Ibrahim Ali files defamation suit against Joseph Kurup over 'extremist' claim

Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today filed a defamation suit against Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup for allegedly labelling the group as extremists.

According to Ibrahim, Kurup had accused Perkasa for igniting racial tension in this country in which the former deemed as seditious and cannot be tolerated.

"We cannot tolerate these sorts of labelling and blind accusations towards Perkasa anymore, what more coming our from a Cabinet minister who's responsible for national unity," he told reporters when met at the court lobby.

He said if Kurup wanted to make an accusation, he should have solid proof because Perkasa is an organisation registered under the law.

Ibrahim said Perkasa has never done anything 'extreme' like holding demonstrations in the streets, and that all its actions abide by the Federal Constitution.

He said there were other statements made by various parties before this, including those that insulted Islam and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but only few criticised their actions.

"But when Perkasa answers any questions concerning the Federal Constitution, Islam or the position of the Malays, we are labelled racists... we are accused as extremists, but the ones who made those accusations are not labelled as one, just like Joseph Kurup," he said.

The lawsuit was filed by lawyer Adnan Seman at the Jalan Duta Court in Kuala Lumpur around 10.40am.

Last November, Kurup had also urged the Attorney-General's Chambers to reopen the case on Ibrahim's threat to burn Malay language bibles containing the word "Allah".

According to Adnan, this too, led to Ibrahim filing the suit against Kurup.

Before this, Perkasa had also filed a suit against the coordinator of the 25 prominent professional Malays (G25), Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin.

In statement on Christmas eve, Kurup had 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 goes against the fundamental values of the country.

On Monday, Kurup made another statement saying right-wing groups who have been fuelling violent extremism are the nation's number one enemy.

Speaking in a keynote address at the the 17th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference 2015, he said such extremist groups were instilling fear in the society and jeopardising the country's harmony.