Lim, who is known for his close relationship with Nazri, said he did not agree with what the tourism and culture minister said, in reference to Nazri’s remarks calling Kuok a “pondan” (pansy)” or an “ayam betina (hen) who hides behind walls in Hong Kong”.
“I definitely do not agree with what Nazri and also Tajuddin said about Kuok. These are personal attacks.
“These attacks against Kuok show how extremist and racist Umno is,” he said at a press conference here today.
Lim also said Umno had no excuse not to apologise to Kuok and also DAP, following the tycoon’s revelation that he had “willingly, happily and freely” given donations to Umno and MCA, as published in his memoir released last December.
“Umno is clearly ungrateful. Worse, they have attacked DAP for taking donations from Kuok, when it is Umno that has benefited instead.
“Despite such generosity towards Umno, its leaders, ranging from Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ministers Tengku Adnan Mansor, Nazri Aziz and Tajudin, as well other pro-Umno non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have launched ferocious personal and ill-mannered attacks against Kuok,” he said.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said MCA and Gerakan should break off with Umno and withdraw from Barisan Nasional, following their failure to get the cabinet’s approval to direct both Umno and MIC to apologise for their attacks against Kuok, and stop the fake news that he had donated money to DAP to replace the BN government.
He said such fake news and ferocious personal attacks, with calls for removal of citizenship or challenges to contest in the 14th general election, have angered not only the Chinese community, but also Malaysians generally.
“Kuok is not just the richest Malaysian but a Malaysian icon because of his successes outside Malaysia that enabled him to become a billionaire.
“To make false and racist attacks just for political mileage is a betrayal of truth and our patriotic spirit.
“Such wild and irresponsible attacks on both Kuok and DAP is dangerous and seditious because it is intended to escalate, heighten and poison racial harmony and relations among Malaysians,” he said.
Lim added that even if Kuok had indeed donated money to DAP, there was nothing wrong with that in a democracy like Malaysia.
He questioned why political donations to the opposition is considered such a big issue when the prime minister receiving RM2.6 billion as a donation from a member of the Saudi royal family is not considered important.
“As secretary-general and leader of the DAP, I would know if Kuok had made donations to us. Apparently, Umno knows more than DAP about Kuok’s alleged donation to our party.
“Up to now, no proof has been shown by Umno except to challenge DAP to prove otherwise. This is absolutely ridiculous,” he said.
Yesterday, Nazri was reported to have said that he will not apologise to Kuok, although the tycoon’s office has denied an allegation that he funded DAP to topple the BN government.
The Umno supreme council member had said his earlier statement criticising Kuok over the allegation was based on what Raja Petra Kamarudin wrote in his blog and which had not been denied by Kuok then.
News portal Malaysiakini had reported that Nazri had challenged Kuok to return to Malaysia and contest in the next general election.
Kuok, however, has denied funding DAP to oust the government, as alleged by Raja Petra.
The tycoon’s office said Kuok reserved the right to sue Raja Petra over the allegation.
Nazri said it was good that Kuok had denied the allegation but he should have done it much earlier.
Ku Nan bidas Robert Kuok lupa daratan, guris hati Melayu Bumiputera