The Malaysian government said on Friday that it would not ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

This comes after intense opposition against the government's proposed ratification by certain groups representing the country's ethnic Malay majority who claim the treaty is a threat to Malaysia official policy that favors Malay.

"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," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad suggested during his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September that his Pakatan Harapan government would ratify the treaty.

Malaysia is one of several countries that have neither signed nor ratified the treaty which provides individuals worldwide with a mechanism to complain over issues of racial discrimination.

The treaty is enforceable against member states and obliges participating countries to eliminate racial discrimination in all forms including in public institutions as well as in government policies.