YOURSAY | 'It is precisely because we are a multiracial country that we must ratify Icerd.'
FellowMalaysian: I disagree with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's view that adopting the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) will be difficult as “everyone is sensitive towards certain issues”.
We have been waiting the past 61 years for the government of the day to implement this very important instrument, which is seen as the cradle of a governmental system where its policies and practices are totally devoid of race-related contents or influence.
Icerd is especially relevant to a multi-racial country where the population consists of a varied mix of many races, and to favour any one race will be seen as a discordant approach towards the well-being of the other races.
The country gained independence a long time ago and since then, the government has implemented many policies and spent billions in an effort to alleviate the economic status of one particular race, i.e. the majority race.
The time has come for New Malaysia to accept Icerd as all races have now achieved a parity in economic standing, where none requires any special assistance for themselves.
Pablo: Perhaps Mahathir is trying to implement things over a period of time. With a sudden change of government, he doesn't want to lose the support of "certain" ethnic groups while purging the previous government.
We all know the race card has been the ammunition of Umno all along. No doubt about Icerd’s relevance to Malaysia - but after 60 years of "superiority race mentality", change won't happen overnight.
Cogito Ergo Sum: We read it on our tourist brochures, we hear on our TV and radio advertisements, but is Malaysia truly Asia? Where everyone is equal and has a fair go at life?
Are we really a multicultural, multi-ethnic nation that is the benchmark for others to copy and be amazed by our tolerance and exemplary lives?
Events over the last 60 years will tell you no. Despite clauses in the Federal Constitution, we have morphed into a bigoted nation of warring tribes.
Icerd would be a good guideline, if signed, to interpret the Federal Constitution on the rights and privileges of all Malaysians.
CKL: It is precisely because we are a multiracial country that we must ratify Icerd, so as to avoid racial discrimination.
If you discuss it, the major race will say, “Don’t ratify it” and the minorities will say, “Do it”. Then what? Will the majority win? And that is justified by democracy?
Please do what is decent, fair and right.
Ruben: We need to ratify this convention more than other countries. How will it contradict bumiputera rights, ketuanan Melayu and Malay rulers?
Ketuanan Melayu should be dropped, as no race should be considered superior. We will respect Malay rulers, as long as they look after and treat all their subjects equally.
As for bumiputera rights, yes, we acknowledge that but attention must be given to the B40 economic group regardless of race.
Anonymous: We must tread carefully on such issues. If the majority is not ready yet, it only creates chaos and we don't want to force our "democracy" on others. Instead, we should work to assure those in doubt.
We can be vocal and relentless, but when incidents similar to "May 13" occur, everybody hides.
Don't forget the minorities must always work with the majority - if you want to maintain peace and progress.
Observer123: Mahathir, it all depends on your level of conviction about what’s best for Malaysia in the long run.
You have seen for yourself, in the last 40 years, the damage done to Malaysia because of the race-based policy where the best are deprived of their rightful opportunities.
This policy has retarded Malaysia in terms of economic progress, and as a consequence, now we are lagging way behind Singapore, which practices meritocracy.
I certainly hope that this time, you will be doing the right thing to put Malaysia on the right track for economic progress and advancement. A progressive Malaysia is good for all citizens, regardless of race!
Gerard Lourdesamy: Why must the government engage with Malay/Muslim extremists? They did not vote for Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election. Most of them supported Umno or PAS.
While they claim not to be defending discrimination and racism, their actions and words speak louder.
These are people who see shadows everywhere. The ketuanan Melayu/Islam philosophy is so ingrained in them that even after 1,000 years they will still be advocating special privileges, segregation and suspicion of other races and religions in the country.
The majority of Malaysians voted for change, including respect for human rights and fundamental liberties. Ratification of all the major UN human rights conventions was also a Harapan manifesto promise, so it should be implemented.
MasihBerharap: We should remind ourselves that in voting in a new government that allows us greater freedom of expression than in the last 60 years, 100 individuals expressing their viewpoint are acting within their rights.
We have to remember that, unlike in the past, these 100 people are on the fringes of the opposition and not, fortunately, from an Umno government of the day.
Above all, we must remember that 100 people do not make up the whole Malay community and actually it is quite depressing to see Malaysiakini giving them publicity they do not deserve.
Anonymous: Some communities think that it is their birthright to receive handouts, perks, discounts, subsidies, contracts, undeserved places in universities and others.
You can't blame them, as the habit of dependency takes decades to inculcate (since 1969). They are not parasites though.
To rid the wrong perception that all this is stated in the constitution, and to bring the community to accept world civility, also takes time.
We need to revamp our education system urgently, to eradicate the third-world mindset, to accept civility and shake off barbaric and thuggish behaviour.
StrainingGnats, SwallowCamels: "Chanting calls for Muslims and Malays to unite against alleged attempts to threaten the sovereignty of race and religion...".
You don't actually mean "sovereignty." Sovereignty means the freedom to make your own decisions pertaining to your own affairs; not over the affairs of others.
What you mean and want is supremacy over the affairs and lives of others. There is no basis for this in this present universe or the next.
Supremacy is subjugating, oppressing others for your own selfish ends without any respect for the rights of others.
As supremacists, you go beyond your own rights to determine and define the rights for others like minorities, women, etc, for your own selfish advantage.
The universe is in harmony when the sovereignty of all is respected. Let's work together towards that end in the new Malaysia. Why not succeed by your own effort? Then we can all be proud of our own work. - Mkini
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