Govt decision not to ratify ICERD well received
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government's decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) has been well received by various leaders.
The no-go decision was conveyed by the Prime Minister's Office in a statement yesterday which also stated that the government would continue to defend the Federal Constitution in which is enshrined the social contract that was agreed upon by the representatives of all the races during the formation of the country.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said it was indeed Pakatan Harapan's policy since the beginning and PKR individually to defend the Federal Constitution.
“This (decision not to ratify ICERD) is the right and within the powers of the Federal Government,” he said in commenting on the development.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar hailed the bravery of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad following the decision by the government (not to ratify ICERD) .
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said his government welcomed the decision and hoped there will be a stop to efforts to get the country to ratify ICERD.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu urged all quarters not to harp on sensitive issues.
"This is not the time for Malaysians to be talking about sensitive issues. There other problems that requires us to work together to overcome them and get the country back on the right track,”he said.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in thanking the government on the matter said it was a firm and principled decision.