KUALA LUMPUR — Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Steven Sim Cooperative and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan will raise the issue of religious and racial provocation at today’s Cabinet meeting.
Sim, in a Facebook post yesterday, said it was time for all forms of religious and racial violence and provocation to be completely stopped in this country.
“The police must act firmly against all perpetrators, no matter who they are, and they must be subject to the harshest legal action, regardless of who trampled on the Quran, trampled on Hindu symbols, provoked the demolition of temples, committed vandalism, burned vehicles,” he said.
He also reminded all parties to shoulder their responsibility to lower the temperature of racism by stopping spreading hatred that can damage the unity of the diverse society in this country.
Sim said Malaysians need to unite and reject the agenda of agents of provocation and extremism.
“Our enemies are not each other, regardless of race or religion. When the world is in turmoil, Malaysians must unite to make Malaysian businesses great, develop the country’s economy for the well-being of all, regardless of race or religion,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramanan said the spread of racist and extremist posts and comments on social media has been seen to be occurring more frequently lately, causing tension among the community.
He also asked all parties to give the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) space to conduct a detailed investigation into a case and not take action themselves.
Ramanan said this to reporters after witnessing the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ex-Servicemen’s Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) here today.
Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the move was important to ensure that the harmony and unity of the multi-racial community in this country was maintained, especially when certain parties tried to incite tension by insulting other religions or engaging in extreme provocations.
Nga stressed that any individual found to have insulted holy books, religious symbols or taken actions to incite conflict between religious adherents should be charged in court regardless of background or position.
“I am not referring to anyone (but) any party that insults another person’s religion must be charged in court. That is why tomorrow during the Cabinet Meeting, I will also raise the same matter so that the Attorney General’s Chambers takes strict action against all extremists,” he said.
He said this after attending the Ramadan Sentuhan Kasih Programme with the Minister of Housing and Local Government here today.
Earlier, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang was reported to have said that any form of violence, religious provocation, hatred or extreme actions that touch on racial and religious sensitivities are completely unacceptable in a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia.
He said the National Unity Ministry views the recent incident seriously, which has the potential to threaten the harmony of society in the country and wants action against extremists who are trying to threaten national peace to be taken without compromise.
— BERNAMA
