Two DAP Pahang assemblypersons today had their statements recorded by the police over their support for the ratification of the International Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) by the government.
They are Tras assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui and Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong. Both are being probed under Section 504 of Penal Code which covers “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace”.
Chow and Chiong are candidates for the DAP Socialist Youth chief and deputy chief's posts at the wing's upcoming elections this Sunday. The two had supported the Icerd ratification in their personal capacities.
Two officers from the Negeri Sembilan Jelebu district police headquarters recorded the duo's statements at Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng's service centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Lim, together with Kampar MP Thomas Su, acted for Chow and Chiong.
Both Chow and Chiong said they will continue to support the ratification of Icerd by the federal government.
Among other factors, Chow blamed Umno and PAS for spinning the Icerd issue by bringing in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which in turn caused confusion among the Malay community.
"We respect government for temporarily not ratifying Icerd for the sake of the big picture,” he added.
Agreeing with Chow, Chiong said the government did not sufficiently explain Icerd and thus suffered a heavy backslash.
"Icerd suddenly became an issue and some people intended to make it a racial one. To a certain extent, we did not do enough," he said.
On Nov 9, the two assemblypersons had said that signing the UN convention was the first step towards ending racial politics in the country and urged their party, DAP, to support the ratification.
Their stand received criticism from Umno leaders including its deputy president Mohamad Hassan and the Umno-controlled daily Utusan Malaysia.
Two weeks later, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the police will summon Chow and Chiong, among others, in relation to a probe to incite racial and religious tension. - Mkini
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