KUALA LUMPUR: The National Harmony Commission plan revived in April has been dropped, with the government choosing to strengthen existing unity agencies instead, says the National Unity Ministry.
In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said the decision was made at the National Unity Advisory Council's first meeting this year, after two engagement sessions with civil society groups, government agencies, academics and community leaders.
It said it decided not to set up the commission as a new entity after weighing all views and its own further study.
The ministry will instead focus on the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN), the Rukun Tetangga network and community mediators.
"This also avoids overlapping functions and the cost of setting up a new entity, while making use of the existing structures, networks and instruments developed by JPNIN," it said in reply to Batu Gajah MP Dr V. Sivakumar.
In April, the ministry announced it would revive efforts to draft a law for the commission, with powers to probe matters affecting harmony and summon parties to give statements.
It came after national unity adviser Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye proposed an independent commission. A similar plan had been shelved in April 2020.
As recently as July 30, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the proposal was still being studied.
