Minister: Putrajaya won’t touch Article 153 if ICERD ratified, doesn’t need to
(MMO) – The ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) will not affect the constitutional articles on Bumiputera privileges, a minister told Parliament today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, P. Waythamoorthy said this meant there will be no need to amend or abolish Article 153 of the Federal Constitution that governs the special privileges of the Bumiputera.
“The government gives assurance that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution will not be abolished,” he said in response to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN — Pengerang).
He also drew her attention to the Vienna Convention stipulation that allows states to exclude select areas within their domain from the effects of treaties it chooses to sign and ratify.
