Umno attack on Robert Kuok is a sign of panic, say analysts

Bede Hong Jason Santos Bede Hong, Jason Santos Updated 8 years ago · Published on 27 Feb 2018 6:33PM · 8 Comments

Awang Azman Awang Pawi says the attacks can threaten race relations. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 27, 2018.

THE attacks on tycoon Robert Kuok, who has been labelled a traitor and a “pondan” (effeminate), are signs of panic within Umno as it scrambles to adopt a racially slanted narrative to ensure victory at the coming polls, said political analysts. 

Umno leaders have attacked the Hong-Kong based businessman following a series of posts by fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin claiming Kuok was secretly financing DAP.

“They’re in a panic,” said Associate Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi at Universiti Malaya’s Socio-culture Department. 

“The general election is fast approaching and they’re hoping this issue can bolster support from Malay voters.” 

In three articles published on February 21 to 23 on Malaysia Today, Raja Petra claimed Kuok was funding DAP and The Malaysian Insight with the aim of bringing down the government.

Kuok yesterday said he was considering legal action against Raja Petra who is in London. 

Yesterday, Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz called Kuok a “pondan” and a coward and dared the 94-year-old billionaire to return to Malaysia to contest in the 14th general election, which must be held by August.  

Another Umno leader, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman told Kuok “not to forget his roots”.

Prime Minister Najib Razak chipped in with the remark Kuok would not have made his fortune without help from the Malaysian government.

“It is as though they would rather believe the words of an exiled blogger, who has made these allegations with no supporting evidence whatsoever,” said Awang Azman.

“This (the attacks) isn’t right, because it can threaten race relations.”

Independent polling firm Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said the attacks on Kuok served to “strengthen Umno’s racial political narrative” as elections loom. 

“They would associate DAP with all sorts of people to reinforce the hatred of Malays for DAP so as to prevent any swing of voters to the opposition.

“In this situation, the DAP has become a victim, becoming the subject of all attacks to ensure the Malays never change,” he said. 

Hisommudin said the attacks were to ensure Umno’s political survival and support for the party in the interior and Malay-majority constituencies remained “intact”.

He said Umno felt it could afford to attack a prominent figure who was revered by the Chinese communities here and abroad. 

“They don’t expect MCA to be capable of regaining Chinese support. They have no hope of getting the Chinese vote, while at the same time they cannot afford to lose Malay support. 

“In the current situation, attacking Robert Kuok does not have any big consequences for Umno.

“The most important thing for them is to maintain Malay support. 

“This is their primary concern, even it means taking a torch to the spirit of racial unity. They view it as a potent strategy to remain in power.”  

Awang said continued reliance on Raja Petra’s blog posts could backfire. 

“This is a danger (to Umno) as there are previous writings by the exiled blogger that had accused Umno of many things. If you subscribe to his views now, this means you hold his views in other articles to be true as well.”

In his memoirs released in Malaysia last December, Kuok said Barisan Nasional parties had received substantial funds from him after independence.

“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,” he said.  

He said he had enjoyed close ties with Umno leaders, such as second deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.

Wading into the issue, Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong said political parties should not use public funds for their election campaigns.

“They should fund themselves and raise money through fundraising events instead of using public funds,” he said.

“Throughout my years as a politician, I have never seen BN component parties carrying out any fundraising projects. So they must be either really rich or they have been using the rakyat’s money. 

“We have to rely on public contributions as we don’t have a tycoon to financially back us. 

“BN has also shamed us. They said we were going around carrying ‘Milo tin cans’ asking for donations. But if BN doesn’t need contributions… how is it raising funds if not by using public funds?” – February 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • More of the highest stupidity and is suicidal.

    Posted 8 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Ketuanan`s fellas is hitting the panic button

    Posted 8 years ago by Leslie Chan · Reply

  • My guts feeling is that RPK blog site is now outsource to Umno bloggers and mercenaries who are spinning without a damn to the shredding of the already thin fabric in the racial unity . Obviously with the blessing from the warlords. The style of RPK old self writing his pieces is never like before even when at times where he is a loose mouth but he will carefully chose his topic to write. All the write up looks like is all guns blazing away without a care of the truth. Something is fishy ???? RPK could have sold his site to a very high bidders. The style of write up is very pedestrian in taste and a trade mark of Umno bloggers devoid in intellect and decorum. Using the daughter to partake in the blogging is only a ploy to deflect and side track the obvious as the gist contents from the daughter site up are very shallow. Hope that RPK will come back to his senses and reflect on the morality of his conduct

    Posted 8 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Cash is king!

      Posted 8 years ago by Leong Kuy Leng · Reply

  • “This is a danger (to Umno) as there are previous writings by the exiled blogger that had accused Umno of many things. If you subscribe to his views now, this means you hold his views in other articles to be true as well.” IS THIS THE REAL SITUATION OF UMNO/BN?

    Posted 8 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply

  • Maybe?? ................ UMNO wrote the "fake news" (without any proofs) ==> gave to RPK to publish (make him a hired scapegoat to deflect responsibility) ==> ordered mainstream newspapers to publish (RPK writings) to establish a veneer of authenticity ==> jump on the "fake news" (as authentic) to attack whomsoever ....... cunning, deceitful and ingenious!

    Posted 8 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • “BN has also shamed us. They said we were going around carrying ‘Milo tin cans’ asking for donations. But if BN doesn’t need contributions... how is it raising funds if not by using public funds?”....... - ....... "poor" opposition candidates; - most campaign funds from own candidates' pockets .............. BN candidates; - campaign funds fully paid by UMNO from money siphoned from ..... Scopene, 1MDB, EHP, ECRL. Mara, Felda, etc .....

    Posted 8 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • 'Panic' is never the case. This is all within their strategies in creating fear, fear and still fear. Their sole aim is just to discredit / destroy DAP. Malaysians, please open your eyes clearly to differentiate the right and the wrong. Make the correct choice for better Malaysia in future.

    Posted 8 years ago by Shiaw Loh · Reply