Perkasa takes a swipe at Muslim leaders

Umno, PAS and PKR are keeping mum on proselytisation for the sake of a small number of Christian votes.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Muslim leaders of all political divide must unite earnestly to stop Christians from their attempts to convert Muslims, said Perkasa.

The right-wing movement’s secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali ticked off Muslim leaders from Umno, PAS and PKR for keeping mum on Christians proselytising.

“Just for the sake of a small number of Christian votes, our own leaders are ignoring the sensitivities of the Muslim majority,” said Syed Hassan.

He was flanked by 20 supporters at a press conference outside the National Mosque after Friday’s prayers.

On Aug 3, the Selangor religious department, JAIS, raided a church during a thanksgiving dinner over allegations that the church was converting Muslims.

The Damansara Utama Methodist Church and Komuniti Harapan, the organiser of the dinner, denied the allegations, saying it was a fundraiser for a HIV/AIDS support group.


Although there are laws prohibiting proselytising, Syed Hassan claimed that Christians were trying to work their way around it, and this has hit a raw nerves among Muslims.

He made an appeal to the Malay Rulers to intervene and take stern action against those who showed disrespect for Islam.

“We don’t see Hindus or Buddhist trying to convert our people. It’s only the Christians,” he said.

Perkasa against polls reform committee

Asked if Perkasa would play mediator should Muslim leaders from both political divide come together on the matter, he said: “They are adults and they can think for themselves.”

On today’s turnout, Syed Hassan conceded that he was frustrated with the attendance.

On another matter, Syed Hassan said Perkasa would welcome any decision to appoint its chief, Ibrahim Ali, into the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms. Ibrahim is an independent MP for Pasir Mas.

However, Syed Hassan said he did not support the formation of committee, saying BN and Pakatan can never see eye to eye on the matter.

“Some said the election should be called after the committee’s recommendation are adopted. It’s only going to drag the issue further,” he said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the setting up of a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.

This, Najib said, would put to rest any allegation that the government was tampering with the electoral process to stay in power.

Since then, the government had announced the committee would have nine members, five from BN, four from Pakatan and one independent MP.