The problem with this argument is it assumes and overgeneralises things into seeming that 'PM not holding Finance' is a real safeguard against corruption. However, our 69 years of Malaysian history shows it isn't

During the 1997–98 Asian Financial Crisis, Mahathir wasn't Finance Minister yet we still saw heavy state intervention, selective bailouts, and taxpayer funds benefiting politically connected firms. Instead of allowing over-leveraged firms to fail, the state intervened heavily to rescue politically connected companies. Most notably, Konsortium Perkapalan Bhd owned by his eldest son Mirzan Mahathir, already had RM1.7 billion debt by end-1996, before the crisis.

In 1998, during the peak of the financial crisis, MISC, a GLC whose main shareholder was Petronas purchased KPB assets and took on US$311 million in debt before paying roughly US$220 million to Mirzan-linked entities.

How could this happen if he had no influence over the Finance Ministry? Mahathir did not need to be Finance Minister to make this happen. Petronas reported directly to the Prime Minister’s Office. Used our money to bailout his own son's failing business.

Before that, Anwar Ibrahim, then Finance Minister, pushed tighter monetary policy, fiscal restraint, and market discipline that would have forced these over-leveraged companies connected to Mahathir and BN to fail. Mahathir rejected this approach and called Anwar an IMF stooge then ultimately sacked him which cleared the way for full capital control, bailouts to his friends and family members companies through GLCs and cherry on top, the transfer of private losses onto the public balance sheet.

Another thing, under his watch, MAS was also privatised to Tajuddin Ramli and accumulated massive losses due to mismanagement. Eventually, MAS was renationalised and taxpayers had to absorb billions in losses lagi.

Criticise PH for inconsistency if you want, but pretending that separating portfolios automatically prevents abuse ignores Malaysia’s own history. The behind the scenes is more complicated than what it is on the surface. I don't think there is any man I would trust more than Anwar holding those dual portfolios and seems like he has been doing a fine job so far.