PETALING JAYA: Patriot hit out at the anti-ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) rally organisers for turning the event into a political rally filled with speeches that had racial and religious undertones.
Patriot president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji (pix) said instead of rallying the various races into one united Malaysian people, the rally was all about the supremacy of the Malays and Islam – that the speakers at the rally claimed had eroded – and who felt threatened by the new Pakatan Harapan government.
“Many felt the rally was not necessary because the government had relented to the demands of the organisers not to ratify ICERD.
“Despite this, the organisers cunningly changed the purpose of the rally into a political rally, it was initially suppose to show gratitude to the government for not ratifying United Nations convention,“ he said in a statement today.
Arshad said that having listened to the speeches by various Umno and PAS leaders, it was clear the organisers had no intention of honouring their words to show gratitude and thanks towards the PH government in its decision not to ratify ICERD.
He pointed out that this mantra was played by Umno and PAS leaders to retain power in the past, but had failed miserably during the last general election because of the massive corruption and abuse of power by the very same leaders who claimed the Malays and Islam were threatened.
He said it was disgusting to see leaders who are facing serious charges for corruption, money laundering and abuse of power having the audacity to face the crowd while appearing completely unremorseful.
Arshad said political leaders must stop making speeches with racial and religious undertones that could cause fear and hatred among normally peace loving Malaysians.
He said we should instead pray for love, peace and harmony to prevail for the benefit of the country and future generations.
