Mat Sabu unfazed by Perkasa warning

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu today brushed off the Negri Sembilan chapter of right-wing Malay rights NGO Perkasa's warning that it will hold protests against him if no apology is forthcoming.

Instead, the politician who is often regarded as the party's 'fighting cock', will proceed with speaking engagements throughout Negri Sembilan, upon invitation.

“I'm ambivalent (about the warning). In fact, (Perkasa is) the one that is more anxious. I've already been charged, so let's just wait for the court to make its decision.

“(But) if I get invited to speak at events, I will,” said Mohamad, who is widely known as Mat Sabu, adding that his next speaking engagement in Negri Sembilan is in Paroi on Oct 6.

Negri Sembilan Perkasa chief Mohd Noor Nordin Abdullah said he would lead protests against Mat Sabu, if the latter refuses to apologise over his statement on the 1950 Bukit Kepong incident.

Mat Sabu, was earlier this month charged with criminal defamation for allegedly saying in an Aug 21 speech that Mat Indera, who led the attack on the Bukit Kepong police station, was the real freedom fighter and not the police officers defending the station.

Police urged to maintain order

The warning came soon after a fracas broke out in Ampangan, Seremban, last Saturday when Perkasa members protesting against Mat Sabu tried to approach the stage as the PAS leader was speaking.

Two PAS supporters sustained injuries during the incident, while Perkasa claims that one of its men was also hurt.

Asked about safety measures in upcoming events, Mat Sabu said that he would let the police do their duty in ensuring order, including at events on private premises that do not require a permit.

Meanwhile, PAS Negri Sembilan this morning lodged a report at the Paroi police station on the protest warning, saying it went against Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.  

“We urge the police to investigate the matter and to take necessary action to prevent the violence that occurred in Ampangan from happening again,” said PAS Negri Sembilan commissioner Mohamad Taufek Abdul Ghani.

Meanwhile, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said it is hypocritical of the opposition to complain when Perkasa members stage protests at their events when the opposition themselves do the same.

Using what he described as a favoured argument of the Pakatan coalition, he said it is their right to hold such protests.

However, Ibrahim avoided giving his direct endorsement of the warning issued by Perkasa Negeri Sembilan, saying it is entirely their decision to make.

"It is their right to do so. We cannot stop them, and we must respect their decision," he said after attending a briefing on the abolition of the Internal Security Act by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

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Perkasa threatens more protests against Mat Sabu