Ibrahim Ali: I am a victim of jealousy

Ibrahim speaking at the opening of the Perkasa assembly in Kuala Lumpur on December 15, 2012. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today claimed that he was dropped from Umno in 2003 because there were leaders in the ruling party who envied his political clout.

“I’ve been sacked, I’ve been pushed around because of the jealousy,” Ibrahim told a press conference here after opening the group’s general assembly.

Ibrahim was dropped as Pasir Mas Umno division chief in November 2003, and his membership in the party was suspended indefinitely.

He previously sat in Umno’s supreme council, and even held the post of deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration.

Ibrahim, known for his outspokenness and fiery rhetoric, claimed that being politically competent and outspoken had made him a target of his former compatriots.

“Thank God, all the work that I’ve done is hebat (great). Look at (Perkasa), where can you see an NGO grow so fast in four years?”

“Before this in the party, I organised a big meet just like this in Kelantan, so they were jealous.

“I was victimised because of the jealousy. I was a victim of jealousy.”

The conservative Muslim leader also declared that he is open to discussions with any party despite an earlier bai’ah (oath) calling Perkasa members to back BN candidates in the next general election.

“If I can accept their (policies and struggle), I can discuss with anyone, to share in the next election,” said Ibrahim, after declaring that he will re-contest the Pasir Mas seat.

“Even if there is no sharing, I will still contest even if I am alone.”

Ibrahim had gained a reputation for shifting his allegiance between parties since he first won Pasir Mas under Umno in 1986.

He joined Semangat 46 to contest the 1990 general election, but rejoined Umno after the fledgling party was dissolved in 1996.

After being dropped from Umno in 2003, Ibrahim had contested twice as an independent candidate but failed to win any seat.

It was only in 2008 when he ran for the Pasir Mas seat with the backing of PAS and its spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that he managed to win.

In the aftermath of the 2008 polls, Ibrahim and PAS had a falling out, which was prompted by his decision to start Malay rights group Perkasa.

Perkasa now boasts a membership of over 352,000, the majority of whom are also Umno members.