PUTRAJAYA decided against ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) because it involves amending the federal constitution for which the new government does not have the numbers now.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also rejected claims that the government decided not to ratify ICERD because it feared losing the support of the Malays.
“Not at all. The decision was taken because it involves the constitution,” he said.
The Langkawi MP said the Pakatan Harapan government did not have a two-thirds majority in Parliament to amend the constitution.
He also said there were many PH lawmakers who were against ratifying the UN convention.
“During my speech at the United Nations in September, I did say ours is a multiracial country and that it would be difficult to ratify this convention. We didn’t say we will ratify it. It depends on the people’s acceptance.
“And we see now that the people are not accepting it (ICERD). This (decision to not ratify the treaty) is not political. It is due to the people’s wish.
“To amend the federal constitution, we need a two-thirds majority in parliament. We don’t have that. In fact, many in the government are also against the ICERD,” he said after an event in Langkawi this evening.
Dr Mahathir also slammed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for saying the government had not followed proper procedure in its decision not to ratify ICERD.
The opposition leader said the proper way was for the prime minister to confirm the government decision and then have it brought to parliament so that the decision could be officially recorded.
Putrajaya announced its decision not to ratify the ICERD through a statement from the Prime Minister’s Department on Friday after the matter was discussed in the cabinet.
“We have our procedures. Ask Zahid if he had followed proper procedure when he spoke.
“We informed the public of the cabinet’s decision. Nothing to be brought to the parliament. What procedure is he talking about?”
The prime minister also reminded Umno and PAS to ensure the cleanliness of Kuala Lumpur when they hold the anti-ICERD rally on December 8.
“This is a democratic country. They can demonstrate but don’t litter everywhere,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Department on Friday said the government decided against ratifying ICERD as it wants to continue defending the federal constitution “which contains the social contract agreed upon by all races during the formation of this nation.”
There have been strong objections, largely from the Malay groups and political parties, over the proposed ratification of the convention over fears that it would erode the position of the Malays and Bumiputera rights, as well as destroy the royal institution and weaken the sanctity of Islam.
ICERD has become a hotly debated issue ever since Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said it would be one of six human rights treaties the government is hoping to ratify by the first quarter of 2019.
Malay rights groups, as well as Umno and PAS, who are against the UN convention, are planning to hold a massive street protest in Kuala Lumpur on December 8. – November 24, 2018.
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