Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the government was not in a hurry to hold discussions and would look into the matter in detail.

“In this regard, we have to adhere to the advice of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that this matter should be discussed first, not to be rushed,” he said after attending the closing of the Penang-level KAFA Interactive event here today.

Mujahid also voiced concerns over “enthusiastic parties” who tried to mislead people by claiming that Malay rights would be abolished if the ICERD was ratified.

“In addition to the rights of the Malays, the rights of the Rulers are also said to be abolished as well as Islam and so forth, whereas all these do not arise. Whatever we agree at the international level, the final decision lies with Parliament,” he said.

Mujahid said he would hold a roundtable discussion tomorrow with the Islamic NGOs as well as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to obtain their input and feedback on the matter.

“This may help the prime minister obtain the relevant information, including the one in the memorandum submitted by the Gerakan Pembela Ummah at the Parliament building recently,” he said.

Last Wednesday, Mahathir said that a consultation with all races would be carried out before any decision is made on ICERD and admitted it would not be an easy matter as Malaysia is a multiracial country.

In another development, Mujahid acknowledged that there were Bibles being distributed to students in front of a high school in Bukit Mertajam.

Mujahid said after checking with the state Islamic Religious Department, state Education Department and the Bukit Mertajam MP, it had been confirmed that there was such an incident.

He said those who distributed the Bibles were not from the Christian groups or churches but believed to be representatives of an NGO.

He advised the NGO against creating problems in the community.