Late Bigdog's bite on Sime 16 years ago

My late buddy and practically blood brother Allahyarham Zakhir Mohamed initiated an expose on Sime Darby 16 years ago entitled: Sime Scandal?" with regard to Sime Engineering on February 5th 2009. 

By May 2010, Zakhir managed to pressure the then Chairman, statesman, and fellow Johorean Tun Musa Hitam into a corner till Sime Darby could not wiggle themselves out of the corporate blue blood embarassment of announcing the absence of leave for Group CEO Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zubir Mursyid.

After 15 months of barking, Zakhir practically slaughtered Sime Darby. Another Brick in the Wall was barking along through the time. [Go to the blog via VPN and search for "Sime Darby Qatar".] Rocky Bru too. The good ole days of blogging.

Yesterday July 14th, 2025, and 15 years later and after his demise in 2022, hope Zakhir could proudly say in heaven up there, "I was right!" He did good and Zubir and the gang lost a civil lawsuit and had to return back public money lost. 

Edge Online reported:

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Still open for negotiation after July 9th?

The deadline set by Donald Trump for countries to renegotiate on his Liberation Day tariff regime was  July 9th. but thus far, only UK and with some threat, Vietnam finalised deals. 

None of the 200 deals he claimed secured upon his tariff announcements signed any deal as the deadline draws near. 

He indiscriminately imposed tariff on few countries with Malaysia set at the 24% on the same level with US major partners - Japan and South Korea. 

Naturally Malaysian officials and businesses cannot ignore such threat. 

Minister Johari Gani is concerned with importers in the US for Malaysian oleochemicals and primary commodities such as rubber gloves, wood, furniture, and coco. Penang's semiconductor could be hit hard. 

It seemed as though he mean business, and manufacturers and firms are urging government to continue talk with US. Trump picked on our halal requirements the American could not fulfill and Bumiputera policy.

However, commentators are of the view that Trump's tariff plan is failing and not getting the desired response. 

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BRICS Summit Brazil: Not talk shop for long

The Star reported:

Brazil opens BRICS summit in Rio, leaders of growing bloc, however, gather without Xi or Putin

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Low oil price squeeze Petronas earning, fiscal implication on Malaysia

Downward pressure to persist

By KIRENNESH NAIR

COMMODITIES

The Star, Wednesday, 02 Jul 2025

PETALING JAYA: Crude oil prices are expected to remain under pressure in the second half of 2025 (2H25), as increased production from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (Opec+), coupled with fragile global demand, weigh on the market.

This scenario could affect Malaysia’s oil and gas (O&G) revenue, company valuations and capital expenditure (capex).

Brent crude, which briefly spiked to US$81 per barrel after the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 22, has since fallen to US$68 as oversupply concerns resurface.

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Petronas at fault, CEO should resign!

The judgement is out. Soil instability led to structural failure and consequently the gas pipeline exploded into an inferno at Putra Heights on the second day of Hari Raya.  

No amount of public relation and corporate communication gymnastics from Petronas media consultant, Accenture can relieve Petronas from being liable. The attitude of Petronas CEO in his limited and dry statements during the crisis confirmed it as admittance of guilt.

The long and short story is Petronas failed to monitor the structural integrity of the site. One can split hair in an attempt to raise doubts by asking the four W and one H questions and redirect responsibility to others such contractors, local authorities, monitoring system, etc. 

The duty of care lies with Petronas and no court could absolve them the responsibility for the damages it had caused to the residences. Too many legal precedents points back to Petronas. One should not be blinded by patriotism and be in a state of denial. Wrong is wrong. 

Corporate man and ex-Petronas Gas engineer, Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir convinced the public that the maintainance of the pipeline adhere to high standards and it could last for 50 years. The assurance is short-lived.

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