Moderation is mainstream, Perkasa told

While Perkasa is free to express its opinion, GMMF’s Saifuddin says majority of Malaysians are moderates.

PETALING JAYA: Newly-minted Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) chief executive officer Saifuddin Abdullah has a message for the keris-wielding and Malay supremacy-yelling group Perkasa: Moderation is mainstream.

And for Perkasa’s leaders who want the Malays to be ever-dominant and their demands ever-fulfilled, accept the reality that nobody gets 100% in their life, says GMMF chairman Razali Ismail.

Fielding a question on Perkasa at a media conference today, Saifuddin said while the Malay rights group has freedom of expression, their views do not necessarily represent those of the majority.

“We are steadfast in holding moderation as a set of value. And our message is that moderation is mainstream,” said Saifuddin.

“GMMF has to step forward, we cannot prevent other people from getting media publicity, but we must put our house in order,” he said.

The Umno supreme council member also said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has proven his commitment to upholding moderation values by establishing GMMF and allocating funds to it.

Najib first touted the idea of forming a global movement for moderates in his speech at the United Nations general assembly in 2011.

Razali, on the other hand said the society would be facing problems if everyone were to request for maximum demand.

“The best way forward is not to demand for 100%, and if you are talking about inclusivity, you have to talk about moderations,” he said when answering the question on Perkasa.

Perkasa has courted much controversy in recent years for its racial and religious provocations against the non-Malays, including sounding a threat to burn the Malay language Bible early this year.

GMMF wants a bigger role

Meanwhile, Saifuddin also made an open request for the government to include GMMF in national reconciliation talks.

Pointing out that the moderation principle fits perfectly to the Prime Minister’s initiative, he said he would push for the unity and equity agenda if GMMF gets into the national reconciliation consultative council.

“First, there must be a clear philosophical understanding of what (unity and equity) means to Malaysians. Second, the laws and government policies that would be implemented,” he said.

He said GMMF would also navigate for bi-partisan politics.

On a separate issue, Saifuddin urged the United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) not to shut their door for discussions with the government in relation to the contents of National Education Blueprint 2013-2025.

He said the blueprint does not have any intention to shut down Chinese schools and both the Dong Zong and the government should get back to the table.