Careless statements harming BN component parties, says Tiong

MIRI: Careless and arrogant statements made by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz over billionaire Robert Kuok are causing detrimental consequences to Barisan Nasional component parties, says Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

The leader of the Sarawak-based component party of Barisan Nasional also said the manner in which Nazri had lashed out at the Hong Kong-based Malaysian tycoon smacks of arrogance.

Nazri’s outburst followed the recent postings by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin on his website Malaysia Today alleging that Kuok was funding various political parties to overthrow the Government.

Tiong, the Bintulu MP, said Nazri and Umno should realise that the Chinese-based component parties in Barisan have stood by Umno during its difficult times.

However, careless and uncalled for statements have harmed the Barisan component parties, he added.

“Did Nazri realise why the Chinese voters had turned their backs on Barisan in the 2013 general election?

“What was the reason they did so and which Barisan party were they unhappy about?” he asked in a statement from his office in Kuala Lumpur.

Tiong reminded Nazri to be careful with his remarks regarding the Chinese.

He said it is not true that all Chinese are pro-DAP, pointing out that there are visible signs in Sarawak that the Chinese voters have started to return to Barisan, as seen in the 2016 Sarawak state election.

“Barisan won eight of the 16 key Chinese seats in the Sarawak state election.

“So, it is not true that all Chinese voters are turning to DAP.

“Nazri should look at the results of the Sarawak state election and be grateful to the Chinese for returning to the Barisan,” said Tiong.

He also called on Nazri and other Umno leaders to adhere to the Barisan spirit and not make harmful remarks.

In the 2016 Sarawak election, Barisan won 72 out of 82 seats, wresting back five Chinese-majority seats from DAP.

DAP and PKR took seven and three seats respectively.