Is anti-ICERD rally really about the treaty?

There have been protests against the government’s initial plan to ratify the ICERD. (Bernama pic)

Many things come to my mind on ICERD.

First, are the Malay-Muslims really upset over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination? Or is the anger orchestrated and engineered by certain groups?

Second, is the proposed demonstration on Dec 8 really about the ICERD? Or is it about getting people to take to the street come what may, so as to shore up support for certain people?

Third, is ICERD going to be a rallying cry for the opposition to unite and to demonstrate endlessly, with hopes that certain quarters don’t have to wait for five long years to take another bite at the cherry?

The Pakatan Harapan government may be sincere in wanting to ratify ICERD because it is good for us as a nation, without jeopardising the special positions or preferential treatments of certain groups or communities as stipulated in our constitution.

We ought to know that our constitution is not a hindrance. Our constitution cannot be inherently discriminatory. Our constitution can only provide an avenue to create a level playing field in view of the inequalities that exist in our society. Therefore, there is no way our constitution is in conflict with ICERD.

I believe ratifying ICERD is an issue solely relating to political will and who we want to be as a nation. Sadly, the Pakatan government is not able to distinguish the wheat from the chaff. The government surrendered without staging a fight.

The government ought to know the proposed ICERD protest is really not due to ICERD. The ICERD issue is just a red herring used by discredited politicians to stay relevant. Trust me on this: if not ICERD, tomorrow the opposition will use another contentious issue to stage another protest.

I agree the government must listen, but the government also must make reasonable and rational decisions. The worst is when the government makes an unsound decision due to pressure and the threat of unrest.

For years Hindraf, Bersih and the PH coalition made their protests but did the Barisan Nasional government relent in any way? So why must PH cave in so quickly, more so when it is on the right side? The opposition can wait till the next general election just like how PH had waited.

Conceding without a fight is the worst form of expediency. PH must not take for granted the support of its core supporters.

TK Chua is an FMT reader