Dr M: Perkasa reacting to other groups

(The Star) – Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad came to the defence of Perkasa, justifying their recent remarks against the Chinese as mere reactions to equally offensive comments by extremist Chinese groups.

“There are others who are saying things which causes Perkasa to reply. There are extremist Chinese groups who are saying there are no such people as the Malays. So Perkasa will reply.

“If somebody says something, another person will reply. This is why racial issues should not be discussed publicly,” he told reporters after delivering a lecture titled “Malaysia As A Maritime Nation – Are We There?” here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on the call by Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali to the Government to delay allocations promised to the Chinese community due to their poor support for the Barisan Nasional during the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Asked if Umno should distance itself from Perkasa, Dr Mahathir said MCA should also distance itself from such extremist Chinese groups.

“If you have all Chinese support but no Malay support, you will still lose,” Dr Mahathir added.

In Shah Alam, Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP, said he made the statement because he wanted the Chinese community to repent and realise that they should be grateful to the Government.

Ibrahim said the RM3mil allocation was a sign that the Prime Minister had kept his promise and showed that the Government cared.

“Apa pun, insaf dan berterima kasih lah (Whatever it is, repent and be grateful),” Ibrahim added.