In a lengthy call for all Muslims to oppose ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has concluded that the human rights accord is a “Freemason agenda” with the intention to destroy the religion, nation and society.
“Icerd is a Freemason agenda intended to destroy religion, race and country," said Hadi, who claimed that all Muslims and individuals who profess to be a certain faith would have a different definition of discrimination, rights and justice, when compared to people with no religion.
"Therefore the religious Muslims, bumiputera and all races must unite and oppose the Icerd agenda, because its true concept is not religious and not humane," the Marang MP said in a statement on his Facebook page.
"We have a duty to reject and ban Icerd forever because we have our own definition which is independent of influence from colonisers and infidels, particularly in reference to the terms ‘discrimination’, ‘rights’ and ‘justice’," said Hadi ahead of the planned Dec 8 anti-Icerd protest in Kuala Lumpur.
As an example, he said justice should be defined as giving individuals what are rightfully theirs, including affirmative actions for bumiputera who have been left behind compared to other races.
Beyond linking Icerd to the Freemasons, Hadi said Muslims also have a duty to oppose its "liberal concept" of all religions being equal.
"All who believes in a religion has a duty to believe in only one true religion, and that not all religions are equal," he said.
In making his call, Hadi also demonised the "Western concept" of non-discrimination against the LGBT community, claiming that such a practice only fit to exist in "nations with no religion."
Overall, he likened the current Icerd debate to throwing a massive rock into still water and revealing the creatures that lurk within.
"When the rock is thrown, all the creatures will surface. Turns out there are crocodiles, snakes, eels, fishes of all sizes, and even disgusting trash."
Referring to the various arguments surrounding Icerd, Hadi said there were those brave enough to oppose it, others who only pretended to oppose, and also those who had exposed their ignorance.
"It is even more unfortunate that there are those who have revealed themselves as opportunists, taking advantage of the situation like a 'political animal' capable of surviving in all situations," he said.
Malaysia and Brunei are among the few Muslim-majority countries which have yet to ratify Icerd, amid protests from Malay-Muslims fearful of an alleged erosion of special rights under the Federal Constitution.
