Money – the real kingmaker in politics?

MONEY plays a key role in any attempt to overthrow or promote the government. Slogans for the sake of religion, race and country are mere sweeteners.

Veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said what matters is money and like the phrase 'money talks', when one has money he can speak up, but when he has none it is better to be quiet.

"So, it is not surprising that what the Madani Government fears is "money". That is why any party that has money (or is suspected of having money) but does not support the government is highly suspect.

"Because of money, opposition MPs defected to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the guise of seeking an allocation for their constituencies.

"Since the formation of the Unity Government a year ago, enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have investigated anyone they suspect.

"For people in the know, proactive investigating has become a common practice. Not to mention after the collapse of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2018 General Election and the coup d’état using SDs (statutory declaration) after that. It has become a practice of 'you do it for me, I do it for you.' Like the phrase, 'tit-for-tat'," he wrote on his Facebook.

In the political arena, Kadir said no politician can last long, more so as an opposition member without sound financial backing.

"In the current context, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and minister of finance has very strong administrative, political and financial powers. Unless he is weak, no party can overthrow him.

"The allocation under his direct control in Budget 2024 is almost RM79 billion, namely RM12 billion in the Prime Minister's Department and RM66.57 billion in the Ministry of Finance.

"It is impossible that his enemies have greater administrative, political and financial power than him. After all, many of their accounts have been frozen and their property confiscated,"  said the former editor-in-chief of The New Straits Times.

So what is really behind all the fuss about the Dubai Move? he asked. – The Vibes, January 1, 2024