KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for a new law to address racism, as existing legislation is enough to curb the issue, says National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang.
He was responding to a question in Parliament yesterday put forward by Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) who asked the ministry to state whether there is a need for an Anti-Discrimination Act to curb racism, especially following a recent incident involving a trader in Sepang.
The trader had put up a sign last week referring to Indians that used a word the community considers derogatory.
Aaron Ago listed 10 existing laws under Sections 295, 296, 298, 298A, 504, 505 and 506 of the Penal Code that deal with racism, including subsection 8A(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Sedition Act 1948.
“The ministry is of the opinion that there is no need to draft or introduce a new law such as the Anti-Discrimination Act as the existing laws are adequate, especially by increasing enforcement of these laws.
“However, if the situation is pressing and when the government feels that there is a need to review existing laws to curb hate speech or stem race-based sentiments, then the ministry would fully support it,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
The minister also said the incident involving the trader had been resolved with members of the area’s Neighbourhood Watch acting as a mediator.
The “apology session” at a restaurant in Sepang involved the trader, representatives of the Indian community, influencers, local residents, National Unity Department officials and the police.
The part played by the Neighbourhood Watch in dealing with the issue strengthened the public’s confidence in the group’s role as an agent of unity and problem-solving, added Aaron Ago.
In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) stood up to say that there were efforts by a previous administration to introduce three Bills on the matter.
During Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s tenure as prime minister, three Bills were put forward – the National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill, the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill, as well as the Racial and Religious Hate Crimes Bill.
“I believe the drafts were still on the table during the administrations of the eight and ninth prime ministers,” he said, referring to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“I suggest that the ministry review and discuss these Bills,” he said, adding there should be one single law that encompasses all three proposals.
In response, Aaron Ago said the proposals were discussed but were rejected as the provisions exist in the Penal Code and the Federal Constitution.
“The Prime Minister’s Department in July 2023 had held engagements to study the effectiveness of existing laws, challenges faced by enforcement officers as well as proposals to introduce alternative civil laws,” he said.
He said, however, that the dialogues were inconclusive and it was decided that there was no need for a new Act against discrimination.
