KUALA LUMPUR: Perkasa has labelled “liberal Malays” as a threat to their own race and Islam.
In an attack on “25 Eminent Malays”, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali claimed the former had failed to defend Malays and Islam.
The group has been hot on the heels against Malay Muslims right groups like Perkasa and Isma, labelling them as extremists.
The 25 Eminent Malays is a line-up comprising prominent personalities who had recently called for rational dialogue on numerous issues, including the position of Islam in a constitutional monarchy.
One of them, former ambassador to the Netherlands, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, had in a statement, said it was high time for moderate Malays and Muslims to speak up, as “extremists, immoderate and intolerant” voices, such as Perkasa and Isma, did not represent the community as a whole.
In his presidential address at Perkasa’s annual general assembly yesterday, Ibrahim said it was better for the 25 Eminent Malays to
focus on “problems caused” by other groups, including DAP and Indian rights group Hindraf.
“Rather than chasing us, why don’t they go after DAP, Hindraf, (Chinese hardline educationists) Dong Zhong and Christians who are against Islam? They are coward for not being able to criticise such groups,” said Ibrahim to the roaring applause of some 5,000 Perkasa delegates.
The assembly was launched by former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, who is also chairman of the National Unity Front, a Perkasa-linked umbrella group.
Despite being labeled as extremist, Ibrahim said Perkasa had done more for the Bumiputera community, including the setting up of the Bumiputera Economic Congress and the Bumiputera Economic Convention.
“We even lodge many reports against those who insulted Islam and the Malays. We have done our part to prompt action against those who committed such an offence.
“Liberal Malays are fast becoming a threat to our community and religion. This group (Eminent Malays) have failed in defending Islam and the community. Whereas, Perkasa have done more for both (Islam and Malays),” said Ibrahim.
When later asked for comment on the 25 Malays’ call for a dialogue religious issues, Ibrahim said he was not against the spirit of wassatiyah (moderation) done strictly within the Islamic veins.
“I am not against moderation. I’m okay with that... but we must remember that everything that we do must be based on Islam. We cannot turn the religion around (to suit our needs). Islam is Islam and that is it,” said Ibrahim.
Meanwhile in another speech, Abdul Hamid suggested that there was a need for Umno and Pas to cooperate to strengthen the position of Malays in the country. He, however, took a swipe at Pas for allowing Islam to be tarnished, as of the party’s leaders had agreed in the usage of the word “Allah” in Malay-language Bibles.
“From there we can see how Pas has deviated from its struggles. This has created a setback for Muslims and Malays... Pas members are naive and they thought that they will ascend to heaven after joining the party.
“They must be made aware of the truth. Perkasa can play a role in this matter,” he said.