Ratifying treaty will not take away Malay rights

KUALA LUMPUR: Laws related to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) will still need to be passed in Parliament before it can be gazetted.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said as such, Malaysia's proposed move to ratify the international treaty would not necessarily diminish the special rights of the Malays in the country.
He was responding to claims by several quarters over worries that Malay rights, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, would erode should Malaysia decide to be a signatory to the treaty.
"There are rumours going around as if signing the treaty would take away their rights. This is mere slander that could instigate hatred and potentially cause racial tensions.
"Hence, I feel I have to explain that all ratification involving international treaties in human rights will not affect us in terms of the law and what is enshrined in the constitution, including that of the special rights of the Malays.
"Meaning, even if we sign the ICERD treaty, it will not change anything, except for the related laws that will be tabled and debated in Parliament," he told a press conference in Parliament, here today.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, among others, had called on Malaysians to object to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government's efforts to ratify the ICERD treaty as it was against the constitution.
Mujahid however urged those who disagree with the government's move to meet him personally, claiming he was open to explain the matter in detail to them.
"I hope they are not too quick to make assumptions. It's not good for the country. Meet me, and I will explain the reality so that it does not become mere speculation," he added.