Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali believes that its "hundreds of eminent Malays" were "greater" than the 25 eminent Malays who recently spoke out in favour of moderation.

 

"In Perkasa, we have hundreds of eminent people who are greater than them," he said in his speech at the right-wing group's annual general meeting today.

 

Hitting out at the 25 Malays who had criticised Perkasa as well as Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), Ibrahim said it was their right to voice out their opinion to the government.

 

"We won't prevent them from voicing their opinion. However, why must they disturb us?" he said.

 

The 25, comprised of former top civil servants, judges, ambassadors and scholars,  called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( right ) to show leadership in the face of intolerant voices, such as that of Perkasa and Isma.

The group said that it was time for moderate Malays to speak up, for extremist and immoderate voices did not represent them.

 

On this, Ibrahim said: "They said that we don't represent them. Since when did we represent them, anyway?

 

"How dare they reprimand us Malays. Why didn't they reprimand Dong Zong, Hindraf or DAP?"

Malay liberals a problem

Ibrahim had earlier said that the country now faced a problem in the form of Malay liberals.

 

"Back then, our obvious enemies were DAP, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng. Now we face the Malay liberals."

 

He also chided Umno members which include Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin ( left ), Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Saiduddin Abdullah and Salleh Said Keruak.

 

"We don't want to be enemies with them. But if they can't defend the Malays, don't disturb Perkasa and Isma," he said.

 

"When a pig head was thrown in a mosque, when they (non-Muslims) question the call for prayers, isn't it our right to defend Islam?

 

"Damn them (bangsat betul mereka)."

 

On several Umno leaders who had made statements asking Umno members to keep their distance from Perkasa, Ibrahim said he didn't invite any of them to join Perkasa.

 

"However, many Umno members have joined Perkasa.

 

"Why are you so scared of Perkasa? Back then I was called a frog, racist, now I declare myself as the warrior (wira) of the Malays and Muslims," he said.