Perkasa: Malay Leaders 'Starving' For Christian Votes

Right-wing Malay rights group Perkasa today expressed regret over Malay leaders from various parties who are "starving" for Christian votes to the extent of "selling the dignity of Islam".

This was apparent from Malay leaders of Umno, PAS and PKR choosing to remain silent on various issues pertaining to Islam, including the raid on a church in Petaling Jaya earlier this month over claims of proselytising Muslims, Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said.

"Stop thinking along party lines. Muslim leaders must unite and stop chasing the Christian vote. Are they so starved for Christian votes that they must sell off the dignity of Islam?" he said during a demonstration organised by Perkasa in front of the National Mosque today.

Speaking to reporters at the vicinity of National Mosque, Syed Hassan said that it all started initially from the controversy surrounding the use of the word 'Allah' by the Catholic publication the Herald, then Christians bombarding Muslim on various issues and to what he terms as the inspection of the church by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

Therefore, Perkasa urged the Agong to intervene and the Council of Rulers' to command Muslim religious leaders to convene and discuss issues pertaining to apostasy.

Perkasa, however, does not want to play the role of “the middleman” to close the gap, as politicians should have “their own mind”, he added.

Small vote percentage, why worry?

Asked for the basis of his concerns when Christians only make up nine percent of the country's population, Syed Hassan said:

That's is what we find odd, only nine percent, why do we have to chase after their votes?”

He also urged Jais to complete its investigations on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) raid promptly so that police can begin their probe.

Earlier on, about 30 Perkasa supporters led by Syed Hassan held a demonstration at the mosque after Friday prayers to express their unhappiness at Umno, PAS and PKR leaders.

Although disappointed with the lack of participants, Syed Hassan reasoned that it was unavoidable as the protest was arranged at the last minute.

In the banners and posters condemning the Muslim leaders of the parties, Perkasa also demanded that Christian teachers be banned from working at national schools.

However, when pressed, Syed Hassan explained that Perkasa only wanted the authorities to keep a close watch on these teachers, fearing that they may try to proselytise Muslim students.