Citing trust issues, Perlis Malays say ICERD rally must go on 

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 3 Dec 2018 7:00AM · 6 Comments

Perkasa members with an anti-ICERD banner in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Many Malay groups and parties are opposed to the anti-discrimination accord on the grounds that it will remove Bumiputera rights. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, December 3, 2018.

TRADER Fauzi Ahmad points to the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto when justifying why a rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is still important.

If the PH federal government has a proven track record of not fulfilling its election promises, then what guarantee is there that it will stick to its decision not to ratify ICERD?

After all, Fauzi reasons, if PH can renege on its election promises, then it can one day do the same and revive plans to ratify ICERD.

The 53-year-old was one of about 600 who attended a rally in Kangar, Perlis, yesterday that served as a warm up to the anti-ICERD main gathering in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.  

Malay and Muslim supremacist groups, together with opposition parties PAS and Umno, are holding a mega-rally on December 8 against ICERD.

The rally will go on despite the government’s announcement on November 23 that it will not ratify the convention. Its organisers said the gathering is a celebration of the decision rather than a protest.  

“The problem with the government is that it said it will postpone ICERD. It did not say that it has cancelled any plan to ratify it,” Fauzi told The Malaysian Insight at the Perlis PAS headquarters where the party held the state-level anti-ICERD rally.

“We can’t trust this government. If they can’t even fulfil their manifesto, how can we trust them?” said Fauzi, who plans to attend the Kuala Lumpur rally.  

In its November 23 statement, the Prime Minister’s Department did not say it was postponing ICERD’s ratification.

Private teacher Mohd Azrul echoed Fauzi’s sentiments, adding that the government needs to state its decision on ICERD in Parliament.

“The prime minister’s announcement is not solid. We want all government MPs to unanimously state in parliament that the government will not ratify it.”

Supporters of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple, which is locked in a land dispute with developer One City Development Sdn Bhd, holding a protest outside the house of worship in Subang Jaya on Thursday. Despite the communal tensions, Malay groups insist on holding an anti-ICERD rally this weekend. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 3, 2018.

Azrul does not think that the rally will heighten communal tensions even if it comes soon after riots broke out over the relocation of a Hindu temple in Selangor.

Some Muslim groups have argued against the rally given how emotions are still raw over the temple incident.

The muftis of Kelantan, Perak, Penang and Negri Sembilan have also publicly urged the organisers to cancel the rally since the government has shelved its plan to ratify ICERD.

“The rally is not racist. In fact, we oppose ICERD not only for Malays. We are doing it for all Malaysians,” Azrul said.

Others at the Kangar gathering spoke of how the Kuala Lumpur rally was a show of strength and unity for Malay-Muslims across party lines.

The ICERD issue has revived the flagging political fortunes of both PAS and Umno which have put their long-time rivalry aside to form a common opposition alliance that they hope lead them to victory in the 15th general election.

“This is still an important rally to show that Malay-Muslims can unite to show the government that we will oppose its wrongdoings,” said factory worker Nurdin Isa, 37. 

Perlis Umno Youth chief Harmizan Abdul Halim said each branch in the state has been ordered to send at least one car of four members to the rally. Umno has about 300 branches in Perlis. 

“We want to get at least 800,000 at the rally. This is a peaceful rally to unite the Muslims and tell the government to abandon its plans to ratify ICERD.” – December 3, 2018.

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Comments

  • PH government is only 6 months old and has tried very hard to revive the devastated economy and corrupt state of the country. All of us should be patient.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • If Malays think they are victims of discrimination, why are they against an act that would end discrimination?

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Not racist? Just goes to show how a majority race are scared of their own shadow despite everything provided to them. Tell me how you can progress if this is the mindset? ?

    Posted 7 years ago by J R · Reply

  • as a malay myself , these umno people are retarded

    Posted 7 years ago by Muhammad Afiq Musa · Reply

  • Blame not the rally protesters. Even before ICERD became an issues, in all honesty, never did see the PH on air or media to exlain on the needs and understanding to allay of the false fears. Knowing that UmnoPAS after the disasterous GE14 , they have embarked on the strategy of creating themselves as the last bastion of hopes for Malay's mights and using race as their political tool. PH never at any moment protect themselves at all time. PH was lost in the glory of victory and still in dizziness of running a country while UmnoPAS desperate onslaught to topple and win back the governance come what may in any attempts. PH should learn from this fiasco and should be very tactical in approach in any subject matters. PH as an infant Government may not be on strong footing yet but most of the MPs are not actually newbies or have no background in Malaysia political landsacpe. Wake up PH and stop being mellow dramatic in being political correct and meek in approach. Playing dumb and deaf to apprehend sinister attempts by the insidious UmnoPAS have placed te rakayt in an award situation as the the GE14 changes in governance was concertedly in actions across the country and if PH can't hold the fort than the rakyat has bet on a lame horse . A major disappointment. You are the Government and in power till to the next election which is more than 4 years from now. Be the Government !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • How come people are so free to attend demonstrations? Does no one need to earn a living?

    Posted 7 years ago by K Pop · Reply