MCA: Why can’t DAP convince Pakatan allies to unite on Icerd?

PETALING JAYA: MCA is questioning why DAP, which has constantly said it champions human rights, has not been able to convince its fellow component parties in Pakatan Harapan to adopt a streamlined stand on the issue.

DAP, in particular party veteran Lim Kit Siang, had championed human rights issues – especially those of the Malaysian Chinese – for decades, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

He said this all appeared hypocritical now that the government had decided not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

“When they are in power and have the authority to walk their talk over the ratification of Icerd, the Rocket completely crashed and failed to persuade its Pribumi, Amanah and PKR allies to streamline their stand in accordance to what DAP had claimed to shout for ages,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“DAP’s failure to convince the Pakatan Harapan pact to make a stand has opened the doors for Malay hegemony a la PAS-Umno participation.”

Ti also questioned the presence of Pakatan leaders, including Prime Minister and coalition chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at a pro-human rights rally organised by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) on Saturday.

“It would be natural to expect other Pakatan leaders, especially Cabinet ministers, to be present.

“The participation of Pakatan becomes contradictory, if not hypocritical, when they shy away from ensuring the elimination of racial discrimination in Malaysia,” Ti added.

He also noted that the anti-Icerd rally, where 500,000 Umno and PAS members are expected to attend, was taking place on the same day.

“Are we recognising or encouraging race and religious-based movements or adding fervour to race and religious venom?” he asked.

He also said security personnel deployed for the two rallies could have been better utilised for crime prevention.