PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged for an immediate pause to any actions that undermine the spirit of unity and harmony in Malaysia, following a recent incident at a shopping centre in Johor Bharu.
The Prime Minister's comments come after an elderly man was accused of slapping a non-Muslim for eating in public during Ramadan at the Angsana Shopping Mall in Tampoi.
Speaking at a daily briefing from the Prime Minister’s Office, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, the senior press secretary to Anwar, condemned the act, stating, "Any actions like this or similar must be stopped simply because it goes against the spirit of unity and harmony of the country."
He added: "What is the point of talking about Islam and its beauty, especially in the month of Ramadan, if it does not build internal strength and keep us away from violent attitudes that threaten peace and harmony?"
The Prime Minister’s office also stressed the importance of mutual respect in maintaining peace across Malaysia.
Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister believes that sensitive issues involving race, religion, and national unity can be avoided if all Malaysians remain committed to upholding mutual respect to build a more civilised and harmonious nation.
The incident unfolded last Sunday when a video circulated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing a confrontation between the elderly man and the non-Muslim individual.
The elderly man reportedly reprimanded the other for allegedly eating in public during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
The situation escalated when the senior citizen demanded the non-Muslim individual show his MyKad, Malaysia's identity card, to confirm he was not Muslim.
In the footage, tensions heightened when the non-Muslim man refused to show his identification card, and the elderly man subsequently slapped him several times. The incident sparked outrage and public concern over the behaviour displayed.
The matter was brought before the courts today, where the elderly man was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
This decision was made following an order from the Attorney General’s Chambers, which instructed that the case be referred back for further review.
The episode has led to widespread debates regarding respect for religious practices and public conduct during Ramadan in a multicultural society like Malaysia.
PMO: Be vigilant against "slander"
The Government is closely monitoring what it describes as a campaign of "continuous slander" against Anwar.
While Tunku Nashrul did not specify the nature of the alleged slander, he emphasised that the government was taking the matter seriously.
He characterised the attempts as a sign of "desperation" from certain groups attempting to manipulate public opinion, suggesting that these groups lack substantive ideas for national development.
"Spreading slander, especially during Ramadan, is the lowest form of conduct and is strongly prohibited in Islam," stated Tunku Nashrul.
"However, we will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure that it never threatens or weakens our spirit and determination in safeguarding the nation and the people's well-being," he added. – March 19, 2025
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