Ibrahim vs Najib

August 15, 2010

Perkasa issues Najib an Ultimatum

by Hazlan Zakaria @www.malaysiakini.com

Malay rights NGO Perkasa today told PM Najib Abdul Razak that he must do all he can to address the economic woes of Malays, or risk losing their support in the next general election.

“If nothing is done, Malays will react. They might be silent now, but they will show their displeasure at the next general election. The Malays will reject UMNO outright,” PERKASA president Ibrahim Ali told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He warned that UMNO and the PM would lose the votes of the Malays should the government continue to kowtow to non-Malays and allow the erosion of Malay economic privileges, which he said are enshrined in the federal constitution.

“The Malays are worried by the government’s approach to spurring the economy. And the minister in charge seems to be keen in taking away what remains of Malay and bumiputera wealth,” claimed Ibrahim.

He was responding to the 12 resolutions which the MCA congress came up with yesterday, one of which demanded the reduction of the 30 percent bumiputera equity.

In addressing the Chinese Economic Congress, Najib – who is also finance minister – had given his assurances to the congress that the Foreign Investments Committee (FIC), which monitors the application of the 30 percent bumiputera equity policy, will soon be dismantled. Najib also said he would welcome more Chinese involvement in Malaysia’s economic development.

Striking a raw nerve

Both statements struck a raw nerve with Perkasa, which has been championing for Malays to be given a greater economic stake.

“I condemn and censure the demands by the congress to reduce the bumiputera 30 percent equity and for more non-Malays to be appointed into government-linked companies.”

The Pasir Mas parliamentarian argued that not many Malays are directors or are employed by the non-Malay cartels which have been given special considerations by the government, such as Robert Kuok’s sugar empire or independent power producer YTL.

As such, Ibrahim said he believes the 30 percent equity and positions reserved for Malays in GLCs are vital to ensure they have their share of the nation’s wealth.

“The Malays and bumiputeras do not want to be given only table scraps. We also want the main course of the economic stake,” said the veteran politician.

Malays, Ibrahim stressed, are no longer satisfied by mere pittance such as the occasional “duit raya”, welfare assistance doled out by the government and even the targeted RM1,500 minimum income for bumiputeras. These, he said are only “bread and butter” to Malays, who want their lion’s share.

Nazir the ‘Chinese’ hero’

Ibrahim also hit out at the PM’s brother and CIMB head Nazir Abdul Razak  for claiming that the New Economic Policy (NEP) had been ‘bastardized‘ to enrich the few.

“Nazir is talking nonsense,” snapped Ibrahim. He added that Nazir is far from qualified to make such an assessment on this or on other economic matters.

“Even if he is a banker, he is new. And we have to ask how he got to where he is today. CIMB did not become successful because of him,” Ibrahim sniped.

He added that CIMB was previously Bank Bumiputera, and was helped by state petroleum firm PETRONAS several times before it was able to stand on its own. “Let him be the Chinese hero, but I am fighting for my own race,” said Ibrahim.