KUALA LUMPUR: Umno had never planned to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) during its administration before the 14th General Election (GE14).
In a jab at its political rival Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno had never attempted to undermine the position and rights of the Malays by pushing for ratification of the ICERD during its administration.
He also described Bersatu as a "turtle party" that hid its head and was willing to sell out its principles when in power.
"Let us not forget that Bersatu was once in government and that they were among those responsible for threatening the position of the Malays.
"The effort to ratify ICERD was presented by one of their leaders, who was a minister at the time, and even the then prime minister was from Bersatu.
"Even though he claims that Malays easily forget (Melayu mudah lupa), we will not forget, and if it were not for us, the guardians of the Malays, the ICERD convention would have been ratified," he said in his presidential policy speech at the 2024 Umno General Assembly today.
Among those present were deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, as well as secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
In 2018, the government under the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reversed the ratification of ICERD after calls from several groups that the ratification would undermine the special position of the Malays, including provisions allowing quotas in public institutions.
Malaysia is among a handful of countries that have neither signed nor ratified the treaty. The treaty provides individuals worldwide with a mechanism for complaints over issues of racial discrimination, among others, and is enforceable against member states.
Zahid, also took a swipe at Pas, claiming that the party had used religion as a "mask" when in power.
"What Islamic agenda did they bring? RUU355 went completely silent, hudud is no longer their main agenda and the Islamic state is nowhere to be seen.
"The Malays need to be aware of this, as Pas only knows how to play on sentiments and emotions without any intention of strengthening the position of the Malays and Islam.
"Do not be deceived by their words, which have significant consequences for the stability and harmony of the country."
Zahid, at the same time, added that despite relentless attacks on Umno for allegedly sidelining the Malays and compromising Islam as the federal religion, the party would continue to defend these issues, which were the objectives of the party's struggles.
"They (our rivals) sow hatred, instil disgust and deepen suspicion among the Malays towards us, but we have never changed our founding goals just because we are now part of the government.
"Rest assured that the foundation of our party remains intact, including continuing to uphold Islam, preserving Malay rights, maintaining the Malay language and upholding the Malay rulers."