By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang today accused Umno of outsourcing its “extremist demands” to Perkasa after the right-wing Malay group demanded Barisan Nasional (BN) review its aid for the Chinese in Hulu Selangor.
The group had demanded the government reconsider its election pledges to the Chinese in Hulu Selangor because of the community’s poor support for the ruling coalition in yesterday’s by-election.
“It is very clear that Umno has outsourced its extremist demands to Perkasa. The voice of Perkasa represents (the views) of the Umno extremists,” Lim told The Malaysian Insider.
The veteran politician claimed this was a test for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on whether his 1 Malaysia concept of unity was actually practised or a mere farce.
“This is evidence of the failure of 1 Malaysia. The victory of BN in Hulu Selangor, is it the victory of 1 Malaysia?
“Perkasa’s demands are completely against the 1 Malaysia concept and undermining it entirely,” said Lim.
Lim stated that the onus was now on Najib as well as Chinese parties in BN such as the MCA and Gerakan to respond, and their response will be gauged to determine whether they were truly free to voice out their opinions or be mere “pawns” of Umno.
“The MCA, Gerakan leadership should demonstrate whether they are willing to be held to ransom by Umno (or otherwise). Are they mere pawns of Umno?” asked the DAP leader.
Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said earlier today that despite BN’s success in winning the semi-rural seat from PKR, the Chinese voters had largely chosen to back the federal opposition.
“It is necessary for the government to delay any allocation and approval of projects for the Chinese community,” said Ibrahim in a statement responding to the by-election result.
He added that the government should also ignore all the demands made by BN members, the MCA and Gerakan, as the Chinese of Hulu Selangor had rejected the ruling coalition.
“They show no appreciation to BN government’s efforts, even though the BN government had to hurt the feelings of the Malays and the natives,” said Ibrahim.
“All their demands are fulfilled by the government but they do not know how to be grateful,” he added.
Ibrahim, an independent MP, had actively campaigned for BN during the campaign.
His Perkasa is fighting for affirmative action policies favouring Malays to be retained permanently.
In the by-election which saw BN’s P. Kamalanathan defeat former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim by 1,725 votes, the ruling coalition lost badly in Chinese-dominated polling districts.
During the final campaigning days for the Hulu Selangor by-election Najib promised an allocation of RM3 million for a Chinese school in a new village.
The BN chairman also promised RM90,000 for the Ulu Yam Kwang Tung cemetery and more allocations for Hokkien and muhibbah associations in the area.
However the support level from Chinese voters was reduced from about 35 per cent in Election 2008 to less than 30 per cent yesterday.
BN’s victory was guaranteed by strong support from the Malay-dominated Felda settlements and villagers in rural Hulu Selangor.