Lim said it was not only Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz who had attacked Kuok but also other key Umno leaders, including Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman.
“Let me reiterate that DAP condemns not only Nazri but the entire Umno for their fake news, dishonesty and vitriolic attacks against Malaysian business icon Robert Kuok,” he said in a statement.
Lim said it was not just the top Umno leadership that had attacked Kuok but also its state leaders, including Kempas assemblyman Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Tengku Hamid Jumat who called MCA “racist” for defending Kuok.
“Why is MCA still wasting time collaborating with Umno and hanging on to BN (Barisan Nasional) when Umno has utter contempt for MCA?
“If MCA is a principled party defending truth and justice, MCA should first condemn Umno for the fake news and racist attacks against Robert Kuok and the DAP.
“Secondly, they should break off ties with Umno and withdraw from BN in protest against Umno’s refusal to withdraw the fake news and apologise for their racist attacks,” he said.
Lim also took MCA president Liow Tiong Lai to task for saying that DAP had not criticised Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri over his attacks on Kuok.
“DAP leaders had condemned both Umno and its leaders, including Nazri. The latest statement by me was on March 2, one day before the MCA’s 69th-anniversary celebration on March 3.
“However, my March 2 statement was not published in the Barisan Nasional-controlled media. Liow is now hammering me for not condemning Umno when his own media did not print it,” he said.
Lim said Umno was ungrateful as it had benefited from Kuok’s donations but had instead falsely accused the DAP of getting donations from the billionaire.
Lim was referring to Kuok’s memoir released last December which stated: “I was often asked to give substantial donations to the ruling parties, Umno and MCA, after independence in 1957. I gave willingly, happily and freely.”
“For Robert Kuok giving willingly, happily and freely to Umno, Umno repaid Robert Kuok not with gratitude but so much bullying and hatred,” Lim said.
“Malaysians, particularly the Chinese community, are angry and will not easily forget how Umno exploits such fake news and carried out ferocious personal attacks, including calls for removal of citizenship, and bullying an iconic Malaysian entrepreneur,” Lim said.
Kuok has come under attack from some Umno leaders, following a claim by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that the tycoon is funding a campaign to overthrow the government, a charge denied by Kuok.
Following this, Umno leaders, including supreme council member Nazri, challenged Kuok, currently in Hong Kong, to return to Malaysia and stand for elections.
“Don’t be a ‘pondan’ (pansy). Don’t be an ‘ayam betina’ (hen) that hides behind walls in Hong Kong,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
Nazri has refused to apologise for his remarks.
Kuok denied Raja Petra’s allegations against him.
“Mr Robert Kuok would also like to place on record that he has a deep appreciation for the opportunities he has had and recognises the contributions made by Malaysians of all creed, race and religion towards the development of Malaysia to date and the continued commitment shared by all Malaysians in ensuring a bright future for the country.
“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,” said a statement from Kuok’s office.