Malay rights NGO Perkasa has not lodged a complaint against the alleged misuse of tithes (zakat) because "this is an ongoing issue", its president Ibrahim Ali said today.

He contrasted this with the group’s reaction to a hard-hitting Christmas speech by Reverend Eu Hong Seng, "which is a national issue" that could cause "enmity and racial disharmony".

NONE"Issues like (abuse of) zakat, the National Feedlot Corporation issue or allegations involving the Kelantan MB's son-in-law are ongoing issues affecting any government, (whether) BN or Pakatan Rakyat-led.

"I will only choose pertinent national issues, issues regarding national security and leave the others to other NGOs," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Perkasa on Dec 29 last year lodged a report against Eu, who heads the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, accusing him of questioning Article 153 of the federal constitution.

Responding to comments by Malaysiakini readers on Perkasa's silence on allegations of zakat abuse by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom and two government officers, Ibrahim lamented that the vocal NGO could not be expected to do everything.

“If I have to make a police report over everything, I have to build my house in front of the police station. I have other things to do. I have a job and am as busy as the prime minister.

“Perkasa can't do everything so let's cooperate... if you care for the country and fight for good governance, then why wait for Perkasa? Lodge a report first and ask if Perkasa supports it,” Ibrahim said.

He added that Perkasa members also acted autonomously and that not all actions, such as lodging reports with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, went through the central leadership.

However, he noted that the decision to call for action to be taken against Eu was his own.

Anonymous critics 'worse than animals'

Claiming that  he “needs sleeping pills to sleep after reading Malaysiakini readers' comments” on him, Ibrahim said that these anonymous critics should learn to take action and be accountable.

NONE“If you dare, then say what you write and dare to face the music. Otherwise animals are more noble than you.

“There are people who put up pictures of me with Tarzan's body or with horns on Facebook pages, but I cannot trace who they are. They are worse than animals,” he said.

Ibrahim, who is Pasir Mas MP, added that Perkasa would always stand against corruption and abuse of power and would not defend anyone on the zakat issue.

“But when issues arise, we get condemned. We get victimised. This is nonsense,” he said, adding that Perkasa “is nobody's tool”.

The Audit Department reported that zakat funds were used to pay the legal fees of Jamil Khir and the two other officers in the qazaf case involving PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Jamil Khir has denied that he abused the funds, as the amount was replaced when the Federal Territories Islamic Council received its government allocation of RM700,000.

On a separate matter, Ibrahim announced that Perkasa would pay the legal fees incurred in its effort to obtain a court injunction against the demolition of Madrasah Salihiah in Alor Star, Kedah.

"We will file for an injunction in the Alor Star court tomorrow, in the hope of saving this heritage building, which is almost 100 years old.

"It is strange that this is happening under the rule of PAS, which claims to an Islamic party," he said.

The case will be handled by Sungai Petani-based law firm Ahmad Rusydi Md Nor and Associates.

Ibrahim said the matter was spearheaded by Perkasa Kedah, and those interested in saving the madrasah, which is to be demolished to make way for development, could contribute to the division or to the madrasah committee.