Perkasa
Ibrahim Ali | |
Website | www |
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Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (
The major objectives for establishing Perkasa, according to
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.[5] 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.[6] It has been branded a fascist organisation by MPs from the Malaysian federal opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the past.[7]
In September 2010, Ibrahim Ali claimed that 60% of Perkasa members were United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) members.[8] However, both Ibrahim Ali and UMNO's secretary-general Tengku Adnan denied any ties between UMNO and Perkasa[8] although both of them agreed that several UMNO members are also Perkasa members.[9][10]
Despite Perkasa's close association with UMNO, Ibrahim Ali during Perkasa's 2013 annual general assembly, had alleged that UMNO had shown weakness and become "toothless" in their efforts to safeguard the rights of the Malays and had implied the possibility of Perkasa becoming a full-fledged political party to participate in
Leadership
Ibrahim Ali, the former Pasir Mas Member of Parliament, is the founder and first president of Perkasa. The other leader of Perkasa is its Deputy President Dato' Fuad Hassan (2008-2014).[13] Ibrahim has attempted twice to resign as Perkasa president in 2013[14] and again in 2018,[15] but both were rejected by Perkasa's supreme council.
Recent events
- On 12 February 2010, some 1,000 members from Perkasa and Selangor UMNO marched from the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque to the Selangor State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, Selangor, to protest the Selangor state government's handling of the quit rent issue involving Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK).[16]
- On 29 April 2010, Perkasa president
- On 28 September 2010, a group of 50 Perkasa members protested against controversial Malaysian rapper Wee Meng Chee (Namewee) by torching his posters outside the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) where Namewee was about to speak at a youth forum.[18]
- On 25 April 2011, about 100 Perkasa members and supporters held a protest outside the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur after the party's call to boycott the Malaysian Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia, in response to the daily's "1 Melayu, 1 Bumi" initiative. Perkasa secretary general Syed Hassan Syed Ali defended Utusan Malaysia, saying that the newspaper is not being racist as it only defended Malay rights enshrined in the constitution.[19]
- On 14 August 2011, Perkasa staged a protest by burning copies of the Malaysian English-language daily
- On 26 February 2012, a group of UMNO and Perkasa members attacked and injured demonstrators and members of the press during an anti-Lynas protest at the Speaker's Corner, Padang Kota Lama, Penang. Two journalists from the Chinese-language daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh were beaten and injured. There were news reports where Perkasa members threatened protesters with foul language and racist remarks.[21]
- On 6 April 2012, Perkasa members were reported attacking
- On 10 May 2012, a group of 30 Perkasa members hold a mock funeral ceremony in front of Penang state government.[23]
- On 30 June 2012, a group of Penang Perkasa members protested against Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng by carrying banners and posters at the Teluk Bahang market in Penang, which ended up in a scuffle with shoving and pushing. The latter claimed that someone had roughly brushed against him from behind when he was about to leave.[24]
- On 2 September 2012, PKR members reported that Perkasa members were attacking members of the public attending a tazkirah (Muslim religious sermon) by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a mosque in Alor Setar, Kedah.[25]
- On 8 March 2013, a group representing various NGOs - Perkasa, National Silat Federation (Pesaka), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islamiah dan Dakwah (Pekida), Penang Muslim Network (JMPP), Federation of Peninsula Malay Students (GPMS), Penang Pencinta Malaysia Association (Pencinta), and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan staged a protest at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the latter's call to allow Christians in Malaysia to use the word "Allah". They allegedly tried to break the glass doors to gain entry into the Penang state administration office in an attempt to hand in a "clock" to Lim Guan Eng(giving a clock to person in Chinese culture means wishing death to the said person's parents).[26]
- On 14 October 2013, a group of Perkasa members gathered outside the Federal Court when the Court of Appeal ruled that the Catholic Church is prohibited from using the word "Allah" in the Malay language section of its weekly newspaper, Herald. Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali shouted cries of "Praise be to Allah", saying that the people should stop bringing up the issue and urged politicians not to politicise the issue.[27][28][29]
