Perkasa - A Swing Vote

The Political divide caused by the election tsunami in 2008 is still being felt until today. Malay especially has been torn apart between PAS supporters, UMNO supporters, PKR supporters and also who sits in the fences and do not support any parties. Before this, the Malay who neither liked the extremist view of PAS and in the same time rejected the elitism of UMNO will tend to join PKR as a way to express their view as a modern malay. However, recent trends have shown how PKR is not willing to defend Malay's right as they need to 'kowtim' with their 'sleeping partner' the DAP. DAP having certain extent of an extremist view of a Malaysian Malaysia will not let PKR defend malay rights.

So, this have left a gap of political supporters from some of the Malay group who wants to defend the rights of the Malay according the constitution. This scenario has been worsened by the 1Malaysia agenda by YAB Dato Sri Najib whereby some quarters feels it equates with equality among all races regardless whether you are in a majority or minority. 1Malaysia is a good agenda but in the same time it gives permission for others to start attacking the constitution right of the Malays.If UMNO who should have been the caretaker of Malay rights is promoting 1Malaysia, which other party should this group of Malays would have gone to? This is where Dato' Ibrahim Ali played a very strategic move by creating Perkasa. Perkasa in a way fills the gap that some of the Malays who still feels they need to protect their rights as given in the constitution. Neither UMNO or PKR or PAS is doing this.So, they come to Perkasa for the rescue. Eventhough DAP, PKR and even UMNO are calling Perkasa as a racist group, but I have a feeling there will be also a huge silent majority who is also supporting Perkasa agenda. And this silent majority will become a crucial vote in the next election. Backup by Dr Mahathir himself, do not underestimate Perkasa as I feel they can be a swing vote to either BN or the oppositions during the next general election.