Dr Mahathir: Some ICERD parts unsuitable for us

PUTRAJAYA: The government will have to study the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) before ratifying it.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said some provisions were not suitable for the country.

“We need to really look at it first. This is because there are unsuitable provisions for our country,” he said.

Dr Mahathir’s statement, however, was at odds with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator P. Waytha Moorthy, who reportedly said Malaysia would ratify ICERD and five other treaties as early as the first quarter of next year.

On Nov 1, Dr Mahathir had said Malaysia would only endorse convention after consulting all races.

Several quarters, including academicians and constitutional experts, have raised their concerns on ICERD, saying some provisions were not in line with the Constitution, particularly Article 153.

Commenting on a two-hour meeting held with ministers and deputy ministers earlier, Dr Mahathir said he had given history lessons focusing on the Malays.

He said he wanted to share the country’s history.

“This is done so that everyone can understand and be aware of our origins.

“With such awareness, we hope not to repeat the bad things that may have happened before,” he said.

The special meeting was reported to have not touched on the speculated cabinet reshuffle or the appointment of advisers.

Among ministers seen at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here were Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Senator Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad Shah.