White ang pow: Ibrahim Ali 'did not do it on purpose'
The Malay right-wing group today denied allegations by Sri Desa MCA chairperson Dr Collin Tiew that Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali handed out the ‘white ang pow’ on purpose.
The Malay right-wing group today denied allegations by Sri Desa MCA chairperson Dr Collin Tiew that Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali handed out the ‘white ang pow’ on purpose.
Instead, Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hasan Syed Ali has taken responsibility for the much criticised incident.
Syed Hasan said it was unfair of Tiew to point fingers at Ibrahim alone; and he pointed to a picture of the Perkasa president in Pasir Mas, where he wore a red costume and distributed red ang pow packets.
Syed Hasan said the recent Chinese New Year open house in Kuala Lumpur was managed by him, as he was the organising chairperson of the event.
He said Ibrahim arrived late on that day and when the time came to distribute the ang pow, “my aide gave to Ibrahim the white envelopes (containing the money) to give them to the guests”.
“Ibrahim did not remember the ang pow colour. I believe Ibrahim was not even aware of it as he was elated to see such a good attendance.
“I do not know whether Ibrahim knows the meaning of the white envelope... it is meant as a gift to the deceased’s family for the burial expenses.
“I am certain that Ibrahim had no intention to insult the guests in attendance.
"I know that Dr Tiew ( left ) is facing pressure from his community following the event, as he has been criticised and admonished by society.
"There are also calls to boycott his clinic,” Syed Hasan said in a statement.
Tiew said yesterday that Ibrahim’s distribution of the ‘white ang pow’ packets was a deliberate act .
Syed Hasan said he sympathised with Tiew and that his criticism levelled at Ibrahim was just to gain back the support and confidence of his community.
He said what was certain was that Tiew was present at the function and he also spoke to the guests, along with Ibrahim
'We are not racists'
“When the envelopes were given out, I do not know whether Dr Tiew noticed it or not, that the envelopes dished out were not appropriate. Maybe he knew, but felt inappropriate to point it out as it was someone else’s event.
“If that is the reason, I respect Dr Tiew for trying to preserve the feelings of his friends from another race.
“That should be the way as there should be give and take among the races. If Dr Tiew had commented, we would have certainly withdrawn the white envelopes and given the cash directly, without any wrappers. We do not want to hurt the feelings of others,” he said.
“Our main purpose is to prove that we are not racists.”
This effort, Syed Hasan added, was not because “we are afraid of people calling us racists, but we know for ourselves that we are not”.
He believes that Tiew knew Perkasa’s sincerity in organising the event.
“We are not asking Dr Tiew to apologise as we know he is facing pressure. He is an exemplary citizen for willing to participate in the Perkasa programme.
“He understands Perkasa’s struggle, compared with DAP, PAS and PKR which are hypocrites, while PAS and DAP differ a lot,” he added.
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