Rosmah's party with Perkasa confirms Najib's dangerous two-faced racism game

Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor’s attendance at a Perkasa fund-raising event on Saturday night demonstrates UMNO’s and the Prime Minister’s political commitment and personal obligation to Perkasa.

It should now be crystal clear to the Malaysian people that the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak, as well as his Barisan Nasional Government, are open backers of the ultra-nationalist and racist movement, which masquerades as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in order to disguise its Government backing.

Now you know why Najib refuses to condemn Perkasa

Last month, the Prime Minister told the country that the Barisan Nasional had nothing to do with Perkasa’s distribution of “white packets”, traditionally used for Chinese funerals, on Chinese New Year. But at Saturday’s event, the Perkasa leader, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, again reiterated that Perkasa would always support Najib and his administration’s policies, and even said that he was “in awe of Rosmah’s leadership”.

Najib’s refusal to condemn Perkasa for the “white packet” incident, or indeed any of Perkasa’s previous extreme acts, was followed by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s refusal to bar MCA members from attending Perkasa functions. Najib himself has previously defended Perkasa, saying that the movement was "not so extreme" if one listened to them carefully.

Time and time again Malaysians have seen Perkasa and Ibrahim Ali being allowed by the Barisan Nasional Government to get away with the most seditious actions and statements. Despite acts such as his offer to fight a “crusade” against Christians, the burning of Bersih 2.0 Chairperson Datuk Ambiga's picture and calling her a "dangerous Hindu woman" and warning the Chinese not to come join the Bersih 2.0 demonstration because "anything can happen", no action whatsoever has been taken by the Barisan Nasional Government to moderate Perkasa’s extremist rhetoric.

Dangerous game

Najib is playing a dangerous game by supporting and sponsoring Perkasa while at the same time supposedly promoting moderation and national unity through his empty 1Malaysia slogan. In May last year, Ibrahim Ali said that the Prime Minister had told him, “I am also a politician ... The Malays are split (so) I have to play this game”.

All Malaysians who value moderation must be very worried indeed when Perkasa declares itself to be in full support of all the Barisan Nasional Government’s policies. As a result of their active as well as passive support of Perkasa, Najib, Rosmah and the Barisan Nasional Government must be held fully responsible for all Perkasa’s extremist and seditious actions and statements.

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