COMMENT | Midway through his first-ever term as prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, in whom much hope was vested, has shown himself to be neither a statesman nor an astute politician.

This is evident with the latest ill-advised handouts and wastage, which I estimate at over RM10 billion (see table below), to ingratiate himself with the public.

It’s almost like a pre-election handout a la his newfound bosom buddy, Umno. Except that there is no immediate election on the horizon.