Lokman warns of ‘million people march’ if treaty withdrawal unconfirmed

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 5 May 2019 4:34PM · 6 Comments

Sekretariat Suara Rakyat chairman Lokman Noor Adam says a million people will take to the streets on June 15 if Putrajaya fails to confirm its withdrawal from the Rome Statute by month-end. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 5, 2019.

A MILLION people will march on June 15 if the government fails to confirm its withdrawal from the Rome Statute by month-end, said Sekretariat Suara Rakyat chairman Lokman Noor Adam.

He said the rally will dwarf last November’s protest against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and yesterday’s gathering to defend Islam and the constitution.

Lokman, who is also Umno Supreme Council member, said the United Nations website still shows Malaysia as a signatory to the Rome Statute.

“If the government fails to fully withdraw from the treaty by May 31, we will hold a mega rally on June 15, with the support of other civil society groups and political parties,” he told a press conference in Ampang today.

He said yesterday’s rally, held in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, was “the first warning” to the government.

The gathering, participated by Umno and PAS leaders, saw a turnout of about 1,000 protesters.

“If it is confirmed that the government lied to the people about Malaysia’s status in relation to the Rome Statute, we will bring a million people to the streets.”

Yesterday's rally to defend Islam and the constitution, held in Kuala Lumpur, ended early due to rain. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, Gabungan Gerakan Perpaduan Kebangsaan chairman Mohd Razlan Rafii told The Malaysian Insight that the rally planned for next month will be called “Himpunan Sejuta Umat Bantah Statut Rom 1506” and held at Dataran Merdeka.

“It will be held from noon to night. We will allow 60 representatives of civil groups to address the gathering,” said the Umno man, adding that non-Muslim civil groups will also be involved.

Last month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Putrajaya would not ratify the Rome Statute due to “political confusion” surrounding the issue.

“This is not because we are against it, but because of the political confusion over what it entails, caused by people with vested interests.”

Malaysia, on March 4, signed the treaty and submitted it to the UN secretary-general. The country is allowed to withdraw before next month.

Last November, the government U-turned on its pledge to ratify ICERD following backlash from certain quarters that feared it would affect Malays’ special position and privileges.

The same month, Umno and PAS organised a rally in the capital, attended by thousands, to oppose the anti-discrimination convention.

Academics and political analysts have said rallies held in the name of race, religion and royalty are a new platform used by the opposition to swing support away from Pakatan Harapan.

They said such gatherings work for the opposition in the same way Bersih rallies did for the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat and PH. – May 5, 2019.

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Comments

  • Go ahead. Who cares? You can demonstrate, protest and do whatever within the confines of the law. It is for the government to decide whether to ratify the Rome Statute with or without reservations just like all the other UN conventions. It is time to put a stop to this constant blackmailing of the PH government by Umno/Pas members and their right wing Malay/Muslim supporters.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • Bring la. Bring also your goats, camels and cows

    Posted 7 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • Sign 'die', don't sign 'also die'. But does it mean 'sure die'.

    Posted 7 years ago by Yew Soon Kin · Reply

  • Please this otak carrot to shit up. No integrity and yet he dares open his mouth. When will he be charged in court for his assault of the UM university student? The police are a bit slow these days.. I hope with Hamid Bador things will be revamped in the force. Its high time the PDRM be changed to function optimally and efficiently.

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Umno Must have incurred some expenses for the rally yesterday. ... how much did UMNO had to fork out to pay the 1000 odd people to attend.. RM30 or RM50 per head?

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • It's a non-issue my friend. How about you start being an effective opposition by raising real public concerns like employment, the economy, social welfare, social justice, law and order, education, health, etc. Oh, and please put forth your arguments using scientific and empirical based data. Can? I didn't think so Lokman.

    Posted 7 years ago by C D · Reply