KUALA LUMPUR: P. Waytha Moorthy reiterated the government’s promise to not amend or abolish Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of unity said that this would remain so, regardless of whether Malaysia ratifies the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) or not.
He made the assurance during his wrapping-up speech in the committee stage of the Supply Bill 2019 at the Dewan Rakyat today.
“The government gives its guarantee that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution will neither be amended nor abolished.
“If ICERD needs to be ratified, then the views and suggestions of all stakeholders will be taken into account. We will engage all government representatives and opposition.
“If needed only, then the appropriate action would be taken,” he said.
A clearly dissatisfied Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (Pas-Rantau Panjang) tried to ask him why was there a need to ratify ICERD. Other voices from the opposition bloc could be heard muttering.
However before events could spiral out of control like a previous session, her microphone was muted by Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
He sternly reminded her that the matter had been debated and dealt with in the policy stage, and that now was the committee stage.
As voices in the Dewan Rakyat began to settle down, Waytha Moorthy wrapped up his speech and sat down.
Earlier this week in Parliament, Waytha Moorthy touching on the ICERD issue led to pandemonium among lawmakers, with some opposition MPs having labelled him as “Racist Minister.”
The ICERD issue has become a polemic among certain quarters over claims that Malaysia ratifying such international convention would put pressure on the country to amend or abolish Article 153 in the long run.
Article 153 deals with the special rights and privileges of the Malays and Bumiputera as well as natives of Sabah and Sarawak.