In a statement, Akhramsyah Sanusi asked why the government was harping on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) when rural folk, including padi farmers, were concerned about the reduction in subsidies.

Fishermen too, he claimed, were unclear about the provisions allocated for them, while the impact of the collapse in rubber prices should also be addressed.

“Are these issues not more relevant, and shouldn’t they be prioritised ahead of the ICERD?”

Akhramsyah, the son of the late Sanusi Junid, said it was better for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to focus on the final ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He also suggested that PH address the European Union ban on Malaysian palm oil.

“Surely our people would appreciate more international efforts that would have a direct impact towards improving their livelihoods,” he added.

Akhramsyah, who is one of PPBM’s founding members, said one of the reasons PH won the last general election was because the nation was tired of politicians playing the race and religion cards.

The people, he said, wanted their newly appointed leaders to focus on improving their welfare and not be distracted by more divisive debates.

The debate over ICERD recently intensified with some groups claiming that the special rights of the Bumiputeras, as well as the positions of the Malay language and Islam, would be undermined if Malaysia ratifies the treaty.

Several rallies had been organised to object to the UN rights treaty.