PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all parties not to exploit opportunities to incite racial sentiments and sow seeds of hatred.
The Prime Minister’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said Anwar is aware of malicious attempts by certain groups to create the perception of “double standards” in enforcement actions.
Claims and perceptions that the government remains silent when Islam is insulted are pure slander, he said.
“These are wild allegations with no basis at all. Anyone who insults any religion in Malaysia will be investigated and prosecuted,” said Tunku Nashrul during the Prime Minister’s Office daily briefing.
He cited examples where comedian Harith Iskander and Cecelia Yap Song were each fined RM10,000 for uploading offensive content and comments that insulted Islam.
He also pointed to actions taken against KK Mart and its supplier, who were fined RM60,000 each for mocking the word “Allah” through the sale of socks; a grilled corn vendor who was fined RM400 for putting up a notice with a racial slur; and a man who was fined RM12,000 and jailed for six months for mocking the word “Allah”.
“Allegations that the government remains silent when Islam is insulted are false and unfounded.
“The listed cases demonstrate that every incident is investigated, prosecuted and penalised under existing laws. Any reported case follows due legal processes.
“This is a firm message to all Malaysians to stop the culture of insulting any religion, culture or race in any space within Malaysia.
“Do not allow trivial matters to undermine our strength and uniqueness at a time when the country is growing and on a promising trajectory,” Tunku Nashrul said.
Later in the evening, the Prime Minister attended a breaking of fast event with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, at Istana Negara.
Also present were Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Cabinet ministers and foreign representatives from Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine, Brunei, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
His Majesty also performed the Maghrib prayers with the invited guests, led by Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Luqman Abdullah at the Istana Negara’s main surau.
