AS Madani backers rejoice cracks in the PAS-Bersatu tie-up as “another reason to celebrate year-end” while rightist UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh sees such development as an opportunity for UMNO “to rekindle friendship” with PAS, seasoned political commentator Prof James Chin has other thoughts.
The inaugural director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania is more concerned over the fact that Abu Bakar Hamzah, the newly minted Perlis Menteri Besar from Bersatu, is reigning secretary-general of the controversial Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia a.k.a. PEKIDA.
As if it is not bad enough that Bersatu is accused of stabbing its Perikatan Nasional (PN) ally PAS “on the back in broad daylight” by winning the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail’s consent in the power struggle, Chin red-flagged the Malay Muslim NGO for its alleged links to “political militancy”.
“PEKIDA is highly controversial and often viewed critically in public and academic discourse,” the Sarawak-born academician revealed in a Facebook post.
“It’s frequently described as a network linked to organised crime, gangsterism – as depicted by ‘Tiga Line’ due to its red-yellow-green logo colours – and political thuggery.”
Laying out academic evidence, Chin who is also the senior associate at the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) pointed to researcher Sophie Lemiere portraying PEKIDA as “an intricate web of gangs and NGOs that provide political militancy as a business”.
It offers support which includes alleged intimidation or violence to politicians. It has strong ties to UMNO with past prime ministers like Datuk Seri Najib Razak attending its events.
Critics, including opposition figures, have labelled it an “ethno-fascist” or “Malay mafia” group involved in extortion, protection rackets and political violence.
Some members or affiliates have been associated with criminal activities though the organisation denies this and positions itself as a legitimate Malay/Muslim welfare body.
Headquartered in Sungai Petani (Kedah) with the motto “Amar Makruf Nahi Mungkar” (Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil), PEKIDA is currently helmed by Datuk Mohd Foad Mat Isa who is said to having been elected unopposed and has been holding the position for several years.
Whether PAS is aware of Abu Bakar’s involvement in PEKIDA remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that the 57-year-old who is Perlis PN deputy chairman and the state Bersatu chief took the oath of office as the new Perlis MB on Sunday (Dec 28) following the resignation of his predecessor and Sanglang state assemblyman Mohd Shukri Ramli on Christmas Day due to health reasons.
Recall that on the same day. Perlis State Assembly speaker Rus’sele Eizan announced extraordinary vacancies for the Chuping, Bintong, and Guar Sanji assembly seats in accordance with Clause (1)(a)(ii) of Article 50A of the Perlis State Constitution.
This follows the announcement by PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang on Dec 24 that the memberships of its three assemblymen, Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji) had been terminated following their withdrawal of support for Mohd Shukri.
In the GE15, Perlis PN won 14 of the 15 state assembly seats with PAS securing nine and Bersatu five while Pakatan Harapan (PH) through PKR won one seat. – Focus Malaysia
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