PORT MORESBY, Nov 18 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has assured the public today that no chaos will erupt over Putrajaya’s effort to ratify an international treaty against racial discrimination, unless instigated by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The prime minister acknowledged the sensitivity of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) to the Malays, but stressed that the government will listen to public opinion.
“Unless Zahid stirs up trouble, there will be no riot,” Dr Mahathir told a press conference at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2018 Summit here.
Last night, Zahid had threatened in a protest against the ICERD with PAS, that the Malay-Muslim community will “run amok” if the convention is ratified.
Umno and PAS will also hold a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on December 8 against the planned ratification of ICERD.
Dr Mahathir said ratifying ICERD involved amending the Federal Constitution, though he did not specify which provision, an act that requires two-thirds majority in Parliament.
“At this moment, the government has not got two-thirds majority. Only with the support of the Opposition can we have two-thirds majority. Even then, government members themselves may not support.
“So I feel that it is almost impossible for us to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary if there is going to be any tampering with the Constitution,” said the prime minister.
Critics of ICERD have claimed that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which protects the “special position” of the Malays through quotas, will be repealed if the United Nations convention is ratified.
When asked if he felt Malays were ready to let go of their privileges if they reached a certain income level, Dr Mahathir said the predominant community currently felt “threatened” as they were behind other races.
“They fear they are losing ground, literally losing ground. They are selling off their land because they are poor and their lands are being occupied by others who are rich, and the difference between the rich and the poor is becoming greater.
“Unless we do something about sale of Malay land to the non-Malays, the Malays will be pushed until they reach the edges of the forest.”
Malaysia is among the 14 countries in the world yet to accede to the ICERD, which has been ratified by numerous Muslim-majority countries, such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and Jordan.
Ratifying the ICERD and five other United Nations’ core human rights conventions is part of the PH election manifesto, and last week, Dr Mahathir said Putrajaya is ready to hear public feedback on the matter.
