Former Astro chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan gained fame and fortune as the chief exdcutive of Ananda Krishnan's ASTRO , and later infamy and about US 10 Million from 1MBD , stolen and gifted her by former boyfriend Tim Leissner. Along the way she oversaw the Fetch TV investement despite Australian experts commisisoned to examine the venture advising against its very founding,and eventually saw it being sold into ASTRO, and from ASTRO to Telstra. The actual cost to ASTRO is unclear.
While her's was the most obvious, she was not alone among Ananda Krishnan's managers who needed the discipline Ananda's very being imposed.
The rot in what was regarded one of the best corporate groups in Malaysia became evident as early as 2008, when then Tanjong chairman Robert Cheim, speaking of Tanjong's Tropical Island project declared:
"....The creation of Tropical Islands as a resort destination with an exotic year-round tropical setting was conceptualised over 3 stages of development. The first stage was accomplished with the opening of the dome in Dec 2004. The second stage involved the addition of new attractions within the dome to improve the quality and widen the appeal of the resort to a wider range of target audiences... The successful completion of the first two stages has positioned Tropical Islands favourably for the third and final stage .... which is to provide resort accomodation and related facilities .... to move beyond its local leisure market offering to capture the growing European market for short-term family vacations ....".
The Agreement will involve the development of 375 vacation homes over 30 hectares. 26 hectares have been zoned for streets, common facilities, parks and forests.
TANJONG is not expected to assume or commit any financial obligation for the development.
The Agreement will involve the development of 375 vacation homes over 30 hectares. 26 hectares have been zoned for streets, common facilities, parks and forests.
TANJONG is not expected to assume or commit any financial obligation for the development.
The project failed, and in fact involved a cash outflow of RM 527 Million in 2007. It was proposed and promoted by Genting man Colin Au, who then left for Genting's Star Cruises.
His private assets, which include oil and gas operations in Malaysia and Indonesia remain shrouded in mystery, and are managed by a group of Australian expatriates who have not done much with the assets.Many if not all consider themselves to be in full or semi-retirement, and their jobs with Usaha Tegas retirement funding.
Day to day operations of Ananda's Usaha Tegas, which control his Malaysian assets was left in the hands of Ralph Marshall and Chan Chee Beng. Marshall has left after being charged (with Ananda) for corporate crimes in India, while Chan Chee Beng remains despite paying a fine for insider trading.
Given the above it is hard to see how Singapore's Business Times came to the conclusion that Ananda's companies are run by robust professional management, which will ensure minimal disruption to operations.
Ananda was a micromanager, and his very presence ensured that misbehaviour was controlled. His rage and fury when he considered himself wroung or slighted could be described as demonic.
His demise quite likely means a free for all as managers try to enrich themselves on the way to retirement.
Many, likeRohana Rozhan , conducted themselves and their affairs as if they were an extension of Ananda Krishnan's personage, assuming that that gave them the freedom to say and do as they pleased. They must know that that is no more.
END
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