KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need for a specific act to address race relations as existing laws suffice, Deputy National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker told the Dewan Rakyat this morning.
He was replying to a question on whether the government plans to formulate a Race Relations Act anytime soon.
“The government will not formulate such an act because the current provisions are already sufficient to maintain racial and religious harmony.”
Among the provisions are:
– Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, which deals with offences relating to sedition;
– Section 298(a) of the Penal Code on causing disharmony, disunity or hatred, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony and unity;
– Section 504 of the Penal Code on intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace;
– Section 505 of the Penal Code on statements conducing to public mischief;
– Section 506 of the Penal Code on punishment for criminal intimidation; and,
– Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act on the improper use of network facilities or network service.
R.S.N. Rayer (PH-Jelutong) asked whether a specific law is necessary to address issues involving race relations, which he said have taken a turn for the worse lately. – The Vibes, November 11, 2020
