May 13 rally: Perkasa boss slams ‘racist’ Soi Lek
Malay pressure group Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali is disappointed that the May 13 “Melayu Bangkit” (Rise up Malays) gathering in Kuala Terengannu has been postponed. The independent Pasir Mas MP also singled out MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek as topping the list of “selfish” politicians who have blown the issue out of proportion.
Written by Rahmah Ghazali, Free Malaysia Today
PETALING JAYA: Malay pressure group Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali is disappointed that the May 13 “Melayu Bangkit” (Rise up Malays) gathering in Kuala Terengannu has been postponed.
The independent Pasir Mas MP also singled out MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek as topping the list of “selfish” politicians who have blown the issue out of proportion.
Speaking to FMT today, Ibrahim said the objective of the rally, which was slated to see the presence of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad as well, has been misinterpreted.
“It was to be held in a stadium and the speakers were supposed to present their papers. Besides, Mahathir was to make the keynote address, focusing on various Malay issues.
“This was meant to be a peaceful event and had nothing to do with racial riots,” he added.
The rally was called off following criticisms from both sides of the political divide on the ground that it would coincide with the 41st anniversary of the May 13, 1969 racial riots.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim accused the MCA president of being a “racist” for urging Umno leaders not to attend the rally as it went against Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept.
“It is those who make such statement who are racists. Look at Chua, he has been meeting Chinese NGOs and making all kinds of demands. But when others do the same, they are considered racists,” he said.
The salvo against Chua did not stop there, as Ibrahim accused the MCA leader of attempting to win over the Chinese community with such tactics to overshadow his “moral issues”.
Previously, Ibrahim had told FMT in an exclusive interview that Chua, who was embroiled in a sex scandal, should quit as he is morally unfit to lead the party.
Ibrahim also saw nothing wrong with the initial plan to hold the rally on May 13 (yesterday).
“What is wrong with that? If the event intends to unite the Malays because they are the majority in the country, why not?” he asked, adding that “dark episodes” are commemorated in other countries as well in order to serve as a deterrent.
“Some countries commemorate the Nazi massacre, Israel’s invasion of Palestine or the Serb’s attack against Yugoslavia. They commemorate the dates so that such things do not happen again,” he said.
