I will not retract statement, says Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR: Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said he will not retract his statement onMinister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy, despite the issuance of a 24-hour ultimatum for him and Pasir Salak member of parliament Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman to do so.
“I will see you in court,” he said when asked about the matter yesterday.
Earlier, Waytha Moorthy had demanded Tajuddin and Ibrahim to retract their statements, which insinuated that he had insulted Malays and Muslims in the country.
He said the two leaders could face a defamation suit if they failed to retract the statements.
Ibrahim insisted he would not retract his statement or apologise to the minister.
“It is up to him (Waytha Moorthy) what action he wants to take.
“He was the one who should have retracted his statement when claiming that police were late to take action in the Sri Maha Mariamman temple incident.
“Although he had commended the police for being professional later on, his initial statement was irresponsible.
“I will not apologise. If he wants to take legal action, go ahead,” he said at the Perkasa headquarters yesterday.
Ibrahim said he would leave it to the court to decide who had started the “fight”.
“He (Waytha Moorthy) said he had uttered the statement because we practise freedom of speech. Same goes with me. I, too, have the right to express my opinion.”
Earlier, Ibrahim had called for a press conference as police were expected to record his statement over his speech at Perkasa’s annual general assembly on Sunday. However, he said, police decided to postpone the matter.