Perkasa: Impossible for Malays to compete economically because of Islam

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali suggested today that the Malays are economically disadvantaged against the non-Malays because of certain limitations in Islam.

The outspoken conservative Malay leader, who was speaking today at Perkasa’s annual meet here, cited this as the reason to continue with affirmative action policies, arguing that this was the best way to address this shortcoming of the Malays.

“Gambling, liquor, entertainment outlets … how could Malays afford, be able to compete?” Ibrahim (picture) asked in his address.

He had claimed that millions of ringgit were denied to the Malays since those businesses are prohibited in Islam, while non-Muslim entrepreneurs had benefited a lot from them.

“We urge the government to continue affirmative action to ensure the security of our nation,” he added.

The firebrand leader had earlier quoted from the book “World on Fire” by Amy Chua, which suggested that the free market breeds ethnic hatred and global instability.

He gave examples of violence in the Philippines, Indonesia and South Africa, where shops owned by economically-dominant races had been burnt down after the natives felt threatened.

“Free economy can never help the natives,” said Ibrahim.

Yesterday, the Perkasa chief had suggested that the Chinese community will become a national security threat if it grows more powerful politically and economically.

In an interview with Sinar Harian, Ibrahim had warned that this could result in another bloody racial clash like the May 13 tragedy.

“What if there is chaos? Like during the May 13 incident, they could not proceed with their trade.

“We, too, do not want that to happen,” Ibrahim was quoted as saying in the article.

Around 5,000 Perkasa members turned up for the launch of their general assembly in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa this morning.

Their general assembly will resume in the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru here this afternoon.