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Here we are in the midst of the ever-entertaining political stage of Malaysia, where hypocrisy is not just an occasional misstep but a well-rehearsed performance.
The latest act in this tragicomedy? The Madani government’s foreign trip expenses, clocking in at a neat RM44 million in just one year—eerily identical to what Najib’s entire cabinet spent from 2008 to 2013. https://focusmalaysia.my/ratu-naga-laments-dap-unfazed-about-madani-govts-lavish-overseas-expenses-compared-to-bosskus/
But wait, what’s that sound?
Oh, it’s the distant echoes of past outrage now conveniently muffled by the selective amnesia of today’s ruling coalition.
Once upon a time, Nga Kor Ming—then a righteous opposition MP—was scandalised by Najib’s travel expenses. https://focusmalaysia.my/ratu-naga-laments-dap-unfazed-about-madani-govts-lavish-overseas-expenses-compared-to-bosskus/
The outrage! The injustice! The wastage of public funds!
Fast forward to 2024, and Nga’s voice has suddenly gone hoarse. Perhaps the air at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government is too thick with accountability for him to breathe freely.
Of course, the irony isn’t lost on anyone.
Shahidan Kassim, now sitting pretty with PAS, suddenly finds himself in the role of budget watchdog. Back when he was a minister under Najib, overseas trips were apparently a necessary diplomatic endeavour. https://focusmalaysia.my/ratu-naga-laments-dap-unfazed-about-madani-govts-lavish-overseas-expenses-compared-to-bosskus/
Now, under Anwar, they are a grotesque display of extravagance.
How convenient.
Enter Ratu Naga, the ever-opportunistic social media firebrand, swooping in to remind us that during Najib’s era, at least Malaysia saw some return on investment. https://focusmalaysia.my/ratu-naga-laments-dap-unfazed-about-madani-govts-lavish-overseas-expenses-compared-to-bosskus/
A fair point, if one discounts the minor inconvenience of a multibillion-dollar financial scandal that left the nation’s coffers drier than a desert. But hey, let’s not let historical context get in the way of a good political jab.
The public, as expected, is enraged. And rightfully so. Why does this government need RM44 million to gallivant across the globe?
Is Anwar on a personal mission to collect enough frequent flyer miles to redeem a free seat at the United Nations?
Sponsorships were supposedly in place for official flights, so where exactly is all this money going?
Maybe an elaborate PR campaign for Malaysia’s global rebranding—though judging by the return on investment, we might as well have spent it on nasi lemak for every Malaysian instead.
Of course, some have attempted to rationalise the spending. Rising costs, inflation, diplomacy—it’s all part of governance, they say.
But let’s be honest, the real problem isn’t just the amount spent; it’s the sheer shamelessness of the double standards.
If RM44 million was a scandal in 2013, it should be a scandal in 2024. Period.
But here we are, stuck in the same endless cycle of outrage, forgetfulness, and hypocrisy.
Malaysians deserve better, but until voters start punishing politicians for their selective memory rather than their party affiliations, the same show will keep playing—on repeat, forever.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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