DAP bans members from Perkasa events: Why reduce non-Malays to 2nd-class citizens

Unlike MCA, DAP will not permit any member to attend Perkasa functions but will take disciplinary action against any DAP member caught doing so. For any Malaysian to attend Perkasa functions not only lends legitimacy to Perkasa’s objectives of reducing non-Malays to 2nd or 3rd class citizens, but also that UMNO’s racial dominance is more important than the critical issues of human rights, corruption and abuse of power.

I will not stoop to the level of MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has launched personal attacks against me just to avoid answering the question why MCA will not ban but still permit its members and supporters to attend Perkasa's functions. Today MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said in The Star that MCA is still studying the agenda of members attending Perkasa’s functions.

This is an admission by Liow of links between MCA members and Perkasa. DAP calls on Chua Soi Lek to reverse this irrational and irresponsible decision and instead follow DAP’s example of banning MCA members and supporters from attending Perkasa’s events. Is MCA willing to take a bold and uncompromising stand opposing all forms of racism and extremism even though Perkasa is openly supported by UMNO?

Chua should also stop his defence of Perkasa distributing "white pows" packets was not done on purpose.(New Straits Times 4 February 2012) Chua’s claim that Perkasa did not distribute "white pows" on purpose was disputed by former Sri Desa MCA branch chairperson Dr Collin Tiew. Dr Colin Tiew said that he did tell Ibrahim that "white pows" is not suitable but Ibrahim did not bother. Chua should stop being apologists for Perkasa’s claim that they did not distribute the "white pows" on purpose, as this serves to help Perkasa deceive not only oneself but others too.

Anger is real, but Najib refuses to condemn Perkasa

At every Chinese New Year event attended by me, people have not only expressed their anger at Perkasa’s ‘white pows’ act of deliberately trampling rudely over the sensitivities of the Chinese community. However there is also disappointment at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib's refusal to condemn Perkasa and Najib’s light dismissal of this gross insult as a “social experience”.

Is the Prime Minister’s refusal to condemn Perkasa caused by BN also distributing “white pows” during the BN Chinese New Year event in Seri Setia, Selangor. MCA Kelana Jaya division chief Ong Chong Swen had not denied that white envelopes with BN logos were distributed during the BN Chinese New Year event. If that is the case, then BN should immediately apologise to the Chinese community and stop such wrong practices.

In contrast, PAS has displayed openness in respecting the Chinese community by distributing not only ang pow, mandarin oranges and Chinese New Year cards to market traders but also to a pork seller, with his pork openly displayed. Has any UMNO leader done what PAS leaders have done?

MCA and Chua Soi Lek should ban MCA members from attending Perkasa’s functions to send a clear and unequivocal message to Perkasa that right-thinking Malaysians, including the entire non-Malay community, will have nothing to do with a racist and extremist organization.

Lim Guan Eng is the Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general