KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali said today he still held Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in high regard despite the former prime minister’s criticism of his plans to contest the next general election.

He said among reasons he didn’t want to join Dr Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) was because he couldn’t compromise his own stance on principal issues, like working with the DAP and the reforms agenda.

“I don’t mind, I still consider Tun as my friend, a statesman and I still respect him, no matter how is the humiliation, I have no intention to belittle Tun,” he said in an hour-long press conference at the group headquarters.

“I cannot accept the ‘end justifies [the] means’ concept. This is not a new thing. Even before the party was registered, I have said that I cannot accept DAP.

The head of the Malay rights group also said he also rejected any cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, MCA and Gerakan, calling them chauvinists.

Dr Mahathir said yesterday that Perkasa was helping the ruling BN if they planned to contest the 14th general election as it would lead to multi-cornered fights.

Ibrahim however insisted that he was not anti-Chinese as he only opposed those who questioned the rights of the Malays and Bumiputera, as well as the position of Islam.

He also questioned Dr Mahathir’s presence at a candlelight vigil for Bersih 2.0 chair Maria Chin Abdullah, who is being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

“I never complained when I was detained under the ISA, kept in a room without knowing it’s day or night,” he said referring to the now defunct Internal Security Act.

Ibrahim also expressed his desire to contest in Kelantan as an independent candidate, despite Dr Mahathir’s advice to withdraw from contesting.

“I will contest as an independent candidate. I’m planning to contest in Pasir Mas... maybe Rantau Panjang, I will contest in Kelantan,” he said.

Ibrahim, who previously won the Pasir Mas seat under Islamist party PAS in the 12th general election, said he could speak without fear and favour in Parliament if he won as independent candidate.

“Based on my experience, in Malaysia, if you contest under a party, when you win and you go to Parliament, you must follow your party. You must vote based on your party, or else you will be sacked.

“Just think about the positive side, think about the future generation. We can speak without fear or favour,” he said, adding that 50 people had approached him to also run as an independent candidate.