Ibrahim Ali survives by-pass surgery, now recovering in ICU

Ibrahim - will his close shave with his own mortality make him a better man?

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has survived a two-hour by-pass operation on his heart where doctors had diagnosed three arteries had been blocked.

The 57-year old has become Malaysia's most famous racial rabble-rouser since forming ultra-Malay rights group Perkasa earlier this year.

"We have prayed for his safe operation and hope that he will recover quickly. This is never an easy time for the family either and we hope that they will be patient and steadfast," PAS vice presdent Mahfuz Omar told Malaysia Chronicle.

Warded immediately

Ibrahim went for a check-up at the Ampang Puteri hospital on Friday, where doctors immediately warded him after doing an eco-cardiogram. The short but portly MP for Pasir Mas had been complaining of ill-health for the past few weeks, according to his family members.

Ibrahim just days before he was warded - all stressed-up

Indeed, last week when door-stopped by reporters as to why he did not stand up to observe the minute of silence parliamentarians dedicated to the memory of the late Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chong, he had appeared to be under stress. Ibrahim complained to the media that he had diabetes, numbness in his leg as well as flatulence.

Just days earlier, his datuk-title from the Kelantan Palace was revoked. While no official reason was given, speculation is rife that Ibrahim had tried to fan a still simmering feud amongst royal family members that the current Sultan was trying to cool.

“Alhamdulillah Datuk Ibrahim has safely undergone surgery. He will be transferred to the intensive care unit soon," Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali was quoted as saying by Malaysian Insider.

No regrets

But lest generous-spirited Malaysian get carried away, Ibrahim - once he recovers - is more likely than not to follow in the footsteps of his hero - former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the Perkasa founder.

Ibrahim should be back to his old ways before long!

Ironically, Mahathir was himself warded in Melbourne's Epworth Hospital earlier this month for chest infection. He was there to give a talk, but when he returned to Malaysia, one of the first things he did was to write an article that urged Malays to stick together against the other races. Mahathir told the Malays not to be ashamed of receiving hand-outs or handicaps as not to accept was unfair. (Read Dr M tells Malays: To be given handicaps is to ensure fairness)


During Ibrahim's illness, politicians from across the political divide had expressed unconditional wishes for his safe operation. Some even hoped that he would take the time to re-look at his racist stance and review whether it was worthwhile to create so much hatred and animosity.

"I can't say we accept him for what he is because we don't. We cannot make him a hero just because he had blocked arteries. But we welcome with open hearts his safe return to Parliament where we can spar again and disagree on topics as we have been doing. So yes, even if he returns to his loud and noisy ways, we wish him the best and smoothest recovery. No regrets," Batu MP Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.