To have the HPTC where TARRC stands in Brickendonbury is some political big wig’s unilateral wet dream that has to be achieved at all costs notwithstanding many Malaysians’ reservations about its wastage of public money and pointlessness of the proposition based on hubris alone rather than practical considerations.

The Malaysian side will use a proposed arms deal with Britain as leverage to persuade British planners and administrators to agree to the Malaysian govt’s proposal to HPTC notwithstanding its situation in historic parkland within the Green Belt in East Herts.

UMNOputras just cannot understand why the use of money and power as leverage cannot help them get their way in UK as it could be done here. They even got Sports England to support their case.

But they forget, the support of Sports UK, British planners, politicians and administrators notwithstanding, it is the rights of the common folks in Brickendonbury represented by their municipal councillors that are under pressure here and in England these rights have been jealously guarded not only by the vigilant citizenry themselves but by and large by the Judges of England as well should the matter come to test when these rights are overridden or trespassed by British politicians.

And thats why also the issue of independence of judiciary is so important has come to the fore here in the wake of the lingam video clip!

The 13 of the 19 East Herts municipal councilors have decided that they could not see the balance of reasons why the Malaysian proposal should be prioritized to override objections from at least 10 organisations and individuals concerned with green belt environmental and ecological considerations, questionable benefits to the local community as against the loss of heritage buildings and intrusive lighting contrary to the established pattern and architectural standards and landscape of Brickendonbury.

Ultimately we have been challenged by the common folks of in Brickendonbury in our premises that power and money will prevail over everything.

Likely our fellows here would persist by way of appeal, fresh application, further leverage on power and upping ante on use more money to challenge the Brits whether their priorities on environment (green belt) aesthetic, cultural & heritage considerations can withstand the assault of money and power. If necessary someone will go there and “talk money” ala Malaysian Boleh style with the councilors after a fresh appeal and application based on token amendments have been made.

See what wins at the end of the day. It is a contention between the moral fibres of Brits here and UMNOputras here. It is a contest between corruption of power and money versus the upholding else of intangible character dearer such as environment, heritage and rights of common people.

Our thinking here (practical or cynical as you would have it) is that their rightuousness – under the veneer – cannot really be higher, and that ultimately leverage of money and power will triumph, given the universality of the frailties of human character.

I hope the Brits prove us wrong!