- On 18 January 2014, about 600 Penang UMNO and Perkasa members staged a street protest with provocative banners against PKR assemblyman Lee Khai Loon in Seberang Jaya, Penang. Earlier, Lee Khai Loon has organised a flash mob by stuffing kangkung (water spinach) into an effigy of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Alma, Bukit Mertajam. Some of the banners contained racial provocative sentiments. Penang UMNO Youth secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir warned Lee and Pakatan Rakyat not to provoke the Malay race by ridiculing their leaders, Islam, the police and other Malay institutions, threatening another 13 May riots.[30]
- On 19 January 2014, two men were assaulted during a rally held by UMNO and Perkasa in support of the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's kangkung remarks in Alma, Bukit Mertajam. The protesters had earlier gathered at a food court in Alma and then proceeding to Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon's service centre. The group also burnt a paper effigy of the latter.[31]
- On 21 January 2014, a group of protesters from UMNO Youth, Perkasa, Pekida, Persatuan Mukabuku and Al-Ehsan staged a violent demonstration and assaulted Penang Island Municipal Council enforcement officers during the demolition of illegal food stalls at Teluk Awak Flat in Jalan Hassan Abas, Teluk Bahang, Penang. However, no arrest has been made by the police since.[32]
- On 21 May 2014, Penang Perkasa Youth Chief and several Penang UMNO members had staged a protest in front of the Penang State Assembly Building over Seri Delima state assemblyman RSN Rayer's "UMNO celaka" remark. They stormed into the state assembly hall by crashing through the gates of the building. They have also demanded apology from RSN Rayer.[33]
- On 12 October 2014, a rowdy group which consists of members of Perkasa, UMNO Youth and Persatuan Gabungan Melayu Islam Pulau Pinang harassed and chased away demonstrators in a peaceful gathering to repeal the Sedition Act organised by Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) in Speaker's Corner, Padang Kota Lama, Penang. Two British women who were passing by were physically assaulted and called Jews by the mob. However, the police did not prevent the violent disruption and only intervened when the situation got worse when the mob began pushing, chasing and cornering GHAH supporters and bystanders.[34]
- On 26 December 2014, a group of representatives from Perkasa and 100 Malay villagers staged a protest against the Selangor State Government at the
Controversies
Publication of seditious articles
On 1 July 2010, the official organ of Perkasa, Suara Perkasa published an article on its front page asking
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
Distribution of white angpows
During the Chinese New Year celebration organised by Perkasa in February 2012, Perkasa president
Chinese as a national security threat
On 12 December 2012, Perkasa chief Datuk
Crusade threat against Christians
On 12 May 2011, its president
Call to burn Malay language bibles
On 21 January 2013, Perkasa again courted intense public outrage when
Religious insensitivity towards Hindus
On 29 March 2013, Perkasa vice-president and
The video clip has sparked outrage among many people from the
Zulkifli later apologised on 1 April 2013 for hurting the feelings of the Indian community,[51] 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.[52]
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".[53] 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.[54]
Racial riot Threats
Perkasa president Datuk
Call on ban of Malay bibles
On 17 October 2013, Perkasa president Datuk
Criticism
On 9 July 2010, the group was labelled 'militant' by former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott.[57]
The group has been criticised by former parliamentary leader of the opposition Lim Kit Siang from Democratic Action Party (DAP) of Pakatan Rakyat, 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 Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamed when the latter attended its inauguration ceremony.[58]
State Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (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.[59]
Perkasa had also received backlash from two ethnic-Chinese
References
- ^ "Perkasa winning support for attacks on demands by minority groups". Malaysia Today. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ Ebrahim Harris; Yuddy Cahya; Rozanna Latiff; Robert Birsel; Paul Tait. "Malaysian Muslim group joins Indonesian call for Starbucks boycott over LGBT stand". Reuters. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
Perkasa, a group with about 700,000 members that campaigns for the rights of ethnic Malay Muslims
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- ^ "The Real Deal with Perkasa". The Nut Graph. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
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- ^ a b "Perkasa has nothing to do with Umno: Ibrahim Ali". The Star (Malaysia). 9 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. 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.
- ^ Zuhrin, Azam Ahmad (9 September 2010). "UMNO rejects Perkasa". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. 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.
