RapidKL CEO Shaipudin Shah Harun Resigns

This is a good news to everyone. The incompetent Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd chief executive officer Shaipudin Shah Harun has tendered his resignation yesterday. A call to Prasarana confirmed that Shaipudin had put in his notice but did not reveal his reasons for doing so or who his successor will be.

His move comes at a critical time for Ministry of Finance-owned Prasarana, which is the sole asset holder for all the public transportation firms within the Klang Valley and Penang, including the light rail transit (LRT) systems, public buses and the KL monorail system.

Shaipudin had held the post of Prasarana’s CEO and executive director since Feb 15, 2005, according to the company’s website. I was quite surprised to know that he previously worked with Citibank as their head of Finance as what he had been doing for RapidKL certainly did not reflect the quality required of that a Citibank Executive. Not sure why the study took ages. He should just skip the politicians while designing the route as politicians always allow different priorities to cloud their mind instead of straight people's requirements sense.

Why Pakatan Rakyat Should Not Be Allowed To Form A Cabinet

This is a rushed job. Why not wait until the next election? This is not what we call the majority's voice. This is the voice of the selective, hypocritical, power-hungry BN MPs. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is just trying to paint that the picture that this is what the rakyat need. I think DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda YDP Agong is smart enough to read Anwar's political play. Why not strive for your cause within BN. If you think Pak Lah is ignoring your calls, check his basis first. Think about the possible long term impact to RAKYAT from a welfare economy. For example, Malaysia should increase the production of its own food supplies instead of importing them and giving subsidies on a long term basis to people. It will create a complacent environment and will result in declining economy as money put into non-productive use. In the end the country will collapse as it's getting sucked deeper and deeper into a subsidy culture.

Others include, instead of asking for a 25% petroleum royalty, ask for bigger allocation from the central government and make sure your spending is transparent and tangible. Put KPIs in place so that your planning is robust and money spent wisely. You are not dealing with rakyat only but also with God.

If this is really for the sake of rakyat, ANWAR IBRAHIM should promise RAKYAT that those cross-over should not hold ANY position at all in the to be formed PAKATAN RAKYAT's cabinet to show their sincerity. Otherwise they will be perceived and vindicated that they have crossed-over due to power, influence and money instead of rakyat.

In any case, Pak Lah should heed the signs and act accordingly.People including the UMNO's MT members want him out. Then BN will be slightly stronger and can win election next. I am not a proponent of Najib or Muhyiddin either. Raja Nazrin should take up the mantle. Why not?

LRT Kelana Jaya Line Upgrade Only in September 2009

THE first of the 35 LRT trains ordered for the Kelana Jaya line will arrive in Malaysia by November this year to meet increasing demands. However, commuters will have to wait until September next year before the first of these trains will be usable. The entire fleet will only be commisioned by April 2011. Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad chief executive officer Shaipudin Shah Harun said today that the reason for the 11-month wait was because the company needed to complete assembly of the trains, upgrade the power capability of the line, as well as do safety testing.. Asked about the lengthy period for the acquisition, Shaipudin said that it was the norm of the industry. ”Why does it take up to two years (for the first trains to be usable)? The answer is simple - every train is made from scratch, it costs between US1 to 2 million each and not just anybody can make them,” Shaipudin briefed reporters at a post-budget press conference held at their office. When asked why Prasarana had waited until the LRT had became congested before ordering the trains, Shaipudin said since the company only took over the operations in 2005, it could not be held accountable for what happened before that takeover. (source: NST)

I think this is a case of being stupid and selfish. This is not good for the BN government. I bet that the process can be accelerated by at least six months. Bombardier can work day and night, 24/7 to solve this issue. I don't think the people would mind if the government has to pay an extra RM10 million for this as the situation is getting worse everyday.

Forward planning is what they should do. They could have ordered new trains as soon as they took over in 2005. It has been 3 years now and people get squeezed and squashed every morning and in the evening every day. It's like waiting for accident to happen. I have seen people get pushed until they fall to the ground.