KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perasa) together with two other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today set up the Malaysian Interracial NGOs Council (Mirac) to discuss issues involving the country’s three major races - Malay, Chinese and Indian.

The two other NGOs are Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Amal India Baru Malaysia (Perinnbam) and Persatuan Cina 1Malaysia (Percisama).

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the setting of the council was not due to pressure from certain quarters which labelled Perkasa as a racist organisation.

“Mirac is a platform for the three NGOs involved to unite the people of this country.

“The setting up of Mirac also proves that Perkasa not only struggles for the interests of the Malays but also of the other races, and the nation’s,” he said at a news conference after the formation of Mirac, here.

Present were Percisama president Andy Choy Chee Wau and Perinnbam president U. Thamotaran.

Ibrahim, however, stressed that the setting up of Mirac would not obliterate Perkasa’s basic struggle and spirit in fighting for the rights of the Malays and Bumiputera.

He said five senior leaders of each NGO in Mirac would informally meet once a month to discuss issues involving the different races and the nation’s interests.

“I also welcome other NGOs to join Mirac, which will be launched on Aug 31,” he added.

At the formation of Mirac today, the representatives of the three NGOs agreed and signed the Mirac Charter to defend the Federal Constitution, to uphold the principles of the Rukun Negara, to respect each other’s religion, and to foster racial tolerance through the promotion of noble values, among the objectives.

Choy and Thamotharan said the formation of Mirac marked a new era for racial unity in the country. – Bernama