- ^ 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 subsequent election.(Source: Umno rejects Perkasa, The Star, 9 Sept 2010)
- ^ "We can replace you as Malay champions Perkasa warns UMNO". The Malay Mail Online. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ^ Hanis Zainal (9 May 2019). "Ibrahim Ali unveils new party, Putra, to fight for race and religion". The Star. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "New platform for old mission". TheStar Online. 14 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- The Star Online. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ Ida Nadirah Ibrahim (10 June 2018). "Ibrahim Ali: My resignation can be discussed during Perkasa AGM". Malay Mail. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "1,000 Perkasa, Umno members protest YBK land tax issue".
- ^ "Ibrahim Ali sues for defamation over Perkasa article".
- ^ "Perkas torches Namewee's poster outside KLSCAH".
- ^ "Perkasa in minor protest against MCA". Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "Perkasa burn copies of The Star, rubber snakes in protest". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "Guan Eng: Umno, Perkasa members attacked reporters at anti-Lynas rally". Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "PERKASA mengganggu majlis orang". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Perkasa holds 'funeral rite in front of Guan Eng's house".
- ^ "Perkasa members scuffle with CM at Teluk Bahang market".
- ^ "Anwar diserang lagi di Alor Star, dakwa PKR".
- ^ "Group barges into Komtar to see Guan Eng".
- ^ "Muslims gather outside Palace of Justice for Allah ruling". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Putrajaya wins appeal, church can't use word "Allah" in newspaper, court rules". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Case closed, get on with life, says Ibrahim Ali after "Allah" decision". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Penang Umno threatens '13 May' retaliation over PKR's kangkung flash mob". Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ "Two assaulted in 'kangkung' rally".
- ^ "Demolition of illegal food stalls in Teluk Bahang turned ugly".
- ^ "Protesters barge into Dewan in search of DAP rep".
- ^ "New right-wing Malay group attacks anti-sedition gathering in Penang". Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "Perkasa declares war on pig farm".
- ^ "Perkasa: Arrest Ka Siong under ISA". The Star (Malaysia). 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ "Suara Perkasa asked to explain 'ISA' article". The Star (Malaysia). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ "'Suara Perkasa' let off with slap on wrist". Malaysia Kini. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ "Perkasa Claims Chinese Support in anti-Bersih drive". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Young MCA leaders see red over Perkasa's white packets". Archived from the original on 2 May 2012.
- ^ "Perkasa expresses regret over white angpow incident". Archived from the original on 3 May 2012.
- ^ "Growing Chinese clout may cause new May 13, says Ibrahim Ali". Archived from the original on 19 December 2012.
- ^ "DAP Claims UMNO backing Perkasa's Crusade Threat Against Christians". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Burn "Allah" bibles, Perkasa chief tells Muslims". Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ "Perkasa threatens to pull support for MCA, MIC over Allah bible-burning row". Archived from the original on 23 January 2013.
- ^ "Perkasa chief being probed over Bible-burning remark". Archived from the original on 27 January 2013.
- ^ "Zul Noordin asks why Hindu gods did not stop flood". Archived from the original on 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Charge insolent Zul Noordin". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "MIC leaders tell Zul Noordin to 'shut up' and apologise". Archived from the original on 31 March 2013.
- ^ "No action so far against Zul Noordin 'because he is Muslim', says Hindu Sangam chief".
- ^ "Zulkifli Noordin apologises to Indian community over remarks in video clip". Archived from the original on 6 April 2013.
- ^ "After Hindu insult, Zulkifli Noordin says "Keling"". Archived from the original on 8 April 2013.
- ^ "Perkasa opposes any attempt to bring back Chin Peng's remains". Archived from the original on 18 September 2013.
- ^ "Don't upset Malays with Chin Peng issue, Perkasa warns MCA". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013.
- ^ "Perkasa chief warns of fresh race riot if Malays not helped economically". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Teach Christians a lesson, ban al-Kitab". Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Malott, John R. (19 July 2010). "What Anwar's Trial Means for Malaysia". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Rebirth of a Demon". Lim Kit Siang. 10 March 2010.
- ^ "Is Dr M supporting Perkasa's holy war?". Archived from the original on 29 August 2011.
- ^ "No sorry for Perkasa, BN Chinese leaders say". Archived from the original on 16 February 2013.
External links
- Official website
- Perkasa on Facebook
- Perkasa on Twitter