Hakam secretary-general Lim Wei Jiet said any further discussions on the treaty must be conducted in a civil manner, without threats or fear-mongering.

His comments come in the wake of intense debate over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, or ICERD, which has generated fierce social media comments, some of which were seen as being racially provocative.

Putrajaya today backed down on its plans to ratify the global anti-discrimination treaty, after protests by Malay groups and political parties who accused the government of trying to abolish special privileges for Malays, as stated in the Constitution.

In a statement today, Lim said Hakam regretted the decision of the Prime Minister’s Office in deciding not to ratify the ICERD.

It hoped the government’s precautionary stance would only be a temporary measure and Putrajaya would continue to engage stakeholders on this issue to dispel the misconceptions on the ICERD.

Lim also said any further discussions on ICERD should be conducted in a civil manner without threats or fear-mongering.

“The government should revisit its decision and reconsider ratification again in the future.”

Lim further regretted calls by certain parties for Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to resign in light of these developments.

“The minister has done an admirable job in advocating for Malaysia to ratify an important international human rights treaty.

“We will continue to support the government’s vision of a New Malaysia — in creating a fair and just society where everyone has a place under the sun.”