KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — Perkasa must ask itself why it is scorned even by the Malays it professes to defend, Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today in blunt remarks at the rights group’s annual general assembly here.
The respected Kelantan prince, who put in an unusual appearance as guest of honour at the Malay rights groups fourth annual congress, said that while Perkasa’s struggle to uphold Malay rights is in accordance with the Federal Constitution, its methods often overshadowed its “noble” intentions.
The veteran Umno leader also reminded Perkasa that the Federal Constitution recognised the rights of other races and that the preservation of Malay and Bumiputera privileges must not be pursued at the expense of racial unity.
“Unfortunately, Perkasa bears a negative connotation. It is described as ultra, racist and belittled even by the Malays, the very community that it claims to protect.
“Perkasa is seen as a divider of unity. This perception is very negative. And even though its struggle may carry noble intentions, the negative perception overwhelms this,” Tengku Razaleigh, or affectionately known as Ku Li, said in his opening speech at the Perkasa congress.
But the former minister said he did not intend to dwell on the criticism, and instead urged Perkasa to “act based on facts and reason” for the benefit of the country.
“I hope that each Perkasa members understand clearly the rationale and purpose of its existence.
This is important because any action taken must be based on solid facts. We don’t want because of the actions of a few members it would tarnish the whole organisation,” he said.
Perkasa is no stranger to controversy.
Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali was previously alleged to have called for copies of the Al-Kitab, the Malay translation of the Christian bible, to be burned for using the word “Allah” as part to the group’s insistence that the terms was exclusive to Islam.
The move sparked widespread uproar with rights group and opposition leaders deeming it incendiary and seditious.
Ibrahim’s deputy, Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, also courted controversy after a video surfaced of him mocking Hindus over the condition of the Ganges in India and their use of deity figurines.
Although Razaleigh made no specific reference to these and other similar incidents, he suggested that Perkasa members be more mindful of their actions and not act emotionally.
“Benefit of the doubt, or the end product or long-term repercussions must be considered before we make any decisions. We cannot be quick to retort and recoil,” he said.
The Gua Musang MP also advised Perkasa to review its approach in fighting for Malay rights, in criticism of the group’s demands for quotas in the economy.
He said defending Malay rights is not merely about demanding affirmative action from the government, but the holistic empowerment of the community.
“The main objective is to make the Malays a race that is skilful and knowledgeable and can compete without government help... with this, the Malays will be more merdeka (independent), competent and can survive the globalisation wave”.
Perkasa was among the most vocal opponents of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s initial plans to do away with race-based affirmative action in favour of meritocracy.
Demand for the group and others was also believed to have influenced the announcement of a new Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda that was seen as a concession to demands for the government to reward the Malay community for helping keep Umno in power.
But Ibrahim maintained today that allocating billions in public funds for the betterment of a single community instead of a needs-based programme was justified.
Speaking to reporters after opening Perkasa’s meeting today, Ibrahim also sought to justify the actions of his members even as he “acknowledged” and “respected” Tengku Razaleigh’s criticism.
“What we did was in retaliation to the provocation against Perkasa and the Malays. But we have never been extreme in our actions, we have often act within the law,” said the Perkasa chief, who was flanked by a smiling and nodding Tengku Razaleigh.
Ibrahim instead blamed “social media” for painting Perkasa as a racist and extreme organisation. It is believed that he was referring to internet news outlets.
“It’s just perception. The social media likes to attack Perkasa. We are not extreme, all this is just perception”.
Perkasa began life in 2008 as a one-man pressure group on Malay rights but later grew in numbers and influence after its cause found traction with a largely-Umno audience.
The ubiquity of Umno members among its ranks also led to the perception that the group was an indirect outlet for the more conservative elements of the party
