The Islamist party’s information chief Nasruddin Hassan said Putrajaya had previously promised to ratify six international human rights treaties, including the International Convention Eliminating Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Others left to be ratified include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

“We cannot just look at the ICERD, but at the other treaties which pose a huge risk. Do they not threaten the nation too?” Nasruddin said at an anti-ICERD forum.

He said while the government had stated that it would not ratify the ICERD, Putrajaya should also declare its stand on the other treaties and whether they would be ratified.

Certain groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), were pushing for the government to ratify the remaining treaties.

“I bring this up as I do not want the matter to be manipulated and the government to ratify the other treaties.”

On Friday, the Pakatan Harapan government said it would not ratify the ICERD, amid intense opposition from Malay groups and political parties who warned that the global treaty was a threat to Malaysia’s affirmative action policy.

“The government will continue to defend the Federal Constitution which includes the social contract agreed upon by representatives of all races during the founding of this nation,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The debate over the ICERD followed a speech by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the United Nations General Assembly in September, where he said the Pakatan Harapan government would ratify the remaining human rights conventions endorsed by the world body.