Mahathir to open Perkasa

(The Straits Times) – FORMER premier Mahathir Mohamad will open the inaugural assembly of controversial Malay nationalist group Perkasa at the end of the month, replacing the Sultan of Selangor who declined an invitation to be the main guest.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said Tun Dr Mahathir will be given a warrior’s welcome at the assembly, which will be held on Saturday.

Datuk Ibrahim said 10,000 members and guests will attend the assembly to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

The withdrawal of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor from the meeting had stripped Perkasa of the royal endorsement that it had hoped to gain.

Dr Mahathir had in January officiated at the launch of Perkasa in Selangor.

Mr Ibrahim is a Mahathir loyalist and was made a deputy minister in the 1990s Cabinet of the former prime minister.