If Prof James Chin and Focus Malaysia are to be believed, the newly appointed Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah might have underworld links.
According to James Chin, the Bersatu leader has a key role in PEKIDA — an organisation long dogged by allegations of underworld links, political militancy and gangsterism.
As if it is not bad enough that Bersatu is accused of stabbing its Perikatan Nasional (PN) ally PAS in the tussle for the Perlis Menteri Besar Position, Chin has also red-flagged the recently hired Chief Minister for his association in what Focus Malaysia refers to as a “Malay Mafia.”
In a recent commentary cited by Focus Malaysia, Prof Chin noted that Abu Bakar is the secretary-general of Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (PEKIDA), an organisation that has been repeatedly scrutinised in public and academic discourse for its alleged links to political militancy, gangsterism and organised crime. PEKIDA has consistently denied such characterisations, maintaining that it is a legitimate Malay-Muslim welfare and dakwah body.
Prof Chin, the inaugural director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, described PEKIDA as a “highly controversial” organisation, pointing to academic research that portrays the group as part of a broader network of NGOs and gangs offering political mobilisation services. He cited work by researcher Sophie Lemiere, who has described PEKIDA as an “intricate web of gangs and NGOs that provide political militancy as a business”.
Critics have in the past labelled PEKIDA an “ethno-fascist” or “Malay mafia” organisation, alleging involvement in activities such as extortion, protection rackets and political violence. Some individuals linked to the group have been associated with criminal cases, though PEKIDA rejects these claims and positions itself as a lawful organisation committed to social welfare and religious outreach.
The issue however, has revived broader questions about how alleged underworld associations are treated in Malaysian politics. Bersatu by no means, is the only party that has political leaders that are associated with underworld organizations.
In March 2024, for example, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke faced criticism after attending a fundraising dinner that some social media users claimed was linked to an underworld group. Loke responded that the event was organised by a registered association, and said it was common for elected representatives to attend such functions.
According to Malaysiakini, Loke remarked that the fundraising dinner was hosted by a "registered association" under the Registrar of Societies (RoS) called Kelab Sosial Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
"It is normal for elected representatives to attend Chinese association fundraising dinners," he said.
To defend himself further, he also said that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing also attended that event.
Further, Loke would claim that on March 10, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, the traditional rival of Loke's DAP, also attended an event organised by Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi Saudagar Malaysia, which used a similar logo.
Previously, Edisi Siasat accused Loke and several DAP members of Parliament of attending a "Gang 04" dinner on March 3.
That the events featured logos of ancient coins, raised questions among some social media users for their resemblance to the logo used by Gang 04.
During the event, Loke and other DAP leaders also reportedly handed over donations to the organisation.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who also is a DAP MAP that attended the event, said as far as he was concerned, it was an event organised by a registered trade association.
He said it was a Chinese New Year fundraising dinner.
"Is it wrong that I accepted the invitation to attend the dinner?"
Despite this explanation, the episode illustrated how political figures can come under scrutiny based on perceived links to controversial organisations, even when those bodies are legally registered. Observers note that PEKIDA’s registration status similarly does not insulate it from public or academic criticism.
Abu Bakar, 57, was sworn in as Perlis Menteri Besar on Dec 28 following the resignation of his predecessor, Mohd Shukri Ramli, due to health reasons. His appointment came amid a political realignment in the state after PAS terminated the membership of three assemblymen who withdrew support for Shukri, triggering extraordinary vacancies in their constituencies.
Perlis is currently governed by Perikatan Nasional, which won 14 of the state’s 15 seats in the last general election, with PAS securing nine and Bersatu five. Abu Bakar is the Perlis Bersatu chief and deputy chairman of PN in the state.
According to Chin, "PEKIDA is highly controversial and often viewed critically in public and academic discourse.”
“It’s frequently described as a network linked to organized crime, gangsterism – it allegedly goes by the street name ‘Tiga Line’ due to its red-yellow-green logo colours – and political thuggery.”
Chin who is also the senior associate at the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, also further cites researcher Sophie Lemiere in referring to PEKIDA, as an organisation that is involved in such activities such as conducting alleged intimidation or violence to politician and that it has strong ties to UMNO with past prime ministers like Datuk Seri Najib Razak attending its events.
According to his assertation, critics, including opposition figures, have labelled it an “ethno-fascist” or “Malay mafia” group involved in extortion, protection rackets and political violence.
Although some members or affiliates have been associated with criminal activities, Chin also clarifies that the organisation itself denies any involvement in criminal activities and positions itself solely a legitimate Malay Muslim welfare body.
Headquartered in Sungai Petani (Kedah) with the motto “Amar Makruf Nahi Mungkar” (Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil), PEKIDA is currently helmed by Datuk Mohd Foad Mat Isa who is said to having been elected unopposed and has been holding the position for several years.
Whether Abu Bakar’s role in PEKIDA will have political implications for the Perlis administration remains to be seen. What is clear is that Prof Chin’s comments have brought renewed focus on the organisation and its place within Malaysia’s complex relationship between politics, civil society groups and allegations of underworld influence.
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