KUALA LUMPUR, 1 FEBRUARY, 2012: Datuk Ibrahim Ali today said Perkasa has taken heed of the comments made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the white 'ang pow' issue and that the incident was a lesson to the Malay NGO.

Its president said Perkasa will be more careful in the future to not to affect the cultural sensitivities of other races.

Ibrahim issued the statement following an incident Perkasa’s recent Chinese New Year Open House event where he gave out ang pows in envelopes that were white, a color reserved for funerals in Chinese culture unknowingly.

"Yes, it was an experience to Perkasa and all parties to be more careful in the future so to prevent ourselves from affecting the sensitivity of any particular ethnic cultures.

"Perkasa also respects and agrees with the comment made by the MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong that everyone should be alert and sensitive to the culture of other races.

"But Perkasa also hopes that the MCA Youth chief is not only directing his comment to Perkasa or Malay NGOs only, but also address the NGOs of the other races as well," Ibrahim said.

He said all this while other races also had affected the sensitivities of Malays, especially on the issue related to Islam, however, he said, in such cases in the past, the parties responsible appear less apologetic.

Whatever it is, he said the comment made by Wee is viewed positively by Perkasa.

"Perkasa acknowledges an oversight on the issue of white 'ang pow' envelope. This is the same with what The Star newspaper did last year when they advertised a roast pork menu for (breaking fast last) Ramadan, "he said.

He said during that time it was only Perkasa and several Malay NGOs that were critical of the newspaper's oversight.

"The leaders of MCA, Gerakan, DAP, PM, PKR did not attack The Star on that matter. When The Star said they have overlooked on the matter, it was not a problem. But when Perkasa said the same, why has it becomes issue?

"Everything is 'double standards'," he said.

He added that Perkasa is saddened that the issue has been exaggerated when the original goal for the celebration which was to create unity had been totally disregarded especially by the Chinese media.

He also questioned why the Chinese reporters who were covering the open house event that day did not explain to him about the ‘ang pow’ so that he could replace the white envelopes with that which are of another color.

He said the issue was not raised by journalists during the press conference after the event.

He added that he believes the issue has been overly played up by certain parties who have political agenda.

"Perkasa will make sure that the incident will not happen again. To us, this issue has been solved,” he said.

- mD