KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to enact a new law to prevent racial discrimination in the country following its decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) secretary-general Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said the new law should be drafted in line with the Federal Constitution.
"ABIM is of the view that the government needs to enact a new act, which does not to contravene the Federal Constitution, to prevent all forms of discrimination.
"Even though the government will not ratify ICERD, the government can include in the new act some elements from ICERD that do not breach the Federal Constitution," he said.
Faisal said this to reporters after attending a forum entitled "ICERD: Ya atau Tidak" at the Chinese Assembly Hall Kuala Lumpur/Selangor here last night (Nov 26).
The forum was moderated by Wan Ji Wan Hussin.
Besides Faisal, Lawyers for Liberty executive director Latheefa Koya, law lecturer Dr Azmin Sharom and Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia central committee member Zaid Kamaruddin served as panellists.
Meanwhile, Latheefa urged Pakatan Harapan members of parliament to review ICERD, saying it did not contradict Islam nor the Federal Constitution.
"ICERD clearly does not contravene Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. The government's decision not to ratify ICERD due to threats (of a protest) is very disappointing.
"I ask the MPs from PH to relook at the narrative of ICERD," she said.