PARLIAMENT | PAS and Umno lawmakers have launched an attack against Minister in the Prime Minister Department P Waythamoorthy, accusing him of being racist.

Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Tumpat) chanted “Racist! Racist!” during Waythamoorthy's speech to wind up the debate of the Supply Bill 2019 in the Dewan Rakyat.

The chant was repeated across the opposition bench.

Waythamoorthy has been drawing flak since the resurfacing of an old video, in which he appears to accuse the then BN administration of discriminating against Indian Malaysians.

Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang) first stood up to reprimand Waythamoorthy, who had explained that as a lawyer, he personally believed ratification of Icerd would not jeopardise special rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras.

"You're a lawyer, I'm also a lawyer. Don't think you're the only lawyer.

"I would like to ask your personal opinion based on a viral video.

"Why did you say something else in Netherlands, (you say) we (government) practice discrimination, forced conversion into Islam, but today you said we don't have any discrimination?

"That is a double standard!" said Noh in reference to Waythamoorthy's old video.

The video in question showed Waythamoorthy demanding that the grouses of ethnic Indians be addressed by the then BN government.

The minister explained yesterday that the demands were made in a 2007 interview with a Dutch TV station shortly after the Hindraf rally in Kuala Lumpur, at a time when the context was very different from that of the present Harapan administration.

Earlier, the minister said the government would not proceed to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) if it involves amending or abolishing Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

He said the matter has currently been referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

“This matter has been referred to the attorney-general for his consideration.

"If it is found there is a need to amend Article 153, the government will not ratify Icerd,” he added.

He also said the government would first embark on a comprehensive engagement session with all stakeholders in the first quarter of next year, before making its final decision.

Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Reezal Merican Naina Merican (BN-Kepala Batas), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) were among leaders who had raised questions over the government's move to ratify the UN human rights instrument.

Reezal accused Waythamoorthy of misleading the House as the Icerd provision which granted exceptions for affirmative action also specified that such actions should include a timeline as to when it would end after its objective has been met.

"Are you saying that Article 153 has an expiry date?" he said, to which Waythamoorthy explained it was clear that there is no timeframe set for ceasing the special rights of Malays and bumiputeras under the Federal Constitution.

Ismail, meanwhile, pointed out that ratifying Icerd would subject Malaysia to scrutiny by a UN committee on the country's progress in implementing its provisions.

"Although you said that Article 153 will not be compromised, we can see that we (Malaysia) have complied with most other freedoms guaranteed under Icerd, with exception of those related to Article 153.

"So for sure there will be pressure from the committee to abolish Article 153 so the remaining provisions could be implemented," he argued.

Umno and PAS have since announced that they will hold a joint protest against Icerd in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.