I'm prepared to face Ibrahim Ali or anybody in court: Joseph Kurup

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said he is prepared to face Datuk Ibrahim Ali or anybody else in court for the sake of national unity.

The Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president today filed a defamation suit against Kurup for allegedly labelling the right-wing organisation as "extremist".

"I will do whatever necessary to defend Malaysia's unity," he said in a statement Wednesday, adding that it is vital that the people continue to consolidate national unity to ensure Malaysia's high income nation status by 2020 is achievable.

He said peace and stability are the nation's invaluable wealth and the government will always strive to preserve this 'national treasure', failure of which may cause the destruction of the nation's economy and development.

"As a minister overseeing national unity, I have made a stand to not tolerate racial and religious bigotries that are tearing the fabric of this harmonious society.

"It is both my responsibility and mission to see such incidents of extremism nullified," said Kurup.

Commenting on the lawsuit, Kurup said he must have done something right for Ibrahim to take such an action.

"I will do whatever necessary to defend Malaysia's unity and I'm prepared to face Ibrahim Ali or anybody else in our courts. Truth and justice will always prevail," he said.

It was reported that the lawsuit was made following an accusation by Kurup who had alleged that Perkasa was responsible for igniting racial tension in Malaysia.

In statement on last Christmas eve, Kurup had also described Malay right-wing groups Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Perkasa as 'bigots' and 'extremists' who must not be tolerated.

He said the groups' actions often went against the fundamental values of the country.