Dr Mahathir Mohamad has compared the furore over the allegation that billionaire Robert Kuok is bankrolling DAP with the RM2.6 billion found in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.

The former prime minister said even if the allegation is true, Kuok did not break any law.

“As far as I know, anyone can help whichever party.

“In the past, Umno never criticised the funders of any party. But now, you can help Umno and BN, you can steal for the election but the opposition cannot even receive donations,” he added.

However, Mahathir noted that the RM2.6 billion in Najib's accounts was described as a donation from a member of the Saudi royal family and the attorney-general had cleared the prime minister.

Kuok (photo) and DAP have denied the allegation on the tycoon donating to the opposition party, which first appeared in the Malaysia Today blog.

Though the RM2.6 billion donation received by Najib was cleared of any wrongdoing, Mahathir said those who might support the opposition are “threatened” with action from the Inland Revenue Board and anti-graft agencies.

“They (those who might support the opposition) are forced to pay additional income tax which is unauthorised and accused of money laundering even though there is no evidence.

“Their premises are raided and their account records confiscated. Their passports are also confiscated,” he claimed.

Umno is now holding expositions with houses and cars as lucky draw prizes, he said, which could be seen as a form of bribery as the general election is very near.

But, he said, there is no investigation from the MACC or the police into this matter.

Mahathir also reminded the people that these “gifts” from Umno come from the government, which gets its funding from taxes such as the GST.

“This means that Umno and BN take tax money from the rakyat to bribe the rakyat. This is a huge lie.

“The rakyat can take back their money which has been misused by Umno, but do not give your vote to BN.

“Why should we be in their debt when it is our money given back to us?” he asked.