'GODFATHER' Dr M acting for French nuke giant EDF, where Sarawak Report editor's husband is a top exec, claims Najib-linked group

KUALA LUMPUR - CAGM today received an important lead from a whistle blower based in Paris, France, outlining Dr. Mahathir’s ‘strategic involvement’ with EDF (Électricité de France) to undertake new-generation nuclear power plant projects worth a staggering US$20billion over the next few years.

Based on details provided by the whistleblower, Dr. Mahathir’s role is as facilitator for the ‘smooth’ entry of EDF into the Asian region, particularly Malaysia. EDF is the world’s biggest operator of nuclear power plants with annual revenues in excess of $70billion euros.

Part of the information provided by the whistle blower in an email to CAGM includes the following;

Dr. Mahathir’s involvement with EDF started in Egypt in 2005 where he had close relationship with now-deposed President Hosni Mubarak. EDF was already operating in Egypt at that time and was looking to dispose its gas-fired thermal power plants to concentrate on its nuclear power business.

Subsequently, through Mahathir’s influence, EDF commenced ‘exclusive negotiations’ with Malaysia’s Tanjong Group and a deal was concluded on 3rd March 2006 whereby Tanjong purchased EDF's Egyptian power unit and its two plants (Suez Gulfand Port Said) for US$307million.

Tanjong is controlled by tycoon T. Ananda Krishnan, a close associate of Dr. Mahathir.

T. Ananda Krishnan

The Egyptian acquisition was made via Kuasa Nusajaya (L) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tanjong Group.

Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd is now known as Powertek Energy Sdn Bhd. Powertek Energy Sdn Bhd is currently a subsidiary of Powertek Investment Holdings Sdn Bhd, which in turn is wholly-owned by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The whistle blower also revealed, amongst other things, that Dr. Mahathir is undeniably the ‘godfather’ of the Malaysian power/energy sector and his influence paramount in IPP (independent power plant) companies that provided him with the financial backing to remain in power for so long.

The whistle blower also claimed the following:

Dr M

Mahathir was introduced to top EDF executives by Ananda Krishnan who currently resides in France with his French wife... Among the top EDF executives Mahathir now counts as friends include Andrew Brown, the communications director of EDF…Andrew Brown is the husband of Clare Rewcastle Brown, the editor of Sarawak Report…Andrew Brown is responsible for introducing a fast-track planning process in the UK that makes it easier to build new nuclear plants without lengthy public enquiries.

CAGM welcomes Dr. Mahathir’s response on this alleged ‘involvement’ with EDF.

Md Zainal Abidin is Chairman of CAGM