‘Malaysians can only unite through Malay dominance’

Perkasa and 54 other Malay NGOs have set up their own unity council to bring about harmony in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Perkasa, Isma, Pekida and 53 other “credible Malay-Muslim non-governmental organisations” (NGOs) today set up the National Unity Front (NUF) as an alternative to the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) which they have rejected wholesale.

NUF said its goal is to bring about unity among Malaysians by ensuring Malays have “benevolent dominance” over all races in Malaysia.

“We are united to find a way to bring about national harmony for all, not just the Malays. But we have to remember that Malays are the majority in Malaysia,” said retired Navy vice-admiral Mat Rabi Abu Samah, who is a member of the NUF council.

“We (Malays) are the backbone of unity among the rakyat. So we are returning to the original plan, which is the core of Malaysia’s survival,” he said at the launching of the NUF here.

The NUF would function as a pressure group that will lobby for the unity of all races.

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali (photo) explained that the NGOs rejected the NUCC because it had too few Malays on the council and the issues that it fought for were allegedly offensive to Malays.

“Look at the membership of the NUCC: they have 30 people, but only 12 represent the Malays. Two of them are clearly with NGOs and are with the liberalisme, pluralisme (movement),” said Ibrahim.

“Malays are the majority in Malaysia, so they should make up the thrust of the NUCC. But it’s composition doesn’t reflect the Malaysian society’s strata,” he stressed.

Ibrahim also claimed he obtained a transcript of the NUCC’s Feb 22 meeting which revealed the council had brought up “seditious” views and comments.

“Everyone who spoke up made seditious comments that would offend the sensitivities of the Malays,” said Ibrahim.

“The council has made claims that will not sit well with Muslims, and it would only make things worse for the Malays. We want this country to be peaceful,” stressed Ibrahim.

Professor Dr Kamaruddin Kachar, president of the Malay Professional Thinkers Malaysia, told the press conference that only narrow-minded (kurang akal) individuals would reject their council.

“I hope no one oppose our unity council. This is for the sake of the country’s development and harmony,” he said.

The NUF’s leadership will comprise presidents or representatives of Malay-Muslim NGOs. It will also set up a secretariat led by one chief who will organise the council’s activities and programmes.

The meeting to decide the leadership and activities will be conducted “soon”, Ibrahim promised, refusing to divulge further details.

‘Are we extremists?’

On another matter, Ibrahim said he agreed with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s suggestion that the public should ignore extremists.

But he denied that Perkasa itself was an extremist organisation, stressing that the Malay rights group did not have a violent track record.

“You ask Najib if we are extremists. We defend the Rukun Negara. We haven’t organised any violent protests, or been involved in Bersih. So how can you say we are extremists?” Ibrahim demanded.

“It’s up to the police. If they believe Perkasa is extremist or racist, then take action on us. I won’t stop them. If they want to throw me into prison again, I have no problem with that.

“I’ve been in prison three or four times already. No problem with me!” he declared.

But he believed the “real” extremists Najib was referring to were the anonymous bloggers and online commentators who made inflammatory statements on the Internet.

“These cyber-troopers, including the Red Bean Army, are only a small group of people. But one person opens 10 to 12 accounts to attack others. These are the real culprits,” said Ibrahim.