A convention to end racial discrimination is stoking anger in Malaysia. But fears that the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) could have adverse consequences may be ill-founded.

The ICERD is a United Nations Convention which commits its members to the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of understanding among all races.

The convention was adopted and opened for signature by the United Nations General Assembly on 21 December 1965 and entered into force on 4 January 1969.

As of January 2018, it has 88 signatories and 179 parties.

Malaysia is one of the three countries in Southeast Asia which has yet to sign the convention. The other two Asean countries are Myanmar and Brunei.

The convention can be significant for ensuring equality in a new Malaysia. The country is made up of multi-racial and multi-ethnic groups and ratifying the ICERD would help to promote national unity.

However, the reality is different. It is learned that the former Barisan Nasional (BN) government discussed the ratification of the ICERD twice, but the discussions ended without a conclusion.

Many Malaysians are not aware of the existence of ICERD, let alone the intention of the former government to ratify the convention.

In May 2018, Malaysians voted for a new government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH). As promoting racial equality is one of the items listed in the manifesto, exploring the possibility of ratifying the ICERD naturally becomes one of the tasks for the new government, to fulfil its pledge.

But the issue of ratifying the convention has turned contentious, with strong objections being raised by the opposition groups, UMNO and PAS.

Even some of the people in the PH ruling government have objected to its ratification.

After a round of controversy, the PH government announced on 23 November that there would be no ratification of the ICERD.

Issues related to religion and race are often political soft spots in Malaysia and a ratification of the ICERD would have hit the raw nerves of Malays and Muslims.

The bone of contention is whether the privileges of Bumiputra and status of Islam under Article 153 of Federal Constitution would be in jeopardy.

The opponents zoomed in on the Malays’ “special position”, as enshrined in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, that allows for affirmative action and quotas for positions in public service, permits for businesses and scholarships, among other privileges.

If the government were to ratify the ICERD, it would end the Malays’ “special position”, opponents say.

This would be a tricky situation for the government, with Malay votes split into three segments. In the last general elections, only 25 per cent to 30 per cent of Malays voted for PH, about 35 per cent to 40 per cent of Malays voted for BN while the remaining supported PAS.

With the Malay votes secured by PH were less than satisfactory, member parties Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Parti Amanah Negara – which safeguard the political rights of Malays – would need to continue gaining support from the Malay voters.

Hence, leaders such as Mukhriz Mahathir and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman of Pribumi and Mahfuz Omar, deputy president of Amanah hold the view that ICERD is not necessary for Malaysia. Other PH member parties – DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat – do not support ICERD too.

Voters are disappointed, as the PH had pledged to eradicate inequality and improve human rights in Malaysia in its election manifesto.

Nevertheless, not all Malays oppose ICERD.

Despite strong opposition from right wing and Malay conservatives, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs has said that ICERD ratification would not harm the status of Malays and Islam. But his voice is feeble.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had said that prior to ratifying the ICERD, the government would take feedback from all races into consideration. But Dr Mahathir has come to a compromise at the end of the day.

Should it ratify the ICERD, will Malaysia fall under total control of the convention? In simple terms, no.

Malaysia would not be subjected to the constraints of the ICERD, as all countries have their share of `reservation` when signing the convention.

But not all are convinced as Malaysia would have to adopt measures to abolish all forms of racial discrimination after signing the convention, including racial discrimination in policy and legal aspects.

To promote racial harmony, behaviour promoting hatred would be a criminal offence and remedy must be sought for individuals who are affected by racial discrimination.

Would the ICERD ratification affect Article 153 of Federal Constitution?

This is a reasonable worry. But suggestions that the ICERD ratification would lead to the automatic repeal of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution are inaccurate.

Malaysia adopts a two–prong system when dealing with international conventions. International law and national law are separated.

In Malaysia, the highest law is the Federal Constitution and not the international law, which has no legal implications in Malaysia.

The law needs to be debated and passed in parliament.

Malaysians are entitled to give their views on ICERD and pay attention to the implementation of ICERD, as it does not only affect a country’s legal system but also its social structures.

However, ratifying the ICERD will be an important milestone, for a new Malaysia, one that should stress equality without any form of discrimination.

The government, regardless of its ruling party, should promote racial equality.

This would be the greatest hope of all Malaysians.

The writer is a Leader Writer with Sin Chew Daily, Malaysia. The Asian Writers’ Circle is a series of columns on global affairs written by top editors and writers from members of the Asia News Network and published in newspapers, websites and social media platforms across the region.