Najib: BN govt studied ICERD but didn’t ratify it

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has revealed that his administration considered but did not ratify a United Nations convention against discrimination even as more groups come out to oppose it.

The former prime minister said his administration twice studied the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in 2011 and 2015.

“Under the Barisan government, a committee known as the ICERD Technical Committee was formed by the Unity and Integrity Department Studies under the Prime Minister’s Department in 2011.

“The committee’s role was to study the compatibility and readiness of Malaysia to ratify or sign the ICERD. This was again done in 2015.

“From these studies, the Barisan government decided not to continue as it was against the Federal Constitution and the social contract – both pillars of the nation – as agreed during the formation of the country,” he said on Facebook.

“We decided it was not time yet for us to ratify the ICERD. So, the government never announced we would sign the ICERD,” said Najib, adding that despite this, it still managed to care for the interests and rights of all races in the country.

Najib said in his opinion, the current administration should not ratify the ICERD if many were still unable to accept this, adding that Pakatan Harapan’s insistence could instead instigate the anger and worry of Malaysians.

He said it was better for the gov- ernment to focus on the waning economy.

“A bad economy will contribute to the anger and the worry of the nation and tend to instigate unwanted situations,” said Najib.

Many groups, including Umno and PAS, have contended that ratifying ICERD went against Article 153 of the Constitution, which gives the King the power to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Earlier, two groups – Sekretariat Kedaulatan Negara and Gerakan Pembela Ummah – said they would be holding a joint protest on Dec 8 from 2pm to 6pm at Dataran Merdeka.

Ummah secretariat head Aminuddin Yahya promised that the protest would be peaceful.

“Our aim is to send a message to the ruling government – that this is not a small issue that can be politicised as it involves Malaysians, the Constitution, the position of the Rulers and Islam,” he said.

Calling the ICERD an “insult” to Islam and the Malays, Aminuddin said the ratification would result in social, political and economical instability.

Ummah deputy chairman Kamaruzaman Mohamad said they had already been contacted by the police over the protest to ensure it was peaceful, claiming that it had the support of nearly 50,000 Malaysians based on their Facebook engagement.

He said the gathering would also be attended by other groups, but did not say if political parties would be taking part.