ROBERT Kuok is a patriot, a Malaysian icon, and a first class gentleman, says Nazir Razak.

The prime minister’s brother today posted a picture on Instagram of himself with the Malaysian sugar king, saying he was lucky to have spent time with 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,” said Nazir.

Umno leaders such as Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Nazri Aziz had accused Kuok of being disloyal to Malaysia and wishing to overthrow Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Nazir, who is the CIMB group chairman, is the second to declare Kuok a patriot after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said the Umno leaders’ accusations were insulting as Kuok was a “true patriot”

MCA party secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan has said the Umno leaders’ remarks were “regrettable”. – February 28, 2018.