‘Abolishing race policies won’t breach constitution’
MUAR: The government will not breach any article in the Federal Constitution in the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president and Home Minister said the government was in no hurry to ratify the ICERD as the matter had to be thoroughly scrutinised so as not to violate Article 153, the constitutional monarchy system, the status of Islam and all special rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Malaysia is a country of multiple races, religions and cultures, and the Malaysian way of life is different from other countries.
“What matters most to us is to maintain the good ties, as well as peace and harmony among all races in the country,” he told reporters after visiting the Pagoh Education Hub (PEH) here yesterday.
The development of PEH on a 400ha site was implemented in phases since 2012 and houses four public varsity campuses.
Muhyiddin said Bersatu also received input from its members who shared their concerns that ICERD ratification would bring about a negative impact on the country.
“From most of the info that we received, the majority of members disagreed,” he said.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was earlier reported to have said that Malaysia would only ratify ICERD after negotiations with all the races.
Earlier in Petaling Jaya, Muhyiddin, who is undergoing can- cer treatment, looked hale and hearty as a huge crowd greeted him at a Deepavali party hosted by Lotus Group of companies chief executive officer Datuk R. Doraisingam Pillai.
Many of the guests took selfies with Muhyiddin and his wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.
“He came because he wanted to meet the people. He assured us that he was okay and feeling better,” said Doraisingam.