Malay NGOs Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa were no shows at the National Unity Consultation Council (NUCC) breakfast event tonight.

 

However Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup did not see it as a bad news as he will "make it up" with his friend including Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

 

"Maybe he has commitment. Nowadays there are many programs, so I believed he has other programs (to attend).

 

"But I will make it up (to him). We are friends. He is my friend," Kurup (left) said when asked by the media at the event.

 

Perkasa and Isma had criticised NUCC numerous times before and actively opposes the existence of the council.

 

They also opposed the three harmony bills proposed by the council.

 

Ibrahim before this slammed NUCC by saying that the Malays in the council are “deaf” and easily manipulated.

 

He also suggested that one of the council members, PAS MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa change his name to " Muntahik "(desecrating) for suggesting Perkasa and Isma be outlawed.

NUCC won't back down

 

Last Tuesday, Isma vice president Abdul Rahman Mat Dali suggested the government to disband NUCC as he claimed the council had strayed from its main objectives to promote unity.

 

He also said NUCC threaten national unity when they try to erode the position of the Malays and Islam, by criminalising discrimination based on race and religion.  

 

Meawhile, Kurup in his speech tonight affirmed that he and NUCC will not back down from their objective to unite Malaysian people.

 

Speaking his capacity as the minister responsible for NUCC, he denies the speculation that the bills are ready to be tabled in parliament.

 

"NUCC is still in the process to get input from the stakeholders including NGOs.

 

"Every input and suggestion received will be presented to the Attorney General's Office for refinement," he said.