Sik Yuen Exercises Ministerial Prerogative

And sacks Robert Desvaux as Chairman of the MTPA. Xavier Duval is not happy about this and wants Sik Yuen to either reinstate his buddy or quit as Minister. In essence the PMSD believes it is the owner of the Ministry of Tourism.

This reminds me of Obeegadoo's recent comments about how electors literally aren't allowed to vote as they please. And of Sithanen's week-long whining-cum-crying back in February 2007 when he wanted to usurp the Prime Minister's prerogative of picking the Governor of our Central Bank. There was also that circus about him insisting to stay on as Finance Minister beyond April 2010. Could this explain why his report on electoral reform contains perverse recommendations to institutionalise the ownership of ridings and ministries? Aka double candidacy.

Returning to the current situation remember that Ramgoolam's government has a majority of 38-31 and that the PMSD has 4 MPs in Parliament. If 3 Coqs leave Ramgoolam will still have a majority of one. Of two if Guimbeau supports Government. More if a few unhappy MMM MPs cross the floor.

Duval who said he was a reasonable man should do a reasonable thing: resign from Parliament and face his voters immediately as many of them don't remember empowering him to attack our rupee with our own money.

Will Jordan Put His Shorts Back On?

He turned 50 last Sunday and if you remember he didn't rule out making another comeback. He's apparently in great shape which is why calls for him to stay in retirement might not be so disinterested. 

Mauritius To Get Own Fukushima

That's an intriguing possibility when you have a look at the Integrated Electricity Plan for the next 10 years published by the CEB. Stop at the second paragraph of page seven to read that "as implausible as it may appear, nuclear technology is a generation option".

I'm sorry but it's not an option for us because there are way too many idiots walking around in Mauritius. Besides we won't even need a tsunami to trigger our own nuclear disaster: we can count on a few centimetres of rain, can't we?

Not a bad idea to get inspired by Germany which less than ninety days after Fukushima had announced that they would be phasing out nuclear power within ten years.

Pistorius Shoots Model Girlfriend By Accident

Reeva Steenkamp was apparently shot four times by the double amputee paralympic champion after he mistook her for an intruder. She just wanted to surprise him for Valentine's Day. That's one version of the story.

South African police is being very cautious and professional at this stage. Just watch how this brigadier handles the press.

Heavy Rain Shuts Down Water-Starved Dodoland

Yesterday. And just like in 2008, people have lost their lives too during the past few days. I guess Mauritians again experienced how resilient we are. Some people think we should rename ourselves as Gopialand.

Long live the bean-counters!!!

IPP Contracts To Be Made Public, Finally

Tomorrow according to one newspaper. The government also wants to release the Hunton and Williams report that apparently wasn't too favourable towards the private producers. This is definitely good news as energy is an important building block of our competitiveness.

Hopefully we'll see how we messed up and restore some sanity in this sector.

Gandhi's Assassination Turns 65

Joseph Beats Jackie Chan And Wins Award

Namely the Brillance of China Award 2012. There was a clip on the JT yesterday where TMK had the following to say:

Si par examp monn kapav viv dizon la kiltir sinwaz e promuvwar li dan la fason ki mo finn fer li mo ena la sans inn viv dan Moris ki enn pei de grand tolerans, enn pei multikultirel. E dayer monn insiste lor la. E letan mo ti gagn sa pri la monn tenir usi pu dir ki mo dedie sa a Moris, a mon pei.

I'll drink to that.

Berenger Has Throat Cancer, Steps Down

As leader of the MMM. For at least three months according to L'Express. And for about three months says Le Mauricien. Ganoo is expected to run the MMM while Berenger undergoes surgery overseas. We wish him well.

One of the first time I heard about throat cancer was when Fischer Black died of it. A year after he was diagnosed with it and after having surgery.

Steve Jobs too thought he had overcome cancer. But the disease returned.

Former MK Boss Explains How He Was Fired

This was in an interesting interview which appeared yesterday. He's talking now two years after the event because he is suing his former employer and was bound by a contract clause.

Another interview worth reading is that of former Chief Justice Victor Glover who thinks that Justice Balancy shouldn't give 3-page interviews every 3 weeks.

Any comments?

Humanity's Biggest Gathering Starts Today

When millions are expected to take the dip into one or more of India's holy rivers. The gathering is to last 55 days with over 100 million people to attend. There will be more pilgrims on some days than others: many astrologers have gathered to sort out the most auspicious ones. Today is good to take that sin-cleansing dive. Unless you don't want to miss that Makar Sankranti's kitchari.

Party Lists Have Undermined Accountability in SA

According to The Economist which ran an interesting article on South Africa last October. The famous magazine rightly concludes that individual MPs don't worry about voters anymore: they instead bend over backwards to please party leaders who determine how far they end up from the top of the list.

