Umno, PAS told to stop fanning racial tension with ICERD, focus on drug problems instead

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and PAS have been told to stop fanning racial and religious tension by playing up the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) issue, says Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.

The deputy Housing and Local Government minister said it was impossible for the country to ratify ICERD without any amendments to the Federal Constitution.

"Without a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, how can we ratify it?

"Why can't the lawyers tell the public that ICERD would be impossible to ratify unless Umno and PAS support it," he told a press conference at the parliament lobby.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it was almost impossible to ratify ICERD as it would entail amending the Federal Constitution.

According to Bernama, the Prime Minister pointed out that a two-thirds parliamentary majority was needed for this to happen.

Nevertheless, the opposition parties are planning to hold another mega gathering to oppose ICERD in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.

Raja Kamarul Bahrin said PAS and Umno should instead focus on drug problems in states that they helmed.

Quoting figures from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), he said Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu recorded the highest number of drug addicts in the country.

"As of September this year, AADK recorded a total 16,918 cases in Kelantan, 16,150 in Pahang and 10,576 in Terengganu.

The three states are helmed by PAS and Umno.

"They should focus on eradicating drug problems among the Malays instead of fanning religious and racial tension," he said.

The Deputy Minister said the protests staged by PAS and Umno would create rift and hatred as it portrayed  ICERD as threaten the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

He assured that the government would study ICERD closely and if it was against the constitution, it would never be accepted," he said.- Star