The perceived idea that Perkasa is a platform for Umno rejects -- since a sizeble number of its members are Umno members, those out of the mainstream and who have lost in elections -- is said to be the other reason why some Umno leaders are staying away from the organisation.
ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR, New Straits Times
AN Umno division chief was seen sitting in a car, the windows wound down, listening to speeches at the official launch of the district's Malay rights group Peribumi Perkasa Negara or Perkasa.
That's an irony. He had received an invitation and should be sitting onstage.
It was later revealed that the politician wanted to play it safe. He wasn't sure if he should openly display support to the organisation that has been in the limelight of late.
His fear is genuine. If the Umno leadership is not happy with Perkasa, he would be in trouble.
But he is curious. His best bet would, therefore, be to listen to what the speakers had to say and pray hard that no one would spot him that night. It would be bad luck indeed if he were.
Unlike some of his counterparts in other Umno divisions, he is among those who have reservations about Perkasa, an organisation led by expelled Umno member and Pasir Mas independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali.
There are suspicions that Ibrahim is using Perkasa as his own personal platform to remain relevant in local politics as there is less room for him to build his political fortune as an independent lawmaker.
With the perception that Perkasa is trying to hijack Umno's role as the bastion for the Malays and their struggles, the division chief's response to the invitation was understandable.
Perkasa believes that its struggle reflects the original objectives behind the formation of Umno in 1946 and therefore, should be supported by the Malays.
The organisation is trying hard to reach out to the Malays through various activities including setting up a Facebook account, which unfortunately until today had only attracted 17 members as of yesterday, the day it held its inaugural annual general assembly.
Perkasa has spread to all states since Ibrahim founded it two years ago. It has been vocal on issues on Malays and Islam; protested against liberalisation of the economy and actively lobbied the government to retain the affirmative action policy favouring the Malays and in the soon to be announced New Economic Model.
"Its not true that Perkasa poses a threat to Umno...we are just defending the rights of Malays as spelt out under the Federal Constitution and social contract," Ibrahim said recently.
Ibrahim reiterated this at yesterday's assembly: "People say Perkasa wants to compete with Umno. We are not competing with any parties as we are not contesting in the elections."
An Umno division leader from Perak, however, does not think Perkasa is apolitical but he is happy that there is now an organisation providing an alternative platform for Malays to fight for their rights.
Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo says Perkasa is only a non-governmental organisation like Suqui (the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee), fighting for the rights of the community they represent.
The perceived idea that Perkasa is a platform for Umno rejects -- since a sizeble number of its members are Umno members, those out of the mainstream and who have lost in elections -- is said to be the other reason why some Umno leaders are staying away from the organisation.
There are some supporting Perkasa behind closed doors but many Umno veterans, former elected representatives and party members have no qualms showing their support in public.
Many also are not Perkasa members, like former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik.
There is also the belief that Perkasa is a vehicle for extremist Umno members and thus, there is concern that the organisation could undermine Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia concept.
This has kept some Malays away from Perkasa, which according to Ibrahim, was willing to work alongside Umno in upholding and safeguarding the rights of Malays, Islam, Bahasa Malaysia and the Malay rulers.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Perkasa's existence was due to a weak Umno and that the government should listen to the Malays, not just the non-Malays.
"Maybe there are Umno members who are not happy and they want to also fight their cause on a platform like Perkasa.
"There were many Umno members present at the opening of Perkasa assembly, this is alright..I do not think Perkasa is undermining Umno's role at all," adds Sabbaruddin.
Kubu Gajah Umno division chief Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar says the fear that the organisation would take over Umno's role is unfounded.
It's still a long way for Perkasa to go in order to rise into an effective pressure group within the Malay community.
More important is whether its approaches are acceptable to the majority of Malays.
No comments:
Post a Comment