Tariq Ismail, who is part of PPBM’s Supreme Council, said even ratifying a global treaty such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which recently triggered a national debate, is no guarantee that discrimination based on race can be eliminated.
Tariq instead drew attention to a huge gap between the top 10% of rich Malaysians and the rest of the population.
“As long as the country is not growing economically, inter community tensions will rise,” he told FMT, on the back of the intense public debate on a proposal for Malaysia to ratify ICERD.
On Friday, Putrajaya decided not to ratify the treaty, which would commit Malaysia to ensure equal treatment for all races.
The decision was welcomed by Umno, PAS and other Malay groups, who said ratifying the treaty was a death knell for pro-Bumiputera affirmative action programmes.
Tariq said the fight against racism should start at the schools, by drawing up a balanced curriculum.
“Ensure our national curriculum is of international standard and that we have the best teachers. Ensure it incorporates mandatory passing in Malaysian History and Bahasa Malaysia,” said Tariq, the grandson of the late Ismail Abdul Rahman, who became deputy prime minister a year after the racial riots of 1969.
He said one way to allay fears of diminishing Malay share in the country’s wealth was by creating a class of entrepreneurs.
He questioned some Malay leaders who opposed ICERD and claimed that it would erode Malay privileges as stated in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
“They do not realise that no international treaty can overrule the law of the land. To eradicate Article 153, they need two-thirds majority in Parliament and the will of a majority of the communities,” said Tariq.
Tariq also welcomed Putrajaya’s about-turn on signing ICERD.
“With a ‘highly educated’ PAS and Umno, signing ICERD would be disastrous for this administration especially at a time when policy frameworks are being drawn up,” he said.
He said those who threatened of racial strife were myopic and only “see a short-term solution”.
“They do not realise there will be no future for them if blood is spilt,” he said, referring to a right-wing group which had raised the spectre of a May 13-style racial riot.
Tariq said now that the Pakatan Harapan government had decided against signing ICERD, it was time to focus on educating the younger generation.
“Rome was not built in a day, but with a vision and gumption, policies to ensure an equitable society can be achieved.”