In fight for Malay rights, Perkasa joins hands with Indonesia’s ‘red and white soldiers’

(Malay Mail Online) – Perkasa today announced a formal alliance with an Indonesian right-wing group Laskar Merah Putih (Red and White soldiers), the same group that courted controversy years earlier when it torched a Malaysian flag to protest the arrest of its countrymen here.

But explaining the move today, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali insisted that both Perkasa, a strong advocate of Malay rights in Malaysia, and Indonesia’s Laskar Merah Putih (SEE MORE HERE) share the similar ideals and goals.

A delegation of Laskar Merah Putih was present here at Perkasa’s annual general assembly, alongside the Malay rights group’s branches from UK, Europe, Indonesia and Thailand.

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Rahman was also one of Perkasa’s invited guests.

“Laskar Merah Putih, although they have caused controversy in Indonesia, they defend the rights of their people in Indonesia,” Ibrahim said during his speech at the group’s annual general assembly here.

Laskar Merah Putih made headlines here several years back when its members burned the Jalur Gemilang to protest Malaysia’s arrest of several Indonesian nationals working with the Fisheries department.

“There will no more of the incident like what happened in Jakarta before. ‘Kita serumpun sebangsa’ (We are cut from the same cloth),” Ibrahim added.

Laskar Merah Putih was formed in August 2003 by Eurico Barros Gomes Guterres- a pro-Indonesian or anti-independence militia formerly with the Indonesian military.

He was said to be involved in several massacres in Timor Leste, and a chief militia leader during the post-independence massacre and destruction of the capital Dili.