KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to sign the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) will be made only after a discussion is conducted with all races in Malaysia, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
He said seeking feedback from all parties is necessary due to the sensitivity of the issue, in a country where various ethnic groups co-exist.
Dr Mahathir added that engaging all races in the country is needed to achieve agreement on signing the convention.
“(Deciding to sign the ICERD) is not a simple matter in light of the many races in the country.
“Each (race) is sensitive over certain matters,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the launch of the Industry 4.0 National Policy at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Tower here, today.
Also present were Chief Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar; Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong; Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub; International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking; his deputy Dr Ong Kian Ming; and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Datuk Soh Thian Lai.
On Oct 26, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator P. Waytha Moorthy reportedly said that the government is committed to signing six human rights treaties, including the ICERD next year.
He said that the commitment was affirmed not only by him, but also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof.