Sarawakians ‘wary’ of Perkasa / Perkasa tak sesuai buka cawangan di Sarawak

Perkasa is infamous racist, pro-islamic extremist organisation

PETALING JAYA - Sarawak-based Dayak National Congress (DNC) has reservations about Perkasa’s ‘sudden’ claim that it is a bumiputera-based organisation and not pro-Islamic.

Said DNC secretary Richard Lias: “Why only now are they coming up with the statement that they are a bumiputera party?

“Their actions show they are an extreme party. The say that they are not racist but their actions contradict with their statements. Action speaks louder then words.”

He said it was too late for Perkasa “to win” the hearts of Sarawakians.

Lias was responding to a FMT report that Perkasa was aiming to strengthen its influence in Sarawak.\

Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali in defending his president Ibrahim Ali’s proposed visit to Sabah next week, said that the organistion “always” protected bumiputera rights.

“We are a bumiputera based organisation and not a pro Islamic organisation.

We are not racists …. we always protect bumiputera rights,” he reportedly said in reaction to Angkatan Perubahan Sabah’s call for Ibrahim to be barred from entering Sabah.

Syed Hassan had also mentioned that Perkasa had 45,000 members in Sabah and hoped to receive the same support in Sarawak.

To this Lias said: “Perkasa can expend their wings in Sarawak as Malaysia is a democratic country… but it does not mean we Dayaks have accepted Perkasa.

“Perkasa has done enough damage to us.”

Cautious over Perkasa

Meanwhile Kuching-based Persatuan Kebangsaan Melayu Sarawak is taking a cautious stand over Perkasa presence in Sarawak.

Its president Dr Mohamad Abas Hj Abang said “to accept or reject Perkasa was an individual’s right”.

“Perkasa has every right to strengthen its wings in Sarawak as long as they don’t contradict with the Perlembagaan Persekutuan Melayu Sarawak (constitution),” he said.

Syed Hasan meanwhile clarified that Perkasa has been in Sarawak for the past four years and was not making a debut.

“We have been in Sarawak since 2009 but we have been quiet because our state leader is sick.

“We are looking to replace him and we believe we will get support from Sarawakians.”

BM version -------------------------

Perkasa tak sesuai buka cawangan di Sarawak

Oleh Doris Apai

Kita tidak menghalang kedatangan mana-mana ahli dari pertubuhan ini mahupun Presidennya Datuk Ibrahim Ali ke Sarawak sebagai pelancong.

KUCHING: Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) dilihat tidak sesuai untuk meluaskan pengaruhnya di negeri ini atas dasar saling menghormati masyarakat majmuk di Sarawak.

Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing (gambar) menegaskan perkara itu ketika mengulas kenyataan Setiausaha Agung Perkasa Syed Hassan Syed Ali yang bercadang untuk meluaskan sayap pertubuhan Perkasa di Bumi Kenyalang ini.

“Bagaimanapun, kita tidak menghalang kedatangan mana-mana ahli dari pertubuhan ini mahupun Presidennya Datuk Ibrahim Ali ke Sarawak sebagai pelancong.

“Tetapi, mereka diingatkan agar tidak menyimpan niat untuk meluaskan polisi Perkasa di sini (Sarawak),” tegasnya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas menghadiri Persidangan Hari Pertama Mesyuarat Kedua bagi Penggal Ketiga Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak ke-17 di Bangunan DUN Sarawak di sini semalam.

Menerusi laman sosial yang dikeluarkan semalam, Perkasa membuat kenyataan bahawa pertubuhan itu mahu melebarkan cawangannya ke negeri ini dengan alasan untuk melindungi hak Bumiputra selepas mendakwa mempunyai 45,000 ahli di Sabah.

“Memandangkan Perkasa di Sabah adalah sangat aktif, kami berharap untuk mendapatkan sokongan yang sama daripada rakyat Sarawak,” kata Syed Hassan Syed Ali.