Dr M replaces Selangor Sultan at Perkasa confab

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will open Malay nationalist group Perkasa’s inaugural assembly on March 27, replacing the Sultan of Selangor who had decided not to attend the meeting.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the former prime minister will be given a warrior’s welcome.

“Tun Mahathir will be given a grand warrior’s welcome in accordance with Malay custom,” said Ibrahim in a statement to The Malaysian Insider.

Dr Mahathir who once made Ibrahim a deputy minister had also officiated the Selangor Perkasa launch on Jan 30.

Yesterday Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said that he would not attend the Perkasa assembly.

However the Sultan hoped that the Perkasa meeting would proceed and the organisation would carry on its agenda to safeguard the sovereignty of the institution of rulers, Malay and bumiputera rights and the sanctity of Islam as the country’s official religion.

He also clarified that Ibrahim should not be blamed for naming him as the guest of honour on the Perkasa assembly invitation card as the palace had on early last month agreed to the organisation’s request.

Meanwhile Ibrahim hoped those who wish to attend the assembly to arrive early at the Putra World Trade Centre.

“As of now, more than 8,000 members have confirmed their attendance and some 2,000 invited guests are also expected to attend,” said Ibrahim.

“Because the attendance will be more than 10,000, so I am asking for cooperation from everyone to come early to avoid traffic congestion,” he said.

Ibrahim added that the assembly will debate motions on religion, economy, education and security.

Perkasa was formed soon after Election 2008 and has turned into a strong pressure group representing those seeking to defend the constitutional position of the Malays and the social contract.

It has been at the forefront in lobbying the government to retain the affirmative action policy favouring the Malays and in the New Economic Model (NEM) scheduled to be announced at the end of this month.