Umno leaders appeared to be giving different signals on the issue of a Chinese Perkasa with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin backing the proposal while Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz dismissing it as "ridiculous".

muhyiddin yassin pc 170310 Muhyiddin, was also asked to comment on MCA vice-president Donald Lim's suggestion that a ‘ Chinese Perkasa ’ be formed to counter Malay rights group Perkasa, said that anyone has a right to form such an organisation.

“There is no need to limit the formation of political bodies be it Perkasa Donald, Perkasa Muhyiddin or Perkasa Ibrahim Ali, because this is a democratic country,” he said.

“What is important is that the organisation is directed for the development of the country. It should not (be formed) to maintain a narrow-minded form of thinking. It also should not be formed to attack another group - I think the people would not like this.”

He reiterated that Perkasa, headed by Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, is not an Umno proxy.

Nazri earlier today said the proposal would only cause racial tension among the Malays and Chinese at a time when the government is trying to defuse this.

"We want to get rid of Perkasa and (yet) he (Donald Lim) wants to (encourage) extremism," said Nazri, when approached by reporters in the Parliament lobby today.

Umno-PAS cooperation

On a separate issue, Muhyiddin welcomed any move by PAS and Umno to work together for Malay unity, saying the focus should be on strengthening similarities in viewpoint.

“We may work on certain issues like the economy, the institution of the Rulers and education, which would not be problem. What is important is there is commitment to closer cooperation to ensure unity of the Malays and the Muslim ummah.

“I will leave it up to PAS. I believe they have leaders who think like us (although) a small (number) may have differing views. We can work together informally which need not be publicised, to (arrive at) better understanding and trust for the betterment of Muslim unity.”

Muhyiddin stressed that those of other races should not view such cooperation - should it come to pass - as something that would upset Umno's ties with other races or parties.

“Even party president (Najib Abdul Razak) has said that we are willing to cooperate with other leaders, including (those of) PAS, and we are prepared for this,” he said.

“However, there is no need for other races to be scared or worried, as what is important is that there is racial harmony and unity.”

Last month, however, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had rejected any and all cooperation in the form of a unity government with Umno and BN.