KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has voiced its thanks to the government and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, following the announcement that Malaysia would not be ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Deputy Umno president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, said the ratification of ICERD would have done more harm than good in matters pertaining to the people’s interests as well as national security.
“We welcome this firm and principled decision. Thank you to the government and Dr Mahathir for realising that ratifying ICERD would only lead to more harm than good,” he said.
He said the matter of the social contract in the Federal Constitution is a sensitive one and had triggered unease among the people, in particular the Malays and Bumiputera.
He added that the actions of some ministers in trying to invoke tension and anxiety among the people should be stopped.
“I hope the government, especially some half-baked ministers, will stop issuing statements which can lead to racial tension. This is not good for Malaysia, which was built on harmony and tolerance among the races,” he said.
Umno, he said, would continue supporting efforts by the government which leads to better relations among all races in Malaysia.
Asked on the possibility that several quarters would still push for the ratification, Mohamad said Umno is ready to defennd the rights and sovereignty of the Malays and Bumiputera.
“Do not think that because Umno lost, it is buried. We will always rise to defend the Malays and Bumiputera,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pas said the issue should have been nipped in the bud before it became a controversy.
Pas deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, in welcoming the announcement, nevertheless expressed his thanks to the prime minister.
“It would have been better if the rejection of ICERD was done much earlier before it became a polemic. Nonetheless, we thank the prime minister for listening to the voices of the people,” he said.
On whether the planned demonstration between Umno and Pas in the KL cit centre would proceed on Dec 8, he replied in the affirmative.
“There will be a change of format, some small changes. We will leave this to the organisers,” he said.
Gerakan Pembela Ummah (UMMAH), which are the demonstration’s organisers, confirmed that the assembly would proceed.
Its chairman Aminuddin Yahya said the event, instead of a protest, would be a celebration of their victory.
“We have succeeded; the government has at last rejected ICERD. We urge all the people to come join us in celebration,” he said.
The government’s move, however, was slammed by Lawyers for Liberty. Its advisor N. Surendran said There is no reasonable or acceptable reason not to ratify ICERD.
“It is appalling that the government has faltered and made such an embarrassing ‘U-turn’ by going back upon their own earlier decision to ratify.
“Government leaders have failed to show moral leadership, when it was most needed. Some very senior leaders and MPs of PH ‘abandoned ship’ midway by publicly calling for the ratification to be delayed. This was inexcusable.
“This lack of a strong and united voice within PH led to the eventual capitulation of the government on ICERD,” he said.
Surendran added that while it is good for the government to change their position in the face of sound argument, it is a dangerous precedent to do so in the face of “prejudice and false arguments.”
“That we cannot ratify this key anti-racism treaty puts Malaysia to shame, regionally and internationally. It robs us of moral authority on the world stage. Worse, it shows a disturbing lack of resolve, courage and purpose in the government,” he said.