Perkasa

Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa
ڤرتوبوهن ڤريبومي ڤرکاس
Mighty Native Organisation
PERKASA
Motto Melayu Terus Maju
Malay Moving Forward
Formation 2008
Type Malay Supremacy, extreme-right, ultra-nationalism
Purpose protect Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia, defend the rights of Bumiputera from being eroded, defend the rights of the Malays which are allegedly being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.
Location
Key people
 Ibrahim Ali, Mahathir Mohamad
Website www.pribumiperkasa.com

Perkasa or Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Malay for "Mighty Native Organisation") is a non-governmental Malay dominance[1] organisation that was formed by Ibrahim Ali in the aftermath of the Malaysian general elections in 2008. This conservative, extreme-right, ethnic Malay organisation is led by its president Ibrahim Ali, with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, as advisor. The group claims to have a membership of 420,000.[2] In September 2010, Ibrahim Ali claimed that 60% of Perkasa members were UMNO members.[3] However, both Ibrahim Ali and Tengku Adnan denied any ties between UMNO and Perkasa[3] although both of them agreed that several UMNO members are also Perkasa members.[4][5]

The major objectives for establishing Perkasa, according to Ibrahim Ali, are to act as "protectors of Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia" and to defend the rights of Bumiputera from being eroded by certain quarters.[6] Perkasa is said to be fighting and defending the rights of the Malays which they feel are being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.

Perkasa has recently become infamous for its racial and religious provocations against non-Malays, especially Chinese and Indians; and non-Muslims, especially Christians through vocal, physical and violent means.[7] Despite the continuous offensive and seditious remarks by its chief Ibrahim Ali and its members that have threatened social harmony, no legal action has been taken by the Malaysian authorities so far.[8]

It has been branded a fascist organisation by MPs from the Malaysian federal opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat.[9] Despite Perkasa's close association with UMNO, Ibrahim Ali recently implied the possibility of Perkasa becoming a full-fledged political party to participate in Malaysia's 14th General Elections, going head-to-head against UMNO. This comes with Ibrahim Ali's accusations of UMNO showing weakness and becoming "toothless" in their efforts to safeguard the rights of the Malays during Perkasa's fourth annual general assembly.[10]

Leadership

Former member of Parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali is the founder and first president of Perkasa. The other leader of Perkasa is its Deputy President Dato' Fuad Hassan. Its advisor is Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia.[11]

Recent Events

Controversy

Publication of seditious articles

On 1 July 2010, the official organ of Perkasa, Suara Perkasa published an article on its front page asking Dr. Wee Ka Siong to be detained under Internal Security Act (ISA) for questioning the special position of Bumiputera which is under the Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. However, Wee dismissed Perkasa's allegation.[32] Suara Perkasa was called by the Malaysian Home Ministry the following day for an explanation. The article received a backlash by the component parties in Barisan Nasional, including United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).[33] On 5 July 2010, the controversial Suara Perkasa was let off with a warning by the Home Ministry for publishing an article that could have jeopardised national unity. However some members of UMNO, the leading component of the ruling Barisan Nasional government in Malaysia are supporters of its founder, who was also previously a member of the political party. Datuk Ibrahim Ali was an independent MP in his home state of Kelantan and was known to have strong grassroots support in his constituency. He is also close to the top leadership of UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) and at one time was a member of the Supreme Council of that party. He is still an influential politician and was also close to the previous Deputy Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as they were previously members of ABIM (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia - Malaysian Islamic Youth Assembly) which the former deputy minister headed. Datuk Seri Ibrahim Ali was the Member of Parliament for Pasir Mas (2008-2013), a constituency in his home state of Kelantan. He is now rallying support from Malaysians to reject Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the next Malaysian leader on account of the alleged personality flaws of the latter. This movement seems to gather much momentum among the rural Malays and Malaysians in general as can be evidenced by massive turnout especially among his Malay supporters. He ia aided in his campaign by Datuk Hassan Ali, a former member of Partai Islam SeMalaya (PAS - Malaya Islamic Party) who had left the Pakatan Rakyat coalition top leadership because of differences of opinion on many issues, one of which relating to the controversial use of the word Allah in the Bible.[34]

Counter Protest Against Bersih 2.0

During the Perkasa Anti-Bersih launch at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman on 19 June 2011 which is a counter protest of Bersih 2.0 rally, president Ibrahim Ali was reported stoking racial tension in his speech, warning the Chinese to “stock up food” as “anything can happen”, because he claimed that if Bersih 2.0 rally was not cancelled, racial riots similar to 13 May incident may happen. In other word, he implied that the Chinese should be staying indoors to avoid any trouble on the day of the Bersih 2.0 rally on 9 July 2011. Following his speech, lawmakers from both sides of the political divide have accused him of turning the rally, which was supposed to be demanding for free and fair election, into a racial issue. UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin suggested that Ibrahim Ali should be probed under the Sedition Act.[35]

Distribution of White Angpows

During the Chinese New Year celebration organised by Perkasa in February 2012, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali was reported distributing RM10,000 packed in “white-coloured angpows” to ethnic-Chinese senior citizens. This has angered many ethnic-Chinese in Malaysia of touching the sensitivities of the Chinese. In Chinese culture, money given out in white packets is traditionally-associated with the ‘pak kam’ (white gold), which are donations given out at funerals. His actions has received heavy criticisms from Malaysian Chinese leaders such as MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong, MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Chai Kim Sen and MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, with many described the president’s actions as “disrespectful” and “insensitive”. Ibrahim Ali then eventually expressed regret for not being aware of the cultural taboo of the Malaysian Chinese and added that such mistakes could be avoided, giving an excuse that they have run out of red-coloured ang pows.[36][37]

Chinese as a National Security Threat

On 12 December 2012, Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali commented that of late the Malaysian Chinese have been playing up political sentiments and accused the country’s second-largest ethnic group of forgotten how living in Malaysia is "like heaven". He also commented that the Chinese community will become a national security threat which would result in racial riots similar to the 13 May incident if it grows more powerful economically and politically.[38]

Crusade Threat Against Christians

On 12 May 2011, its president Ibrahim Ali launched a crusade against Christians if the community proceeds with its agenda to replace Islam as Malaysia’s official religion, criticising them as being ungrateful people, during a speech organised by the Kommuniti 1 Malaysia in Kampung Changkat, Gombak, Selangor, which was attended by several UMNO leaders. His called for a holy war against Christians after a news report from Utusan Malaysia claiming that the Christians and DAP had a conspiracy of turning Malaysia into a Christian country. In response, the DAP had criticised the Malaysian government for its refusal to apprehend Ibrahim Ali for his seditious remark, declaring this as a proof that UMNO is backing the Perkasa leader, with DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng describing Perkasa as an “alter ego” of UMNO. Meanwhile, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon called for a full investigation into all of Ibrahim’s speeches made, commented that the leader was “uncouth” and in clear violation of the concept of “1Malaysia”.[39]

Call to burn Malay language bible

On 21 January 2013, Perkasa again courted intense public outrage when Ibrahim Ali called on Muslims to burn Malay-language bibles which use the term "Allah" in their texts.[40] Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali had made a call during the Perkasa convention in Permatang Pauh, Penang, urging Muslims to burn the Malay language version of the Christian Holy Bibles that contain the words “Allah” and other religious Arabic words written in Jawi. He then threatened that he would quit supporting the Barisan Nasional after receiving criticisms from leaders of MCA and MIC. He then added that he did not intend to offend the Christians and instigating racial and religious tension but as a solution to prevent an alleged conversion of Muslims by evangelists. Responding to Ibrahim’s remarks, MIC leader S. Vell Paari urged the government to punish the right-wing Perkasa president or face the possibility of losing its non-Muslim votes.[41] This has resulted in Ibrahim Ali's alleged statement being investigated under the Sedition Act by the Malaysian police after several police reports lodged.[42]

Religious Insensitivity Towards Hindus

On 29 March 2013, Perkasa vice-president and Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin has been heavily criticised by several Hindu politicians after giving a religious sermon belittling Hinduism. A YouTube video of the speech has been circulating on social media. In his speech, he explained how he laughed at the Indian traders on why the Hindu gods could not prevent the trader's shop from being flooded. He also questioned the purity and holiness of the Ganges River, India, which is considered sacred by the Hindus, claiming that the Ganges River is filled with chicken carcasses and twigs floating. Besides that, Zulkifli also mocked the Hindu god Lord Ganesha, by questioning why the Hindus are fighting over buying the deity's statue with the trunk broken. He also questioned the holiness of the Hindu gods when he said when the broken parts of the statue can just be mended by plaster.[43]

The video clip has sparked outrage among many people from the Malaysian Hindu community. PKR vice-president and lawyer N. Surendran wants Zulkifli to be charged with Section 298A of the Penal Code for uttering words which causes disharmony, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will on grounds of religion. He added that Zulkifli is a close ally with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in which he described that UMNO and Barisan Nasional must take responsibility for the sacrilegious remarks and mockery of Hinduism.[44]

