He should be dealt with according to the law if he is found to be involved in “treacherous acts” to undermine the government or bring instability to Malaysia.
MCA publicity spokesman Ti Lian Ker said all businessmen, including Kuok, who had benefited from the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s policies and the political stability under it, should be thankful and reciprocate with their support.
He said this in taking Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz to task for reportedly calling Kuok a “pondan” (derogatory term for “effeminate”) over allegations that the billionaire was financially supporting the opposition.
Nazri, who is the Umno MP for Padang Rengas, was quoted by Malaysiakini today as challenging Kuok, who is based in Hong Kong, to return to Malaysia and contest in the coming 14th general election (GE14).
Ti said it was “not in our culture” to tell the 94-year-old tycoon not to be a “pondan”.
He said as a businessman, Kuok had brought benefits to Malaysians in general.
“He is our business icon and revered by Malaysians from all ethnic backgrounds.
“He should not be involved in any politicking, let alone asked to contest in GE14,” Ti said in a statement today.
He said Kuok had every right to support whichever party he deemed fit.
“Personally, I believe he as a businessman could have supported many political parties and politicians from BN or PH (Pakatan Harapan) too.
“There’s no need to overreact by being ill-mannered in this instance.
“However, if there are any treacherous acts or political agenda to undermine the government or the (country’s) stability, we have our laws and intelligence to deal with this.”
Ti said BN was a better political outfit with distinct policies and products that would sell better to voters.
“As GE14 is getting closer, let’s maintain our cool and not go overboard in our attacks or counter-attacks,” he said.
Ti also said Nazri’s closeness to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was open knowledge and his statement on Kuok was only helping Lim and his DAP party, instead of BN or MCA.
He asked why Nazri was hitting out at Kuok and not the DAP-led Penang government over its Penang undersea tunnel project controversy.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin had recently accused Kuok of channelling funds to DAP through his nephew James. But James has since denied this.
The billionaire today denied allegations that he is funding political parties to overthrow the Malaysian government or embarking on a campaign to manipulate the country’s democratic process.
A statement issued by his office said he took these “baseless” allegations very seriously.
He reserved the right to take all necessary steps against web portal Malaysia Today and the author to address the allegations contained in “scurrilous” articles.
The statement said Kuok also denied being anti-government towards the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), and being a racist and a “Chinese chauvinist”.
“Mr Kuok holds in the highest esteem the leaders of Malaysia who have throughout their lives done everything they can to contribute to the well-being of Malaysians.”