KUALA LUMPUR: The gathering to protest against Malaysia ratifying the International Convention to Eliminate Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is attended by some 1,500 participants.
Organised by Umno and PAS' youth wings, the group earlier marched to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, here, led by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi.
The gathering started outside Masjid Jamek at about 12pm.
Several non-governmental organisations (NGO) are also taking part in the protest, among them, Gerakan Pembela Ummah (UMMAH), Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) and several motoring clubs.
Participants carried placards saying 'ICERD adalah Malayan Union 2.0' and 'Bantah ICERD', among others.
Last Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Watha Moorthy reportedly said the government was committed to ratify six treaties on human rights, including ratifying ICERD in the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad assured that ICERD would only be ratified after negotiations have been carried out with all races in the country.