Zahid Hamidi's Obsession for New Toys

I refer to this article by the Malay Mail Online. It was found after reading Zahid Hamidi's assertionthat the Eurofighter should replace our 'formidable' legion of ... 10 MiG 29s.

As with all BN and UMNO mindsets, they have no 'maintenance' mentality. Japan, for instance, has been using the same public bus skeleton for more than 25 years, but has improved its engines and technology. Much less could be said in London. Where the black taxi cabs has been in use for ages but has been internally improved.

In Malaysia, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why this maintenance culture is absent. Forget about Mahathir's 'Look East' policy as these cartoons in the lofty offices of Putrajaya are either obsessed getting rich for themselves or getting contracts for their followers to secure their 'loftiness'.

It does not also require the brains of an emigrant Malaysian brain surgeon to figure out that new contracts have higher contract value and shorter payment regime than a time consuming Operation & Maintenance Contract. Whilst the latter option is cheaper and financially beneficial to the country in the long run, since when do UMNO and BN gives a crap about national interest? especially vis-a-vis personal or spouse interest?

As a Pakatan Rakyat supporter, of course I would see that this is in fact a leeway for me to capitalise and further embarrass UMNO and BN but the sinking feeling is this, why are we even MENTIONING that we only have 10 operational MiGs in service? Wouldn't THIS, in comparison with imprisoning a soft-spoken doctor for communist links, worth more adverse national security risk?

Also, with 6 MiGs already decommissioned, wouldn't it make perfect sense to purchase more MiGs, re-commission the 6 on the sidewalk, and continue to purchase arms and spare parts for the same type of plane? wouldn't this make more economic sense?

I am probably talking to a wall here. Memory suddenly clicked and reminded me of the oft-changing educational policy of Malaysia. PPSMI ring a bell? Interlok?

This is ANOTHER WASTAGE by UMNO and BN. Not only we look bad on procurement, we also look bad (and even look ripe for conquest!) internationally. The MiGs are the best we have right now? we only have 10. And look guys! I am telling you how many there are because domestically it gives us the "ooh" and the "aaahhs" and may even give us a few extra votes! National security? International espionage? I think those Mossad agents would have a field day with all the 'gaji buta' they'll be getting for after all in Malaysia, we serve confidential info on a silver platter.

Why the hell James Bond did a movie here is mind boggling.

Posted by Amir Hamzah