‘Revoke Ibrahim Ali’s citizenship’

Gerakan's Baljit Singh says that by questioning the King’s decision to grant a royal audience to Ambiga, Ibrahim had indeed committed treason

GEORGE TOWN: One more has joined the “revoke citizenship ” bandwagon. However this time it is not against Bersih leader S Ambiga but against her main critic Ibrahim Ali.

Penang Gerakan leader Baljit Singh wants Ibrahim Ali, the leader of the extremist Malay group Perkasa’s citizenship to be revoked.

Since the announcement of the Bersih rally, there have many calls to revoke citizenship from several individuals, including the Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam, who wanted Ambiga’s citizenship revoked for holding firm in holding the Bersih rally for electoral reforms this Saturday.

Gerakan lawyer Baljit Singh pointed out that by questioning the King’s decision to grant a royal audience to Ambiga, Ibrahim had indeed committed treason.

Given Ibrahim’s gutter politics to incite racial hatred and violence , Baljit said challenging the King’s command surely demanded sterner action against the Perkasa leader.

“Revocation of Ibrahim’s citizenship is best for Malaysia.He does not deserve a place under the Malaysian sun.

“Ibrahim should be flushed out to safeguard the interests of millions in the country,” said Baljit, who heads Penang Gerakan legal and human rights bureau head.

The Gerakan man said Ibrahim had always been sarcastic and rude to other Malaysians, acting like a rowdy and big bully.

Ibrahim has said that Ambiga should have been arrested under draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 or Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969, instead of being granted a royal audience at Istana Negara.

Ibrahim had also expressed doubts over Bersih’s assurances to hold a peaceful indoor rally.

He forewarned that anything could happen on the day, suggesting that even illegal immigrants living in the city could incite violence.

“A Chinese shop gets broken into and a Malay can be accused of it, or vice-versa.Then the whole country erupts into chaos,” said Ibrahim.

Baljit said Ibrahim’s remarks clearly showed he was threatening the security and safety of the people.

He said Ibrahim had already ‘over-qualified’ himself to be detained under ISA, EO or any other draconian laws.

However, Baljit said he was amazed with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein not taking any action against Ibrahim and Perkasa so far.

He said the Putrajaya administration inability to deal firmly with Ibrahim and Perkasa would surely undermine its credibility.

He pointed out that the federal government had been quick in outlawing Hindraf, and detaining and charging its activists under ISA and other laws.

He noted a similar modus operandi was also used to clampdown on Bersih.

Baljit cited the detention of six members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) under the EO and court charges under the Societies Act 1966 and ISA against 23 others.