Govt says ‘no’ to new laws on discrimination, hate speech

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia does not have to create new laws to counter race-based prejudice and hate speech as current legislation on these issues is sufficient, said Deputy National Unity Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad.

He said this is because those who intentionally incite incidents that threaten national unity and harmony in the country can face action under a slew of acts.

Wan Fayhsal said this includes the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the inappropriate use of facilities and network services, and other laws that touch on criminal intimidation, creating racial disunity and disrupting public order.

Wan Fayhsal also pointed to the Sedition Act 1948, which can be used to prevent threats to national unity.

“Therefore, this ministry is of the opinion that there is no need to create new legislation such as the racial harmony law or Race Relations Act as existing laws are in line with the Keluarga Malaysia concept, which upholds national integration, harmony, understanding and stability,” he said in Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Wan Fayhsal said this in response to a question fielded by Prabakaran Parameswaran (Batu-PH) on whether the government is looking to introduce new acts that are “fair” and “just” for all races in Malaysia.

In a supplementary question, Prabakaran asked whether the country has seen any improvement in terms of its unity index.

In response, Wan Fayhsal said Malaysia is relatively a young nation at 60 years old and it is still faced with the challenge of building a national identity.

He also insisted that the issue of national unity, which falls under the purview of his ministry, has underlined “important” policies that will improve and consolidate integration.

“This includes the national unity policy that emphasises on (countering) prejudice, national identity, and improving the ecosystem of national cohesion,” he said.

He added that the government will be launching the Keluarga Malaysia unity policy by the end of this month.

“I am confident that this will make improvements to this issue,” he said.

“Education is key to tackling this issue (of disunity)... I hope this will be given attention as opposed to laws that are of a punitive nature.” – The Vibes, November 17, 2021