Umno rep who called MCA 'racist' agrees to a ceasefire on billionaire spat

Umno assemblyperson Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Tengku Hamid Jumat has agreed to let to rest the war of words with regard to billionaire Robert Kuok.

He was responding to Umno veteran and Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad, who took him to task for labelling MCA as a“racist” party for defending the business magnate.

“When the grand old man of Johor politics speaks, naturally we will take notice,” Tengku Putra Haron told Malaysiakini, without naming Shahrir.

MCA had come to Kuok's defence following attacks from Umno leaders after of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin accused the billionaire of bankrolling DAP on his portal, Malaysia Today.

Kuok and DAP have denied the allegation.

Elaborating on Shahrir, who is also the BN Backbenchers Council (BNBBC) chairperson, Tengku Putra Haron said for some, “sometimes wisdom comes with age”.

“We need that balance in today's politics. That is why we are doing roadshows nationwide in promoting the TN50 (National Transformation 2050).

“The stalwart (Shahrir, photo) may still be fielded in Johor Baru in the coming election, perhaps to serve as an equilibrium between youth and the experienced in BN. This is good,” he added.

The Kempas assemblyperson said he agreed to a ceasefire on the Kuok issue as long as there were no further attacks on Umno.

Tengku Putra Haron emphasised that he was doing this out of respect for the directive from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“I will comply and consider this matter rested,” he added.

Yesterday, Najib, who is also the BN chairperson, stressed the importance of the ruling coalition standing as a united frontin the coming general election.

“We must accept that if Umno wins, BN wins, if MCA wins, BN wins and if MIC wins, BN wins... If other component parties win, BN wins.

“We should not fight among ourselves,” Najib said.

On Tuesday, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai vowed that his party would take action against Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz for disrespecting Kuok.

Nazri had rained insults on the 94-year-old billionaire, who is now based in Hong Kong, and challenged him to contest in the election.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Nazri said he would not apologise to MCA or to Kuok. Mkini