Chinese abandoned MCA before Perkasa was born, says Ibrahim

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali refuted today Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s accusation that the loss of Chinese support in the Hulu Selangor by-election was caused by the existence of the Malay rights group.
“Whether Perkasa exists or not, the results would have been the same. The Chinese voters have rejected MCA even before Perkasa was formed,” said Ibrahim (picture).
The MCA president had earlier today blamed Perkasa for the party’s failure to deliver the Chinese votes to Barisan Nasional (BN).
In Sunday’s by-election, the Chinese support level for the BN was reduced from about 35 per cent to fewer than 30 per cent despite winning the semi-rural constituency by 1,725 votes.
In Election 2008, the MCA’s share of parliamentary seats was reduced from 31 to 15. Perkasa was formed after the general election to defend the constitutional position of the Malays which the organisation claimed has been under threat with the emergence of a stronger opposition.
“How much influence does Perkasa have? Many Chinese do not know about Perkasa and what we are doing,” Ibrahim told The Malaysian Insider.
He also pointed out that the MCA has consistently failed to win in Chinese-dominated areas in the urban constituencies.
“Can they win in Kepong or in Bukit Bintang? Or was it because of Perkasa too?” asked Ibrahim.
The two federal seats are held by DAP.
“I pity Chua Soi Lek as Perkasa is the only excuse he could think of,” he said.
“If they keep accusing Perkasa, MCA will have a dark future because in the next election the Malays will not vote for MCA candidates,” said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim pointed out that the existence of Chinese pressure groups had never caused the Malays to abandon the ruling coalition.
“The Malays are also not happy with their demands, but the Malays still support BN,” said Ibrahim.
The independent Pasir Mas MP said Dr Chua’s personal issues could have possibly caused the Chinese to support PKR instead of the MCA.
“The resignation of the Wanita chief was really a big blow to them because it was motivated by moral issues,” said Ibrahim, referring to Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who resigned after Dr Chua was elected president as she said she was unable to work with a “tainted leader”.
Ibrahim said the MCA’s internal crisis, which started soon after Election 2008, had also caused the Hulu Selangor Chinese to vote for PKR.
“I met personally the Chinese in Hulu Selangor. They are tired with MCA because of the crisis,” he said.
Ibrahim added that PKR candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was also another factor that caused the reduction in Chinese support.
“If it was not Zaid, BN’s share of the Chinese votes would have been higher,” said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim was in Hulu Selangor throughout the campaign period to help BN candidate P. Kamalanathan.