Rembau parliamentarian Khairy Jamaluddin stood up to defend his colleague MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong, after Independent Pasir Mas MP and controversial Malay leader Ibrahim Ali attacked the latter.

NONE The Perkasa president ( right ), during a press conference at the parliament lobby, had hit out at Wee over his statement last week urging the government to maintain the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships.

English daily The Star had quoted Wee as saying, “If the government is only doing away with the PSD scholarships but retains the Mara scholarships, this will not be in line with the 1Malaysia concept that the government is promoting.”

Immediately after Ibrahim's press conference, the Umno Youth chief and Wee responded with their own press conference.

Khairy told reporters that Wee was not questioning Malay rights or even suggesting that Mara scholarships should be scrapped, and that Ibrahim had misunderstood the latter's intention.

“I don't understand what is wrong with the statement. It is ridiculous because he was not questioning the social contract. He just said that we cannot take away the scholarships,” Khairy explained at the press conference.

ong ka ting dinner before nomination 220310 wee ka siong speech Wee ( left ) clarified that his statement did not question the Mara scholarships.

“I just want to repeat that I have never wanted Mara scholarships to be scrapped,” he explained, adding that he was only illustrating that the government should be fair to all and retain the PSD scholarships.

“If you allow only one agency to give scholarships, it will not go down well with other races,” he said.

Flogging Article 153 again

Ibrahim had earlier accused Wee of being “insolent” for allegedly questioning the Mara scholarships.

“Mara scholarships are provided for in our constitution in Article 153. His (Wee) questioning is rude and he is not fit to be a deputy minister.

“If Wee thinks that the government should continue with PSD scholarships, he can recommend this but should not bring Mara into this,” he added.

He said 100 percent of Malay students should rightfully get government scholarships as it is provided for by the federal constitution.

He threatened to launch a Perkasa branch in Ayer Hitam, which will jeopardise Wee’s standing among the Malays and deprive him of votes.

“If he (Wee) goes on like this, he will be finished in the next general election!” he said.

Meanwhile, Wee said in his most recent tweet that he had met Ibrahim.

“I defended the statement that I had made. He then shook hands with me. Was told he’s under tremendous pressure by Perkasa exco to whack me OMG!” he tweeted.

VIDEOS

Khairy backs Wee l 9.40 mins

Ibrahim Ali slams Wee l 13.18 mins

Wee defends himself l 3.59 mins