GEORGE TOWN: Those who continue to question the government’s decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) are those who have run out of ‘capital’ to attack the administration.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said these people are beginning to be agitated when the government made a decision on the matter as they know they can no longer fan the racial and religious sentiment to gain support.
"The Cabinet remains the government’s highest decision-making body thus as such, the government has decided on the matter and has provided a clarity on the issue once and for all. There should be no doubt about that.
If there is, then it is from those who fear they have run out of ‘capital’ to stoke racial and religious sentiment,” he told a press conference today when asked to comment on concerns raised following the government’s decision not to ratify the ICERD.
The government, in a brief statement yesterday, announced that it would not be ratifying the ICERD.
The Prime Minister’s Office had said that the government would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution and the agreed upon social contract enshrined within.
Saifuddin, who is also PKR secretary-general said there was no way the government could stop the various quarters from passing any remarks on its decision.
"We leave it to the rakyat to judge for themselves on the government’s decision but our decision is final,” he added.
Earlier in his speech during an event held in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul, Saifuddin also touched on the importance of maintaining harmony and unity among the diverse races in the country.