YOURSAY | 'I wonder how Dr M feels now that M'sia is on par with Myanmar in regard to Icerd.'

MasihBerharap: Amidst all the hype and emotion surrounding Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination), we lost sight that Icerd was entered into force in 1969 - 50 years ago.

Icerd is largely a guide to good and fair human rights practices. It is not a law. If a country does not ratify, there are no international sanctions nor other penalties though there were attempts to link its ratification with direct foreign investment.

Had Malaysia quietly ratified years ago, it would not have meant that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution would be removed as in all likelihood, Malaysia would have made a case of Article 153 being for uplifting and protecting the less privileged and not a discriminatory enactment against minorities.

By the same token, ratification would not have made all suddenly become a homogeneous united race nor, more importantly, would not have ended racial politics.

In the new openness of the Pakatan Harapan government, the issue is now so blown up and so grossly exploited and misunderstood that ratification is a one-way street to political oblivion because the underlying reality is that Malays are, and, increasingly more so, will be the dominant political force.

That was true in 1969 and this is true today, whether Icerd was ratified in 1969 or 2018 or not at all, and it is naive to think Icerd ratification will force constitutional amendments that will be nightmares for some and fantasies come true for others.

Kim Quek: The “social contract” referred to in PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement (a term invented by Umno) is the Federal Constitution.

But the latter prohibits discrimination of all forms, including racial and religious discrimination, notwithstanding the inclusion of Article 153. Hence, Mahathir’s rationale for rejecting Icerd is flawed, and his statement is rushed, premature and ill-advised.

I don’t believe Harapan’s presidential council has deliberated or has been consulted on this issue. Go back to the drawing board to consult the full leadership of the coalition. This is an important issue that we cannot afford to make mistake on.

An outright rejection of Icerd will result in Malaysia being despised and ostracised in the global community with serious consequences to our national image and our economy.

The only wise decision under the circumstances is to shelve making the final decision to allow further study and consultation with all stakeholders of the country.

StraightTalk: While we can appreciate that the government wants to defend the Federal Constitution and we can acknowledge that the government wants to avoid racial tension and racial discord in the country, the decision not to ratify Icerd is a major step back for Malaysia in the international arena.

The onus is on the government now to prove to the whole world that there is absolute harmony among all races in the country, even without ratifying Icerd.

Kangkung: Recently, Mahathir slammed Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, for “defending the indefensible”, so I wonder how he feels now that Malaysia is on par with Myanmar in regard to Icerd.

Suu Kyi is doing her 'tai chi' in the Rohingya issue to placate the powerful military of Myanmar.

Mahathir is no different - he gave in to Umno, PAS and the extremist Malays by backpedalling on the government's promise to ratify Icerd.

So, it is a case of the kettle calling the pot black. By not ratifying Icerd, isn't Mahathir “defending the indefensible”?

TA: What do we expect in the new Malaysia, miracles? It will take at least three more generations before we can even say there will be some fairness in our beloved country.

In the meantime, we will see more and more leaving our beloved country for pastures new. I am disappointed but I always knew Harapan was the lesser evil than BN; nothing more. At least, the corrupt individuals are getting charged.

Reforms will take longer because that will need the citizens of this country to be more learned, patriotic and, importantly, not self-centred.

We should feel and be proud to be Malaysians and not identify ourselves by our race and religious backgrounds.

Mission Accomplished: The Harapan government simply lacks the political will to erase all sorts of discrimination in our blessed land by not ratifying Icerd.

Malaysians for the moment will not see any Malay prime minister having the will and courage to defy the immoral racists their sense of injustice.

Clever Voter: Change requires courage and conviction, which this present government lacks. All the noises made during the election campaign came to nought. It's not even pragmatism. Icerd is not even new.

Malaysia remains one of the handfuls of countries that refuses to acknowledge discrimination. What does this tell you?

Compromising on the global standard just because domestic politics shows Harapan is not as good as they wanted others to believe. Evidence tells us many things are not going to change, from education to social policies.

Probably, they can be proud of getting rid of Najib Abdul Razak. What else? Frankly, many things will not see a fundamental shift, only a changing of the guard.

Prudent: To back down in the face of the racist/religious extremist is a strategic mistake. The ultras will now use the same tactic to racialise issues, including the prosecution of 1MDB on the basis of race and religion.

I have a feeling that MO1 (Malaysian Official 1) is likely to get away with his crimes if he can get the Malays to believe that 1MDB is a Chinese plot to discredit him and cheat the nation.

After all, Jho Low is a Chinese and MO1 is the son of Abdul Razak Hussein, who is still a hero to the Malays.

Anonymous 2461691488937729: Indeed, by backing down, the extremists will have smelled blood.

They will be emboldened and continue to circle for the kill. Things have just got a lot worst.

Also read: Yoursay: Mahathir blinks on ratification of Icerd

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