LCCF1, TOR & Cost estimates & LCGC

[Khairiah Talha]

Dear Team

Yesterday evening (Thursday, 26th January 2012), a group of us had a meeting / discussion at the Dome Cafe, Subang Parade.  Present were Sinha, Doc Faridah, Kak Yong and Ana.

Mazrina had to cancel last minute as baby Amsyar was sick with a high temperature;  Aida  had to attend a family function (Tahlil), and Liza who said that she will attend, finally did not attend, and when she could,  we were about to end the meeting already.

ANyway,  I had suggested the meeting with the following objectives:

1.  To get agreement from all regarding the fee quotation that was given to Kettha for the 3 projects - Training; Low Carbon Cities Pilot Projects and LCC Action PLan Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

2.  To obtain group cohesion and conviction to stay united.

These objectives arose from our suspicion that Kettha is trying to get "free" training by calling only one person (Sinha) to make presentations / lecture on the LCCFAS and not informing the rest of the team.  Due to their lack of funds, we suspect that they will attempt to get as much for "free" from one or 2 team members, and then set out to do their own training.

As an example, Sinha was called last night by Rosli to present to Kettha at their "retreat" session at Holiday Inn, Glenmarie.  He was asked to speak (for free) for 1 1/2 hours.

Added to this, after the meeting on the LCC Action Plan,Aslaili had mentioned to Maz, Sinha and Ana that the costs quoted by our group was way too high, and that it was off by 50%.   So, add two and two together, I think the suspicion has a basis.

Sinha also showed us an email (which I did not get, and I don't think any of us were copied to), that Kettha has asked Greentech to negotiate with us on the fees for all 3 projects.  Kettha had written 3 emails urging Greentech for feedback, but to date Greentech has yet to call us for a meeting. 

Anyhow,  these were what we agreed upon yesterday:

1.  That we have to inform Kettha and Greentech that we do not do things for free anymore (give lectures, workshops, etc.) - Kak Yong will draft the letter to them and once you all agree then we can send it off.  We have to make this stand as a group of professionals that ought to be recognized for our integrity.  Further, when we keep obliging them and run  to them each time they call, they get the impression that we are always there for "free" whereas we all have companies and full time work.

2.  That we remain as a tight group - if Kettha / Greentech invites by email to any one of us, to please check whether they have copied the email to any one else in the group.  If they have not, then to forward the email to the LCGC group email.

3.  On the proposed negotiation for the fees, our stand are as follows:

    a.  On Training - do not budge - non-negotiable as the fees are already discounted

    b.  On pilot  project - we can cut man-month if they cut the number of areas

    c.  On LCC  - we do only Cyberjaya as there has been no directions, data, etc. from Putrajaya.  Further, there is only about 20 days left to deliver the works for the project ( 15th February is the deadline)

By the way - if Kettha does not issue the TOR nor have we signed on the fee agreement, DO NOT submit on the 15th. ...If we do submit without any proper contract, then they can still  play around with our fees to their advantage !!

4.  It was also agreed that when it comes to fees and contract, Kak Yong be the spokesperson for the group  ( Finance & Operations Director maaaa.....!!)  I think I can be tough on this !!  Also, I am not as "close" with these people as some of you are, and I hope to remain that way so that I can be stern and tough on them.   

We have to be tough on the projects and our fees and if they do not have the funds now, they just have to get it !!  When we heard how EPU simply gives away RM4m to a company that promises to "de-carbonize" Putrajaya and has done nothing, nor has there been any supervision on how that money is spent, the more we ought to be firm on our stand!!

One for All and ALL for one!!   

OK, that's all my report.  For those who were there, please add on if I have missed anything.  For the others, any comments please?

Cheers and Have a great Day!!

Kak Yong

[NORLIZA HASHIM]

Dear Team,

Apologies, I guess trying to squeeze 3 meetings in one afternoon does not work. My first meeting started an hour late and I guess things dragged on, leading to my absence in the LCGC meeting. Sorry about this.

My feedback are as follows:-

1.  Fee Quotations

a.  On Training - do not budge - non-negotiable as the fees are already discounted. Agree on this.

    b.  On pilot  project - we can cut man-month if they cut the number of areas. - Agree on this and in fact I anticipate a lot of work is involved and the man-month is already minimal.

    c.  On LCC  - we do only Cyberjaya as there has been no directions, data, etc. from Putrajaya.  Further, there is only about 20 days left to deliver the works for the project ( 15th February is the deadline). By the way - if Kettha does not issue the TOR nor have we signed on the fee agreement, DO NOT submit on the 15th. ...If we do submit without any proper contract, then they can still  play around with our fees to their advantage !!

Sure - agreed though I am not certain what the discussions before this agrees upon - I mean what Aida and Maz and SInha has agreed in meetings with them.

I believe they must have prepared a rough budget and had estimated something quite low for the Ministry's or Greentech budget. And maybe Greentech is uncertain how to go about it.

2.  Staying United and Ensuring all mails are copied to everyone

To obtain group cohesion and conviction to stay united.

- Definitely echo this!!!

However my view on why Sinha was called or why they think they can call anyone of us at any time is because they might think it is part of our earlier contract and obligations. Thus we must make it clear that Training was not part of our earlier contract and we need to develop proper tools to do so.

3. Kak Yong to administer all negotiations and matters related to appointments

Yes I totally agree on this.

Thanks everyone and I think we still need to try to work out how LCGC should function but meanwhile lets address the KeTTHA issue.

Kak Yong, a private word with MIP President is also needed as KeTTHA (especially the TKSU) might also call him directly if they feel that the individuals are not cooperating. If eeryone agrees, I should also speak to Steve privately and try to understand the issues.

Regards

--
Norliza Hashim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
T-  +603-56377703
F-  +603-56378701
E - nor...@apudg.my
      lizah...@gmail.com

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[Khairiah Talha]

Dear Liza,

Thanks for your response.  Glad that you agreed on all front.

I will speak with Prof.Alias.  I agree that you should also speak with Steve.

Cheers,

Kak Yong