From Private to Public.. and now Private again...

About a month ago, we were acknowledged with the privatisation of the giant telecommunication company, MAXIS by decision of Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan of the shares not currently held by him. The privatisation exercise is expected to worth close to RM 39.47 billion (USD 11.54 billion) and it could be Malaysia's biggest corporate deal.

Binariang GSM, an investment holding firm and special purpose vehicle for Ananda's Usaha Tegas and affiliates, said through CIMB Investment bank it would offer RM 15.60 for the outstanding 2.53 billion shares in the company that Ananda does not already own.

Yesterday, June 21st 2007, AMMB Holdings Bhd's proposal to take AmInvestment Group Bhd (AIGB) private at RM3.70 per AIGB share via a one-for-eight rights issue at RM3.40 and borrowings of RM1.42 billion has been welcomed by Aseambankers.

It said the deal was good for both parties as AIGB would be offered a higher valuation, while for AMMB, the privatisation would give it a stronger earnings base. The privatisation would enable AMMB's shareholders to ride on a stronger earnings base as leakages to minorities at the AIGB level would be plugged.

Aseambankers also said the privatisation of AIGB would facilitate the AMMB groups' migration to a universal banking platform by leveraging on common infrastructure between AIGB and Ambank, the commercial banking arm of the AMMB group. Aseambankers believes the entire exercise is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2008.

The question is, how would these privatisation exercises have an impact on the total market capitalisation of our share market? With these two big companies withdrawing their presence in the local bourse, would it be possible for Malaysian Capital Market to continue trade actively?

What could be the reasons for these privatisations? Are the companies having too much money but little attractive projects so that this is the only way to provide return to the existing shareholders? Or, is it not that the parent company/major shareholder trying to reap all the profits while the prospect of the company is seen to be profitable in the near future? Are there any indicators that could explain this development?

Perhaps, future research should be directed towards this scenario by looking at possible reasons and explanations of the current trend.

Careless Whisper

Time can never mend
The careless whispers of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There's no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you'll find

Should've known better
I feel so unsure
As I take your hand
And lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies
Something in your eyes
Calls to mind the silver screen
And all its sad good-byes

I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you're not a fool

Should've known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you

Time can never mend
The careless whispers of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There's no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you'll find

I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you're not a fool

Should've known better than to cheat a friend
And waste this chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you
Never without your love

Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe it's better this way
We'd hurt each other with the things we'd want to say
We could have been so good togetherWe could have lived this dance forever
But no one's gonna dance with me
Please stay

And I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you're not a fool
Should've known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you

(Now that you're gone)
Now that you're gone
(Now that you're gone)
What I did's so wrongthat you had to leave me alone

Muzakarah Imam Tapi Ada Pop Yeh Yeh?

Pelik tapi benar. I was watching the morning news on TV3 this morning and saw about the dinner held at TPM's residence in Putrajaya for the imams after the national imam's convention at UKM yesterday. What shocked me the most was the entertainment provided by the host - a veteran Pop Yeh Yeh group led by Dato' A Rahman Hassan who is also the guitar player for the band.

Isn't that strange to see a group of alim ulama be entertained with those kind of music? Not to say that I'm oppossing music but wouldn't it be more appropriate if those guests were lavished with nasyid, berzanji, recitation of Quran verses?

I'm not going into the halal haram part of music, but just talking about appropriateness. Macam kalau kita pakai baju kebaya, tapi menari and menyanyi head banging. Kan tak kena tempat?? *sigh*....

Lilitan Asmara - Misha Omar

Dalam keheningan

Desiran sang bayu

Ombak keresahan

Di bawah bulan nan sayu

Bahtera cintamu

Menghembus nafas rindu

Melayari ke alam percintaan dua insan

Di dalam renungan

Apa erti cinta

Kuterperangkap di dalam

Manisan katamu

Pabila kau pergi jua

Hilang sinar obor cinta

Cahaya cinta mulia

Kini tinggal sisa asmara

Diri ini

Masih tercari-cari jawapan

Mengapa harus terjadi

Perpisahan pergolakan

Tak kuduga kini

Api cinta yang membara

Kan kedinginan

Kehampaan

Tanpa dirimu

Resah kumenunggu

Jawapan darimu

Apakah dosaku

Kau sisih bagai hempedu

Lilitan asmara

Bagai di hiris luka

Rahsia di belenggu

Terhanyut di puncak rindu

Conflict

Today, Z called me around 3 pm while he was on his way to the bank. Then, out of a sudden, he asked whether I'm doing anything at that moment and suggested that we meet up. He came to pick me up later about 3.40, just enough time for me to freshened up and got dressed.

We drove aimlessly, from Puchong to Putrajaya, to Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, to Sepang/KLIA, and ended up in Bagan Lalang - GoldCoast Morib. It was relaxing while he drove around, chatting about many things, from our own personal things, work loads, to politics, to entertainment world until he received a phone call.

I didn't know why, but suddenly I felt like I was struck with a lightning and began to shut off my self from Z. He kept asking what was wrong with me since I suddenly changed from my usual jovial personality to the quiet but defensive person. He was puzzled. I said, if I were to talk about what's in my mind at that time, I might regret what I would be saying and I need to give a lot of thoughts before I would tell him what went wrong.

Obviously, he could sensed what was the root cause but he wanted a confirmation from me. One attempt after another, he still failed to make me open my mouth and talked about it. That's me. I don't usually discuss things when I'm quite dissapointed or mad. I'm afraid I would regret it just like in the past. I learnt my lesson in the hard way and will not repeat the same mistake.

Back from Silence

My parents

I'm back in the blogging world after about one month being silent. Many things, too many things had happened during the one month period. Among others, my 31st birthday which was on 27th May. During that day, I held a simple "makan-makan" for my family. My parents, sister and family, brother and wife were there to celebrate. Unfortunately, my significant other was not here to celebrate it with as he is away for his routine business trip to Manila. *sigh* By the way, my sister lavished me with Secret Recipe's Chocolate Indulgence cake. Awesome!!! Thanks sis....

I'm getting old. I hope I'm getting wiser as well. I know age is just a number but it matters to me somehow. Skin is getting wrinkled (not yet laa), more grey hair coming out (this one is definitely in active process), eyes are getting blur (my power is about 600-650 the last time i checked) and many more signs of ageing.

Apart from my simple birthday, my parents celebrated their 43rd Wedding Anniversary on June 6th. Again, to celebrate, we had a simple "makan-makan" at home. I made nasi dagang, kari ikan tongkol, rendang ayam, jelly, and few other simple dishes for that nite. My cousin and her family were also there to enjoy the "makan-makan".

I asked my parents - secret of maintaining long-standing marriage - answer is simple - honest and love each other. No doubts, I have witnessed my parents' marriage shakened by certain incidents but they reconciled any disparities. I adore them so much. I hope, my upcoming marriage will also be like that.

I'll jot down some other events in my next entry. Till then, tarra!!!