Perkasa claims Malott being led to attack Malaysia

Ibrahim said Malott’s criticism was “uncalled for”. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali claimed today that former US ambassador John Malott was instigated by a local politician to continue his attacks against the Malaysian government.

In an apparent reference to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP told a press conference here that Malott was helping his “Malaysian friend” by criticising the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“I believe somebody asked him to do it. Perhaps a Malaysian who is about to reach the end of his political career, but I’m not going to mention his name,” said Ibrahim.

In his article published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Malott warned Malaysia against delaying reform plans or risked losing the country’s competitiveness.

The former US ambassador to Kuala Lumpur who served from 1995 to 1998 also accused the Najib administration of failing to improve race relations in order to protect the ruling party’s support base in the Malay community.

Malott had once described Perkasa as a militant group and had previously written articles favouring Anwar who is facing his second sodomy charge in a decade.

“He is a sick man. The way he criticised the prime minister is very uncalled for,” said Ibrahim.

“If you look at Najib’s policies, we are not happy with certain things that he does especially on Bumiputera issues but we support his leadership,” he added.

Ibrahim said not all Perkasa demands were fulfilled by the government.

The Independant lawmaker also dismissed National Economic Council (NEAC) advisor Datuk Dr Zainal Aznam Mohd Yusof’s allegation that Perkasa had forced the government to reverse its decision to reform the Bumiputera policy in the New Economic Model (NEM).

Zainal also alleged that Perkasa’s interference resulted in the government dropping the NEAC proposal to setup Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC).

He had also pointed out that unlike the second part of the NEM, which was launched last December, the first part of the NEM had left out the 30 per cent Bumiputra equity target.

Ibrahim, however, said that Perkasa was not the only group consulted by the government.

“NEAC is an advisory body. Their ideas can be discussed further before implementation. Even Chinese groups held a discussion,” said Ibrahim.

“He should have presented the facts, not just blame Perkasa. Was he saying that the PM must accept his suggestions 100 per cent?” he added.