Dr M "Steps Up" Attacks On Anwar: But What About His Own "USD40 Billion" Wealth Allegations..?!!!

OPINION | Dr M "Steps Up" Attacks On Anwar: But What About His Own "USD40 Billion" Wealth Allegations..?!!!


9 Dec 2025 • 11:00 AM MYT


JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour

Credit Image: The Malaysian Reserve / Sinar Harian (Photo AFP) / Facebook Dr Mahathir.


It looks like the irrepressible Dr Mahathir has brought in some “big guns” to try take down his sworn enemy Anwar; however, what some critics may ask is: is all that for real – or could there be something else brewing behind the scenes?


Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the peerless and fearless “warrior” whom critics will point out is perennially engaged in a “war” to bring down someone, seems to have upped the ante on PMX.


In fact, only recently, the still active and witty centenarian had lodged a police report against Anwar over the controversial Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) between Malaysia and the United States which he insists is unconstitutional.


Dr Mahathir seems unhappy as under the agreement “Bumiputera privileges” can no longer be imposed on American goods or trade!


Meanwhile, in a recent post in his hugely popular Facebook account it would appear that he had managed to persuade some retired army chiefs to join his anti-Madani brigade!


For the record, the two time ex-premier had also highlighted a press conference with the group and had further attached a media statement by General (Retired) Tan Sri Borhan Ahmad on behalf of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans; in it the group had expressed its “deep concern” with the way the Madani government has been managing ties with the United States, especially the recent trade deal signed during President Trump's visit here.


According to the statement, with the recent signing of the trade agreement, it appears that Malaysia had “handed over the sovereignty and integrity” of the country to foreign powers which does not bode well for an independent nation.


“Are we now being enslaved, recolonised, or blackmailed into accepting the biased treaty (with the US)?”


The statement from the army veteran group further recalled how the country had fought for its independence through blood and tears, even battled with the Communist Party of Malaya (PKM) to eliminate those threats, and built and developed the country to what it is today.


“If the Malaysian armed forces had failed… would there be the Twin Towers and the iconic 118 tower?”


It then closed with a somewhat sombre warning, seemingly aimed at the current prime minister and his cabinet: let's not pawn the country until it becomes beggars again!


However, truth be told, not many would have been amused by the shrewd Dr Mahathir’s latest shenanigan in roping in the retired top army personnel.


As the agreement with the US mainly centres on the “economy” of two sovereign nations – why bring in the country's armed forces?


Furthermore, by framing the trade deal as something that violated the sovereignty of the nation, was Dr Mahathir really fighting to save the country, or was it actually to discredit his nemesis Anwar – and destabilize the current administration?


While on the subject of sovereignty, what some observers may question is: what about the controversy over Pulau Batu Puteh, the rocky island near Johor that was “lost” to a neighbouring state during his second stint as premier?

In fact, won't many in this country also be reminded of the explosive findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on “Project IC" which proved beyond doubt that tens of thousands of identity cards and birth certificates were issued to illegal immigrants in Sabah to alter the demographics of the state for political reasons? To many in this country didn't that actually border on treason?

Significantly too, didn't all that happen during Dr Mahathir's tenure when he used to rule the nation with an “iron fist” where no one was spared - not the judiciary, not even the royalties? Come to think of it, back in the eighties when “Operasi Lalang” was declared didn't many ordinary citizens also feel that it was unconstitutional?

Have the country's gallant but ageing former war generals forgotten about all those controversial events during Dr Mahathir's rule?


As for the recent jaw-dropping allegation by an international website that he was amongst the world's top billionaires with a net worth of USD40 billion, of course what many in the country may want to know is: given the gravity of the accusation and its impact on the nation's reputation, shouldn't he be pushing his legal team to clear his name immediately, instead of arranging press conferences with some retirees ostensibly to take potshots at his political rivals?

In short, could the hoo-ha over the trade deal, and the latest drama involving the army veterans, be just a smokescreen - to divert the public's attention from the 40 billion dollar question hanging over him?

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Those ex Generals must remember our (apolitical) military would never ever interfere or be involved in politics, like what the Indons or Thais or Pinoys had sometimes done - it's against the Malaysian Constitution. The Old Man, an ex PM, should have been mindful of that, and could be seditious in recruiting them to his politics.