M'sians scrutinising watches worn by Mahathir, Najib, Rosmah & fellow politicians

Politics is a thankless job. But looks like it's still okay.

Belmont Lay | May 14, 2018, 12:27 AM

Now that Malaysia has been swept by an opposition tsunami at the polls, Malaysians are on a high speaking truth to power.

Politicians's expensive watches

And one of the topics trending in Malaysia at this post-election moment, is the issue of politicians and their supposed high life.

A Facebook post showcasing Malaysian politicians and the watches they wear is making the rounds again.

Photos not new though

Even though the photos are not new, interests in them have been renewed -- hot on the heels of news that authorities might be clamping down on former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, along with the luxury goods collection allegedly in their family's possession.

The series of photos of watches worn by politicians were originally put up on Facebook in April 2015, by Malaysia's well-known anti-crime crusader, R. Sri Sanjeevan.

The Chairman of Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) said it took him and his team about nine months to compile the list.

They photographed the senior officials and the politicians wearing those watches at different occasions and compared them with the price list on several watch manufacturers' websites.

The original Facebook post, which has since been removed, was shared some 40,000 times at that time.

Renewed interests in photos

The photos which are more than three years old, are making a comeback on social media.

Former prime minister Najib Razak was featured four times in the post.

His most expensive watch was allegedly the RM165,000 (S$55,800) Hublot Big Bang King Power "Red Devils'' Manchester United limited edition.

His cheapest watch was a RM50,000 Hublot BB Black Magic Black Ceramics.

Rosmah's collection

The prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was also featured multiple times.

Her entire collection, if real, is easily worth more than a few million ringgit.

Other politicians

Other Umno (United Malays National Organisation) leaders, such as former minister for youth and sports Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of former premier Abdullah Badawi, was pictured wearing a RM160,000 Patek Philippe Nautilus.

Zahid Hamidi, former deputy prime minister, was also featured multiple times.

Former minister of defence and transport, Hishammuddin Hussein, was also featured.

Opposition modest in comparison

The post featured four members from the opposition, the late former Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Democratic Action Party veteran Lim Kit Siang, Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and current prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad.

Photos not implying anything

Sanjeevan said back in 2015 when the photos made the rounds, that it was not to imply that politicians were super rich.

"I just want the public to know what kind of lifestyle these politicians are adopting. For example, Mr Mahathir does not wear a watch on some occasions", Sanjeevan explained then.

"But look at the prime minister and others. On different occasions, they wear different watches."

[related_story]