MySinChew.com - The political freefall of Umno, PAS by Tay Tian Yan
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Zahid's hypothesis of riot and Hadi Awang's argument that rejecting ICERD is a universal obligation of Muslims have sadly lowered the stature of their parties to a level unseen before. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily DAP supporters inform us that its silence in Pakatan has been to 'protect' the bigger picture of public safety and 'preserve' national stability, but that was EXACTLY what the MCA told us - in other words, DAP has become the new MCA |
Do those opposing the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) actually know what it is?
I don't think they know, or they are just unwilling to find out.
They don't even know what racism is!
In the parliamentary sitting, opposition reps started to make noise when minster in the prime minister's department Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy was answering a question on ICERD, calling him "racist". The Speaker even overheard someone asking the minister to "go back to India".
It is obvious here who the real racists are!
Umno and PAS politicians have been playing up the ICERD issue and fanning public emotions while PH component parties look on passively.
ICERD is a form of international justice. Unfortunately it has become an abominable monster here!
The hysterical voices of opposition have completely distorted the real meaning and significance of ICERD.
They claim that ICERD is in direct violation of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, and will deny the Malays of their privileges. Nevertheless, if you were to ask them how ICERD has violated the Constitution and how it would jeopardize the status of the Malays, they would become instantly speechless.
Moreover, any international convention will not override a sovereign state's laws, let alone its constitution.
Ratifying ICERD is a pledge for human rights and equality, and a signatory can opt to have reservation about certain articles it does not agree on. This explains why many countries have ratified ICERD.
Rejecting ICERD only shows that we still have a long way to go before we can join the modern world.
Ahmad Zahid even claims that the Malays will riot if ICERD is signed.
As a matter of fact, the Malays will have nothing to lose even if ICERD is ratified by the government. As such, there are no valid reasons for a riot.
Unfortunately some of the Muslim-Malays may fall into the trap of Umno and PAS.
Zahid's hypothesis of riot and Hadi Awang's argument that rejecting ICERD is a universal obligation of Muslims have sadly lowered the stature of their parties to a level unseen before.
This also means that they can no longer compete on the platform of competency and rationality, and have to resort to fanning racist and religious sentiments in order to win back their wilting support.
Any party that allows itself to stoop this low is no longer eligible to talk about running this country, as it will eventually be abandoned by majority of Malaysians who uphold the principles of moderation and good reasoning.
Sure enough there are tons of reasons to explain the electoral setback of Umno and PAS in GE14. The thing is: neither racism nor religious extremism has reversed their doomed fates.
They have failed to revert to moderation after the general elections. In its stead, they have picked up steam in their quest for extremism.
Opposition parties devoted to fanning public emotions and creating religious conflicts will never contribute positively towards democratic politics in this country, but will be a destructive force for the same.
I don't think they know, or they are just unwilling to find out.
They don't even know what racism is!
In the parliamentary sitting, opposition reps started to make noise when minster in the prime minister's department Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy was answering a question on ICERD, calling him "racist". The Speaker even overheard someone asking the minister to "go back to India".
It is obvious here who the real racists are!
Umno and PAS politicians have been playing up the ICERD issue and fanning public emotions while PH component parties look on passively.
ICERD is a form of international justice. Unfortunately it has become an abominable monster here!
The hysterical voices of opposition have completely distorted the real meaning and significance of ICERD.
They claim that ICERD is in direct violation of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, and will deny the Malays of their privileges. Nevertheless, if you were to ask them how ICERD has violated the Constitution and how it would jeopardize the status of the Malays, they would become instantly speechless.
Moreover, any international convention will not override a sovereign state's laws, let alone its constitution.
Ratifying ICERD is a pledge for human rights and equality, and a signatory can opt to have reservation about certain articles it does not agree on. This explains why many countries have ratified ICERD.
Rejecting ICERD only shows that we still have a long way to go before we can join the modern world.
Ahmad Zahid even claims that the Malays will riot if ICERD is signed.
As a matter of fact, the Malays will have nothing to lose even if ICERD is ratified by the government. As such, there are no valid reasons for a riot.
Unfortunately some of the Muslim-Malays may fall into the trap of Umno and PAS.
Zahid's hypothesis of riot and Hadi Awang's argument that rejecting ICERD is a universal obligation of Muslims have sadly lowered the stature of their parties to a level unseen before.
This also means that they can no longer compete on the platform of competency and rationality, and have to resort to fanning racist and religious sentiments in order to win back their wilting support.
Any party that allows itself to stoop this low is no longer eligible to talk about running this country, as it will eventually be abandoned by majority of Malaysians who uphold the principles of moderation and good reasoning.
Sure enough there are tons of reasons to explain the electoral setback of Umno and PAS in GE14. The thing is: neither racism nor religious extremism has reversed their doomed fates.
They have failed to revert to moderation after the general elections. In its stead, they have picked up steam in their quest for extremism.
Opposition parties devoted to fanning public emotions and creating religious conflicts will never contribute positively towards democratic politics in this country, but will be a destructive force for the same.