Gerakan's annual general meeting last weekend has caused another stir with Perkasa now taking issue with comments about BN "parasite" NGOs.

 

Selangor Perkasa chief Yahya Abu Bakar ( right ) in his division's Facebook asked if Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang was referring to the Malay supremacist group when the latter made the remark.

 

He said "that a BN component party" should be careful about making any sort of statement because it will be to BN's loss, and can hurt the feelings of voters who are members of the NGO in question.

 

"If the Gerakan Youth chief's statement is meant to say the NGO that is a parasite in BN is Perkasa, that is not a mature statement and not wise for a political party," said Yahya.

 

"The statement will be to BN's loss, because most of Perkasa's members are voters who will vote during election time," he added.

 

On Saturday, Tan urged BN to get rid of "parasite" NGOs that are making voters hate the ruling coalition.

“These NGOs always give the impression that they are BN supporters, but their leaders often make extreme statements causing Malaysians to be angry and hate BN. This is a fact,” Tan had said.

After Tan's comment, a Johor delegate's remark the next day also riled Malay groups, who now want him sacked from the party for saying Umno should stop making "pendatang" (immigrants) remarks because Malays are also immigrants to the land.

'Cheap publicity'

Yahya said that although Tan did not name the NGO because he did not want to give “cheap publicity”, it is believed that Tan had referred to Perkasa.

“Perkasa’s establishment is based on the fight for religion, race as well as country and we are not tied to any political parties,” he said, adding that it was up to people to believe if Perkasa has been aiding Umno or otherwise.

He however believes there was nothing wrong to aid Umno since it is the platform party of the Malays.

“There is also no problem if Perkasa were to help PAS. This shows how Perkasa is free to support any party, as long as the party fights for religion, race and country.”

He also denied that Perkasa was only trying to gain cheap publicity and instead, “advised” BN to forge good relationships and not to find problems or enemies.

Stressing that Tan’s statement will only be to BN’s loss and could also destroy BN, he said: “That Gerakan Youth leader should look at the mirror first before he talks. Without BN, how can his party move?

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