Pak Lah was no great PM, says Perkasa

Stung by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's stinging criticism of its belligerent style, Perkasa today hit back at the former prime minister, sneering that he only lasted for one term.

"If he was a great prime minister, he would still be in power, even longer than Dr Mahathir," said Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali (pic).

"Pak Lah should review his record as BN lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament during his tenure."

Syed Hassan was responding to Abdullah’s new book titled “Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia” where the former premier had criticised Perkasa for their belligerent style in championing the rights of Malays.

"Pak Lah not only dashed the aspirations of BN but he has also been rejected by the non-Malays," Syed Hassan told The Malaysian Insider today.

He, however, refuted claims by Abdullah that Perkasa demonised other races when fighting for the Malay cause.

Syed Hassan said the country’s fifth prime minister had singled out Perkasa for criticism as it was among the first who demanded that he leave office after the 2008 general election, when the BN also lost five states.

"Abdullah should provide concrete evidence that Perkasa rejects the beliefs of other races. We not only reject non-Malay leaders but also Malay leaders who are weak, ignorant and who practice cronyism.

Abdullah had acknowledged that there was genuine concern among some Malays over the plight of their race as many are still underprivileged.

“However, these concerns could have been better expressed through proper channels, and not in the offensive and belligerent manner that Perkasa does,” said Abdullah.

Syed Hassan then praised Perkasa's patron Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a true nationalist who supported the Malay rights group because it "is pure and is on the right path".