Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia or Perkasa is a non-governmental Malay Supremacy[1] 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.[2] Perkasa is said to be fighting and defending the rights of the Malays which they feel are being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.
It has been branded a fascist organisation by various quarters.[3]
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Member of Parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali is the founder and first president of Perkasa. The other leader of Perkasa is its Deputy President Dato Fuad Hassan. [4]
On 1 July 2010, the official organ of Perkasa, Suara Perkasa had published an article on its front page asking Dr. Wee Ka Siong 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.[5] 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).[6] 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. [7]
On July 9, 2010, the group was labeled 'militant' by former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott. [8]
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". [9]