Gerakan man: Ban ‘em, charge ‘em

Baljit Singh wants the authorities to throw the book at Perkasa's leaders, and charge them with various offences.

GEORGE TOWN: A Gerakan leader today called on the government to ban Malay organisation Perkasa and charge its leaders with sedition, among others.Penang Gerakan legal and human rights bureau head Baljit Singh said the government cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the threats posed by Perkasa against national security and unity.

“Perkasa must be outlawed immediately because it threatens the nation’s peace and harmony.

“Its leaders should be slapped with charges of sedition, criminal intimidation, disruption of peace and harmony and severe violations of human rights.

“Enough is enough! It’s time to put Perkasa and its leaders in the dock,” he told FMT.

Baljit was referring to Perkasa’s demonstration outside the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday against the party for criticising the Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia.

During the protest, Perkasa activists allegedly warned about a repeat of the May 13, 1969 racial riots.

‘Backing from a political forceBaljit said that Perkasa was actually inciting violence in the country by raising the spectre of the racial clash.

“That’s a threat to the nation’s security and unity, and amounts to criminal intimidation. The government can’t go on allowing this racist element in society,” he added.

Baljit pointed out that the government had always been swift in taking uncompromising action against other human rights organisations, such as Hindraf Makkal Sakti.

Therefore, he said, Putrajaya cannot be seen as practising double standards in the application of law and administration of justice.

Baljit pointed out that Malaysia, besides Saudi Arabia, had created a world record by charging 54 human rights activists from a single organisation (Hindraf) for merely protesting against the Interlok novel.

Moreover, he pointed out that the government and police were swift in thwarting Hindraf’s anti-Interlok march on Feb 20.

However, he was puzzled why the authorities did not respond with the same speed to quell the Perkasa protest.

“It seems Perkasa has immunity from the law,” he said.

The Gerakan leader also noted that at times Perkasa’s character and behaviour seemed to suggest that it had “strong backing from a major political force in the country.”

Although Baljit did not elaborate, it was obvious that he was referring to Umno.

However, he believed that the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers would uphold their professionalism in dealing with Perkasa.

“All Malaysians hope the police and AG will be swift, fair and just in enforcing the law. Many Malaysians will want Perkasa to be banned and its leaders charged,” he said.