Actions of Isma and Perkasa must not be tolerated: Kurup

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup branded Malay right-wing groups Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa as bigots who must not be tolerated.The minister in charge of national unity also questioned how such groups were able to commit "monstrous, bizarre" acts and use religion to justify their "spiritual arrogance".

"What is wrong with them?" Kurup said in a statement.

"Not only am I disappointed by these bigots but also flabbergasted by their actions to disrupt our way of life. But the sad irony is that most bigots don't think they're bigots. They think they're right," he added.

Isma is often in the news for provocative and controversial views, with the latest coming from activist Abu Ameen who reportedly said that Muslims should not wish Christians "Merry Christmas", claiming that traditional scholars consider it "haram" (forbidden).

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Like Isma, Perkasa often makes headlines for the same reasons. Its president, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, previously outraged Christians by threatening to burn Malay language bibles.

Last Friday, a Perkasa member tore down a banner carrying a Christmas greeting outside the Perak DAP office during a protest against the party's secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng.

Kurup stressed that Putrajaya, civil society and citizens must ensure that Perkasa's and Isma's "extremist" voices do not flourish.

"Rejection of intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion is fundamental to the sustainability of our long preserved unity. We must see to it that these bigots do not find a hospitable environment in our beloved country," said the minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

He also said Perkasa's and Isma's recent actions went against the values upon which the country was founded, but did not specify further.

Penang Perkasa demanded last Friday that the authorities jail Penang Chief Minister Lim for saying that the state's non-Muslims can refer to God as "Allah", an Arabic word commonly used by Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians in Malaysia.

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Kurup urged the "silent majority of moderates" to speak up against religious extremism and racial bigotry.

The minister, who is also Pensiangan MP from Sabah, said "moderately religious" Sabahans and Sarawakians should be emulated.

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