Ibrahim Ali says 'no' to BN if Sedition Act ended

 

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali is considering not to vote for the Barisan Nasional come the next general election if it decides to abolish the Sedition Act.

Although admitting that he was "not that influential", he said there was "no use supporting the BN if it becomes the same as Pakatan Rakyat".

Ibrahim (right) told a press conference this evening: "What's the use of me supporting BN if it wants full freedom and disregards national security?

"If the BN agrees for full freedom, it means that we should move our support to another party."

He pointed out that he had been supporting BN for its decisions that prioritise the national interest, although unpopular at times.

"People support BN not because they like the leaders but because of the policies.

"But if they want to liberalise everything, for so-called transformation, then their agenda will be the same as Pakatan."

As such, Ibrahim said, the  people were free to support anyone and there was "no point hanging on to the present government".

Ibrahim had earlier announced that the National Unity Front (NUF) was launching a campaign in defence of the Sedition Act.

This, he said, was in response to the Bar Council’s National Young Lawyers Committee's #MansuhAktaHasutan campaign.

Ibrahim said that the signature campaign will tentatively be launched on Oct 18 at the field in front of the Sultan Sulaiman Club.

“We hope to invite leaders who have expressed displeasure against the repeal of the Act such as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as well as former inspectors-general of police (IGPs).

“They know the history on how difficult it is to maintain national security,” he said.

‘It’s not a Malay agenda’

Claiming that the campaign was a matter of national security, he stressed that it was not a “Malay agenda”.

He pointed out how the campaign will also be launched by non-Malay NGOs: Pertubuhan Cina Era Baru Malaysia (Percisma) and the Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Amal India Baru (Perinbam).

He further claimed that they were embarking on the campaign as they were “concerned” that race relations will be affected if the Act is abolished.

Promising that they will conduct the campaign “properly”, he said they will not be like electoral watchdog Bersih.

“Unlike Bersih, we won’t go to the streets.

“This campaign is not about condemning others. It is just to tell the public why the Act should remain,” he said.

Signatures will be collected before being presented to the government. Ibrahim, however, did not give a timeline for the signatures to be collected.

He also rubbished claims made by opposition political leaders who said that the Act had been used “selectively” against them, saying they were just using the issue for political mileage.

“When opposition leaders are charged, they say the government is cruel.

“Well, they have to remember that no one is above the law. Even the royalty are not above the law,” he said.

Former Prisons Department director-general Mohd Zaman Khan (right), who was also at the press conference, said that without the Internal Security Act (ISA), the country would not be developed as it is today.

“How can a country be developed if it is full of chaos?

“We don’t want our country to be destroyed by irresponsible quarters,” he said, defending the Sedition Act.