US Billionaire Malcolm Glazier may have taken control of Manchester United PLC, however when it comes to the hearts of United's fans, he just cannot make any headway...
However, as a United fan myself, I find the reaction of Shareholders United hypocritical to say the least and unbecoming of real fans of the club. By taking the actions they so threaten, SU would in effect be hastening the "probable" demise of the "wealthiest football club in the world".
However, if indeed Glazier is seen to be the mercenary pirate whose greed we are all "aware" of, I wonder what principles drove the likes of Peter Kenyon and lately David Gill? God forbid that the Board should even consider money at the expense of the venerable fans??? Remember the controversy over the regular change in United jerseys? That United has been run as a financially successful club is beyond doubt - so why should the Glazier takeover be viewed as a careless attempt by a successful businessman no less, to have his cake and choke on it?
How is it that Roman Abromovich is viewed as the savior of Chelsea and Malcolm Glazier the scourge of Old Trafford? Or are we prepared to be second or even third best off and on the pitch? We fail to realise that Roman's exercise cost a whole lot less, and at that time, he had no track record other than more priviledged pickings in the Russian oil fields... Mr Glazier at the very least, has the story of turning the Buccaneers into World Champions in his biography.
And to think the way SU welcomed the attention of John Magnier and JP McManus, that the Irish duo would at least avail them the loyalty of not selling at the right price...
Lastly, is this the beginning of the end for Manchester United? In a word - NO. Is Malcolm Glazier going to take United back on top of the heap? I am not sure. But take away the stores and TV rights, the name Manchester United is worth too much for any American to ruin - and perhaps the only people who could contribute to that end are the fans or so-called fans themselves. The day we became a PLC and reaped its benefits was also the day United became a corporate. The fans on the other hand are the human face of United. So which face will we see this weekend? The ugly British hooligan or the proud Yorkshire fan that says "we may be down but we ain't out! So prove yourself Glazier and let us dominate the future of world soccer!"
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Friday, May 06, 2005
Talk is Cheap, right?
Stop relying on cheap foreign labour, subsidies and rent-seeking announces PM Abdullah Badawi. My first reaction was to laugh it off as another futile exercise to bring in some badly needed FDIs. Cheap labour, subsidies and especially know-who "technologies" have been the bane of Malaysian commerce for so long, I wonder if our corporate leaders know how to do business any other way.
Someone I know calls it a systemic problem. Another calls it the handout mentality. For so long we have been looking at the wrong bottom line, the time may be upon us to pay for the sins of the father... hence this reality check. Everyone I know has a suggestion where this posterity "movement" should start - and each with a different agenda and reason. I won't go into that except to say it will hurt us all, but even the Holy Bible is clear that "if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." It may hurt, but that may be the only way to go.
Someone I know calls it a systemic problem. Another calls it the handout mentality. For so long we have been looking at the wrong bottom line, the time may be upon us to pay for the sins of the father... hence this reality check. Everyone I know has a suggestion where this posterity "movement" should start - and each with a different agenda and reason. I won't go into that except to say it will hurt us all, but even the Holy Bible is clear that "if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." It may hurt, but that may be the only way to go.
P1010051
Trying out Flickr...
Anyway, this photo highlights the reason behind Real Madrdid's end season good form.. :)
Anyway, this photo highlights the reason behind Real Madrdid's end season good form.. :)
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Petrol Hike Yet Again
The cabinet's decision to increase the price of petrol and diesel is apparently to stem the increasing cost of subsidizing petroleum products to the rakyat. Reading beyond the headlines, the reasons are further explained that it is to control:
i) Wastage - by way of inefficient use of petrol; and
ii) Abuse - by way of liiegal smuggling
It seems our cabinet is worried that Malaysians, with petrol being so cheap in comparison to the world, will find it compelling enough reason to drive around aimlessly and leave our furnaces burning for fun...
Then again, if we are going to be penalised as a result of unscrupulous and greedy smugglers, should it not be also at the expense of inept enforcement? Of course not. It is the ever-forgiving, all-expending rakyat's priviledge to do their part.
i) Wastage - by way of inefficient use of petrol; and
ii) Abuse - by way of liiegal smuggling
It seems our cabinet is worried that Malaysians, with petrol being so cheap in comparison to the world, will find it compelling enough reason to drive around aimlessly and leave our furnaces burning for fun...
Then again, if we are going to be penalised as a result of unscrupulous and greedy smugglers, should it not be also at the expense of inept enforcement? Of course not. It is the ever-forgiving, all-expending rakyat's priviledge to do their part.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Kelana Mahkota - Expect No Royal Treatment
Just finished the third inspection of my Kelana Mahkota Condominium and finally (!) I am relieved to say most of the defects have been attended to. Suffice to say, this coiincides with the approval of the certificate of fitness and the developers are looking at concluding the project for handover as soon as possible.
As my title suggests, I have been far from happy with the level of customer service and more importantly, the end product deliverables. Naive as I may seem, when a sales representative claims that the actual unit is identical in dimension to the show unit, and that the same would apply to the quality of tiles and fixtures, he/she should be held to this "truth" at the expense of say... their heads? After more than 2 years waiting in anticipation, I suffered the same type of anti-climax as most first time Malaysian home owners upon inspecting the unit. It's a cocktail (or should I say mocktail) of massive disappointment, anger and anguish that could result in murder - except in this case, I would probably have to take a number given the developer's reputation...
Still, friends tell me that I got off easy, despite decidedly sub-standard kitchen tiles, and that it was time to move in or move on. Decisions, decisions...
As my title suggests, I have been far from happy with the level of customer service and more importantly, the end product deliverables. Naive as I may seem, when a sales representative claims that the actual unit is identical in dimension to the show unit, and that the same would apply to the quality of tiles and fixtures, he/she should be held to this "truth" at the expense of say... their heads? After more than 2 years waiting in anticipation, I suffered the same type of anti-climax as most first time Malaysian home owners upon inspecting the unit. It's a cocktail (or should I say mocktail) of massive disappointment, anger and anguish that could result in murder - except in this case, I would probably have to take a number given the developer's reputation...
Still, friends tell me that I got off easy, despite decidedly sub-standard kitchen tiles, and that it was time to move in or move on. Decisions, decisions...
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