G25: Let the dust settle before reviewing ICERD again

PETALING JAYA: Let the dust settle on the International Covenant Against All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) before Malaysia's accession to it can be reviewed again, said the G25 group of eminent Malays.

The group urged all opposed to the ICERD to study its articles to understand that it will not affect Malay rights safeguarded under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

"It will not affect the special position of Islam as the official religion of the Federation as provided for under Article 3(1) of our Federal Constitution," said the group in a statement on Monday (Nov 26).

G25 noted that opposition to ICERD is mainly due to the misconception that accession would lead to further international pressure on Malaysia to remove Article 153 from the Federal Constitution and deprive the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak of their special privileges, forcing them to compete on equal terms with other races.

However, G25 pointed out that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution is not inconsistent with the aims of ICERD as Article 1(4) of the Covenant states that it does not prohibit government intervention to implement special measures in order to promote social equality and economic justice.

"ICERD is also not against the religion of Islam as those who are opposed to ICERD have argued. Out of the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, 55 have ratified or acceded to ICERD," said G25.

It added that only Malaysia and Brunei have yet to accede to or ratify ICERD.

G25 also reminded the public to keep their emotions in check regarding the issue as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had laid the matter to rest by stating that the Government would not accede to it.

"G25 regrets that ICERD has been used by various groups to incite hateful speech, threats and violence rather than intellectual discourse and civil discussion, which is so unbecoming of the civilised people we claim to be.

"We urge all Malaysians to shun the actions of those who are determined to threaten the peace and harmony we enjoy in the country, and to continue defending and cultivating a multi-racial society worthy of a New Malaysia," it said.