Mahathir or Taib? Turmoil in Perkim 
Malaysiakini
Oct  3, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

The presidency of the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) remains shrouded in mystery amid a leadership turmoil in the 46-year-old body.

According to previous media reports, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - who is the patron of the organisation - had been appointed as the new president on Jan 21.

He reportedly took over the post from Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who has led the organisation for 18 years.

After Mahathir’s appointment, five Perkim office bearers were allegedly sacked including Taib’s wife Laila who headed the organisation’s women’s wing.

However, Perkim’s former vice-president Noor Mohamad Backer Ahmad Backer - who was one of those shown the exit - has a different version.

According to him, Mahathir did not defeat Taib by a ‘slim majority’ during Perkim’s annual general meeting (AGM) in January as reported by the media.

“The AGM adopted a resolution that said Perkim is inviting Mahathir as our president when Taib steps down,” he told a press conference at the Perkim office in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, he said Perkim’s office bearers were split over the resolution, with one faction - to which Noor is aligned to - opposing it. This faction believes that it was not time for Taib to step down.

The other faction was purportedly unhappy with Taib’s leadership, namely over certain new changes introduced by him.

“Nonetheless, after the resolution was adopted, Mahathir told Perkim that he will not accept the position unless there is an unanimous consensus on the resolution,” explained Noor.

Taib - in a letter to Perkim in March - also indicated that his decision to relinquish the presidency was final but would only do so after his current term ended in 2007.

'Coup d'etat way'

Meanwhile, Noor also accused the rival faction of unconstitutionally setting-up a disciplinary board which removed him and four others in June.

“The other faction is using a ‘coup d’etat way’ to take over power. They have been giving the wrong information to Mahathir,” he said, adding that his rivals were allegedly ‘making use’ of the former premier.

However, Noor was in the dark as to what had transpired during last Tuesday’s Perkim national council meeting chaired by Mahathir. Noor and the other sacked office-bearers were not invited.

“Mahathir was present and chaired the meeting, but we don’t know if he was chairing it as president or as the patron ,” he said.

Noor said he had no objections to Mahathir or Taib leading the organisation, but was disappointed with the rival faction for removing him and the other four.

“I am seeking a meeting with Mahathir in his capacity as Perkim’s patron, hopefully by this week,” he replied when asked on his next course of action.

Noor said he wanted to know the ‘real’ reasons behind his termination. The 38-year-old businessman also rebutted the ‘breach of discipline’ reason cited in his termination letter.

He also showed several internal correspondences at the press conference to substantiate his side of the story.

Another terminated office bearer, former secretary-general Mohd Saifuddin Mohd Ariff was also present at the press conference.

“I would like Taib to break his silence,” Mohd Saifuddin said, adding that Mahathir might not know the whole picture.