Former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad has been appointed to lead a coalition of 55 Malay Muslim non-governmental organisation, including Perkasa.

The coalition is called Barisan Perpaduan Nasional (National Unity front).

In his acceptance speech following the coalition’s first meeting yesterday, Abdul Hamid said the  time has come for him to speak as a Malay Muslim after retiring as CJ.  

"While I was a judge, I did not issue any statement and now that I have retired I will do so.

"I was born as a Malay and Muslim and god-willing I will die as such according to Allah's will. Hence, is it wrong for me to talk and defend Malay and Islamic rights as stipulated in the constitution?" he asked.

Apart from Perkasa, some of the other NGOs in the coalition are Abim, GPMS, Isma, Pembela, Jati, Majlis Usahawan Melayu Malaysia, Persatuan Ilmuan Malaysia, Pewaris and Jamiah Dakwah Islamiah.

The front's formation is to rival the government's formation of the "ineffective" National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).

Abdul Hamid was CJ from Nov 1, 2007 to Oct 18, 2008, and is the second member of the judiciary to be involved in Islamic and Malay NGOs after former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah.