ICERD right way to go, but Malaysia not ready, says Kit Siang

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 7 Dec 2018 11:43AM · 2 Comments

(From left) Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs fellow Tricia Yeoh, Lim Kit Siang, national academic laureate Jomo Kwame Sundaram and economist Edmund Terence Gomez at the book launch of “509: The People Have Spoken” at Universiti Malaya today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, December 7, 2018.

MALAYSIA should not ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) until the majority of the population supports it and understands that it is no threat to any race, religion or the federal constitution, said DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

Lim said despite his view that ratifying ICERD would be a step forward for the country, the government made the right decision not to do so now, as the move could threaten the peace.

“We have to give priority to unity, harmony in a multiracial society,” Lim said at launch of a book, “509: The People Have Spoken” at Universiti Malaya.

“And I’m of the view that Malaysia should not ratify ICERD unless we’ve reached a decision that the majority of all the Malaysian people of all races and all religions (find) that it is not a threat to them.” he said.

Lim said there are political opportunists seeking to incite and escalate racial animosity, which may lead to ethnic clashes.

On the anti-ICERD protest tomorrow, Lim said Malaysia will become the laughing stock of Muslims in the rest of the world, as 99% of the 1.9 billion Muslims live in the 179 countries that have ratified ICERD,  including 55 of the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) nations.

Lim said ICERD also does not undermine the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and result in the abolition of the monarchy, adding that globally, 36 out of 38 countries with the monarchical system have ratified ICERD.

He also denied accusations by Malay groups that he was intent on removing Malay and Muslim rights.

“MCA accused me of being anti-Chinese, Umno and PAS accuse me of anti-Malay, anti-Islam.

“In fact, one of the greatest disappointments to Umno and PAS activists was they couldn’t find any indication that DAP was behind the push for ICERD.

“They claimed Lim Kit Siang would be the prime minister. After that failed, they look for a new script that DAP is anti-Malay, anti-Islam, the power behind the throne and that Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) is my stooge.”

Earlier, Lim remarked that it felt good to “feel the air of academia” as it was his first time speaking at the university after 40 years.

“It feels a bit different. I’m glad to be back after 40 years.”

Present at the launch were economists Edmund Terence Gomez, Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs fellow Tricia Yeoh.

“509: The People Have Spoken” is a collection of essays by political analysts, activists and several Pakatan Harapan politicians. – December 7, 2018.

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Comments

  • There must be a concerted effort by the government to drive the correct messages of the ICERD Accord.
    People are currently being mislead on the ICERD. Leaders with agendas are driving a wedge so that the anti-ICERD serves their needs and objectives.
    On the other hand, there is a lack of concerted efforts by the government to put forth the correct messages and the long term benefits of ratifying the Accord.
    The onus then lies with the government to launch a mega scale awareness and education programme to educate the people.
    As Kit Siang says, now may not be the right time but it ought to be done in the near future.

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • It should have been done way before trying to pass the ICERD ratification in parliament.
    Disgraceful for the PH government to do a u- turn after the PM mentioned the proposed ratification in the UN.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply