KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s participation in the upcoming assembly in the city centre on Dec 8 is merely to express thanks to the government for not ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno has no intention of withdrawing from the gathering despite the government having already made its decision on not ratifying the convention.
“We’ll stick to the plan. Umno will attend the Dec 8 gathering and thanks the government for not ratifying ICERD. Whether a permit is issued or otherwise (for the gathering), that’s up to the organiser. We’ll be there,” he said.
Zahid was speaking at a press conference after accompanying Umno supreme council members to a visit of the Federal Territories Umno at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Saturday.
Meanwhile, commenting on Rembau member of parliament Khairy Jamaluddin’s opinion that the gathering should not proceed, Zahid said that was a personal opinion.
“That’s his personal stand. Umno will be there because it’s not a political issue. We respect the organisers and we’ll be present,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Zahid said he would extend his cooperation to the police, who will be summoning him in connection with his speech at a Himpunan Kebangkitan Ummah event in Pasir Salak on Nov 17, which was allegedly seditious in nature.
“The deputy IGP said yesterday that I would be the ninth person to be called up. What’s there to be afraid of? I will give my statement.
“I’m not challenging them, mind. Surely, as a former Home Minister, I wouldn’t be aware of what I can or cannot say,” he said.
Zahid also touched on the controversy surrounding Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy.
Waytha Moorthy, he said, should resign as he has failed to adequately carry out his duties as someone in charge of the unity portfolio.
“He’s been appointed as the unity minister and yet, he is the cause of this disunity. If he can’t do his job, please resign. That’s all,” he said.
Zahid also questioned the actions of Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah for supposedly defending ICERD.
“Are you really Muslim? This is not about politics; we are only claiming what is enshrined in the Federal Constitution, which are Articles 3 and 153,” he said.