Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed reservations about the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

“We have to consider it because there are provisions that are unsuitable with our country,” he told the media today when asked about the government’s position on the UN convention.

He was speaking to reporters after launching local jeweller Poh Kong’s “Gold Note of Hope” gold plaques at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.

Mahathir previously said all races needed to be consulted before deciding to sign the Icerd, explaining that it was “not an easy matter” due to racial sensitivities.

Back in September, the prime minister told the 73rd UN General Assembly that Malaysia will ratify all remaining international conventions after thorough deliberation.

“It is within this context that the new government of Malaysia has pledged to ratify all remaining core UN instruments related to the protection of human rights.

“However, this will not be easy as Malaysia is multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual.

“We will accord space and time for all to deliberate and to decide freely based on democracy,” he had said during his speech.

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (photo) - the youth chief of Mahathir’s party Bersatu - has since said he will reject the ratification of the Icerd if doing so infringed on Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which enshrines Malay special rights.

Opposition parties Umno and PAS are also against ratifying Icerd, while Malay NGOs have staged protests against it.

However, many, including Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph, NGO Sisters in Islam, Suaram advisor Kua Kia Soong and Bar Council’s Andrew Khoo have maintained that ratifying the convention will not burden Article 153.

Meanwhile, Mahathir confirmed that he had met with several ministers and deputy ministers today.

"I had to tell them about the history of the country so that all of us understand our roots. This is so that we won't do bad things that might have happened in the past," he told the press, not offering more details.

Berita Harian reported that among those who attended the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Rural Development minister Rina Harun, de facto Religion minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Agriculture & Agro-based Industries Minister Salahuddin Ayub and Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.

Mahathir gifted gold plaque

The gold plaques by Poh Kong, which were launched today by Mahathir and former minister Rafidah Aziz, bear the prime minister's portrait and retail at RM160 each.

Poh Kong group managing director Choon Yee Seiong told the audience that the design on the gold note had been inspired by Mahathir’s “tenacious fighting spirit”, and that RM30 for every unit sold would be donated to Tabung Harapan.

This is on top of the RM1 million which the company donated to the fund today.

Poh Kong also gifted a larger version of the gold plaque, which is sprayed with 999.9 fine gold, to Mahathir.

Malaysiakini understands that the large plaque is worth more than RM3,000 and that the prime minister has kept it as a souvenir.

In June, Mahathir had announced that the government will be enforcing a no-gift policy – with the exception of flowers, fruits and food – throughout the civil service.

"It cannot be anything more than that. We will reject any cars or anything of that sort, all of those are not allowed," he had said.