Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has criticised Umno for being ungrateful to billionaire Robert Kuok for his contributions.

Referring to Kuok's memoir, he noted how the businessman revealed he was often asked to give substantial donations to the ruling parties, Umno and MCA, after independence in 1957.

The billionaire, he added, said he gave the donations “willingly, happily and freely.”

However, Lim said in return for his donations, Kuok did not receive gratitude from Umno but rather torment and hatred.

“Malaysians, particularly the Chinese community, are angry and will not easily forget how Umno exploited such a fake news and its ferocious personal attacks with calls for the removal of citizenship, to bully a successful Chinese entrepreneur who is also an iconic figure in Malaysia.

“To stay in power, BN is willing to play with racial fire and burn down the country. However, DAP believes Malaysians will not allow BN to burn down the country and shall replace this corrupt, divisive and destructive force with a diverse, multi-racial and principled coalition.

“Let Pakatan (Harapan) unite Malaysians to deal with the real issues of economy and livelihood faced by ordinary Malaysians who eat rice and not quinoa,” he added in a statement.

Nazir would make a better PM than Najib

Meanwhile, Lim also lauded Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's brother and CIMB chairperson Nazir with regard to the Kuok episode.

He noted that Nazir chose to describe Kuok as a patriot, business icon and first-class gentlemen instead of partaking in the attacks of Umno leaders against the 94-year-old tycoon.

 

Reposting this pic from last year. I have been lucky enough to spend time with Robert Kuok over the course of many years & have also read his book. I may not agree with all his views but he is a patriot, the icon of Malaysian business and a first class gentleman.

A post shared by Nazir Razak (@nazir.razak) on Feb 27, 2018 at 9:04pm PST

“... (This) shows that Nazir would make a better prime minister than his older brother,” he added in a media statement this afternoon.

On the contrary, Lim accused Najib of allowing Umno's top leaders such as Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz to launch acerbic salvos against Kuok.

As expected, the DAP secretary-general also trained his guns on MCA, claiming that its leaders failed to stand up to Umno against such bullying.

The allegation of Kuok funding DAP and news portal The Malaysian Insight first surfaced in Malaysia Today.

Kuok has since denied the allegation and has threatened to take legal action against Malaysia Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin.