Several NGOs and civil society leaders will come together this weekend to state opposition to what they call were worrying incidents and statements "to stoke the flames of ethnic and sectarian sentiments".
Announcing the 'Say NO to Racism' event to be held this Saturday, 2 pm at the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) in Bukit Kiara, Islamic Renaissance Front's Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa lamented that more than half-a-century after independence, racism still appears in public in various forms, especially ahead of elections as is now.
"This has become all the more apparent in the lead up to the 13th General Elections, where questions about its results are often coupled with concerns about the state of community relations in the country, should there be drastic changes to the current balance of power," he told Harakahdaily.
Farouk reiterated the urgency for the government to ratify the United Nations' International Convention for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination, saying it would pave the way in ensuring that public policies are inclusive regardless of culture, ethnicity or religion.
Besides him, the event will also be addressed by among others Bersih 2.0 co-chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan, activist Marina Mahathir, Islamic organisation IKRAM's Zaid Kamarudin, Bar Council's Lim Chee Wee and rights group SUARAM's Kua Kia Soong.
Farouk meanwhile warned that ignoring the rising tide of racism could result in Malaysia remaining as a country of "fragmented communities living in prolonged fear and suspicion towards one another".
"We urge all concerned citizens of Malaysia to join us on that day. It is time. Malaysia is ready to say NO TO RACISM!," he added.
-Harakahdaily
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