Ibrahim Ali ticks off ‘DAP handshake’ critics

INTERVIEW “They are hypocrites.”

That was what Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said in response to those who criticised him for his handshake with DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang at the signing of the Citizens’ Declaration last week.

“These hypocrites only want to protect their ‘rice bowls’ (livelihood),” said Ibrahim in an interview with Malaysiakini on Wednesday.

“I don’t practise hypocrisy. I can’t accept the behaviour of such people.

“They criticised me for briefly shaking Lim Kit Siang’s hand, but these hypocrites have been photographed exchanging pleasantries with politicians of far more different ideologies,” stated Ibrahim.

Last Friday, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad led the inking of the Citizens’ Declaration, where a congregation of political foes and allies set aside their differences to campaign for the removal of Premier Najib Abdul Razak.

A Sin Chew Daily photograph of Ibrahim Ali and Lim about to shake hands had become a hot topic among netizens.

Ibrahim said that he hoped the handshake issue would not be blown out of proportion by certain parties.

“These hypocrites thought they can use me to attack DAP.

“They created a big issue out of my handshake (with Kit Siang), while they themselves are seen hugging and interacting with DAP leaders…,” claimed Ibrahim, pointing out at his detractors’ double standard.

“There are Umno leaders who are afraid of being photographed together with me because they alleged that I’m a racist.

“But when the Chinese community sees this photo (of me shaking hands with Lim at the Citizens’ Declaration initiation), these politicians are now afraid that they might lose votes,” said the Malay rights NGO chief.

Ibrahim urged his critics not to be “hypocrites” and strive to be better leaders.

“If you are not a hypocrite, you won’t be corrupted. You would become a good leader and you will be able to provide a clean administration to better serve the citizens.”

Ibrahim also highlighted the hypocrisy practised by certain leaders when speaking on religious issues.

“When it’s about religion, you make a lot of noise. But when the issues affect your livelihood, you keep silent. That’s hypocrisy.” -Mkini