While spews Perkasa inflammatory speeches at its AGM, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim advises Umno and PAS leaders to be wise and not do anything foolish.
Group claims minister’s statement led to disunity among races
PETALING JAYA: Umno and PAS leaders should show more wisdom instead of pushing for the antiICERD rally on Dec 8, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PKR president said the rally was unnecessary as the government had already decided not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
“It is anyone’s right to gather. But if they still rally to object it, then it is inappropriate. I hope leaders from Umno and PAS will show more wisdom on this. I hope they will not proceed with the rally,” he told the press after launching Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s book, titled 9 May 2018 – Notes from the Frontline here yesterday.
The Dec 8 rally is organised by Malay-Muslim NGO Ummah and Sekretariat Kedaulatan Negara at Dataran Merdeka.
Both PAS and Umno had earlier declared they would join the rally.
Anwar also said the government would leave it to the police to use the Sedition Act to investigate the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots.
“It is certain that Pakatan’s stance is to repeal it (the Act). But in this situation, we leave it to the police, Home Minister and their wisdom because the law is still in use.
“The most important is to prosecute those who initiated the fight and violence,” he said.
Separately, Anwar also disputed MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s statement that described Pakatan Harapan as “a stumbling block to people’s pursuit of happiness”.
“I think you must at least grant that the leadership of Dr Mahathir has managed, in the last six months, to give this new sense of confidence, no corruption and to try and salvage the billions of losses.
“People can criticise and expect more, particularly the difficult economic climate affecting the livelihood of the poorest segments of our community, the B40.
“But of course I dispute the position taken by Dr Wee because we inherited such a rotten system, with institutions of government failing. So it is a major task,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: While yesterday’s assembly and meeting by Malay rights group Perkasa went on without incident, it was full of fiery speeches on the protection of Malay rights as well as demands for the resignation of a minister.
During the assembly, Perkasa clamoured for Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy, who is in charge of national unity and social well-being, to quit after his statement regarding police inaction during the recent riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
“Waytha Moorthy should instead be the menteri celaka (cursed minister), instead of minister of unity,” Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali told a press conference later.
“One minute he’s blaming the police for inaction and the next he is praising them, but without apologising for his earlier statement.
“He should quit or be fired. I also believe his recent statement led to a group in India claiming that there were multiple deaths during the riots. He has tarnished the country’s image. He could have called the IGP himself.
“If the police were indeed wrong then bantailah (condemn), I will also join you. Because of him, now there is tension between the races when all this while there was peace among the races,” he railed against the min- ister amidst shouts and heckles from the members in front of a hotel here.
Waytha Moorthy had initially claimed that the Subang Jaya police should be probed for being late to arrive to deal with the scuffles which took place at the temple at about 2am on Monday. But on Saturday, he lauded the police for their “quick action” and highest level of professionalism in handling the issue.
Ibrahim also claimed the Malays had lost their patience, adding the “threats” faced by Malay institutions were also a plot to “subvert Malay political power”.
“Today (yesterday) is just the first round. After this, we will no longer be silent and Perkasa will run amok all over the country,” he said, though he emphasised that the use of the word amok was to refer to the group’s struggles for Malay rights.
An assembly was held yesterday morning, with members of the group congregating in front of the hotel, under the watchful eye of the police, before they entered the premises for Perkasa’s annual general meeting.
During the meeting, Ibrahim reiterated his stance that Perkasa would not support any efforts to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
He also told Perkasa members that those interested in attending the anti-ICERD rally on Dec 8 could do so but on their own accord.
“If you want, go on your own and don’t wear our colours and shirts. We don’t want to be seen supporting any political party since the rally is being organised by PAS and Umno,” he said.
Perkasa also suggested a new law to protect the rights of Islam and the Malay rulers along Thailand’s lese majeste law.