<h1>Political leader questions regulator's delayed response to hedge fund stock manipulation accusations amid market oversight debate</h1> A political leader criticized the market regulator's delayed action against a hedge fund accused of manipulating stock indices, questioning why authorities remained silent and suggesting government negligence. The ruling party responded by defending the regulator's enforcement actions as evidence of strong oversight protecting small investors. Officials highlighted market growth statistics, including increased retail participation through mutual funds and IPOs, with investor numbers rising from under 10 million to over 40 million. The exchange included accusations of fear-mongering versus claims of market democratization, with both sides citing historical precedents and current performance metrics to support their positions regarding market regulation effectiveness.