KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said there was no need for online campaigns in support of him despite the backlash against him in his crusade to ratify International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Waytha Moorthy, who is minister in charge of unity, said he had always been committed to protect the Federal Constitution and the rule of law in the country.
“I would like to thank Malaysians from various backgrounds regardless of race and religion, for the support shown to me since several days ago regarding the issue.
“However, I would like to say that there is no need to carry out an online petition for me to remain in office as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the national unity and social wellbeing.
“I also do not want to have a personal online campaign to protect the ministerial position which was given to me by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” he said through a statement issued in his Facebook.
The debate over ICERD intensified recently with some groups claiming that the special rights of Bumiputeras, as well as the position of the Malay language and Islam, would be undermined if the convention was ratified.
Several rallies have also taken place to voice objections against ICERD.
A petition calling for Waytha Moorthy to be sacked was carried out and it has garnered over 100,000 signatures.
The petition on change.org is by Gerakan Pengundi Sedar (GPS), posted by one Aiman Haziq on Sunday and addressed to Dr Mahathir.