24 - Chapter 23

Tasha and Mamat spent the next few hours working through the details of what she was trying to achieve. Tasha also sat back and listened in on the calls that Mamat made, though she didn’t understand most of them due to the language issue.

From the after call updates that Mamat provided, a lot of the families were interested in a potential buyer. The Malaysian authorities had been increasing regulations on mining operations, and they were finding it hard to implement the required changes. The range of changes included everything from the way they operated and reported on their environmental impact to safety measures and improved protection for workers.

This actually helped Tasha quite a lot. As she was not that worried about running costs, but more concerned about getting access to resources, she was willing to take a significant hit on the profitability side of the business. The knock on effect would be pressure on the wider industry to also capitulate to the demands from the authorities, allowing Tasha to expand her businesses interests by picking up distressed businesses cheaply.

She needed to manage expectations carefully and agree a plan with the appropriate ministries quickly. She didn’t want them to realise just how big her ambitions were and then try and limit her expansion after the fact. This was why she had chosen to target family owned businesses. It would hide a lot of her actions from everyone, at least until the end of year reporting requirements forced her to reveal the extent of her holdings.

She also agreed a format for the board they would appoint to run the combined business she intended to create. The CEO would report into James, with full oversight from her team in London. This was not a partnership situation, but a fully owned business.

When Mamat called his contacts at the miniteres, they were initially reluctant to meet in a short time frame. However, once he explained to them that the business was willing to accept some of the stipulations as a condition for operating in Malaysia they were suddenly very eager. A meeting with the two ministers was arranged for the same evening, with everyone agreeing to meet at Dewakan.

In the meantime, Mamat and Tasha worked down their list of potential acquisitions, setting up meetings for the next day at the hotel.

Tasha infomed the hotel that she was expecting several prominent guests the next day and for them to make adequate arrangements. She explained that it would be a series of one to one meetings, and she would need staff to be on hand to take care of any needs her guests had while she was busy.

Mamat also called his team and informed them that they would be required at the hotel the next day. He also asked his secretary to join them at Dewakan that evening to help with the meeting.

Tasha was surprised when the director of the businesses owned by the vampire family agreed to the meeting, and arranged to come in early the next day. She had thought that they would reject her overtures. Her instinct was seldom wrong, and that meant the family had seen the approach as unusual. They must feel they were being targeted, after their missing scion, and wanted an opportunity to scope her out in person. She would not be surprised if they were already looking into her.

Tasha called Hanna on the encrypted app. “Hey Hanna, is it done?” she asked, getting straight to the point.”I think we are about to be subject to counter surveillance. Also when is the team landing?”

“I have confirmed that everything is scrubbed,” replied Hanna, “there should be nothing to find. I will double check to ensure that it's completed to our standards. The team is on route and should be with you this evening.”

“Excellent, we have set up a meeting with two ministers for this evening,” replied Tasha. “If they are here they can escort us. Have them liaise with Mamat’s office and keep us both in the loop. Mamat will send you the list of businesses and the meeting schedule for tomorrow. I need a full background on both the ministers, ideally before our meeting and as much as they can get done before our series of meetings tomorrow.”

“I will get it done.” replied Hanna and hung up.

“Mamat, it looks like our team will be ready to hit the ground running this evening” said Tasha, “We should also have full backgrounds on our meetings, before we meet them.”

They worked late into the afternoon, just ordering room service to minimise time wasted. To Tasha’s surprise, they managed to get agreement from almost three quarters of the businesses they had agreed to target. That was substantially higher than they had expected.

Mamat went home to get ready for their meeting that evening and Tasha went to freshen up. She had not had any formal wear with her when she had arrived, so just asked the concierge to send up a few suitable pieces for her to look at from the hotel shop. It was extravagantly expensive, but it saved her a lot of time to go searching for clothing. She picked out a more conservative outfit for that evening and kept another more modern piece to be used the next day. She didn’t want to do the meetings in jeans.

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Tasha got dressed, and asked the concierge to arrange a car for her to use that evening. By this point her team had arrived and checked in to the hotel. They worked with their counterparts in London to put together the profiles she had requested of the ministers.

Her security detail, two imposing men dressed in sharp black suits, waited for her in the lobby. They handed her a folder with the requested details and joined her in the car. They all left for the restaurant.

