The May 9 general election witnessed DAP, whose logo is a rocket, soaring to greater heights after winning 42 parliament seats.

However, an MCA leader now claims the rocket has returned to earth in a pile of debris following Putrajaya's decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

In a press statement this afternoon, Ti Lian Ker noted how DAP and its supremo Lim Kit Siang had championed the human rights issue for decades.

“Yet when they are in power and have the authority to walk their talk over the ratification of Icerd, the rocket completely crashed.

“It failed to persuade its allies Bersatu, Amanah and PKR to streamline their stands in accordance to what DAP had claimed to shout for ages,” he added.

According to the MCA vice-president, DAP's failure to convince Pakatan Harapan to make a stand had opened the doors for Malay hegemony vis-a-vis Pas-Umno participation.

'Why celebrate human rights when Icerd not ratified?'

Ti also criticised Harapan leaders' scheduled presence at this Saturday's celebration of universal human rights organised by Suhakam in Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya.

Some 10km from this event where Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the chief guest, a mammoth gathering would be held in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate his administration's decision not to ratify Icerd on the same day.

“Why celebrate human rights when Malaysia shudders at ratifying Icerd?” asked Ti.

“The participation of Harapan's top echelon becomes contradictory, if not hypocritical when they shy away from ensuring the elimination of racial discrimination in Malaysia.

“Is their participation none other than to appease the disquiet among Harapan voters who grow disillusioned over the coalition's failure to fulfil its election manifesto?” he asked.

Ti said given the protections accorded under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution for the bumiputera, there is no reason for the government not to ratify the convention.

The MCA leader also questioned the decision to allow two major rallies to take place on the same day.

“Is this new phenomenon good, bad or ugly for 'New Malaysia'? Are we recognising or encouraging race and religious-based movements or adding fervour to race and religious venom?

“Security personnel, be they from the Federal Reserve Unit, standard rank and file police personnel, or undercover, plainclothes Special Branch officers will be patrolling both mass rallies.

“But would not their resources be better utilised in crime prevention...?” he asked.