Gerakan slams Perkasa for yet another irresponsible statement by Perkasa stating that “the Chinese voters in Sibu do not appreciate BN” during the Sibu by-election campaign.

Gerakan National Deputy Secretary-General YB Liang Teck Meng wants BN leaders to distance themselves from Perkasa as it is doing more harm than good to the BN coalition.

Liang, who is also MP for Simpang Renggam, lambasted Perkasa to keep their mouth shut and warned them not to issue any statement that can trouble PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia spirit.

“If BN has such a friend in Perkasa, then there is no need for an enemy,” warned Liang, who added that Perkasa is showing its true colours of racism and feudalistic minds at work.

Liang said Perkasa is totally singing a different tune in regards to 1Malaysia which stresses on mutual tolerance and social inclusiveness, in line with the BN spirit.

“Perkasa claims it is pro-BN, but the fact is that Perkasa is actually pushing the voters, particularly the non-Malays to vote for Pakatan Rakyat, no thanks to their racial sentiments raised every now and then.”

Liang emphasized that there is an urgent need for BN to speed up its own reform as the electoral results in Sibu and Hulu Selangor have demonstrated a declining trend of Chinese support.

“BN should realize that giving ad hoc aids during elections is not the answer to win support. BN must also make substantial policy reforms to regain the people’s trust and support. The immediate task for BN is to condemn racist statements from Perkasa and made it clear to them that BN will not tolerate nor accommodate racism and extremism, in whatever form.”

“After March 8, 2008, BN only managed to win 3 out of 11 by-elections, which means we have a long way to go for true reform,” cautioned Liang.

Liang fears that if BN does not speed up its reform process, BN will suffer more losses in the coming general elections.