The Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) has rejected a call by MCA vice-president Donald Lim to spearhead a Chinese version of Malay rights group Perkasa.

klscah protect peaceful society pc 140607 tan yew sing middle KLSCAH chairperson Tan Yew Sing ( right ), who said the proposal would not bring any benefit to the nation or government, also described Lim’s statement as “outdated”.

"We will not consider Lim's suggestion because we always stressed the concept of being multiracial. (The proposal to form) an organisation that only fights for Chinese rights is an outdated (one). We are more interested in advocating multiracialism and open thinking,"he said.

Lim had made the proposal in an interview with the Chinese media last week, saying that a Chinese version of Perkasa should be formed to counter the right-wing Malay group's race-based verbal attacks.

chua soi lek and donald lim mca party election debate 151008 07 The deputy finance minister had further hinted that the right body to play the role is the KLSCAH, an umbrella body for Chinese guilds and associations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Asked what might have prompted Lim (left) to come up with the thought, Tan described it as a "beautiful misunderstanding".

"Maybe Lim perceives us as such, thinking that we only fight for Chinese rights," he said.

He also said that, if Perkasa insists on being a body that fights for race-based benefits, KLSCAH would be more than willing to hold a rational discussion with the NGO.

‘All viewpoints represented’

Tan stressed that although KLSCAH has its roots in the Chinese community, it views issues from the viewpoints of all citizens.

He cited the '20-year Plan of Action for Malaysia’ - initiated by the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia and spearheaded by him - as a project that cuts across race-based boundaries.

"Although it is initiated by a Chinese association, we are providing a stage for experts from all races to take part. Half of the experts involved in this project are non-Chinese," he added.

NONE The project addresses issues like voter registration, the New Economic Model, environmental protection and the brain drain, among issues that are not limited by race.

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali (right) , responding to Lim's statement yesterday, had called the latter an "extremist" and a "dangerous man" who is promoting racial tension among NGOs.

In the same breath, he defended Perkasa's motives, arguing that its purpose is to ensure that Article 153 of the federal constitution is respected.