KUALA LUMPUR: The relevant agencies should enhance action against individuals who touch on 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues in order to maintain peace and harmony in the country, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said the power to take legal action against those who provoke these sensitive issues lies with the Home Ministry, police, Communications Ministry, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“They are responsible for taking legal action against individuals who provoke 3R issues,” he said in a post on X.
Explaining the role of his ministry in addressing the issue, Aaron said it is focusing on efforts through reformative approaches and interventions, including monitoring via the eSepakat system to manage unity issues that will be channelled to the relevant agencies.
Apart from that, he said that the ministry also provides mediation services through 571 community mediators to help defuse conflicts and offer alternative dispute resolutions through the Community Mediation Centre, without having to go through the legal process.
Aaron said the Unity Issues Management Committee, which consists of 12 ministries and agencies, also allows immediate follow-up steps to be taken.
The Unity Analytics Dashboard also allows the ministry to identify hotspots to focus on intervention programmes, in addition to implementing programmes and campaigns that can unite the people, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will continue collaborating with the authorities, including the police, MCMC, state Islamic religious councils and departments, to ensure that cases involving insults against Islam are brought to justice.
He added that anyone found insulting Islam will be called in and investigated under existing laws.
“As with previous investigations and prosecutions involving insults against Islam, public interest will be prioritised to safeguard national harmony.
“Agencies under the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) fully support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance that the government will act against anyone who insults a religion without favouritism, in line with the country’s legal provisions,” Mohd Na’im said in a statement, Bernama reported.
He added that the agencies under his purview remain committed to upholding the sanctity of Islam and fostering harmony in the country’s diverse society, in line with the Federal Constitution.
Mohd Na’im said the actions of certain individuals who disregard religious sensitivities and cause public unrest are deeply regrettable.
He urged all parties to respect the law and cooperate with ongoing investigations in the interest of national harmony.
