Icerd To Ratify Or Not

---

THE 'assurance' given by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Port Moresby about his party's 'possible' rejection of ICERD, should be soothing enough for the rakyat, notably the Muslims.

I think it would be more comforting had he said the government WILL NOT RATIFY ICERD at all.

The issue is being made as a political tool by many, from both political divides. The Malay NGOs said it will erode their rights under Article 153 of the Constitution while the non-Malays are pressing for Putrajaya to ratify it.

Now, are we going to ratify it or not?

The fact that more than 30,000 converged at the Perpaduan Ummah gathering in protest of ICERD in Pasir Salak on Saturday, is perhaps a warning to Putrajaya that any efforts to ratify it will lead to unnecessary 'uprising' in the country.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his Pas counterpart Hadi Awang sounded an alarm that the Muslims, which accounted for about 60 per cent of the population, would 'run amok' if ICERD is ratified.

Dr Mahathir said such a scenario will not happen unless Zahid himself incites it. On the political platform, Hindraf and Gerakan are pushing the government to ratify it, giving lame excuses that the Indians and some Chinese are being sidelined in their own country.

And there goes a video recording of Hindraf boss who is also minister in the PMO (taken about 4 years ago) being viralled, claiming that the Indians were neglected in every aspect. True? Not true?

But I am of the opinion that ICERD got no significant in Malaysia. Ratifying it will just open floodgates to many political, racial and religious stooges. Everybody should be aware that since Independence in 1957, all levels of the society were being attended to.

Of course we cant please everybody but at least there are improvements. Even without ICERD, the nation has progressed, and so are the voices of dissension.

We are not South Africa during apartheid, so why must we ratify ICERD?

---