ICERD protest can still proceed despite govt advisory, says PM

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 28 Nov 2018 9:21PM · 3 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the anti-ICERD rally on December 8 can still go on provided participants do not break any laws. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 28, 2018.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again said the planned December 8 rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) by opposition parties can still proceed as long as participants do not break the law.

“We have stated that we will not ratify ICERD. They want to have assemblies, they can. We don’t stop people from demonstrating,” he told reporters after chairing a Bersatu supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

“But when you demonstrate, you have to do it properly. Don’t dirty the place. Don’t break houses and all that. That is a criminal act. We will act against people who break the law,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s Department said last week Malaysia will not ratify the global treaty.

Umno, PAS and other Malay rights group have seized on the ICERD issue, arguing that the convention undermines Malay rights and Islam’s supremacy.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malays would run amok if Putrajaya ratifies ICERD.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang called on God-fearing Malaysians to unite and oppose the anti-discrimination treaty and said its concept is neither religious nor humane, adding that ICERD was a freemason agenda intended to destroy religion, race and country.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, however, said the party’s central committee would decide if it wanted to participate in the gathering as racial tensions in the Klang Valley spiked after two nights of rioting over the relocation of the 147-year-old Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. – November 28, 2018.

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Comments

  • Bravo! Tun is walking the talk by allowing the rally. The racists should not take advantage and create problems.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

    • The Malaysian chapter of Islamic State adherents and foreign returnees?..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • The ball is in PAS' and UMNO's leaders' court. They must now ensure their anti-iceberg victory and thanksgiving "celebration" is carried out in a peaceful and civil manner without stoking racist, religious and ketuanan sentiments to undermine our National Security.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply