PKR AGM | Newly minted PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said today that Umno and PAS are now trying to play "Malay champions" over the ratification of the International Convention of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), even though they were silent in the face of the 1MDB scandal.
"Now Umno and PAS are trying to defend (Malay rights). But what did you do about the stolen 1MDB (funds)?
"RM30 billion should be returned, but you kept silent. Now you want to be the new Malay champions," he said in his first speech as the PKR president at the party's 13th national congress in Shah Alam today.
Umno and PAS had criticised the government's plan to ratify Icerd and announced yesterday that they would hold a joint protest against the convention in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.
'Not the right time'
Setting aside Umno and PAS' complaints about Icerd, Anwar reiterated that he believes this is not the right time to ratify the convention.
"This is a new government, we need to make sure Pakatan Harapan and the prime minister is strong and receives the support of the rakyat.
"For me, it (ratifying Icerd) can be postponed. I will bring this issue again to the PKR meeting," he said.
"We should give space for the Malays to voice their opinions, as well as those from Sabah and Sarawak, and if they say this causes too much tension, we should postpone it.
"We have not resolved the economy and the rubber problem is not handled yet. Let us handle these other issues first, the others between races, just let it be first," he added.
Anwar stressed that he is against discrimination and oppression, especially coming from a multi-racial party, but this might not be the best time to ratify Icerd.
He had said yesterday that PKR supported Icerd in principle, and Parliament has been told that the ratification of the UN treaty will not affect the rights of Muslims, bumiputera and Malays.
However, he had also conceded that there are certain sections of the grassroots who remain unconvinced.
-Mkini
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