Showdown between Umno and PAS begins: Perkasa-led violence in Seremban

It has finally happened, and with physical violence breaking out. The much touted showdown between Umno and PAS has begun, with Perkasa leading Prime Minister Najib Razak's charge for the hearts and minds of the Malay electorate.

Using PAS' popular deputy president Mat Sabu as bait, more than 100 Perkasa members tried to stir up trouble at a PAS ceramah or political talk in Seremban on Saturday night.

They carried banners with provocative slogans Mat Sabu Pembohong (Liar) , Mat Sabu Perosak Bangsa (Corrupter of the race) and “Mat Sabu Hina Pejuang (Insulter of the freedom fighters) and tried to take control of the stage.

But PAS supporters were not having any of it and soon, the two rival groups began throwing water bottles and stones at each other. It ended with two PAS supporters suffering injuries.

"Perkasa has shown its true colors. This is their culture. If they have any grievances, they should use other means and platforms rather than come to a PAS gathering to pick a fight. They could have handed a memorandum over to our headquarters or to any of our branches. Why choose to do it at this ceramah, what are they trying to do," PAS vice president Salahudin Ayub told Malaysia Chronicle,

'Biadap'

According to Malaysiakini, the event was a Hari Raya-related function and was supposed to start at 9pm, but as early as 8.30pm, scores of Perkasa members were already at the side of the main road about 60 metres from the stage. There, the Perkasa group held their customary noisy gathering.

It was still calm when Mat Sabu delivered his speech at 10.15 pm, but before he could finish, the Perkasa group started to advance towards the stage. That was when the fracas erupted..

The Perkasa members carried banners with slogans like “Mat Sabu Pembohong (Liar)”, “Mat Sabu Perosak Bangsa (Corrupter of the race)” and “Mat Sabu Hina Pejuang (Insults freedom fighters)”.

One of the injured PAS supporters said he was punched by Perkasa members, while another nursed a head injury.

“One of the Perkasa man wanted to submit a memorandum, but we did not agree and asked them to disperse. Then we informed the police. When the police asked them to disperse, they resisted and then showed their biadap(uncouth) behavior. Only when the police sent for more people did the group disperse," said PAS Seremban deputy chief Ghazali Mat Som.

“I urged the police to take a fair action and in future to take earlier action against this kind of situation. My men have already gone to the Rahang police station to lodge a report."

Troublemakers

Negeri Sembilan Perkasa secretary Alias Mohamad later said that they were not against PAS, but wanted to protest Mat Sabu for his speech on August 21 that Umno alleges had maligned the police over the Bukit Kepong incident which took place in 1960.

“There many former army officers last night and they were disappointed with Mohamad Sabu's stubbornness and unwillingness to apologize for his statements. He martabatkan (dignified) the communists and the communist symbol,” said Alias.

“We just wanted to submit the protest memorandum and we were stopped by the PAS supporters. This resulted in a situation of panic. It should not have happened. But I heard that one of my men was also hit with hot water from an unknown individual.”

However, his explanation was rejected by PAS.

"What is this? Who is Perkasa to behave as though they are the police? Mat Sabu has already been charged for criminal defamation against the government for this, and he has pleaded not guilty. The trial is due to start. Who is Perkasa to come and cause trouble," said Salahuddin.

Mat Sabu has been a thorn in Umno's flesh ever since he was elected in June, signaling the start of a more progressive and liberal PAS that could easily rival the complacent Umno for the votes of the Malay electorate. Like Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, Sabu is a charismatic speaker and together the two men are on top of the Umno blacklist.

Perkasa is the ultra Malay rights group founded by Ibrahim Ali and most of its members are from Umno. The patron of the party is Mahathir Mohamad, the former premier and ex-Umno president.

- Malaysia Chronicle