Gerakan urges govt to reconsider decision not to ratify ICERD

KOTA KINABALU: Gerakan national president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement yesterday had announced that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government would not ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

He said the ratification of ICERD would not affect the constitutional articles on Bumiputera privileges.

“In the ICERD, affirmative action is not regarded as discrimination because special measures are needed to address socio-economic injustices and inequalities but with clear justification, frameworks and timelines.

“Many countries have made reservations to their application of the ICERD and interpret it as not implying any obligations beyond the limits of their existing constitutions. Moreover, there was previous instance that the ICERD committee did not rate affirmative action negatively. In fact, Article 1 of the ICERD clearly states that affirmative action for the purpose of equality among communities is not racial discrimination.”

He believes the Federal Constitution is consistent with ICERD where equality and the need for sustainable and inclusive development between communities were aptly addressed and provided.

“PH must keep its word in Promise 26 of the Buku Harapan manifesto which pledges to ratify international conventions that are not yet ratified as soon as possible.

The ratification of ICERD is certainly one of the national milestones that continues to elude us and now PH as government is in the prime position to implement it.

“PH leaders should not bow to pressure from certain parties or groups and join the public objections. I call on PH to be courageous and take a firm stand against racism and effectively ending racial discrimination by ratifying ICERD.

“The government should engage dissenting parties or groups and a special parliamentary select committee should be established to study the issue and provide a platform for all views to be heard.

“The government with convincing mandate from the people must deliver expected changes. Ratifying ICERD to end all forms of racial discrimination is the right thing to do and the government should not be afraid of doing the right thing for the nation,” he said.