Perkasa
Encyclopedia
Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia or Perkasa is a non-governmental Malay Supremacy organization that was formed by Ibrahim Ali
in the aftermath of the Malaysian general elections in 2008
. The group claims to have a membership of 300,000, though outsiders estimate the actual figure to be much lower.
The major objectives for establishing Perkasa, according to Ibrahim Ali
, are the "protectors of Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
" and to defend the rights of Bumiputera from being eroded by certain quarters. Perkasa is said to be fighting and defending the rights of the Malay
s which they feel are being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.
It has been branded a fascist
organisation by various quarters.
is the founder and first president of Perkasa. The other leader of Perkasa is its Deputy President Dato Fuad Hassan.
to be detained under Internal Security Act
(ISA) for questioning the special position of Bumiputera which is under the Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
. However, Wee had dismissed such allegation made by Perkasa. Suara Perkasa was asked to explain this controversial publication by the Malaysian Home Ministry on the following day. This article had received backlash by the component parties in Barisan Nasional
, including United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association
(MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). On 5 July 2010, the controversial Suara Perkasa was let off by Home Ministry with a warning for publishing an article that could have jeopardised national unity.
The group has been criticised by former opposition leader
Lim Kit Siang for re-using the religion, race and nationalism card when it's been "proven obsolete and irrelevant in bringing progress and change to Malay social and economic development".
Ibrahim Ali (Malaysia)
Dato' Ibrahim bin Ali is a Malaysian politician and is currently the member of parliament for Pasir Mas. He is also the founder and president of Malay rights group Perkasa.-Political career:...
in the aftermath of the Malaysian general elections in 2008
Malaysian general election, 2008
The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections; the previous general election was held in 2004...
. The group claims to have a membership of 300,000, though outsiders estimate the actual figure to be much lower.
The major objectives for establishing Perkasa, according to Ibrahim Ali
Ibrahim Ali (Malaysia)
Dato' Ibrahim bin Ali is a Malaysian politician and is currently the member of parliament for Pasir Mas. He is also the founder and president of Malay rights group Perkasa.-Political career:...
, are the "protectors of Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong responsibility for “safeguard[ing] the special position of the ‘Malays’ and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities” and goes on to specify ways to do this, such...
" and to defend the rights of Bumiputera from being eroded by certain quarters. Perkasa is said to be fighting and defending the rights of the Malay
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
s which they feel are being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.
It has been branded a fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
organisation by various quarters.
Leadership
Member of Parliament Datuk Ibrahim AliIbrahim Ali (Malaysia)
Dato' Ibrahim bin Ali is a Malaysian politician and is currently the member of parliament for Pasir Mas. He is also the founder and president of Malay rights group Perkasa.-Political career:...
is the founder and first president of Perkasa. The other leader of Perkasa is its Deputy President Dato Fuad Hassan.
Controversy
On 1 July 2010, the official organ of Perkasa, Suara Perkasa had published an article on its front page asking Dr. Wee Ka SiongWee Ka Siong
Datuk Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of Parliament of Ayer Hitam, Johor since 2004....
to be detained under Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
(ISA) for questioning the special position of Bumiputera which is under the Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong responsibility for “safeguard[ing] the special position of the ‘Malays’ and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities” and goes on to specify ways to do this, such...
. However, Wee had dismissed such allegation made by Perkasa. Suara Perkasa was asked to explain this controversial publication by the Malaysian Home Ministry on the following day. This article had received backlash by the component parties in Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
, including United Malays National Organisation
United Malays National Organisation
The United Malays National Organisation, is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence....
(UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association
Malaysian Chinese Association
Malaysian Chinese Association is a uni-racial political party in Malaysia that represents the Malaysian Chinese ethnicity; it is one of the three major component parties of the ruling coalition in Malaysia called the Barisan Nasional in Malay, or National Front in English.Along with the largest...
(MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). On 5 July 2010, the controversial Suara Perkasa was let off by Home Ministry with a warning for publishing an article that could have jeopardised national unity.
Criticism
On July 9, 2010, the group was labeled 'militant' by former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott.The group has been criticised by former opposition leader
Pakatan Rakyat
Pakatan Rakyat or PR is an informal Malaysian political coalition. It currently controls four state governments while in opposition to the ruling Barisan Nasional at the federal level....
Lim Kit Siang for re-using the religion, race and nationalism card when it's been "proven obsolete and irrelevant in bringing progress and change to Malay social and economic development".