Don't trust Putrajaya on ICERD U-turn, warns former chief justice

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 7 years ago · Published on 25 Nov 2018 5:52PM · 10 Comments

Former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad has urged right wing Malay groups to remain wary, saying that the Pakatan Harapan government has not given a convincing reason for backing down on the ICERD ratification. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 25, 2018.

FORMER chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad has urged right wing Malay groups to remain wary of Putrajaya’s recent reversal on the plan to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Abdul Hamid said since taking over the federal government, Pakatan Harapan has backtracked on several policies, and could possibly do the same in the case of the ICERD.

“The government has said that it will not ratify and that is very positive. But they can’t guarantee if the prime minister-in-waiting will or will not ratify it,” he said at the anti-ICERD forum in PWTC today.

“Since May 9, there have been many U-turns by them. Another one is not impossible. Therefore we must be on alert and continue to fight if this matter is brought up again.”

Abdul Hamid also said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s reasons for not ratifying the convention was unsatisfactory.

“To say that there is no two-thirds majority in parliament as the reason to object is not convincing. It shows that there is still intention to sign it but there is not enough support.

“He further said that Pakatan Harapan is also committed to upholding the constitution. So will the constitution be amended if they sign it? In another way they are accepting our argument that ICERD will jeopardise several clauses in our constitution,” he said.

Abdul Hamid Mohamad speaking at the anti-ICERD congress today at the PWTC in Kuala Lumpur. He says those opposed to the UN convention are not racists, saying that Malay groups who are against the convention were merely defending the constitution. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 25, 2018.

Dr Mahathir said yesterday the cabinet had decided against ratifying the ICERD because it involves amending the federal constitution which the new government was not able to do as it did not have a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The prime minister also rejected claims that the government based its decision over fears it could lose Malay support.

In his speech, Abdul Hamid slammed those labeling anti-ICERD groups as racists, saying that Malay groups opposed to the convention were merely defending the constitution.

“Why are those against ICERD being said to be ‘trying to stir up racial sentiment’. We oppose it because it is against the constitution.

“We do not want our rights to be removed. Why do we want to play up racial sentiment without any purpose? Do not stir a hornet’s nest,” he said.

“We are protecting our rights, how can that be racist? If we are racist then PH is also racist as we just want to uphold the rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras,” he said without elaborating why Pakatan Harapan should also be labelled as racist. – November 25, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • This guy knows justice?

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • This assh*le once said Muslim never tell lies in his judgement.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • When you forego meritocracy and promote on the basis of race ..this is what you get...utter rubbish!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • Arrest this guy immediately.!!! He is instigating for racial uprising. Chief justice my foot. !!!!!! Knows next to nothing in being a retard. This is one of the nagging Mahatir and Anwar failures' in their old system of the bangsa dan negara. Brings forth an Umno race devoid of intelligence.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • This CJ must be having boring life after retirement. But he is racist and biased and wonder how KP he became a judge.

    Posted 7 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • This specimens appointment as Chief Justice in the late 90s was one of Dr Ms monumental blunders. It gave him the gravitas and credibility to spout his racist nonsense now. Best to ignore him.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • "Muslims never lie" but surely they steal like no fxxking business.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • Why is this racist still being paid a pension out of government funds? Firstly, ICERD is not incompatible with the Constitution. Secondly, if there is a requirement to amend the Constitution to give effect to ICERD there is no majority or political will in Parliament to do this. Third, ICERD could have been ratified with a simple reservation to the effect that" "The Government of Malaysia reserve its right not to implement any provision of the convention that is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution and the precepts of Islam as the religion of the federation". Lastly, it is the prerogative of the executive whether they want to ratify ICERD in the next 5 or 50 years. Parliament cannot impose restrictions on the prerogative of future governments on matters of foreign policy. People like Hamid should be ignored. Show us one provision in ICERD that violates the Federal Constitution and Islam? If 46 Islamic countries out of 48 can ratify ICERD, how can it be contrary to Islam?

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • Karma has fallen on this guy. Yet he still don't want to repent. Still continue to be racist. Sad!

    Posted 7 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply

  • You trust UMNO and PAS and then end up being played a fool again like in the past for the many years to come. How many years do you have left in this life?

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply