No more funding? Go ahead, it won’t snuff us, says Perkasa
A defiant Perkasa is unperturbed over the possibility of its funds being cut off by Putrajaya, following a call from DAP's Lim Kit Siang to the Barisan Nasional federal government to stop funding the Malay rights group.
Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali (pic) said prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could direct government agencies not to support any of Perkasa's programmes and activities if saving the 1Malaysia concept is more important.
He claimed the funds received previously were not much, in fact they were less than what other non-governmental organisations get.
"Perkasa will not accept the 1Malaysia concept if it is seen as a 'Malaysian Malaysia DAP' policy because we still adhere to what was said by Najib in Parliament, that it has to be based on the constitution," he said in a statement today.
Syed Hassan questioned Lim's actions, stressing that Perkasa had all along only defended the interests of Malays and Bumiputera as well as the sanctity of Islam.
"Is defending the interests of the Malays, Bumiputera and Islam as stated in the constitution an act of sabotaging the 1Malaysia concept?" he asked.
He said there were some who felt Perkasa was a stumbling block to their ambitions and wanted to see the group destroyed.
"Let me stress again that Perkasa will continue to march forward.
"The halting of funds will not stop our voice to boldly defend the rights and interests of Malays, Bumiputera and Islam," he added.
Lim had demanded to know yesterday whether Putrajaya had issued a directive to stop all funding to Perkasa after it was revealed that the group received financing from several government agencies.
“Malaysians are entitled to know after the Cabinet meeting tomorrow whether it has issued a directive to stop all government agencies from funding Perkasa.
“Can Najib or any minister answer this question after the Cabinet meeting tomorrow or do Malaysians have to wait until March when Parliament reconvenes and questions are posed by Pakatan Rakyat members of Parliament before this information is made public?” the opposition party adviser had asked.
Syed Hassan had previously admitted Perkasa received financial aid from government agencies, such as the National Security Council (MKN), National Civic Bureau (BTN) and Special Affairs Department (Jasa).
He had also confirmed that the group was helping BN to remain in power. – January 8, 2014.
