Perkasa to MCA: Insult Islam, you'll lose our vote

Malay rights NGO Perkasa today warned MCA and its president Dr Chua Soi Lek that the Chinese party will lose Malay support in the next general elections should they continue to insult Islam.

He said that the Malays will not stand by while their religion is insulted by the party, and may pull their support from MCA candidates in the next elections.

The Pasir Mas parliamentarian also added that Perkasa would also not sit still should the Chinese party continue with its controversial statements.

“We have a secret strategy, especially for MCA in the next general election," he said cryptically.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference after launching five new Selangor Perkasa divisions in Shah Alam today.

However, Ibrahim refused to reveal what this 'secret strategy' is, and simply stated that MCA may find it difficult in future elections, especially in areas with substantial Malay electorates.

Ibrahim stressed that Chua affected Malay sensibilities when he insulted Islam blaming it as the reason why Malaysia is not progressive.

Chua himself does not have the moral right to talk about Islam, he added.

"When he blamed Islam, he hurt our feelings. What more that it's a 'sex video actor', with no morals is making the comment," he sniped.

While such comments are expected from opposition parties like DAP, the Perkasa chief said that such statements are unbecoming of a BN component like MCA.

It is not Islam but the MCA and DAP that are actually standing in the way of national integration by continually stepping on sensitivities and playing up racial issues, Ibrahim added.

On Friday, Chua commented at the MCA's Annual Convention in Alor Star, Kedah, that both Umno and PAS have used religion to strengthen their influence and win Malay support.

Chua said that when the two Malay-Muslim parties compete, the consequence was the implementation of non-progressive policies, which has resulted in the country falling into a middle-income trap over the past 10 years.

Chua however stressed that he raised the issue to prod Chinese Malaysians into thinking twice about voting for PAS.

At the same press conference, Ibrahim also hit out at PAS for being "hypocritical" in trying to defend Malay rights.

He was commenting on reports that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had allegedly voiced disagreement with DAP publicity Tony Pua against the latter's proposal to do away with bumiputera discounts on luxury property purchases.

"I think their statement is just a political statement. They are only doing this to get Malay support, not that they see the Malays are concerned about their rights," said Ibrahim.

He also challenged the Islamic party to sever ties with the DAP if it is serious in defending Malay rights, describing the DAP as a party that works hard at undermining Malay rights.

Council of rulers must act

Ibrahim also praised and welcome the recent call by the Selangor sultan for Malays and Muslims to unite as well as to stop using mosques for political reasons.

However, he also warned that the sultan and Council of Malay Rulers should not only issue decrees but take action.

Failing to do so, said Ibrahim, will risk being percieved as irrelevant and being ignored in the future.

"For example, those who hold royal awards and titles but who made insulting statements should be stripped of their titles and awards automatically," said the Perkasa leader.

If the council and rulers do not take action, said Ibrahim, people may not give mind to their decrees.

Ibrahim had earlier given a rousing and fiery speech to about 500 Perkasa members from Selangor.

His feisty speech received a standing ovation and was punctuated by cries of "Hidup Melayu" and thunderous applause.

The speech, which was off the record for the press, touched on the apparent dissatisfaction of the Malays and the urgent need for the race to unite against the alleged encroachment on Malay 'special rights'.