Gerakan Youth today expressed shock over Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest statement on UMNO-Peraksa relationship, saying his comments have ignored the wishes and aspirations of overwhelming Malaysians of all races and religions who do not agree with a extremist body likes Perkasa.

Gerakan Youth deputy chief Oh Tong Keong said the four Prime Minister’s view that Umno run the risk of losing further support in the next general election if it snubs Perkasa was tantamount to asking Umno to embrace a racist NGO and abandon its allies in Barisan Nasional as well as all its loyal fair-minded and moderate supporters of all races and religions that stand by UMNO all these years.

Oh said Dr Mahathir’s views and perception are outdated because in today’s modern and globalized world, the majority of the people, especially the younger generation, do not do things or think based on racial lines but on broader principles like social justice and fairness.

“If UMNO has to embrace a racist group like Perkasa for fear of losing “the Malays’ support”, as suggested by Tun Dr Mahathir, and other ethnic-based political parties from both sides of political divide follow suit , then, where is Malaysia? How about us, Malaysians?” asked Oh. who is also Penang Gerkan Youth chief.

Oh said the spirit of Muhibbah or goodwill, friendship, mutual respect and understanding and co-existence of all Malaysians should be allowed to prevail in the country. “Unfortunate, Tun Dr Mahathir’s latest statement has sent out a very disturbing message,” opined Oh.

“Gerakan Youth is confident that this spirit is also shared by leaders and members of the political divide. We hope the spirit will not be destroyed by some selfish groups which have their own political agenda or ulterior motive,” he added. In his comments, Dr Mahathir said Umno could lose further support in the next general election and risk deepening party schisms if it snubs Perkasa.

“They (Umno) are so very divided that to distance themselves away from Perkasa will divide themselves even more,” the former prime minister said at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Last Thursday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said Umno was distancing itself from Perkasa as the group was eroding Barisan Nasional’s support among the non-Malays with its comments.