Perkasa to spread beyond Malaysia, beginning with London branch
(The Malaysian Insider) – Malay rights group Perkasa is looking to spread its wings abroad, starting with its first branch in London opening on Saturday in response to requests from Malays who have rejected political organisations like Umno, says its secretary-general Syed Hasan Syed Ali.
The right-wing group was formed in 2008 after Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) lost badly in the general election that year. Perkasa claims to have up to 500,000 members, mostly from Umno.
“The Malay community in London has asked Perkasa to open a branch there,” Syed Hasan Syed Ali told The Malaysian Insider.
He said the Malays in London were not interested in joining political organisations or clubs like the Umno Club, hence the request for Perkasa to open a branch in London.
Umno’s Overseas Club has 72 branches in 18 countries with a total of 14,000 members.
Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali is expected to launch the London wing this Saturday in Southwick St, Paddington, with 200 members already signed up.
Media invitations sent out for the occasion stated that more than 275 members have registered with the Perkasa UK and Europe Club.
Syed Hasan said Perkasa membership abroad was open to any Malaysian, who was Malay and practised Islam, whether working or studying.
He said there were also plans to open branches in Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia and Australia.
“Some of the activities lined up for Perkasa clubs abroad include forums and discussions.”
For this purpose, Ibrahim is expected to be accompanied by 33 senior Perkasa figures when he leaves for London on May 29.
Perkasa is among a few prominent Malay rights group and has former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a patron.
The group has often attracted criticism for its racist views and for its controversial statements.
However, Perkasa has often maintained that it was merely defending the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Syed Hasan courted further controversy when he said Muslim group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) was its “brothers-in-arms”.
“I will not hesitate to say that we are like siblings. Perkasa is not jealous of Isma, in fact, we welcome more like-minded groups.
“Perkasa has no problem cooperating with like-minded groups so long as they were fighting for the same ideals,” he said.
