‘Almost impossible’ to ratify ICERD
> Government would never attain majority needed to amend Federal Constitution: Tun M
PORT MORESBY (PAPUA NEW GUINEA): Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) would entail amending the Federal Constitution, and that is an almost impossible thing to do.
He said a two-thirds parliamentary majority was needed for this to happen.
He said this was close to impossible with the current composition of the Dewan Rakyat, and judging by reactions from members of government as well as the Opposition, Bernama reported.
“Only with support from the Opposition can we have a two-thirds majority, and even then, government members themselves may not support it. So I feel that it’s almost impossible for us to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary (to amend the Constitution),” he told Malaysian media at the conclusion of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting here.
It was reported that Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman had expressed reservations about ICERD, as opposition parties planned to organise a joint rally next month against proposed ratification of the convention.
Mahathir acknowledged that ICERD was sensitive to the Malay community and that the government was not rejecting the views expressed by the people on the matter.
“This matter is sensitive to the Malays, we understand that. In my speech at the United Nations (general assembly), I mentioned the complexity of implementing ICERD. So, we didn’t commit that we are going to do it,” he said.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Saturday said that the Malay-Muslim community would “run amok” to protest the government’s pledge to ratify ICERD.
To this, the prime minister said: “Unless Zahid stirs up trouble, there will be no riot (over ICERD).”