If Instagram is to be believed, Indian-born businessman Maninderjeet “Manu” Kala , named the Gold Coast’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023, has a penchant for luxury cars and posing with federal politicians. High Rollers: Kala, Hunt, Tudge and Brandis. Credit: SMH In a recent social media video , Kala is seen getting out of a Rolls-Royce (number plate: MK DAWN) and heading to a Liberal function where he rubs shoulders with former PM Tony Abbott .
Pictures of Kala hobnobbing with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton , former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and speaker Milton Dick adorn the feed alongside snaps of his McLaren supercar. “Purchasing expensive toys isn’t a display of extravagance; it’s an investment in expanding your mindset to exceed your own expectations,” was how Kala put it in one post . Kala can indulge these expensive habits thanks to the success of his company, KnG Group.
Its website reveals it was heavily involved in strategy and policy development with governments during the COVID-19 pandemic; it had interests in vaccine booking platforms, vaccine and testing hubs, and made its own test kits. From those humble origins, Kala and co-director Dr Anuj Gupta are pivoting toward conglomerate status, with fingers now in healthcare, education, technology, and even security. And KnG is now emerging as a bit of a political player.
In the last year, the company has donated $5000 to the Coalition and $5500 to Labor in Queensland. Meanwhile, Kala has.