Tasha reviewed the background of the two ministers in the car. There was nothing that particularly stood out. They were both from wealthy traditional families and were career politicians. They were trying to enact the agenda being pushed by the prime minister’s office to gain more recognition and political power. Nothing unusual about that at all. It was something Tasha felt that she could leverage to her advantage. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the restaurant.

As they all disembarked, her security detail conducted a quick sweep of the restaurant. They had booked a private booth for their discussions and the restaurant had everything ready for them. Mamat and his secretary were already waiting for them.

Tasha asked for the security detail to be seated at 2 separate tables where they could keep an eye on their charge.

The ministers arrived soon after, with two security guards of their own. To make things easier, they joined the two charged with protecting Tasha.

Tasha, Mamat and his secretary all stood to greet the ministers and Mamat made the introductions. They made small talk as they looked over the menu and placed their orders.

“So Ms Andersen,” said one of the ministers, “We understand that you are looking to acquire a few businesses, in the mining sector here in Malaysia.”

“We also understand that you may be open to accepting some of the changes the ministry is looking to promote, in exchange for government support with your acquisitions?” said the other minister.

“I am happy to work with you both.” replied Tasha. “However, I would like to be very clear on expectations. I do not want any details of my deals to be leaked before they are signed off. If I find myself being challenged by opportunists looking to leverage me, I will take my money and leave.”

The two ministers looked at each other, clearly a little put off by Tasha’s bluntness.

“That being said” continued Tasha, “I am looking to invest upwards of £10Bn in my acquisitions, and am happy to look at improving workers rights, as well as environmental reporting. I know that may sound strange, but I think investing now will actually put me in a better position further down the line. We are looking to make investments that will pay off long term and aren’t here looking for quick profits. Think of it as the Warren Buffet mentality. Focus on fundamentals, and hold on to our investments for the long term.”

The two ministers were surprised by Tasha’s response. They had heard that she represented a Venture fund, and had expected her to be looking at cutting costs, then flipping the businesses once she could make a return. The fact that she was willing to hold on to the businesses long term, as well as actually investing in them would help drive their agenda as well as earning them much needed political capital.

Suddenly they were very eager to work with Tasha.

“Would you be willing to sign an agreement to that effect,” asked the first minister. “It’s not that we doubt your word, but we would like to formalise the agreement so everyone is on the same page.”

“I would be amenable to that,” replied Tasha. “But so far we have only discussed what I can do for you. What are you offering me in return?”

“We can offer to support your purchases, and ensure they are not blocked by any of the regulators, as long as you agree to implement the agreed upon changes within 3 years.” said the second minister.

“We will also consult with you in advance for any future changes.” added the first minister.

“I would also like to have access to you both, and for you to facilitate access to senior cabinet members if we decide to invest in other sectors here,” said Tasha. “Of course, I would need to have these conditions in the agreement we sign, so that we are all on the same page.”

The ministers looked a little uncomfortable with Tasha turning their own words against them, but were not in a position to refuse without turning the meeting acrimonious.

They spent the next hour going over the details of their agreement, with the secretary taking notes. They also spent some time on looking at potential language that would be acceptable to both sides, to formalise their agreement.

Mamat showed off his considerable legal acumen in finding deft language that assuaged the concerns of both sides again and again. By the end of dinner they had a draft agreement that would be acceptable to both sides. It gave Tasha senior government access, and the right to be consulted on any material changes in the mining industry, in return for a significant investment in improving conditions in the businesses she purchased.

As they made small talk, Mamat’s secretary finished the draft and went off to get copies printed locally. He was back by the time they were finishing deserts.

Both parties signed the agreement. Mamat was surprised at the speed Tasha had manoeuvred the ministers into the agreement.

Afterwards both parties went their separate ways, happy with the events of the evening.

Tasha sent Mamat and his secretary home after taking photos of their agreement and forwarding it to Sunny for his records.

Tasha, with her security detail, headed back towards the hotel. She called Sunny to talk him through the agreement and how she expected the next day to go. He was already working on draft contracts to facilitate the purchasing of any businesses that agreed following their series of meetings the next day.

Once back at the hotel, Tasha sent her security detail to rest. She decided to relax a little and went for a lazy swim, followed by a spell in the sauna.

Feeling relaxed, she showed up and went up to bed. The day had been extremely productive, and she looked forward to what tomorrow would bring.