THERE is no need for the rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on December 8, especially with the nation now facing racial tension, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today.

He urged PAS and Umno to reconsider holding the rally as the government had decided not to ratify the UN convention.

“I urge the leaders of Umno and PAS to use their wisdom on this issue. We can’t deny that there are some racial tensions in the country now.

“The government has agreed not to ratify the convention. So it is odd if they still want to hold the rally. I hope they will not do so,” he said today after launching a book by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Port Dickson MP said that it was better to hold a discussion of ICERD and its impact.

“That is more important than holding a rally. While we agree it is their right to gather, it doesn’t make sense for them to hold a gathering against ICERD, especially when the government has rejected the convention.”

Several Malay groups, including Umno and PAS, will be gathering in Dataran Merdeka next Saturday to object to ICERD.

Anwar said he was confident the police would do their job against the culprits who took part in the riots at Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya.

He also said that while the Pakatan Harapan government was keen to do away with the Sedition Act, it was necessary to use that law against some of those arrested over the violence at the temple.

“We leave it to the wisdom of the police and the home minister as the Sedition Act is still in force.

“What is important is to charge those who attacked the temple that day,” he said.

Earlier today, Selangor police chief Mazlan Mansor said the police had opened four investigation papers under the Sedition Act 1948 in connection with riots at the temple.

He said the cases were opened after four police reports were lodged on the spreading of allegedly seditious news on social media, in relation to the incidents.

Mazlan warned that stern action would be taken against any party deliberately trying to create racial discord. – December 2, 2018.