MIC central working committee member Datuk T. Rajagopalu told Zulkifli to "shut up" and apologise for his insensitive remarks against the Hindus. He added that Zulkifli is unfit to be an MP, describing the lawyer as a half-baked lawyer and not a true Muslim man. MIC vice-president Datuk S.K. Devamany also demanded that Zulkifli apologise and withdraw his remarks. Aside from them, MIC central working committee member P. Kamalanathan condemned Zulkifli’s remarks “in the harshest manner possible.” Human rights group SUARAM also rebuked Zulkifli and urged voters to reject him in the upcoming Malaysian 13th general elections.[45] Hindu Sangam chief said that no legal action were taken against Zulkifli because he is a Muslim and vice-president of Perkasa.[46]

Zulkifli later apologised on 1 April 2013 for hurting the feelings of the Indian community,[47] but only days later another video clip emerged in which Zulkifli was caught uttering the word "Keling" during a speech, a word deemed to be extremely offensive towards ethnic Indians.[48]

Death of Chin Peng

Perkasa expressed protest and opposed any attempts to bring the remains of the former secretary-general of the Malayan Communist Party Chin Peng back to Malaysia. Ibrahim Ali said that he will never allow Chin Peng to return to Malaysian regardless whether he is alive or dead. He also said any record of Chin Peng should be erased from the annals of the country's history and kept from the eyes of the younger generation, adding that Chin Peng's remains should be "tossed into the air".[49] Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali warned MCA not to upset the Malays by insisting that the Malaysian government should allow Chin Peng's remains to be brought back to Malaysia.[50]

Race Riot Threat

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali has warned of another race riot if the majority of the Malays remained in poverty, praising Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak of making the right decision by implementing the new RM31bil Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Plan (BEEP) intended to increase the economic status of the Malays. He said that the 13 May riots occurred because the Malays were not satisfied. Many critics say that the programme has further entrenched race-based policies and inhibit Malaysia's economic competitiveness which then results in a huge brain drain of many non-Malays.[51]

Malay Bible Ban

On 17 October 2013, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali urged Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to ban the Malay language bible in Malaysia, commenting that the government had been too compromising and give in to the demands of the Christians in Malaysia as they are not satisfied enough because the Christians insisted on using the word "Allah" in the bible, which he claims that "Allah" can only be used by Muslims in Malaysia. He added that the Malays had been "trodden and spat on" by "ungrateful Christians" and demanded the government to ban the Malay language bible as a retaliation. He resorted to name-calling by describing DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng as a "pig" for defending the Christians right to use the word "Allah" in the bible. He also mocked the Christians saying that the Christians insisted that they use the word "Allah" because they had no name for their own God.[52]

Criticism

On 9 July 2010, the group was labelled 'militant' by former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott.[53]

The group has been criticised by former opposition leader Lim Kit Siang parliamentary leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party, for re-using the religion, race and nationalism card when it's been "proven obsolete and irrelevant in bringing progress and change to Malay social and economic development". It had the tacit support of the former Prime Mister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamed when the latter attended its inauguration ceremony.[54]

State Gerakan official and lawyer Baljit Singh has condemned Perkasa as the Malaysian version of the white American supremacist movement Ku Klux Klan, which openly advocates racism, religious extremism and fascism. He added that Perkasa incites racial hatred and social disharmony by threatening to wage a holy war against Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities in Malaysia.[55]

Perkasa had also received backlash from two ethnic-Chinese Barisan Nasional leaders, namely Penang Gerakan chief Datuk Teng Hock Nan and MCA deputy secretary Loh Chew June, whom they labelled the right-wing Malay group as "racists". Perkasa Youth Chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah then demanded apology from the duo. Loh responded that he did not need apology as Perkasa's actions were to segregate everyone and hampering the concept of '1Malaysia' mooted by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Loh also lambasted its president Ibrahim Ali for flashing the 'keris' (Malay dagger) during the group's congress which may stoke racial tension in Malaysia.[56]

References

  1. ↑ "Perkasa winning support for attacks on demands by minority groups". Malaysia Today. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  2. ↑ "Perkasa poised for a new role". The Star Online. 5 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Perkasa has nothing to do with Umno: Ibrahim Ali". The Star (Malaysia). 9 September 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2015. Ibrahim claimed that 60% of its members were Umno members while its younger members were not politically-affiliated. Perkasa brushed off Umno’s statement that the largest component party in the Barisan Nasional neither needs nor has ties with Perkasa. “We have no ties to sever with Umno as we do not have ties in the first place,” its founder Datuk Ibrahim Ali said.
  4. ↑ Zuhrin, Azam Ahmad (9 September 2010). "UMNO rejects Perkasa". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 15 October 2015. Tengku Adnan said that most Perkasa leaders were defeated in the last Umno elections and had sought a political platform for them to be heard. “They are not wanted in Umno, they are no more leaders, they are just ordinary members. Umno has nothing to do with Perkasa,” he said, adding that the party would not back Ibrahim in the next general election.
  5. ↑ Koh, Lay Chin (20 September 2010). "UMNO's Perkasa dilemma". The Nut Graph. Retrieved 15 October 2015. Tengku Adnan reminded Perkasa leaders that BN had to address the needs of all racial groups in the country. In response, Ibrahim snapped back, saying that 60% of Perkasa members were Umno members. He is also mulling the possibility of political cooperation with other parties in the next election.(Source: Umno rejects Perkasa, The Star, 9 Sept 2010)
  6. ↑ "The Real Deal with Perkasa". The Nut Graph. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  7. ↑ "Perkasa antics will cost BN".
  8. ↑ "Call for action against Perkasa chief".
  9. ↑ "Curb "fascist" Perkasa, Rahim Noor, Pakatan MPs tell Najib". The Malaysian Insider. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "We can replace you as Malay champions Perkasa warns UMNO". The Malay Mail Online. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "New platform for old mission". TheStar Online. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  12. ↑ "1,000 Perkasa, Umno members protest YBK land tax issue".
  13. ↑ "Ibrahim Ali sues for defamation over Perkasa article.".
  14. ↑ "Perkas torches Namewee's poster outside KLSCAH".
  15. ↑ "Perkasa in minor protest against MCA".
  16. ↑ "Perkasa burn copies of The Star, rubber snakes in protest".
  17. ↑ "Guan Eng: Umno, Perkasa members attacked reporters at anti-Lynas rally".
  18. ↑ "PERKASA mengganggu majlis orang".
  19. ↑ "Perkasa holds 'funeral rite in front of Guan Eng's house".
  20. ↑ "Perkasa members scuffle with CM at Teluk Bahang market".
  21. ↑ "Anwar diserang lagi di Alor Star, dakwa PKR".
  22. ↑ "Group barges into Komtar to see Guan Eng".
  23. ↑ "Muslims gather outside Palace of Justice for Allah ruling".
  24. ↑ "Putrajaya wins appeal, church can't use word "Allah" in newspaper, court rules".
  25. ↑ "Case closed, get on with life, says Ibrahim Ali after "Allah" decision".
  26. ↑ "Penang Umno threatens '13 May' retaliation over PKR's kangkung flash mob".
  27. ↑ "Two assaulted in 'kangkung' rally".
  28. ↑ "Demolition of illegal food stalls in Teluk Bahang turned ugly".
  29. ↑ "Protesters barge into Dewan in search of DAP rep".
  30. ↑ "New right-wing Malay group attacks anti-sedition gathering in Penang".
  31. ↑ "Perkasa declares war on pig farm".
  32. ↑ "Perkasa: Arrest Ka Siong under ISA". The Star (Malaysia). 1 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  33. ↑ "Suara Perkasa asked to explain 'ISA' article". The Star (Malaysia). 2 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  34. ↑ "'Suara Perkasa' let off with slap on wrist". Malaysia Kini. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  35. ↑ "Perkasa Claims Chinese Support in anti-Bersih drive".
  36. ↑ "Young MCA leaders see red over Perkasa's white packets".
  37. ↑ "Perkasa expresses regret over white angpow incident".
  38. ↑ "Growing Chinese clout may cause new May 13, says Ibrahim Ali".
  39. ↑ "DAP Claims UMNO backing Perkasa's Crusade Threat Against Christians".
  40. ↑ "Burn "Allah" bibles, Perkasa chief tells Muslims".
  41. ↑ "Perkasa threatens to pull support for MCA, MIC over Allah bible-burning row".
  42. ↑ "Perkasa chief being probed over Bible-burning remark".
  43. ↑ "Zul Noordin asks why Hindu gods did not stop flood".
  44. ↑ "Charge insolent Zul Noordin".
  45. ↑ "MIC leaders tell Zul Noordin to 'shut up' and apologise".
  46. ↑ "No action so far against Zul Noordin 'because he is Muslim', says Hindu Sangam chief".
  47. ↑ "Zulkifli Noordin apologises to Indian community over remarks in video clip".
  48. ↑ "After Hindu insult, Zulkifli Noordin says "Keling"".
  49. ↑ "Perkasa opposes any attempt to bring back Chin Peng's remains".
  50. ↑ "Don't upset Malays with Chin Peng issue, Perkasa warns MCA".
  51. ↑ "Perkasa chief warns of fresh race riot if Malays not helped economically".
  52. ↑ "'Teach Christians a lesson, ban al-Kitab'".
  53. ↑ Malott, John R. (19 July 2010). "What Anwar's Trial Means for Malaysia". Wall Street Journal.
  54. ↑ "Rebirth of a Demon". Lim Kit Siang. 10 March 2010.
  55. ↑ "Is Dr M supporting Perkasa's holy war?".
  56. ↑ "No sorry for Perkasa, BN Chinese leaders say".
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