KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said today he will contest as an independent the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat and Tendong state seat in GE14.

In a press conference, he said the decision was made at the "request” of Pasir Mas residents.

He added the people of Pasir Mas could see the difference in administration when he was their elected representative in 2008, compared to his successor Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz who won in GE13.

In 2013, Nik Abduh won the parliamentary seat with a majority of 8,047 votes.

"They can see the differences between all the candidates when they become the MP, which is why they want me back,” he told reporters at Perkasa headquarters in Kompleks Damai here today.

Citing the people’s support as his main motivation to stand again, the former Pasir Mas MP added politics has been in his blood from a young age so he has decided to continue the fight.

"There are two reasons why I wanted to become a candidate this time around.

"One, I want to keep on fighting and two, I see an increasing amount of support for me, especially after I did not contest the previous election,” he said.

Ibrahim likened his popularity in Pasir Mas to that of singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and actress/entrepreneur Neelofa Mohd Noor.

"Wherever I go, people chant my name and greet me. I’m just like Siti and Neelofa. Neelofa’s also from Pasir Mas,” he quipped.

On March 22, Ibrahim announced his intention to contest but said he was mulling two federal seats in Kelantan: Pasir Mas or Rantau Panjang.

Ibrahim, who has been active in politics since the 80s, previously said he was willing to contest under the banner of any political party but now said that he prefers not to be affiliated with any of them.

"I am of the opinion that if I win independently, it would be more effective for me to bring the people’s voice to Parliament without being tied to any party,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim added Perkasa will hold a meeting tonight to decide the status of his position in the Malay rights group.

"I will announce my candidacy to Perkasa members tonight and I trust them to make the decision whether to retain me as the president or not.

"Further announcements will be made later,” he said.

Ibrahim has been Pasir Mas MP three times: in 1986, as a Barisan Nasional candidate; in 1990 representing Parti Semangat Melayu 46; and in 2008 as a PAS candidate.