Perkasa backs national unity, declares Ibrahim Ali

‘Perkasa, catalyst for unity’ - that was the theme of Perkasa chief ibrahim Ali's policy address to the right-wing group's second annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

This, he said, was because Perkasa defends what is enshrined in the constitution out of a desire to prevent a repeat of the May 13 riots of similar untoward incidents.

"Our wishes, aims and ambitions proves that Perkasa is not a racist, ultra-Malay or communal organisation. Perkasa's struggle is consistent with the principles of Rukunegara and the concept of 1Malaysia."

The AGM was opened by former inspector-general of police Abdul Rahim Noor, who gave the keynote speech.

Among those present in the audience were former information minister Zainuddin Maidin, former deputy minister Khalid Yunus, one of the infamous Datuk 'Ts' Shazryl Eskay Abdullah and Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin.

Ibrahim said even though the organisation focuses primarily on Malay and bumiputera unity, it believes in national unity.

"Perkasa is not an organisation which is obsessed with the struggle exclusively on Malay and bumiputera issues. Perkasa is a catalyst to racial unity in Malaysia," he declared.

The annual general assembly today, according to its permanent chairperson Razali Mad Zain, is attended by some 3,500 delegates and observers. However, Ibrahim claimed the actual attendance was at 7,000.

Social contract is a 'racial contract’

Addressing the crowd, Ibrahim, who is also Pasir Mas MP, defended the vociferous advocacy of the social contract, which included matters encompassing Islam, royalty, Malay language, bumiputera privileges and citizenship.

Describing the social contract as a "racial contract", Ibrahim said the agreement was never meant to subjugate other races as the agreement had in fact allowed some 1.9 million Chinese and Indian immigrants to become citizens in 1957.

"Therefore, the contract is not created to as a show of Malay supremacy. To the contrary, it has diluted Malay supremacy when the 'racial contract' was mooted, giving rise to a multi-racial nation."

He said during the country's worst riots in 1969, the National Operations Council which was formed following the declaration of Emergency concluded that the questioning of Malay privileges, Malay language and Islam in constitution was the source of the tragedy.

With this in mind, said Ibrahim, Perkasa has taken it upon itself to defend these issues prevent a repeat of the incident.

Despite the toned-down rhetoric, the Perkasa chief reiterated his stance over several issues, including the contentious point of Chinese education.

"Perkasa reminds the government that the demands by certain parties that UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) be accepted as a qualification for local universities to be rejected and ignored."

Instead, the organisation called on the government to consider Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim's suggestion for vernacular schools to be abolished and replaced with a single-school system.

He also called for the continuation of affirmative action and Malay privileges in Prime Minister Najib Razak's move to liberalise the economy.

'Perkasa to punish anti-Malay candidates'

Speaking at a press conference later, Ibrahim said even though Perkasa remains an NGO, it will be mobilising its members at the next general election.

"We have 120,000 card-carrying members and another 180,000 are being processed - the application forms are piling up. We expect to have 500,000 members by the next general election."

Ibrahim warned that Perkasa will flex its muscle against those candidates who have gone against the organisation in the next general election.

"We will order our members not to vote for any candidate who insults Malays and Islam or questions the constitution."

Asked if Perkasa had identified these candidates, Ibrahim replied: "We have already identified three or four candidates, but I will not mention them. It’s secret, let it remain a mystery."

"These are not only Chinese and Indian (candidates), there are also Malays are supposedly 'liberal Malays'," he added.

Ibrahim said this did not only apply to just the opposition, but also BN as well.

"So if you want Perkasa votes, then come to Perkasa - Umno and BN as well as MCA and MIC, come close to us."

However, he conceded that while Perkasa is unable to unseat candidates at parliamentary seats such as Bukit Bintang and Seputeh which are DAP strongholds, it can nevertheless play the spoiler in certain marginal seats.