ICERD: New Malaysia at a crossroads

CALLS of conservatives for rejecting the ratification of ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) in Malaysia appear to be deafeningly loud.

Rejecting an effort that aims at eliminating racial discrimination? Foreigners who are interested to read latest news about Malaysia must be either perplexed or amused.

Plus, Malaysia is in the exclusive club formed by 14 remaining countries in the world that have yet to sign the ICERD. Some members of the club include Myanmar, North Korea and South Sudan.

Umno and PAS have now found a common goal to work for their political survival.

Clearly these political parties did not learn from the lesson of Barisan Nasional’s downfall.

However, some politicians who are now members of the new government also appear to be worried about the consequences of ratifying ICERD, or more specifically, backlash from the conservatives.

Ratifying the ICERD is an important symbolic act

Many voters chose Pakatan Harapan as their new government during GE15 because they were seen as reformists. They are ready to reform our corrupt institutions and, by showing moral authority, gradually change our distorted societal culture that have been plaguing the country for six decades.

Since racial discrimination is so entrenched in our politics, eliminating them definitely requires time and immense effort so that our ingrained mindset and perspectives can change.

Therefore, ratifying ICERD is the first step that the government can take. This will be a symbolic act that demonstrates to Malaysians and the world that our country is determined to move forward.

However, if the politicians who once labelled themselves as reformists dare not to symbolically recognise the importance of eliminating racial discrimination, would it be an act of betrayal to the voters who opted for the reformminded politicians to govern our country?

A symbolic political act will influence the thinking and mindset of the society in the long run. Succumbing to ultra-conservatives, who do not wish equality to be eventually realised, will certainly be a huge setback to the progress our country has made so far.

Also, imagine that if the new government does not even intend to symbolically recognise equality, how will the conservatives react when the government intends to implement real and substantial reforms?

Predictably, the backlash would be much stronger and the government will be stuck.

In the end, the new government will lose the moral authority in governing the multiracial and multicultural country as people will lose their trust, just like what had happened to Barisan Nasional.

Any real and genuine reform will affect the vested interests of at least some individuals or groups. To think that reforms can be implemented smoothly with everyone’s support is like building castles in the air.

Therefore, whenever politicians or even corporate leaders implement reforms, they will certainly face a backlash because the status quo is being shaken.

The affected individuals or groups will try to resist the reforms and possibly challenge the reformists by any means necessary to retain their interests and positions.

After fighting so hard to take down the old and decadent government, this will be the next battle that our reformists should commit themselves to.

When the conservatives are pulling out all the stops to block any genuine effort to meet standards of equality, the new government must make its stand clear.

Otherwise, the enthusiasm and expectations that many people have for the new government will slowly fade away. That would be the adverse political consequence in the long run that our “reformists” will have to face.

In my opinion, civil society’s open support on ratifying ICERD is also essential as their stand can be effective in educating the public that equality is not a zero-sum game. Their unbiased opinion will in turn strengthen the government’s resolve to ratify the ICERD as a symbolic gesture of making racial equality a long-term goal.

Our new Malaysia is at a crossroads. Do we have the courage to go against the tide?

Ho Chi Yang Petaling Jaya