Lim Guan Eng
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today insisted that the party had never raised the issue of Malaysia ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
He said allegations that it did were aimed at fanning racial sentiments and brewing hatred among the people in the country.
“I think everyone knows that the issue (surrounding ICERD) was not raised by DAP, who are the ones who raised it? …. It wasn’t us.
“They are trying to flare up racial sentiments, we have never raised this issue, and certain quarters are trying to link DAP (to this issue) for their own political reasons,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
Yesterday, a coalition of NGOs claimed that the move for ratifying ICERD was DAP’s hidden agenda to abolish the special privileges of the Malay-Muslim community in the country.
Lim also urged the coalition to apologise and withdraw the statements and allegations against him or face legal action.
“They alleged that I had instructed for the allocation meant for the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) programme to be given to the Malay community to be instead given to Chinese temples, that is a malicious slander because none of it ever happened.
“Those who made allegations against me, it’s very dangerous..because they want to play up racial sentiments to attract more people to join the rally against ICERD on December 8,” he said.
Lim, who is also Finance Minister, said based on the advice of his lawyers, he would be lodging a police report against the coalition. – Bernama