Perkasa announced today it is forming a “national unity front” as an alternative to what it deems an “ineffective” National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).

Perkasa’s public relations and unity bureau chief Mat Rabi Abu Samah said the Malay right-wing group has lost confidence in the NUCC in achieving its goals of fostering national unity.

“The members of the NUCC do not give confidence that NUCC can achieve its goals.

“Although the government’s idea (to form the NUCC) is good, however the composition of its members shows it is not effective.

“There are members who do not believe in national principles. How?” Mat Rabi questioned during a press conference at Perkasa’s headquarters today.

Perkasa had on Tuesday accused the council, formed in November last year, of being unqualified to advise Putrajaya on issues of race and religion, as some of its members are “anti-nationalist and partisan” and not representative of the Malaysian population.

Other Malay-Muslim NGOs to be invited to join

Mat Rabi said Perkasa will meet with other Malay-Muslim NGOs by the end of the month to discuss ideas and methodologies for the new body.

Following this, he said other non-Muslim NGOs will be invited to join the Perkasa-led front.

“As head, we will also suggest a suitable name (for the new unity front). However, we will only announce (the name) at a suitable time,” he said.

Asked whether Perkasa is concerned about negative perception by other NGOS and the public over the move, Mat Rabi said Perkasa would not falter in its plan.

Even so, he predicted that three-fourths of NGOs invited will join the new unity body.

“Agree or not, the plan will proceed. We (Perkasa) are always moving ahead, despite being faced with many challenges.

“Maybe even the government itself will give negetiave comments (on the front), but we will carry on,” Mat Rabi added.