Don’t play with fire, protesters warn Putrajaya against ratifying UN convention

Nabihah Hamid Nabihah Hamid Updated 7 years ago · Published on 31 Oct 2018 12:40PM · 4 Comments

The group protesting against Malaysia's decision to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) next year. – The Malaysian Insight pic, October 31, 2018.

ABOUT 100 people led by PAS and Umno leaders protested against the government’s decision to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Gathered at the vicinity of Parliament, they said the move would threaten Malay royalty, the sovereignty of Islam and Malay/Bumiputera rights and privileges.

“Don’t try to touch matters involving Islam and the Malays. Don’t try to amend Article 153 of the federal constitution. Don’t play with fire,” said Pertubuhan Generasi Kebangsaan Warisan (Warisan) president Roslan Md Isa.

Present were PAS president Hadi Awang, his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and PAS committee member Nik Abduh Nik Aziz.

Umno Youth exco member Ikmal Hazlan Ikmal Hisham was also present along with several Umno members.

The protest started at 11.30am and included other groups, such as Muafakat, Isma, Gamis, PPIM and Perkid.

The situation was kept under control by about 50 police personnel.

Last week, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waythamoorthy said the government was committed to ratifying six treaties, including ICERD, in the first quarter of next year.

The minister in charge of national unity and social wellbeing said ratifying ICERD was a way to boost the country’s human rights record, in line with Pakatan Harapan’s general election manifesto.

Waythamoorthy said the government would engage all stakeholders to get feedback on ICERD.

Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said Putrajaya will not be giving up on Malay and Bumiputera rights by ratifying ICERD.

Mujahid also warned against spreading such a message, which he said could cause racial tensions in the country.

Umno Youth chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki previously urged the people to object to the ratification as it would run contrary to protections accorded under Article 153.

The article touches on, among others, the special position of the Malays and Bumiputera, and the legitimate interests of other communities. – October 31, 2018.

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Comments

  • Myopic bigots - our nation is drowning in debt and they want ketuanan rights

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Apakah makna Malaysia Baru? Semua rakyat tetap meeting berkerja untuk kemajuan negara. Tidak patutlah segolongan dapat jasa tanpa usaha? Tengoklah balik 60 tahun yg lalu. Siapa rugi besar? Takkan mau kesilapan ulang lagi=


    Tengoklah sejarah

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Tak habis2 orang Melayu mintak special treatment.... malulah sikit wahai kaumku. Org Melayu mcm ni dah lama jadi bahan ketawa...masih tak sedar lagi. Pemalas !

    Posted 7 years ago by Mo Hisham · Reply

  • The Malays, etc are quite a nice humble people, easy to get along with. My best friends in upper secondary school in the mid-196Os in KL were 2 Malay boys who spoke good English and obtained coveted places in the Science class. Under the protection of Article 153 Malays were then beginning to come up in life until the Umno/BN govt very stupidly enacted the National Language Act 1963 to replace English with Bahasa as the language/medium of instruction in schools. English was relegated to just a 1-hour period in school, everything else being taught in Malay. The Malays never recovered from this mass- murder of their race by the shortsightedness of Malay politicians. More and more Malays went downhill as a result & quite a number became drug addicts which learning & thinking in English would have prevented. Malays need not fear Malaysia's ratification of the United Nations ICERD which is a progressive Convention that serves to improve the lot of humankind.. Besides ICERD WILL PROMOTE MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN MALAYSIA..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply