Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the heart and soul of the Perkasa movement.
Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah told The Malaysian Insider that Perkasa would remain a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
“We are not interested in becoming a political party,” he said.
He stressed that the Malay rights group would remain a watchdog for political parties.
He admitted hearing rumours that Perkasa would contest in the 13th General Election.
Azman Azha suspects the speculations are caused by their membership and support growth since it was established a year and four months ago.
He said there were more than 300,000 members in Perkasa presently and growing.
Perkasa’s popularity has grown particularly among right-wing Malays, with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad pointing out yesterday that it existed because Umno was weak and mismanaged.
But Perkasa’s strident and divisive rhetoric has spooked many non-Malays and moderate Malays, including those in the Najib administration who are mindful about the rights group’s significant influence.
Perkasa founder Datuk Ibrahim Ali, a journeyman politician from Kelantan, said recently that those who disagreed with the “social contract” that they can leave the country.
The rights group also recently called for MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for pushing for the removal of the Bumiputera equity target.
Arman Azha said however that there was a misconception that the group was “ultra-Malay” and racist.
He said that Perkasa’s role was to go against those who disrespected the Constitution.
“We are pressuring them not to touch the federal constitution but other people are thinking that we’re ultra-Malay, they are saying we’re racist… but if you’re following Perkasa, we are protecting the Federal Constitution,” he said.
He said such issues had been played up by politicians for their personal agenda.
“Don’t make the Federal Constitution into a political agenda,” he said. He instead criticised both coalitions for “not doing their job”.
“Both sides are saying that they are fighting for the rakyat but what they’re doing, they are playing politics since 2008, to strengthen themselves by playing the Federal Constitution by playing the racist issue,” Azman Azha said.
He said the recent chain of police reports lodged by both the Opposition and the ruling party about its call for vernacular schools to be abolished meant Perkasa was doing its job.
“That means Perkasa is doing its job. If they are strong enough they won’t bother with Perkasa,” he boasted.
“I just want to inform both sides that during the last election, both parties were talking about building up the nation. Please fulfill what you have promised… work as one government in the Parliament... outside the Parliament you can play politics… but please focus on the agenda,” he warned. - The Malaysian Insider
1 comment:
If Perkasa CLAIMS itself to be a NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, then why is it putting its hand in every single government POLICY?
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