‘Warlords’ loss won’t destroy Perkasa’

Perkasa is waiting to see who will be in Najib's cabinet and will continue to monitor the political situation in the country.

PETALING JAYA: Although Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) founder Ibrahim Ali has taken a break from politics following his defeat in Kelantan, the NGO is not planning to fall off the socio-political radar.

In fact Perkasa is awaiting the formation of the cabinet before deciding its next move. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will announce his new cabinet later today.

Said Perkasa’s secretary Syed Hassan Syed Ali: “Right now we have no direction.

“However we are awaiting the formation of the (federal) cabinet. We will monitor the political situation in the country and steer the party accordingly.”

He said that Ibrahim was on leave until Perkasa’s AGM. The AGM is reportedly in December.

“Ibrahim is taking a break from the party politics and is expected to perform his Haj in Mekkah. He is on leave until the AGM,” said Syed Hassan.

Syed Hassan said that currently Perkasa was being steered by its vice-president Zulkifli Nordin.

Both Ibrahim and Zulkifli contested and lost in Kelantan and Selangor respectively.

Ibrahim defended his Pasir Mas parliamentary seat as an independent. He contested against PAS’ Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz in a straight fight after Umno candidate Che Johan Che Pa pulled a stunt and failed to submit his nomination on April 20. Ibrahim lost to Nik Abdul by 8,047 votes.

Unstoppable Perkasa
Zulkifli meanwhile contested the Shah Alam parliamentary seat as a Barisan Nasional direct candidate with the blessing of Umno president Najib.

Zulkifli, who recently stirred the ire of Malaysia’s predominantly Hindu-Indian community by belittling Hinduism, lost to PAS’ Khalid Samad.

Reacting to the loss of its two ‘warlords’, Syed Hassan said the “defeats will not stop Perkasa from further serving the community”.

Perkasa was formed in the aftermath of the 12th general election in 2008 and has earned the wrath of non-Muslims with its racial attacks against the Chinese and Indians.

Earlier this year Ibrahim also called for the Bible to be burnt, fueling further angst against the ruling Barisan Nasional.

Although BN won the May 5 general election roping in 133 seats against opposition Pakatan Rakyat 89 parliamentary seats, it however lost on popular votes. Popular vote for Pakatan exceeded 51% against Umno-BN’s 47%.