In latest suit frenzy, Ibrahim Ali to cite unity minister, ‘G25’ spokesman for defamation

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Ibrahim Ali confirmed today that he has set his sights on suing a federal minister and the spokesman of the group of 25 influential Malays (G25) for defamation, accusing the former of issuing “idiotic” remarks against Perkasa and the latter of insulting the Malay rights group.

The visibly annoyed Ibrahim told Malay Mail Online that the minister, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, made an “uncalled for” statement when he asked how groups like Perkasa and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) were able to commit “monstrous, bizarre” acts and use religion to justify their “spiritual arrogance”.

Ibrahim, who heads Perkasa as president, said the remarks were unbecoming of a minister in charge of unity.

“It is uncalled for coming from a minister who is in charge of unity by making that idiot statement.

“So long that Perkasa is a registered body and as long as the registration is not questioned by the Registrar of Societies (Ros), how can he (Kurup) make all those unnecessary statement?

“It does not reflect his wisdom as a minister and to me , he is talking bullshit,” Ibrahim said when met at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning, where is is scheduled to file another suit against an English daily CEO.

Ibrahim also demanded those who have labelled Perkasa as an extremist group to prove their claims.

He suggested double standards in Kurup’s remarks, and asked the minister why he has yet to speak out against other organisations like Chinese educationist group Dong Zong and Hindu rights group Hindraf.

“Why doesn’t he say anything on comments made by some people against Islam and what about the Comango group asking for all kinds of things under the pretext of human rights?” Ibrahim asked.

Ibrahim said that he is also planning to sue Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, a spokesman for the group of 25 prominent Malay signatories who urged Putrajaya to review usage of Islamic laws in the country earlier this month.

The Perkasa chief accused Noor Farida of using derogatory labels against his group in her media statements.

“My lawyer will be issuing her a notice of demand,” he said adding that Perkasa will also be lodging a report with the Federal Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) against the 25 today.

He urged the religious authority to investigate if the group’s open letter to Putrajaya had violated Islamic enactments.

“Wrong or right, we have to lodge a report first and I hope the 25 will respect our decision as similar to them having their rights to express their views as Muslims, we (Perkasa) too have a right to seek the truth.”