The PKR chief said the rally, being backed by Umno and PAS to protest a proposal for Malaysia to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), was now a “naughty political gimmick”.

Anwar also questioned an excuse given by organisers that they wished to thank the government for backing down on signing ICERD.

“I think it is illogical. I have held many rallies. We had gathered in the name of principles, to repeal the Internal Security Act, to demand clean elections, to fight injustice, but this, this rally has no principles.

“This rally is being held to show agreement in (the government’s) rejection of ICERD. What is going on?” Anwar said on the sidelines of a forum at the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) here today.

He said the decision by the government not to ratify ICERD was out of concerns for national security.

“You see, my position was that you should deliberate on this at length and then postpone it in the process. We want to focus on governance and building institutions first.

“We are not to take an apologetic and defensive line against discrimination. We are committed to a policy that rejects discriminatory practices,” he said.

He said the government would continue to engage with civil society.

“I am sure people appreciate the complexities of this issue,” he said.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office said the government would not ratify ICERD, saying it was committed to the “social contract” that was agreed upon by representatives of all races.

Critics had said ratifying 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.

Earlier, Anwar and Australian lawyer Mark Trowell spoke at a forum at the GTLF, moderated by festival director Bernice Chauly.