MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has called his colleague in the Cabinet Nazri Aziz an opposition collaborator as ties between the two soured after a war of words over tycoon Robert Kuok. 

“Today, MCA not only confronts opposition parties, which appear omnipotent, but also the ‘colluders with the opposition’ from within BN.

“The ‘colluder with the opposition’ from within BN that I am talking about, everyone knows who he is.

“He is the tourism minister who is making baseless accusations against (business tycoon) Robert Kuok,” Liow said during his speech at MCA’s 69th-anniversary celebration at the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Nazri had hit out at Kuok over claims the latter had channelled funds to DAP. The allegations were first made in a Malaysia Today post by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.

This sparked a war of words between Nazri and MCA, which is a partner in the Barisan Nasional coalition with Nazri’s Umno party. 

MCA leaders and several Chinese newspapers criticised the minister for his rude comments, saying they would undermine communal relations and affect Chinese support towards BN. 

Stung by the criticism, Nazri said MCA no longer represented the Chinese community going by its disastrous performance in the 13th general election.

In his speech, Liow, who is transport minister, called Nazri a small fry and described the latter’s attacks against MCA as immature. 

“Since our independence, MCA has always represented the Chinese community and its traditions. 

“MCA no matter what, has been adhering to the needs of the Chinese community. If we don’t represent the Chinese then who are we representing?

“Najib (Razak) is BN (chairman) and is also Umno president, Nazri is only a small fry in Umno.

“What Nazri said is very immature,” said Liow.

The MCA president then warned the Umno minister: “Nazri mind your language.” – March 3, 2018