‘Illogical’ to ban Ibrahim Ali from entering Selangor, says Perkasa

The Selangor government has no legal standing to ban Datuk Ibrahim Ali from entering the state, Perkasa said today.

The Malay rights group was responding to a statement made by Faekah Husin, who is political secretary to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim yesterday.

Faekah had called for the Perkasa president to be banned from entering Selangor, and that Khalid was mulling legal action against the Pasir Mas MP for his remarks about Khalid.

“This has to be the stupidest statement I have ever heard. Selangorbukan mak bapak awak punya tempat (Selangor does not belong to your mother or father),” said Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

He said Faekah should realise that the state could not do that, and that Malaysia was a democratic country and therefore its citizens were allowed to move freely.

“Now they want to ban people from entering the state… how democratic. Justice indeed,” Syed Hassan told The Malaysian Insider.

The issue first started when Ibrahim (picture) claimed Khalid’s taking over Selangor’s Islamic affairs portfolio was to enable operators of “immoral” businesses to carry on their trade despite opposition from Muslims.

The Perkasa chief had alleged the Selangor mentri besar’s intention was not done to uphold the interests of Muslims but was instead a political ploy to curry favour with this group of business owners as snap polls loom.

In response, Faekah had pointed out that Khalid’s decision was endorsed by the Selangor Sultan, and that any questioning over the decision could be considered an affront to the Ruler.

“Yes, appointment was agreed upon by his Highness the Selangor Sultan, but that was on the suggestion of the ruling state government. That has always been the practice.

“When you are tangled in your own web you try to connect it the Sultan, just like previously who questioned the appointment of the state secretary?” asked Syed Hassan.

Khalid took over the Islamic affairs portfolio from Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, who was sacked from PAS and dropped from the Selangor executive council for breaching party discipline.

He was axed for urging opposition supporters to avoid the rally on January 9 in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the day his sodomy trial verdict was handed down by the High Court here.

Khalid had also appointed PAS lawmaker Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi to take Hasan’s place on the council.