ICERD rally: Be mindful of racial anxiety, says Anwar

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says there is no need to hold a rally as the Cabinet has decided not to ratify the UN convention.

PETALING JAYA: PKR President Anwar Ibrahim today urged Umno and PAS leaders not to proceed with the rally linked to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on Dec 8.

He said they should not deny the current racial anxiety, in addition to Putrajaya having said that it would not ratify the convention.

“I am asking for the wisdom of Umno and PAS leaders as we can’t deny there is racial anxiety now.

“If they think ICERD issues will hurt the feelings of Malays, the Cabinet has decided to reject it, so it will be a bit awkward (to still hold the rally). I hope they don’t proceed,” he said.

Anwar was speaking after launching PKR Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s book titled “9 May 2018: Notes from the frontline”.

The organisers have said that the rally would go ahead to express gratitude over the government’s decision.

Among other things, Anwar also commented on the police opening four investigation papers under the Sedition Act 1948 in connection with the recent fracas at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ25.

He said although the Pakatan Harapan government was adamant that the Sedition Act should be abolished, the current usage of the law should be left to the prerogative of the police and the home ministry.

“What’s important is to charge the instigators behind the scuffle and the violence. Actions must be taken according to existing laws,” he said.

He also brushed off Wee Ka Siong’s claims earlier that the Pakatan Harapan government did not know much about administrating the country.

The MCA president in his policy speech at the party’s annual general meeting listed the declining ringgit and rubber prices as a few of the factors leading to the people’s unhappiness.

In his response, Anwar said the most important part of the new administration was to rid the country of abuse of power and corruption.

“I dispute the position taken by Wee Ka Siong because we inherit such a rotten system, with institutions of the government failing. So it is a major task,” he said.

Anwar, however, said anyone was free to criticise the government as people expected more, particularly due to the difficult economic climate. - FMT