PARLIAMENT | The Dewan Rakyat today heated up as politicians from both sides of the floor pressured Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah over the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).
Chief among the critics was Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who repeatedly harassed Saifuddin over the convention while the latter was wrapping up his ministry's portion of policy stage of the Budget 2019 debate.
Tajuddin (photo) had labelled Saifuddin a liberal, and accused him of "being prepared to sell your own people".
The latter remark stirred the ire of government backbenchers, including Wong Shu Qi (Harapan-Kluang) who asked that Tajuddin retract his words for being malicious.
Tajuddin retorted by explaining that he meant "sell his own people politically."
"Ask all the Malays out there," he added.
However, deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon did not rule on the matter.
Ratifying Icerd has been a heated issue in Malaysia, with bumiputera groups opposing it as being against the Federal Constitution, which has special provisions for bumiputeras.
The matter of ratifying Icerd cropped up after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the UN general assembly in September that Malaysia would ratify all remaining human rights conventions.
Besides Saifuddin, Tajuddin had also sparred with Willie Mongin (Harapan-Puncak Borneo) after the latter said only "elite bumiputeras" trully benefitted from pro-bumi policies.
"Even if you want to invest in ASB, you have to have money before you can enjoy the dividends.
"So only the elite bumiputeras can do this, the rest at the bottom remain poor," Willie said, adding that he was fighting for the rights of all Malaysians.
But Tajuddin was not the only MP to voice out against Icerd.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and fellow party member Hassan Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang) also called on Saifuddin to postpone any plans the government for Icerd.
Anwar said that while Harapan was committed to the struggle for equality, further review was necessary.
"In order to stop the possibility of tensions, we have to look at it this again by taking into account the concerncs of a large segment of the population,.
"In line with what the prime minister has said (that Icerd ratification should be deferred), I suggest that we don't proceed with this proposal until certain issues of principles are finalised," he said.
Similarly, Hassan said that many Malays who are not aligned with either Umno or PAS are also concerned about Icerd.
As such, he proposed that the government focus on other matters such as dealing with falling commodity prices.
In his response to the various questions, Saifuddin repeatedly reiterated that conventions can be signed with reservations.
He also held the view that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which is the basis of bumiputera special rights, will not be impacted by Icerd.
"In conclusion, the cabinet will take into account all matter raised, including by Port Dickson (Anwar)," he added at the end of his speech. -Mkini
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