Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali says his group was merely fighting to uphold the Constitution. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 28, 2014.
Malay rights group Perkasa today challenged Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir to prove her claim that it enjoyed special treatment.
Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said Marina should not have made such an accusation without evidence, adding that he was prepared to be charged if there was truth to her claims.
"Don't just speak based on perception, without any proof. If it's true that Perkasa has broken the country's laws, you can charge us," Ibrahim was quoted by Mingguan Malaysia today.
On Thursday, Marina (pic) took a dig at Perkasa and Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia, which she said enjoys absolute freedom unlike other newspapers.
"Utusan has the freedom to stir up things," said the eldest daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in her speech at the International Malaysia Law Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
She said Perkasa enjoyed special treatment and space to have its views heard on the media compared with others.
Ibrahim demanded to know whether it was an offence for his group to champion something that was already included in the Federal Constitution, such as the special position of the Malays.
"Is championing the bases of the Constitution, including the rights and special position of the Malays, Islam and Malay rulers wrong and against the law?" he asked.
On Friday, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan accused Marina of being "hypocritical" for zeroing in on Utusan and overlooking the freedom given to news portals such as The Malaysian Insider, Malaysiakini and Free Malaysia Today.
"Marina Mahathir criticised Utusan's 'freedom to stir up things, but conveniently forgot about MKini, TMI, FMT. How hypocritical can she be?" Abdul Rahman posted on Twitter.
"Utusan has always been pro-Malay nationalism since its inception in 1939. Marina Mahathir, on the other hand, is a Johnny-come-lately."
He added that Malaysians could read both The Malaysian Insider and Utusan and choose what to believe, without a "Marina Mahathir type" telling them what not to read.
Abdul Rahman defended Utusan as a platform for Malays to voice their views, instead of having to take to the streets to be heard.
"Instead of demos, Utusan provides a breathing space for Malays to articulate their views, no matter how conservative. That's a safety valve.
"I'm not a fan of extreme reporting myself. But unlike Marina Mahathir, I will defend Utusan's right to exist just as much as MKini, TMI & FMT," he tweeted.
- TMI
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