Guess it too is saying that party lists are evil.

Delhi Gang Rape Victim Has Died

At Mt Elisabeth Hospital in Singapore this morning. Nirbhaya, 23, was beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus by a gang of six men on December 16. They had first fooled the woman and her friend into believing that their bus was public transport.

This horrific crime has outraged the billion-people nation, sparked numerous protests and claimed as collateral at least one other life. Four of the perpetrators have already been arrested with the parents of one of them agreeing that his son should be sentenced. Sonia Gandhi has promised prompt justice.

Privy Council Orders New MCB/Lesage Trial

Before a differently constituted court. That's because it thinks that Lesage was denied a fair hearing. Have a look at the interesting judgement.

Kozelidir Person of The Year 2012

Attributed to the CPE student for putting up with a badly designed learning process.

2012: The Year in Review (Q4)

October: PRB report published. Big B turns 70. Felix goes supersonic. Biden-Ryan debate felt more presidential. Apple launches the iPad mini. Gotham prepares for Sandy's visit.

November: Boolell explains Romney's defeat. Zlatan christens stadium with wonder goal. 44% of poll see sweep for Remake. Jimi turns 70. How you know a politician is a socialist. Killer to strike again. Hard-earned anti-inflation credibility at risk.

December: PM claims large victory in village elections. A good reason for men to quit smoking. Municipal voters send multiple signals. Sitar genius dead at 92. State fails more than 9,000 CPE students. Obama reacts to Connecticut tragedy. Kozelidir Person of the Year 2012 attributed to the CPE student for putting up with a badly designed learning process.
     
Read the review for Q1, Q2, Q3.

2012: The Year in Review (Q3)

July: Barclays chairman quits over Libor-rigging. Scientists say bump in data is cosmic molasses. Kuma Pyongyang TV kav sanz biltin linformasyon. Ramgoolam rat enn lot randevu ek listwar. Ki groser enn telefon bizin ete? Court says Galaxy not as cool as iPad. And how many speak kreol in the air? Do we know how to manage an airline? It's not geography, stupid.

August: Politicians, not our democracy, tired. Dekortikasyon lingwistik JT promye ut. Singapore never chased growth desperately. How low taxes have degraded our environment. 18 miners die over pay dispute. CSR not a good yardstick for our altruism. State proudly hatching traffic frankenstein. Humanity experiences biggest blackout. Mauritius at 56th spot in PISA math ranking. Meet the ABS.

September: Obama gets a little help from new friend. Indian PM worth 10.73 crore. iOS 6 dumps Google Maps.

Read the review for Q1, Q2, Q4.

2012: The Year in Review (Q2)

April: Lifelong militant explains his party's last defeat. Citizens experience rare and intense moments of national unity as 24,674 sign Chagos petition in eight short days. Opposition split tickets under adult supervision. Fiscal policy should catch up with monetary policy. MMM lets small tail wag big dog, again. Face of 60 minutes dead at 93. Music icon becomes Senegal's culture minister. Four journalists turn PM interview into circus.

May: Remake's gathering deciphered. Citizens clinch title in Fergie time. Cameras help solve Stacey Henrisson's murder. Get ready to sing with Jaime. SAJ reveals why he left SSR's government. Parliament prepares to legalise abortion. Anand still undisputed world chess champ.

June: Former Chief Justice Lallah dead at 78. Hungry Rafa wins 7th French Open. BOM to cap FX spreads. What Manou and Rama agree on. Moody's downgrades 15 big banks. Nordic countries offer best start in life. The economic mess is actually bigger.

Read the review for Q1, Q3, Q4.

2012: The Year in Review

January: PM thinks we should benchmark against Trinidad & Tobago, a country which had an income level per capita similar to ours when he first became PM but which now has one twice ours. Messi grabs third consecutive Ballon d'Or. France loses AAA rating. Jaufeerally pleads for end of growth worship. Photo-giant Kodak files for bankruptcy. Journalist helps democracy work better. Sithanen's electoral reform proposal makes a travesty of our democracy. Disinterested alternative presented.

February: University students unconvinced by Sithanen's proposal. 75% of poll don't want their Ministers unelected. CWA applies harsher cuts, after downpour. Whitney Houston found dead in hotel room. A380 has cracks in wings. Chuttoo organises debate on political financing. Riots break out in Reunion over cost of living. Somalian pirates to be tried in Mauritius.

March: iPad 3 unveiled. Foreign military parades on March 12. MPC undergoes makeover. Country crying for 3 leaders. Things get ugly atop republic. Chagos petition appear doomed. SAJ drags Reduit into partisan politics.

Read the review for Q2, Q3, Q4.

Obama Reacts To Connecticut Tragedy