The 16th MUBARAK Malaysia AGM went to plan at the Maluri Hotel, Cheras, the second time it was held in this downgraded venue because of "constraints". Constraints or not, the 166 rooms booked cost RM 27,000, and more than RM 4,000 was wasted for non-appearances. (The 4K could easily be saved by just talking to the management; it's said Daim owns the hotel.) Food must have cost about RM 6,000. Delegates were paid RM 100 each, totalling RM 13,900. Staff allowances, transport and printing cost money. The preparatory meetings must have cost money, too. Altogether MUBARAK must have coughed out at least RM 75,000.
There being no elections, it was a quiet affair that went smoothly and ended on cue at 1 pm sharp. I skipped lunch and made it to KDE Golf Club, Ampang, before 2.30, just 30 minutes later than the agreed rendezvous with Calit. We managed to make it to the al Falah mosque, Subang Jaya just before the Asr prayers, to attend my in-law's funeral prayers. He passed away that morning.
The President opened the AGM himself. It was Ku Li last year. The President made his usual expensive opening remarks, not forgetting that bit about sms'ing the Agong, no less.
The President spoke of the success of the Foundation and the development of MUBARAK's property in Jalan Ipoh. But he lamented about the undergraduates program. I'm not entirely up-to-date, but it's now apparently stranded because the current government has not come in support, financially.
The last session of the day was the adjournment speeches. I think the best speech was Kedah who reminded us about the nature of an NGO, and the need to leave politics to the politicians. Of course we had to have Kelantan to loudly mention Tg. Piai and "the end of PH", forgetting that it's just 1 seat in the 222-seat Parliament. Kelatan UMNO is always loud, but PAS has always ruled the state like forever! Kelantan also spoke about "hundreds of charges being heaped", obviously referring to the embattled Najib without spelling it out. So much for loud. There were sobering speeches from other states, nevertheless. There is need to accept that nation-building requires youth and endless funding, both lacking in MUBARAK. It should take up the role of the experienced observer to offer mature advice for those politicians in power.
The NS delegation was cut by half because of absenteeism. This seemed like AWOL because the 10 were formally elected, and the excuses given, like attending an UMNO convention, or a wedding, fail to give appropriate recognition to a once-a-year duty in MUBARAK. But 139/166 was still a good figure. Fortunately for NS, the allowance was only given out after registration. HQ was even cleverer. They paid out at the end of the AGM, so even if they come but leave early, they're out.
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