LETTER | Pusat Komas is appalled by the racist attacks made by the opposition MPs against the Minister of National Unity and Social Well-Being P Waythamoorthy when wrapping up the 2019 Budget debate in Parliament.

Malaysia is a nation which is built on the notion of inclusiveness. The call to sign and ratify the Icerd is in line with that notion and the Pakatan Harapan manifesto which states that “all citizens of any country aspire for an inclusive, harmonious, progressive, prosperous, just and equitable life, free from any forms of discrimination. The diversity of races and religions should be seen as a source of power, not as an obstacle”.

A new Malaysia is expected to stop all forms of the usage of the racial and religious card which pits one race against the other for the sake of short-term political expediency and gain.

Pusat Komas is shocked by the old, ugly politics of the new opposition in the Parliament by labelling the minister as racist for calling for the ratification of Icerd.

We would like to stress that for the past few weeks, the opposition parties have been in cahoots in inciting racism and provoking hate within the country by spreading false and malicious information on the implications of the ratification of Icerd in Malaysia.

This is reflected in the statements made by the leaders of these political parties and the nationwide protests against the ratification of Icerd.

We would like to reiterate that the signing and the ratification of Icerd will not harm the welfare of the bumiputera in Malaysia and, in fact, will strengthen the relevant provisions in the Federal Constitution which are aimed at promoting the welfare of the bumiputera in Malaysia.

For far too long, Article 153 was misused by the political elite to safeguard their own particular interests, disregarding the needs of the people who really need it. Pusat Komas is of the view that the opposition parties should stop all its efforts to mislead the public and to act as champions of their own race and religion.

In the new Malaysia, all forms of racial provocation and instigation should cease to exist. The new opposition needs to mature politically and find ways to work with the new government and ministers for a better Malaysia locally and internationally.

Pusat Komas also calls upon the new government to desist falling into the racist trap set by the opposition parties. The government should show its political will by denouncing such acts and march together to promote inclusiveness in the country.

It is now time for us to show the world that we are not a racist country and will not allow anyone to corner us again.

Pusat Komas is a human rights organisation promoting equality and the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.