Kuok mulls suit against Raja Petra for slander

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 26 Feb 2018 7:51PM · 7 Comments

Billionaire Robert Kuok is looking legal action against Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin for publishing articles falsely asserting that he was trying to overthrow the present government in the next general election. – Facebook picture, February 26, 2018.

MALAYSIAN tycoon Robert Kuok is looking into legal action against the Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin for accusing him of trying to overthrow the Najib government in the next general election.

The billionaire’s office said in a statement today that the fugitive blogger had made false allegations against Kuok in three articles published in the blog between February 21 and 23.

“Mr Robert Kuok takes these baseless allegations very seriously, and reserves the right to take all necessary steps against Malaysia Today and the author to address the false allegations contained in the scurrilous articles,” his office said.

Kuok made his fortune from importing sugar into Malaysia, parlaying that business into a Hong Kong-based empire that spans commodities and hotels.

“Mr Kuok refutes and emphatically denies the false allegations contained in the articles “Malaysian Insight Funder Fingered” on February 21; “Robert Kuok Wants Chinese Rule in Malaysia” on February 21; and “Robert Kuok’s Last Chance at Changing the Government” on February 23.

His office said the false assertions made in these articles include that Kuok was funding The Malaysian Insight and various political parties with the aim of overthrowing the present government of Malaysia.

“These allegations are untrue, and Mr Robert Kuok expressly denies them in their entirety,” the statement said. 

Kuok’s office also addressed the attacks on his loyalty to Malaysia following recent statements by Umno leaders against him.

“Articles have emerged that have cast aspersions on Mr Robert Kuok’s commitment to Malaysia and the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.

“Mr Robert Kuok wishes to state that any assertion that he has forgotten his roots are entirely false.”

Earlier today, Umno minister Nazri Aziz had called Kuok a “pondan” and dared the 94-year-old based in Hong Kong to return to Malaysia to contest in the 14th general election.

Nazri’s attack followed remarks by another Umno leader, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who told Kuok “not to forget his roots”.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Razak had also said Kuok could not have made his fortune without the Malaysian government’s help.

But it was Nazri’s words that prompted ruling Chinese party, MCA, to respond and defend Kuok.

MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Ti Lian Ker said Nazri’s attack was not in keeping with Malaysian culture and that Kuok was a businessman whose success had also benefited Malaysians in general.

Kuok’s office said the businessman deeply appreciated the opportunities he had in Malaysia and denied that he was embarking on a campaign to manipulate the country’s political process and democratic system.

His office also denied that Kuok was anti-government, racist and a “Chinese chauvinist”.

“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,” the statement said. – February 26, 2018.

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Comments

  • When the GE is near, all sorts of fake news, video ..... will flood the media world. Creating fear is the 'great' job by the politicians. They know very well that the opposition party does not have the resources to counter attack/defend, especially when the agent is based in London. I guess more and more will come from this agent soon. All the damages (influence the voters) had already been done, not much the opposition party can do inside our own country. It will be different now as Kuok is not limited in any resources. They might just hit a wrong target that they will regret very much.

    Posted 6 years ago by Shiaw Loh · Reply

    • UMNO will send a team of lawyers to defend him similar to how they helped the Low Yatt "handphone" thief.

      Posted 6 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Sue to make the point and set the record straight BUT there is no way to win the public war in the short term. Najib is behind this and the forces he sends are rabid animals fed on narcotics of racism and religo-fanaticism supported by our system of govt. Sue in London, take the money and set the record straight and then let them self-destruct.

    Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

    • Hope the UK court send him to jail

      Posted 6 years ago by Su Kian Hui · Reply

  • What for? The guy is a bankrupt, made by UMNO and its cronies in the past. It is like flogging a dead horse. He does not care as long as he gets his money. He is a gun for hire even b y his former enemies.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tan CH · Reply

  • I am sure Robert Kuok will defend his reputation and name as dearly as his life unlike some leader having accused of Theft by Wall Street Journal and even UNITED STATES DEPART OF JUSTICE, choose to ignore and snubbed out home-based media.

    Posted 6 years ago by Yong Yeok Fong · Reply

  • Robert Kuok, sue him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mogan Rao · Reply