Malay-rights NGO Perkasa has voiced concerns that the proposed Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) may contradict Article 153 of the federal constitution.

NONE Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, who heads Perkasa, said the name of the commission “implies that all races have the same opportunities (and) this clearly conflicts with Article 153 of the federal constitution".

"We would like to caution the government about the EOC. If it goes against Article 153 and encroaches on Malay rights, Perkasa will fight it," he said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby today.

The EOC is among schemes identified in the New Economic Model, the first phase of which was announced yesterday by premier Najib Abdul Razak.

However, in principle, Ibrahim said that Perkasa welcomes the Najib administration's economic framework. In particular several provisions which it deems to be bumiputera friendly.

NONE Namely the provisions guaranteeing affirmative action for the bumiputera, the focus on the lower income groups, and the admission by Najib that the bumiputera, while a majority, is still economically vulnerable and the policies of the New Economic Policy is still relevant.

However, Ibrahim ( right ) said that there are many issues which they will need to look into and seek clarification from the National Economic Action Council (NEAC).

He said that the 86 NGOs of Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM) shall convene a second round table soon to mull their response to the NEM.

'Stop demonising Perkasa'

Meanwhile, the Perkasa Chief also warned the Chinese press to stop demonising Perkasa and inciting the Chinese against the Malays.

"The articles in the Chinese press are written in such a way, so as to provoke the Chinese into hating the Malays. They accuse Utusan of inciting racism, but it is they who are practicing it."

"We can also do the same, we can incite the Malays to hate the Chinese. But we will not, because we are responsible. This cannot continue, this must stop."

He singled out an article in the Sin Chew Jit Poh by Tan Hooi Chiao, which he said attacked him personally.

perkasa publication "It (the article) said a lot of things about me which is untrue."

The article he was referring to may be the one published on Monday, which lashed out at Ibrahim and Perkasa, calling them "cowards" and "paranoid" labeling them as outdated in the days of globalisation where "keris-Waving no longer has currency."

Ibrahim told the Chinese press that he and Perkasa will be keeping an eye on them from now on.

"I have formed a commitee in Perkasa to monitor the articles on the Chinese press. We will translate them and distribute them to the Malays. We also have our own publication now, we will re-publish those articles in our paper. This is so that the Malays will know of this. Before this they don't know because only the Chinese can read them."

'Gerakan disrespectful'

Ibrahim also hit out at Penang Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nam for attacking former premier Mahathir Mohamed's speech when officiating the inaugural annual general assembly of Perkasa last Sunday.

penang gerakan pc 141008 teng hock nam In a statement issued to the media on Monday, Teng ( right ) said Mahathir's speech contained "strongly worded racial content" and that it was "disgusting".

Ibrahim called Teng's statement disrespectful of a "renowned statesman" like Mahathir.

While he will not demand an apology, he said that Gerakan which is "an empty tin can" party will have to be careful of offending the Malays.

"If they ever run in elections under the BN ticket, they have to be mindful that even in Chinese areas, there are Malay votes. If Gerakan continues this behaviour, the Malays will desert them.

"They will lose. That is their punishment. They must remember, it is not only the Chinese and Indian votes that are important, the Malay votes count too."

Perkasa, GLCs and the New Economic Model