Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak denies attacking ‘family friend’ Robert Kuok, Hong Kong tycoon, during time in power

Najib was responding to comments made on Monday by former tourism minister Nazri Aziz, who said he had been under orders to insult Kuok

Before last May’s general election, Nazri called the 95-year-old sugar and cooking oil magnate a ‘coward’ who was ‘hiding behind a wall in Hong Kong’

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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is currently on trial for corruption. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:28pm, 16 Jul 2019Updated: 10:59pm, 17 Jul 2019

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday denied deliberately attacking Robert Kuok during his tenure, insisting the Hong Kong-based tycoon has been a “family friend for years” and that he had no reason to sully his reputation, local media reported.

Najib was responding to comments by former tourism minister Nazri Aziz, who on Monday said he insulted Kuok under Najib’s orders – an assertion the former leader has denied.

Nazri Aziz pictured in 2012, when Barisan Nasional were in power. Photo: AFP

Just before last May’s general election, Nazri had called the 95-year-old sugar and cooking oil magnate a “coward” who was “hiding behind a wall in Hong Kong”, after an unverified blog post claimed the billionaire was backing the Democratic Action Party, which was then in opposition.

“It was a complete misunderstanding. He [Kuok] has been a family friend for years with my parents and I know his children as well,” Najib said on Tuesday outside parliament as he addressed the row with Nazri, which was sparked after he blamed declining support by Chinese-Malaysians for his then-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition government on Nazri’s condemnation of Kuok.

Najib said his past comments on the business magnate’s wealth were meant to illustrate a larger point about how all Malaysian tycoons had been able to amass their fortunes because of the favourable conditions provided by Barisan Nasional, The Star reported.

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak denies attacking ‘family friend’ Robert Kuok, Hong Kong tycoon, during time in power

Najib was responding to comments made on Monday by former tourism minister Nazri Aziz, who said he had been under orders to insult Kuok Before last May’s general election, Nazri called the 95-year-old sugar and cooking oil magnate a ‘coward’ who was ‘hiding behind a wall in Hong Kong’

Najib was responding to comments made on Monday by former tourism minister Nazri Aziz, who said he had been under orders to insult Kuok

Before last May’s general election, Nazri called the 95-year-old sugar and cooking oil magnate a ‘coward’ who was ‘hiding behind a wall in Hong Kong’