KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): Opposition lawmakers can proceed to hold a planned protest against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) next month as long as they comply with the rules under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"As long as they follow the Act, make sure everything is well organised, obtain [the permit] and provide adequate notice, then it is okay," Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters on the sidelines of the Parliament session today.

"So far, the police are just observing to make sure nothing untoward will happen... As far as we are concerned, everything is under control," he added.

Malaysia, said Muhyiddin, is a democratic country which allows its people to voice their concerns through such channels.

"However, there are certain things to observe (such as they) do not provoke racial sentiment, religious sentiment... As far as we are concerned, the law is there and we hope they follow the rule of law," Muhyiddin noted.

It was reported that top leaders from PAS and Umno have agreed to hold a joint rally on Dec 8 to protest plans in ratifying the international convention on ending racial discrimination.

This follows the government's announcement that it was considering ratifying ICERD, has been met with opposition from Malay and Muslim groups.

The convention has sparked fears among Malays who are concerned that its ratification would eventually result in the removal of Bumiputera and Malay special rights, as underlined in the Federal Constitution.

The government, which has proposed to consult and ratify the convention by early 2019, has brushed off the claims, saying that Article 153 of the constitution would not need to be amended if ICERD is ratified by Malaysia.