Opposition exploited my comments in 2013, says Supermax Corp boss
My conversation was exploited by opposition, says group managing director
DATUK Seri Stanley Thai’s comments were allegedly exploited and used by the opposition to lure Chinese voters during the 13th General Election (GE13).
The Supermax Corp Bhd group managing director said his comments on GE13 during a dinner organised by Bloomberg Malaysia in March 2013 were manipulated by the opposition.
He, at the time, thought the conversation was private, and commented on why Chinese voters were not supporting the ruling coalition, which was then published by foreign media and went viral.
“When my conversation was reported and published two weeks before GE13, I realised the article went viral quickly and was exploited by the opposition to gain interest from the Chinese voters.
“As a businessman, I realised that it was wrong to get involved in politics as I realised that I was being influenced by the opposition’s propaganda.
“I was invited to be part of the advisory panel of Institute Rakyat, where I had never attended any meeting, and requested to have my name removed from its website.
“Thus, I expressed my regret and apology to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for my actions during GE13,” he said during a press conference for his public apology to the prime minister here yesterday.
Thai said he threw his support to the government’s economic policies since day one while he continued to pursue his work in business.
He said he would like to see political stability where foreign investors were confident to invest in Malaysia with the policies made under Najib’s administration.
Thai said his glove manufacturing company had been facing challenges due to the opposition state leadership where Supermax was forced to delay two of its Selangor projects for almost three years due to water shortages.
He said this had led the company to bleed millions of ringgit in losses.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) president Tan Sri S. Nallakaruppan said he would not be contesting in the 14th General Election (GE14).
The former senator said while he was offered a seat by Barisan Nasional leaders, he refused the seat to focus his party’s support to the coalition during GE14.
He said being in politics would require him to travel a lot.
“Plus, I have served my term as a senator but I will continue my support for BN in this election.”
Nallakaruppan said no MIUP member would be contesting in GE14.