Kong: BN thrives on the support rendered by every race, not only from the Malays.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that while the party was happy with the stand taken by Umno leaders in rejecting the right-wing group, it regretted the remarks made by “a prominent public figure” which appeared to suggest the opposite.
Over the weekend, Dr Mahathir stepped into the Umno-Perkasa fray by warning the ruling party that it risked further electoral losses if it distanced itself from the Malay rights group.
“We regret to read the remarks by a prominent public figure who claims that Umno needs backing from Perkasa if it does not want to risk BN losing support.
“BN does not consist of only one political party, but is an alliance which comprises various political parties representing all the ethnic groups in Malaysia.
“Hence, BN thrives on the support rendered by every race, not only from the Malays,” Kong reminded in a statement here today.
In a twist to the country’s racially-charged political landscape, top Umno leaders united last week with their BN allies to reject Perkasa, acknowledging that any association with the right-wing Malay rights group and its controversial president Datuk Ibrahim Ali would only lead to further erosion of Umno’s support.
The move was quickly lauded by MCA leaders, who have made it no secret they were no friend of Perkasa’s.
MCA, however, has been alone so far in its fight with the Malay rights group and has even found itself pitted against its own ally Umno, whose leaders had until recently remained non-committal of their feelings for Perkasa.
In response to the Malay party's overt rejection, Dr Mahathir rebuked Umno for dismissing Perkasa and warned the party that it stood lose votes over the move.
During his Hari Raya open house last weekend, the ex-premier claimed that Umno was “not very strong” and could ill-afford to alienate even a single vote.
Kong, however, shot down Dr Mahathir’s views and claimed that BN, as a whole, would not be able to win the public’s support through its association with “extremist or xenophobic groups” as it needed the mandate from all groups in the country.
“Any form of linkage with extremist groups will incur a loss in vote count against the BN,” he said.
Kong also stressed on BN’s multiracial spirit and make-up, pointing out that any grievances faced by the people would be resolved via consensus between all ethnic groups.
“Thus, BN should not compromise nor tolerate any racist group or extremist comments by any individual or group from permeating.
“As a responsible political alliance which prioritises the country’s harmony, peace and security above all else, BN will ensure that the future of Malaysia will not be sacrificed through the regressive and flawed racial outlooks of Perkasa,” he said.
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