Breakout Sabahan ethnic pop star Jimmy Palikat, popular for his single ‘Anak Kampung’ with pop rap outfit One Nation Emcees, has backpedalled on his decision to join controversial Malay rights group Perkasa, due to online outcry and criticism from his fans.
Palikat, who has admitted to wanting to join Perkasa because he thought it help his music career, said that the move had nothing to do with him wanting to be active in politics.
“I am not a politician,” The Star Online reports Palikat as saying in response to strong fan criticism over the decision, especially online.
“I understand and appreciate their sensitivity and as an ‘Orang Sabah’ (Sabahan) I am still holding firm to the stand as an ‘Orang Sabah’ who has high tolerance for race and religious relations.
“I have sought the opinions and advice of friends, family and Sabahan leaders. After taking into account all that, I have decided to withdraw my application to join Perkasa with immediate effect,” he said.
He added that it was regrettable that his application to join Pakatan was misconstrued as his supporting the NGO’s stand on several hot-button issues, some of which have angered communities in Sabah and Sarawak.
“I am proud to be Sabahan and the support of fellow Sabahans as well as Malaysians has helped me to be where I am now.
“I am grateful to all of them for their continuous support and I would like to assure them that I will not take or make any decisions or actions that is not in line with their hopes and aspiration,” he said.
“I have never forgotten myself or my roots,” he said, adding that he held in high regard the cultural and racial as well as religious tolerance that has been the practice of communities in Sabah.
