Denounce Perkasa, remember the German Nazis, Zaid tells PM
(MMO) – Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has called on Datuk Seri Najib Razak to openly denounce Perkasa, reminding the prime minister of Europe’s “mistake” in the German Nazi era which had taken a world war to correct.
In a blog posting here, former Cabinet minister picked apart the Malay rights group’s “lunatic” and “toxic ideas” and called them a “threat to security”, saying the government needs to stop allowing the Malay rights group to run amok.
“The issues this group champions are just plain ridiculous, and there is nothing in Perkasa’s struggle that merits serious consideration,” wrote the former de facto law minister.
“It has continued to cause consternation and fear among both Malaysians and also potential investors, and the Prime Minister should categorically denounce Perkasa and its allies for its disruptive politics and warmongering.”
Zaid also urged Putrajaya to not gift the group leeway in furthering their causes, even if it has a renowned patron, referring to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“The Government cannot maintain a cavalier attitude towards Perkasa, hoping that its toxic ideas will disappear and have no effect. Europe made the same mistake in the Nazi era and it took a World War to correct it,” he said.
Warning that religious bigotry will affect Malaysia’s international trade and tourism, Zaid has called on “progressive” Umno leaders to bring politics of moderation back, and stand up to Perkasa either in the Parliament or outside.
He gave the recent example of the Islamic animal slaughtering rituals—called “korban”—done in some school compounds in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which have caused complaints from Hindu parents but were defended by Malay groups such as Perkasa.
“The Government allowed an MIC Deputy Minister to face down these racists on his own despite the fact that we have two Malay-Muslim Ministers-in-charge of Education,” he said, referring to Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan.
“I still do not understand why our top leaders are so terrified of Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Datuk Zulkifli Noordin. I really don’t,” he added, naming Perkasa’s two most prominent leaders.
