Perkasa, an organisation often seen as racist, right-wing and even compared with the Klu Klux Klan, is to ink an inter-racial charter this evening.
The Malay right wing movement said in a statement today it would be one of the signatories to a 'Malaysian Inter-racial NGOs Council', which would be launched at a later stage.
Today's signing ceremony is to take place at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kuala Lumpur at 5pm.
Following this, there will be a buka puasa function at the same venue.
Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali (right) told Malaysiakini in a text message: "Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli NGOs have been welcomed to participate in the breaking of fast function as well."
The founders of this inter-racial council founders are Perkasa, an Indian NGO called Perinnbam and Chinese NGO, New Era Chinese Association, the Perkasa statement says.
Despite coming under intense criticism, Perkasa leaders have always maintained that the movement is not racist but rather defends the special position accorded to Malays in the federal constitution.
Some have linked Perkasa to Umno, claiming that since Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took over the helm of Umno, it outsourced its advocacy of Malay rights to Perkasa.
Umno has always denied ties with Perkasa, but the lack of action against the movement’s leaders over their controversial remarks has strengthened the perception of a link.
The Malay right wing movement said in a statement today it would be one of the signatories to a 'Malaysian Inter-racial NGOs Council', which would be launched at a later stage.
Today's signing ceremony is to take place at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kuala Lumpur at 5pm.
Following this, there will be a buka puasa function at the same venue.
Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali (right) told Malaysiakini in a text message: "Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli NGOs have been welcomed to participate in the breaking of fast function as well."The founders of this inter-racial council founders are Perkasa, an Indian NGO called Perinnbam and Chinese NGO, New Era Chinese Association, the Perkasa statement says.
Despite coming under intense criticism, Perkasa leaders have always maintained that the movement is not racist but rather defends the special position accorded to Malays in the federal constitution.
Some have linked Perkasa to Umno, claiming that since Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took over the helm of Umno, it outsourced its advocacy of Malay rights to Perkasa.
Umno has always denied ties with Perkasa, but the lack of action against the movement’s leaders over their controversial remarks has strengthened the perception of a link.
Controversial leaders
In recent times, Ibrahim and Perkasa vice-president Zulkifli Noordin have courted controversy when the former called for the torching of the Malay Bible with the word Allah and the latter for having insulted Hinduism.
During the last general election, Najib dropped a bombshell when he named Zulkifli (right) as a BN candidate, a move that ruffled the feathers of the ruling coalition's component parties.
In Pasir Mas, Kelantan, the Umno candidate withdrew at the eleventh hour to pave way for Ibrahim to defend his Parliament seat against PAS.
However, Ibrahim was defeated and Umno denied that its candidate pulled out of the race on the instructions of the party’s top leadership.
Umno veteran Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the patron of Perkasa and he justifies the existence of the movement on grounds that Umno no longer protects Malay interests.
On Wednesday, Perkasa met with Najib to highlight its concerns with regard to the Malay community on issues such as meritocracy, education, economy and religion.
The meeting followed Ibrahim's outburst against Umno and BN for not listening to views of Perkasa.
In recent times, Ibrahim and Perkasa vice-president Zulkifli Noordin have courted controversy when the former called for the torching of the Malay Bible with the word Allah and the latter for having insulted Hinduism.
During the last general election, Najib dropped a bombshell when he named Zulkifli (right) as a BN candidate, a move that ruffled the feathers of the ruling coalition's component parties.In Pasir Mas, Kelantan, the Umno candidate withdrew at the eleventh hour to pave way for Ibrahim to defend his Parliament seat against PAS.
However, Ibrahim was defeated and Umno denied that its candidate pulled out of the race on the instructions of the party’s top leadership.
Umno veteran Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the patron of Perkasa and he justifies the existence of the movement on grounds that Umno no longer protects Malay interests.
On Wednesday, Perkasa met with Najib to highlight its concerns with regard to the Malay community on issues such as meritocracy, education, economy and religion.
The meeting followed Ibrahim's outburst against Umno and BN for not listening to views of Perkasa.
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