High-profile newcomer to the Malaysian corporate scene Deepak Jaikishan has rubbished speculation that he pulled out of oil-and-gas aspirant Envair Holding Bhd due to top Umno leaders objecting to Prime Minister Najib Razak's family entering the sector on the coat-tails of contracts granted by national oil firm Petronas.
Deepak is linked to First Lady Rosmah Mansor and was accused of being the person who bribed private investigator P Balasubramaniam into retracting within 24 hours a statutory declaration implicating Najib in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.
Najib has denied any involvement, while Deepak too insists he never bribed Bala.
"I want to make it clear. I stand on my own two feet. Please keep me out from your vicious cycle," Deepak toldMalaysia Chronicle in a phone interview.
Wanted 20-25% stake
His office also sent a media statement, wherein Deepak explained that he sold his Envair stake of 6 million shares because he could not expand the shareholding to between 20 and 25 per cent.
"We wish to reiterate our intention to purchase Envair was to build a substantial stake at 20 to 25% shareholding in the company and take an active role in the business direction of Envair especially in its financial growth," Deepak said.
"However, we could not get the required shares despite repeated negotiations with the majority shareholders and hence decided to exit the company as shareholders."
Najib to follow in Dr M and Badawi O&G footseps
Speculation had swirled that Deepak had sold his Envair shares after former premier Mahathir Mohamad objected to Najib "moving in" on the O&G sector.
Mahathir is the adviser of Petronas, and jealously guards his territory. Both he and his successor Abdullah Badawi have benefited from Petronas contracts granted to firms - Kencana and Scomi - respectively controlled by their sons.
"There is talk Mahathir is not happy. Firstly, he doesn't want to share the Petronas goodies but apparently, his people also say he doesn't think Najib deserves any government contract from Petronas," an investment manager at a local stock broking firm told Malaysia Chronicle.
Political player
Despite Deepak's affable manner, it is clear he is very much a 'political player'. Those familiar with him say if he had been 30 years older, he could have been another deal-maker like Ananda Krishnan, the Maxis boss and crony of former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
Ananda was recently accused by the Indian government of corruptly taking over telecoms operator Aircel, and has asked for arbitration in the Singapore courts.
However, few Malaysians are able to dissociate Deepak from the P.I. Bala incident, perhaps because it was so sensational. However, Deepak insists that he is now a businessman and does not appreciate being "linked to that scenario".
According to Deepak, the RM767,000 profit he earned from selling the Envair shares less than 3 weeks after purchasing them would be donated to 7 charities. (Scroll below for the list).
In his statement, Deepak also gave hints of his future plans in the corporate world. And it looks like he is not giving up but will acquire another 'locomotive' or engine to fuel investor zest. He did not give any hints as to what this new vehicle could be.
"As this is our maiden foray in the corporate world and as we are determined to proceed and acquire a listed company in the next few weeks, we strongly object to being compared with the fiasco in the Kenmark Berhad’s matter and standby our strong business track record and success," said Deepak.
List of charities and breakdown of amounts receivable
1) Yayasan Guan Yin Malaysia RM 280,000.00
2) Make a Wish Foundation Malaysia RM 35,000.00
3) Hindu Temple in Malaysia RM 128,000.00
4) Muslim Masjid’s & Surau in Malaysia RM 200,000.00
5) Missionary Schools in Malaysia RM 35,000.00
6) Malaysian Federation of the Deaf RM 11,300.00
7) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Dialysis Centre RM 77,700.00
Malaysia Chronicle
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.