KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 28): Recent attacks against Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok is a move by some elements within the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to whip up anti-Chinese sentiments ahead of the country’s general election, say observers.

Mr Rashaad Ali, a researcher at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the attacks against the billionaire by several lieutenants of Prime Minister Najib Razak were "mostly a piece of political opportunism to hit out at the (opposition Chinese majority Democratic Action Party) DAP and stoke Malay fears of a Chinese takeover.”

Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi at Universiti Malaya’s Socio-culture Department told news portal The Malaysian Insight (TMI) that leaders from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) — the dominant party in BN — are "in a panic."

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

Malaysia’s national polls — which is expected to be called within months — is widely expected to be the country’s tightest political contest in decades.

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

He also said the vitriol against the tycoon was also to ensure Umno’s political survival and support for the party in the interior and Malay-majority constituencies remained “intact”.

“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,” he told TMI.

“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.”

Umno leaders have lined up to attack Mr Kuok after allegations surfaced last week that he is funding efforts to topple the premier, but Mr Majib in a statement late on Tuesday (Feb 27) appeared to draw a line under the saga.

Mr Najib’s statement came hours after Mr Liow Tiong Lai, transport minister and the highest ranking ethnic Chinese in Najib’s cabinet, slammed the attacks as “baseless” and urged his boss to intervene and “put this issue to rest”.

Chinese-language dailies in Malaysia also slammed Umno leaders for their vitriol against Mr Kuok, pointing out in editorials that such rhetoric was only aimed at consolidating the Malay vote.

Mr Kuok, Malaysia’s richest man, had on Monday threatened legal action against a website he said had cast “aspersions” on his commitment to the country’s democratic processes.

The magnate is viewed as an icon of the Chinese diaspora at home and in China — which in recent years has invested billions of dollars in the development of Malaysian ports and railroads.

Mr Najib’s statement late on Tuesday did not directly reference the allegations, but described Mr Kuok as a shining example for local entrepreneurs.

Assoc Prof Awang Azman said Mr Najib had little choice but to put a stop to the attacks as it was “damaging Barisan Nasional’s credibility”.

“These allegations were made with no evidence whatsoever... and could threaten race relations,” he said.

The upcoming election, which must be held before August, pits Mr Najib against the former strongman premier Mahathir Mohamad, who has crossed aisles and joined arms with an opposition coalition that includes the DAP.

The Malaysia Today portal last week kick-started the attacks against Mr Kuok with a series of articles alleging he was quietly funding the DAP and TMI, the news website widely viewed as pro-opposition.

“In no uncertain terms, Mr Robert Kuok states that the Malaysia Today articles constitute very serious libel. Moreover, the allegations made are false and the attack on him wholly unjustified,” Mr Kuok said in a rare statement on Monday. The statement said Mr Kuok “reserves the right to take all necessary steps” against the portal.

The rejoinder by Mr Kuok, a former owner of the South China Morning Post, came after several ruling coalition officials took aim at him after the articles were published — including a challenge on Monday from Mr Nazri, a senior cabinet member, for Mr Kuok to stand as a candidate in the elections.

“If you are man enough, then come home and run for elections,” said Mr Nazri, as he used a derogatory Malay term for effeminate men to refer to Mr Kuok and accused him of hiding in Hong Kong.

In a tirade directly addressing Mr Kuok and captured on video, the minister added: “If you consider yourself rich, then join politics. Don’t be a coward and hide just to fund DAP in order for the (ruling coalition) to collapse.”

Mr Najib’s arch rival Dr Mahathir joined Mr Liow, leader of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), in panning Mr Nazri’s comments. The tourist minister, however, was unapologetic.

Late on Tuesday he said would not have attacked Mr Kuok a day earlier if the tycoon “had denied the allegation immediately after it appeared”.

Mr Kuok has for decades lived in Hong Kong, but in a memoir released last year said he still considered his country of birth his true home.

The nonagenarian started off his career as an entrepreneur as a small-time sugar merchant in his hometown of Johor in the south of Malaysia. That venture rapidly grew in the 1960s and 1970s, and today his family’s business empire includes Shangri La Hotels and Resorts and the Hong Kong-based logistics behemoth Kerry Group.

The release of Mr Kuok’s memoirs last November caused a stir because of his criticism of the BN’s affirmative action policies favouring the country’s majority Malays.

Mr Kuok for the first time also revealed he donated to the ruling coalition “willingly, happily and freely”.

At one point Mr Kuok also posted a hefty bail for Mr Tan Koon Swan, one-time president of the MCA when the leader was arrested in Singapore in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud case.

Mr Najib, who has spent the last week doing roadshows promoting the government’s economic plans, argued on Saturday that it was Mr Kuok who had benefited more from the ruling coalition’s six-decade rule.

The premier has ramped up public appearances in recent weeks, and observers say he is likely to dissolve parliament within weeks and announce an election date.

“If we look at the list of names of the richest people in Malaysia, such as Robert Kuok, who gave him the key to become the rice and sugar king? It was given to him to him by the ruling government,” Mr Najib said.

He added: “Yes, he is driven, hardworking, industrious and disciplined - but that is not enough. Everyone still needs the key and they are hopeful that government policies are key to creating these opportunities.”

In his statement, Mr Kuok did not directly rebut the premier, but said he had a “deep appreciation for the opportunities” he enjoyed in his lifetime.

“Mr 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.

In the statement on Tuesday, Mr Najib’s office said Mr Kuok’s response was in line with the premier’s own views that the government’s support was key to success in business. — SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST