No need for Malaysia to sign ICERD, says Mukhriz

(Bernama) – PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir today dismissed any need for Malaysia to sign the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), saying it would be unsuitable given the country’s unique situation.

Although the ICERD is aimed at giving equal treatment to minority groups, he said, in Malaysia “we have a unique situation where the majority group is marginalised from mainstream development”.

“I feel there is no necessity for us to sign the ICERD. I feel that in our multiracial country, we already have policies which provide for peace within the entire society.

“Therefore, I feel it is not necessary to emulate a policy from abroad that does not take into account the environment in our country,” he said.

Mukhriz, who is the Kedah menteri besar, said this after presenting aid to 110 students in the Jerlun parliamentary constituency eligible for pursuing tertiary education.

He said he hoped the government would conduct an in-depth evaluation of the ICERD matter to avoid contravening any article in the Federal Constitution.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently expressed reservations about the ICERD, saying “there are provisions that are unsuitable to our country”.