Putrajaya’s shadowy hand in the Selangor water deal

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim inked the water deal with Putrajaya earlier this year, and caught many including Pakatan Rakyat leaders, by surprise. – PMO pic, August 10, 2014.It does seem that all paths of "special deals" in Malaysia can eventually be traced back to Putrajaya.

It was the case in the Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli out-of-court settlement that saw Danaharta and all other government-linked agencies cease all litigation against the former Malaysia Airlines boss, and even forfeit a gain of nearly RM500 million.

It was also the case in the first-in-the-world settlement that benefited carpet dealer and former BFF of the "First Family", Deepak Jaikishan – a settlement that saw Bank Rakyat take a major haircut and the rotund businessman issue post-dated cheques for the next 10 years!!!

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's supporters, including those that held a session at the Chinese Assembly Hall last night, like to paint him as a stand-up guy and Mr Transparent, unlike the scheming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Well, how many of them know that a chief broker of the controversial water agreement signed with Putrajaya is a confidant of Datuk Seri Najib Razak?

Part of his phalanx of advisers/strategists not in the official payroll of the Prime Minister's Office, the confidant was a key player in resolving the long-drawn stalemate between Putrajaya and Selangor over the sale/purchase of water assets.

So persuasive was this person that enabled Khalid and a federal minister to meet in the confidant's office to discuss the water issue.

Why should the Selangor menteri besar meet a federal minister in the office of a third party to deal with official and highly classified matters is a million ringgit question?

Were Selangor exco members apprised of the meeting/meetings? Were they informed that it did not take place in either the minister's office in Putrajaya or in the MB's office, but in the office of someone linked closely to Najib?

Until today, Khalid has not been able to answer why he was in such a rush to ink the controversial water deal with Putrajaya despite his own party and coalition having serious misgivings.

Remember, this is a man who says that he is all for the right process and transparency. Did he declare to his party leaders what has been discussed with the Najib confidant and the minister behind closed doors?

Did he attempt to explain how his Bank Islam out-of-court settlement came about? Was it a quid pro quo for signing the water agreement?

These are valid questions that Khalid has to answer. Put yourself in Khalid's shoes and understand that the Bank Islam case would have ended his political career.

The bank was claiming RM67 million and this was an open and shut case. He would have lost; would have been unable to pay the debt and the bank would have moved to make him a bankrupt.

As a bankrupt, he would have been disqualified from public office.

Khalid and his supporters can shout all they want about Anwar and his shortcomings. They may even have some grounds to do so, but the last time we checked it was Khalid who signed the water deal and he who has yet to lift the veil of the out-of-court settlement.

The voters will deal with Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is due course. Be assured about that.

But why did you meet a federal minister in the office of a Najib confidant to discuss an official matter?