Nazri challenges Robert Kuok to contest in GE14

PETALING JAYA: Outspoken Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz today challenged tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok to contest in the coming general election.
While lambasting the 94-year-old billionaire, Nazri said if Kuok was truly interested in politics here, he should not hide in Hong Kong, but return to Malaysia and contest in the elections.
"You are already rich, what else do you want? Who are you to teach us how to run the country? Don't meddle in our politics," Nazri said in a barbed speech directed at Kuok.
"If you consider yourself rich, then join politics. Don't be a coward and hide (overseas) just to fund DAP in order for BN to collapse. BN accepts your challenge."
"If you are man enough, then come home and run for election. Don't be a 'pondan' and hide in Hong Kong," he said.
"I don't care if he wants to fund DAP, but what's wrong about helping fund us (BN) as well, as we are the ones who have been helping him all this while," Nazri told a press conference later.
"I consider Kuok as a man who has forgotten his roots. He is arrogant, boastful, and now living in another country and criticising his own." he said.
Nazri's was responding to allegations by controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin last Friday that Kuok was funding DAP through his nephew James, with the intention of overthrowing the government.
In a statement issued by his office today, Kuok denied Raja Petra's allegations, saying they were entirely untrue, seriously defamatory, and that he would take action against the blogger.
Other Umno leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, had also hit out at "Sugar King" Kuok, saying he would not have been as successful had it not been for the opportunities and policies by the government.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman urged the tycoon not to forget his roots and how he managed to become one of the country's richest man.
Both DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and James have denied the allegation on funding DAP.
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang also denied receiving funds from Kuok or through intermediaries such as the tycoon's relatives in Malaysia.
The Chinese press reported today that MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had spoken out in Kuok's defence, describing the allegation by Raja Petra as unfair and "pure speculation".
"The Robert Kuok we know is a righteous businessman," said Wee, using the Chinese expression: "An honest man does nothing underhand," to describe him.
Guan Eng said Malaysians should be lauding Kuok's achievements in becoming a billionaire in Asia in spite of global challenges.
"Kuok is a figure that we must be proud of, not ridicule for political mileage," he said, reiterating that Kuok had not funded DAP, and neither had James.
National Patriots Association president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji also defended Kuok, slamming Raja Petra for what he claimed to be fake news written by "a very unprincipled person".