The youth and sports minister said his stand on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) was also in line with Pakatan Harapan’s commitment to defend the constitution.

“This has been agreed by all. So is it wrong for me to defend the constitution, as I stressed in my statement?” the Muar MP told FMT after coming under attack from vocal lawyer Siti Kasim.

Siti Kasim, among others, had accused Syed Saddiq of trying to gain political mileage from his constituents, adding that Malaysians should reject “racist and divisive politicians”.

But Syed Saddiq rejected the accusation, saying non-Malays too had voted for him.

“It is my duty to defend the constitution, to protect the interest of all races and religions as prescribed in the constitution,” he said.

Yesterday, Syed Saddiq said PPBM Youth would oppose Malaysia’s ratification of the ICERD if it was found to undermine the monarchy, the position of Islam and other provisions in the Federal Constitution.

Some Malay and Muslim groups have warned that the ICERD would undermine the special position of the Malays, including provisions to allow quotas in public institutions as spelt out in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has given assurance that the government will consult with all communities, but says it hopes to eventually ratify the treaty.