors like them help churches like yours expand? or help fund the play that you enjoy? surely it is better than tnb or the govt. taking the money for another ‘lawatan sambil belajar’. we dont see any of tnb’s money benefiting the public.
at the risk of being ‘pro ytl’ i’m just saying that it shouldn’t be personal. what about malakoff, and all the other ipps? just because they do not come out and make a stand about God and the environment doesnt make them right. why pick on ytl who actually do a lot to benefit the community in their own way! remember, they really don’t have to!
i’m not against you, but i strongly believe that it isn’t for me or you judge/hate, more so when the person isn’t known to you. i admire your gutsy and outspoken nature but don’t you think that you’re taking it a bit too far?
a bit of love never hurts!
i am not being holy schmoly, but simply responding to what i feel is a very unfair personal attack on someone who has done nothing to wrong you!