KUALA LUMPUR: A civil society organisation has called on Dewan Rakyat to introduce a code of ethics against hate and racially-charged speech during parliamentary debates.
Human rights group Pusat Komas said its Malaysia Racism Report 2025 highlighted incidents of racial and religious discrimination during the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament throughout 2025 based on Hansard records.
The group said it presented the findings in a meeting on Monday (April 13) with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul and a delegation appointed by the Speaker.
Komas said a code of ethics for members of parliament should require them to use non-discriminatory speech as implemented in other countries and bodies such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, the European Union and the United Nations.
"These measures aim to provide guidance for MPs to better understand what constitutes racist or discriminatory remarks in the House, while assisting presiding speakers in making rulings over incendiary remarks,” Pusat Komas said in a statement on Thursday.
The group said the meeting with Johari also explored ways to decrease racist speech while safeguarding freedom of speech and expression during parliamentary debates.
It said discriminatory speech in the House, as seen in the 15th Parliament, violated non‑discrimination principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution and international human rights standards.
The report had also been submitted to the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Racial and Religious Harmony (APPGM-RRH) chairperson Syahredzan Johan for further study and action, it added.
"We are confident that the relevant parties in attendance will act to address the concerns raised in the report and by the people.
"This will ensure that Parliament remains a democratic pillar where dialogue on policy and reform is constructive and free from racial and religious politicking," it said.
The discussion on Monday was attended by Pusat Komas representatives led by its directorJerald Joseph. Besides Johari and Syahredzan, APPGM-RRH deputy chairperson Dr Halimah Ali, Dewan Rakyat secretary Dr Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin, Malaysia's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations senior principal assistant director Dr Murni Wan Mohd Nor, also attended the meeting.
