The following is what I translated from an article by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of
Sin Chew Daily, published on 8 January 2012:
I am not sure if Deepak is a carpet merchant, or a businessman
who flies in on a carpet. (Gan SL: Maybe a carpetbagger from somewhere?)
On the surface, he appears to be a carpet merchant, involved with the
import and sale of carpets from the Middle East, nothing unusual.
However, his “experiences” are quite extraordinary, as
manifested by exceptional maneuvering achievable only if one rides on a flying
carpet!
He admitted to his involvement in the Mongolian woman case, even
claimed to have influenced investigator Bala in his second statutory affidavit,
with the latter overthrowing his own first affidavit. To date, the exact whereabouts of Bala is still
unknown.
Deepak claimed to have close ties with certain "powerful
people", enjoying and maintaining such contacts because of some mutual business
interests.
He also said he wanted to publish a book to expose BIG secrets.
The result was an e-book titled "The Black Rose". (Gan SL: Ask me and I shall send an e-copy to you.)
This eBook did not live up to expectations, as there is no real
big expose or insider story. (Gan SL: At least not stuff that most people don’t
already know). Perhaps he lacks the skill of a writer? But the more likely
reason is: He only wanted to create a smoke screen, holding back something with
the intention of just conveying a veiled message, a cliffhanger of sorts, for better
and bigger show to come…..
Deepak’s efforts so far have not been in vain. He gained
fame (Gan SL: Or infamy?) overnight, enough to hog the Malaysia New Year's Eve
spotlight for a while.
In fact, his words and actions have been well-planned.
Letting go and withdrawing them at will, just like maneuvering a flying carpet:
He disappeared after throwing a shocker, waited for the message to “ferment”; then
he re-appeared to throw another shocker, creating another fresh topic for more
speculations.
Media were all drawn to him, with no shortage of online publications keen to co-operate with and support him. In addition, he also attracted the interest
of the opposition parties, all in hot pursuit of him. Yes, Deepak is certainly useful
to all of them!
Of course, they are all being used by Deepak, too.
Question is: Why is Deepak doing all this? Obviously, he is NOT
advertising to sell carpets, neither is he aspiring to become a writer.
The real story is gradually emerging…….
Deepak and Wanita Umno Selangor Chairman Raja Ropiaah are business
partners. Ropiaah’s company Awan Megah and the Department of Defense has a
privatization deal. Awan Megah is responsible for the construction of a defense
research center in Putrajaya, in exchange for 200 acres of land in Klang owned
by the Ministry of Defence. (Gan SL: FYI, her mentor is said to be none other
than the Cowgate scandal ex-minsiter.)
Deepak and Ropiaah had an agreement: Deepak’s company
Astacanggih will develop this piece of land.
For some reasons, this agreement later “turned sour”. Awan
Megah did not give the development project to Astacanggih, but instead, sold
the land to the listed company Boustead; whose major shareholder is the Armed
Forces Fund Board (LTAT).
With this turn of event, Deepak saw the appetizing roast
duck flying away! He threatened Ropiaah and her company with legal action for breach
of contract. At the same time, he started blowing whistle on various political
inside stories.
So, the flying carpet magic comes from both political and
economic connections.
After some hullabaloo, Boustead proposed a business scheme: The
company will pay 130 million ringgit to Awan Megah for the acquisition of that
piece of land, and another 30 million ringgit for a 80% stake of Deepak’s Astacanggih
share.
If the three parties are all satisfied with the deal, Deepak
will no longer blow the whistle or break BIG news. (Gan SL: So, not all
whistle-blowers are selfless, public-spirited beings.)
I am thinking aloud: Deepak has made use of the media and
the opposition, but has he really achieved his original goal?
Sharp observers, however, will ask: Where now is the much
talked about National Defense Research Center? Will it still be built? If yes, it
will be funded by whom?
How come the government's privatization policy can be at the
beck and call of the fairy tale flying carpet? And, obscured by so many clouds?
Our bewilderment aside, shouldn’t the truth be told?
