KOTA BHARU: The government will not bow to any pressure to accelerate the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik.
He said as a country that practices democracy, the opinion from the grassroots must be taken into account before making any decision.
At the same time, he said the government would not set aside those who promoted ICERD and would consider all views.
“The National Unity and Integration Department (NUID) has been given a mandate to study the suitability of ICERD. Certainly we will conduct an in-depth study, including taking into account what happens at the grassroots level and all state governments,” he said at a Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) programme in Kurnia Jaya here which was also attended by Kelantan NUID director Norwahidah Zinalibdin.
The KRT programme was held to foster a united society based on the spirit of volunteerism in the community.
Md Farid, who’s also Tanjung Piai Member of Parliament, said the study on ICERD was still in its early stage and there was no deadline to make a decision.
He also expressed hope that people would not polarise this issue to the point where it would disturb the harmony that everyone has enjoyed for so long.
Meanwhile, he said the role of 8,072 KRT nationwide would be strengthen to ensure the spirit of unity remains intact and the community lives in harmony.