Malay right wing NGO Perkasa blames cabinet ministers who kept quiet on the controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) as the reason for the fall in BN's support in the recent by-elections.

With these ministers playing safe and not coming to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's defence, the situation has contributed to the slash in support for BN in the Permatang Pauh and Rompin by-elections, Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said today.

Ibrahim at a press conference identified three ministers for failing to speak up on GST issues.

They are Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek ( photo ), Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah.

With this, Najib should have the trio replaced if he wants Umno to win the next general election, Ibrahim said.

However, he praised the efforts of Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan in defending the prime minister, even if Ahmad's comments had drawn criticism and become the butt of jokes.

"Despite the people laughing at it because Ahmad ( right ) offered incorrect answers, at least he come out and talked, although what he said may have been detrimental to be BN," Ibrahim said.

"What about the rest of the ministers? They all played safe.

"Najib made a mistake by surrounding himself with leaders, advisers and warlords who play safe. And I hope he will realise this," Ibrahim added.

Ibrahim, who claimed had done on the ground surveys during the two by-election, said GST and Felda issues were the main factors contribute to the drop of support in Rompin.

Perkasa blames Rosmah, too

While in Permatang Pauh, he said, beside GST, the controversial 1MDB land deal with Tabung Haji had spread during the eve of polling, contributing to PKR's victory.

He claimed that the controversies surrounding premier's wife Rosmah Mansor was another among the reasons for BN's slide in support.

Describing the two by-election as a blessing in disguise, he suggested a total revamp of cabinet, party, government agencies and GLCs, in order for Umno to reform before the next general election.

Many are qualified to take up the jobs even if all the underperforming leaders were given the boot, he said.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim urged that Lembaga Tabung Haji cancel its deal with 1MDB.

When asked if Tabung Haji board head Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim should resign following land purchase denial, Irbahim said it's up to Azeez to decide.

"If the person has moral bearing, there's no need for others to make such call, he will decide if he should stay on," he said.

The leaders in countries like Japan and Germany were more Islamic than Muslim leaders, they will resign when something bad happened, he said.

No to English

While concurring with Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ismail that the country should adopt a single-stream education system to integrate and unite the people, the former Pasir Mas MP said, the medium should be in Bahasa Malaysia and not English.

"Singapore chose English as they don't want Bahasa Malaysia and Malays are a minority there.

"But Malays are the majority race in Malaysia," he said.

Yesterday, the sultan urged the people of Johor to be open-minded about national education system and be willing to change for the prosperity of the people and long-term development.

He added that if the education system continues to be based on race and language since childhood, there will always be a gap between the diverse communities in Malaysia.