Perkasa supremo says he is often misunderstood and labelled as racist by the public, without them knowing the 'real' Ibrahim Ali, who has respect for other races and religions.
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: It is not easy championing one’s community as my actions are often misinterpreted, said Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.
In an exclusive interview with FMT, the 62-year-old politician said that despite the challenges, he has learnt that the trick to dealing with bad press is by laughing it off.
“Whenever I make a statement on any issue, people think it is racial or political but when other leaders make the same statement on the same issue, the public does not cry [say] a word,” said Ibrahim, with a chuckle.
On why he thinks people love to antagonise him, Ibrahim said,” I think they are jealous of me but I have learnt to accept their scorn as part and parcel of life.”
Dismissing the racist label levelled against him, Ibrahim said he would have launched a huge protest against entertainment and gambling centres if he was a racist, owing to the fact that Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.
“How can I be a racist? My personal driver is a Indian-Hindu and I have a lot of respect for him.
“During Thaipusam, whenever there is a chariot procession, I stop my car or move to give way to the chariot. I do respect other religions contrary to what people think of me,” said Ibrahim.
However, the firebrand politician was not apologetic when it came to Perkasa, saying that the Malay rights NGO he founded would continue to speak out on issues affecting the Malays, Rulers and on Islam.
‘I’m a good frog’
“Perkasa came about after BN performed poorly at the 12th general election. We started championing Malay rights aggressively and for that, we are labelled as racists.
“Would we be called a racist organisation if we were to support Anwar Ibrahim and the opposition?” Ibrahim asked.
Commenting on the ‘frog’ monicker levelled against him, Ibrahim admitted that it was given to him for often switching his political allegiance in the past.
Ibrahim was first elected as Pasir Mas MP in the 1986 general election, under the Umno banner. He later held the same seat on the Semangat 46 ticket.
In the 12th general election, Ibrahim ran for the seat on the PAS ticket and won. He later fell-out with the Islamist party and became a pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) independent.
In the recent 13th general election, Ibrahim was defeated by Nik Muhammad Abduh Nik Aziz, the son of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
Ibrahim defended himself, saying that amongst the so-called ‘frogs’, he is the good one [frog] as he was not a corrupt leader.
“If one says I am a frog, then there are many other frogs including (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim who has switched parties several times.
“I am a good frog, not a corrupted one. Has anyone ever accused me of indulging in corruption?” asked Ibrahim, adding that he only owns one house and a car.
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: It is not easy championing one’s community as my actions are often misinterpreted, said Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.In an exclusive interview with FMT, the 62-year-old politician said that despite the challenges, he has learnt that the trick to dealing with bad press is by laughing it off.
“Whenever I make a statement on any issue, people think it is racial or political but when other leaders make the same statement on the same issue, the public does not cry [say] a word,” said Ibrahim, with a chuckle.
On why he thinks people love to antagonise him, Ibrahim said,” I think they are jealous of me but I have learnt to accept their scorn as part and parcel of life.”
Dismissing the racist label levelled against him, Ibrahim said he would have launched a huge protest against entertainment and gambling centres if he was a racist, owing to the fact that Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.
“How can I be a racist? My personal driver is a Indian-Hindu and I have a lot of respect for him.
“During Thaipusam, whenever there is a chariot procession, I stop my car or move to give way to the chariot. I do respect other religions contrary to what people think of me,” said Ibrahim.
However, the firebrand politician was not apologetic when it came to Perkasa, saying that the Malay rights NGO he founded would continue to speak out on issues affecting the Malays, Rulers and on Islam.
‘I’m a good frog’
“Perkasa came about after BN performed poorly at the 12th general election. We started championing Malay rights aggressively and for that, we are labelled as racists.
“Would we be called a racist organisation if we were to support Anwar Ibrahim and the opposition?” Ibrahim asked.
Commenting on the ‘frog’ monicker levelled against him, Ibrahim admitted that it was given to him for often switching his political allegiance in the past.
Ibrahim was first elected as Pasir Mas MP in the 1986 general election, under the Umno banner. He later held the same seat on the Semangat 46 ticket.In the 12th general election, Ibrahim ran for the seat on the PAS ticket and won. He later fell-out with the Islamist party and became a pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) independent.
In the recent 13th general election, Ibrahim was defeated by Nik Muhammad Abduh Nik Aziz, the son of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
Ibrahim defended himself, saying that amongst the so-called ‘frogs’, he is the good one [frog] as he was not a corrupt leader.
“If one says I am a frog, then there are many other frogs including (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim who has switched parties several times.
“I am a good frog, not a corrupted one. Has anyone ever accused me of indulging in corruption?” asked Ibrahim, adding that he only owns one house and a car.
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