“No, back then we did not need much money. We did not need to ask for much,” the PPBM chairman told reporters at the party’s office today.

He said BN during his time did not need money “as much as” Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“So there was no need for Robert Kuok to give anything to us,” he said.

His comments come in the wake of a claim by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that Kuok had been donating money to DAP, as well as funding a campaign to overthrow the government.

Following this, Umno leaders condemned Kuok as ungrateful.

Najib said Kuok could not have made his fortune without the Malaysian government’s help, while Umno Supreme Council member Nazri Aziz dared Kuok to return to Malaysia to contest the next general election.

However, MCA leaders came to Kuok’s defence, with secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan saying the remarks by Umno leaders were “regrettable”, while another MCA leader Ti Lian Ker said Kuok had the right to support any party he wanted.

Mahathir said claims against Kuok were slander.

“The man is the richest man from Malaysia and we know that he loves the country and that’s it.

“His stand is that he is from Malaysia and he is patriotic towards Malaysia and not to any party.”

Meanwhile, Mahathir questioned Umno’s call on him to stay away from Najib’s parliamentary constituency of Pekan.

“Other people are awaiting my arrival there and they want to receive me. But now Umno is saying there will be violence.

“Who will cause it if it’s not Umno,” he asked.

Pekan Umno had reportedly warned against a planned visit by Mahathir to the town, saying it could spark violence as people there were not happy with the former leader.

Mahathir said he was going there to “talk”.

“What are you afraid of? What can I do? I’m just there to talk. I’m not bringing any weapons,” he said.