PAS President: Anti-ICERD demo to go on because 'we still have our doubts'

KUALA LUMPUR: The anti-ICERD demonstration on Dec 8 will go on, because PAS is still unsure that the UN treaty will not be ratified due to the conflicting statements from the Pakatan government.
 
"We still have our doubts (that the government will not ratify). Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it is impossible to ratify ICERD, the PM-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said wait before ratifying, others say they do not understand. Their statements are clashing.
 
"We will continue holding the demonstration to celebrate the non-ratification of ICERD and to support the Prime Minister who had said that it is impossible to ratify the UN treaty," said Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
 
"We will attend the demonstration to state our stand peacefully," he added.
 
The International Convention Against All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) became a political issue when the opposition said the convention goes against Article 153 of the Constitution.
 
The anti-ICERD demonstration is organised by Umno and PAS to initially oppose the ratification of ICERD.
 
However, despite the government stating it will not ratify, the organisers said they will continue the demo but as a celebration.
 
Abdul Hadi, speaking to The Star, also said that bringing in ICERD is akin to  allowing Freemasons to take control (of the country) and punching holes in the mosquito net to allow the Aedes mosquitoes in.
 
"Freemasons are able to control the West because they are able to control those economies. ICERD puts all religions on the same level, this is like making holes (in the mosquito net) to allow the Aedes mosquitoes to enter.
 
"This will allow ICERD to make drastic changes to our Federal Constitution, especially on our rights as Malays," claimed Abdul Hadi. 
 
PAS has always insisted that the fraternity of Freemasons are anti-Islam.  
 
Abdul Hadi said while he agrees that all races should be given equal treatment, the Malays must be given more consideration because there are more poor people among the Malays.
 
"There is more poverty among the Malays and being equal and fair is not the same," said Abdul Hadi. 
 
Last Friday (Nov 23), the PM said ratifying ICERD would be impossible as it would entail amending the Federal Constitution which needs a two third majority in the Parliament.