Under-fire Robert Kuok gave large donations to Umno, MCA

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 27 Feb 2018 9:45AM · 10 Comments

Tycoon Robert Kuok, whose memoirs were released in Malaysia last year, has come under attack from Umno leaders following articles in the Malaysia Today blog accusing him of funding opposition party DAP and wanting to set up a Chinese-led government. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 27, 2018.

UNDER attack from Umno leaders and accused of disloyalty to Malaysia, the country’s richest tycoon, Robert Kuok, once gave large donations to the ruling Malay party, as well as MCA.

In his memoirs released in Malaysia last December, Kuok said the money he gave to Barisan Nasional parties after independence had been substantial.

“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.”

The 94-year-old Hong Kong-based businessman also had close ties with Umno leaders, such as second deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.

He also wrote about other forms of national service he had done, such as selling the shipping line he built, the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation, at the behest of then prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, to increase the Malay percentage of shareholding.

Kuok, over the last few days, has come under attack from Umno leaders following articles in blog Malaysia Today accusing him of funding opposition party DAP and wanting to set up a Chinese-led government.

Umno leader Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had told Kuok “not to forget his roots”, while Prime Minister Najib Razak said Kuok could not have made his fortune without the Malaysian government’s help.

The harshest words came from Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who called Kuok a “pondan” and dared him to return to Malaysia to contest in the 14th general election.

Kuok, dubbed the “Sugar King” with a global empire of diversified businesses, in his memoirs talked about how he had given funds to BN parties “especially when it comes to election time”.

He said former MCA president and then finance minister Tan Siew Sin had approached him for political donations on behalf of MCA and BN.

He detailed the episode when the MCA leadership asked him to post bail for then president Tan Koon Swan, who had been charged with criminal breach of trust in Singapore in connection with the Pan-El crisis that rocked the stock markets in Malaysia and Singapore.

Kuok paid the S$20 million (now RM59 million) bail. Koon Swan was later convicted and jailed.

In the late 1980s, Kuok’s help was again sought to rescue MCA-controlled Multi-Purpose Holdings Bhd, whose businesses included gaming, property development and plantations.

MCA yesterday defended Kuok, with party secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan saying the remarks by Umno leaders were “regrettable”, and party publicity spokesman Ti Lian Ker saying Kuok had the right to support any party he wanted and there were laws to deal with attempts to undermine the government.

Kuok’s office issued a statement last night, vehemently denying the allegations against him and reserving the right to take legal action against Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin for accusing him of trying to overthrow Najib’s government. – February 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • Umno leader Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had told Kuok “not to forget his roots”, while Prime Minister Najib Razak said Kuok could not have made his fortune without the Malaysian government’s help. I think Najib is seriously wrong. Robert Kuok used the the opportunity in the right direction to make himself rich. Vise Versa Najib in the name of donation used to himself rich......now called kleptocracy by TDM. Who is right and who is wrong can be decide in GE14.
    He said former MCA president and then finance minister Tan Siew Sin had approached him for political donations on behalf of MCA and BN. UMNO leaders so over worried on Robert Kuok donation.....isn"t it the same as Saudi donation?

    Posted 6 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply

  • Whichever way it is, the ones asking and taking donations are less respectable than the ones giving.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • We are all aware who are the pondans and who talk cock! I have never known politicians who have commonsense. They love to shoot from the hips and when caught with their foot in their mouth , always claimed being misquoted

    Posted 6 years ago by HC Lung · Reply

  • Strange, UMNO is telling people not to believe in Fake News, and even starting to create new laws against fake news so what the heck are they jumping mad when RPK says something which DAP and Robert Kuok said is Fake News? Has UMNO already verifies that all and what RPK said are true or "hearsay"? Look like UMNO government is shooting blind! heheheee

    Posted 6 years ago by Yong Yeok Fong · Reply

  • What an ungrateful lot, UMNO and MCA.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mogan Rao · Reply

  • Seriously, nowadays most politician are jumpy and using harsh words over every issues especially near GE 14, without giving deep thought on the repercussion on the impact with their harsh words which indirectly exposing the party strenght and weakness even their financial standing. With all due respect, harsh challenge against individual especially those whom had assist the










    Posted 6 years ago by Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak · Reply

  • With all due respect, surprisingly nowadays politician are getting more aggresive with their harsh comment and challenges without having second thought on repercussion or impact to the party. They should look back and understand party history before making any harsh comment or challenges. RK and all wealthy , rich and famous businessman are smart opportunist knows when to grab and make use of the opportunities that can make them who they are now. They are the one who provide funds and donations to party during GE , unlike those who abuse and misuse of power for individual benefits example those high profiles individuals involve in corruption, cbt etc this are second.class opportunist which should be eliminated , not to challenge them but dump them.behind bars. Guess, parties should be sensitive some issues don't simply jump the gun simply to be in the limelight as the repercussion can be great enough for them to lose their seats.













    Posted 6 years ago by Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak · Reply

  • Nazri should have a reign over his tongue. Calling Kuok a 'pondan' is disgraceful. A Minister's repugnant behaviour such as this is deplorable and should be condemned by all right-thinking people. He should not be appointed again as a member of the Cabinet. He should be consigned to his kampong to take long rest. A loose canon he is!

    Posted 6 years ago by Peter Johnson · Reply

    • He is a gangster, not a minister!

      Posted 6 years ago by Leong Kuy Leng · Reply

  • If RK donates to the opposition, he will be doing many Malaysians esp the Chinese community a big favour! Your past donations to UMNO and MCA are not appreciated and UMNO is the kacang who lupa kulit! Always blame others for faults they themselves exhibit!

    Posted 6 years ago by Leong Kuy Leng · Reply