KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and PAS today assured that the Dec 8 rally to welcome Putrajaya’s decision not to ratify an international rights treaty will be peaceful.
Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who is Umno’s coordinator for the event, said the rally is not intended to provoke anyone.
“You will see a peaceful rally,” the Pasir Salak MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
He was asked to comment on Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to approve the anti-ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) “thanksgiving” rally to be held this Saturday.
Some, including PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, had previously voiced concern over the rally despite the government’s decision not to ratify ICERD.
Anwar on Sunday urged PAS and Umno leaders not to proceed with the rally due to the racial anxiety.
But the organisers have said that the rally would go ahead to express gratitude over the government’s decision.
Malay rights groups and political parties had warned that the United Nations-sponsored treaty posed a threat to Malaysia’s constitution and its affirmative action policy.
Tajuddin, a former deputy minister, praised DBKL and the police for approving the rally.
“The authorities understand that the public has the right to hold a rally. This is a good sign and they deserve to be praised.”
Meanwhile, PAS said they will not compromise on any participants who try to create chaos during the rally.
“We are asking all participants to always abide by the rules of the rally,” said its deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat.
However, Umno’s Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz said he would skip the anti-ICERD rally as it is “no longer an issue”.
“I won’t attend. I’m very focused on what I want from the government, that is to retract the decision to ratify and they’ve done that. I’m satisfied.
“If we can’t believe the prime minister then who can we believe?” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.