Cabinet says no to Race Relations Act

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has scrapped the proposed Race Relations Act, says Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

The Cabinet decided two weeks ago against having such an Act after studying the matter thoroughly, he said.

“We have lived in harmony for more than 50 years. Why can’t we continue to do so? You cannot force someone to like you. It must come naturally,” he said at a media luncheon yesterday at a hotel here organised by the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF).

“Race relations is something that cannot be forced upon the people through legislation.

“That’s why everyone in the Cabinet agreed there was no need for such an Act,” he added.

Shafie, who is also MCPF chairman, said he had discussed the proposal for the Act with many experts, and all were against it.