KUALA LUMPUR – The government is mulling a new act to impose civil penalties on those who play up 3R (religion, royalty and race) sentiments, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said the new act, which may be called the “State and Nation Act”, would be based on the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act in Singapore, but with Malaysian context.
At present, she said any offence involving the 3R issue was investigated under the Sedition Act 1848, whereby the act was more geared towards elements of criminal offences, causing prosecution to take a long time due to legal procedures.
“So, maybe we need to evaluate it in the element of positivity...such a proposed act is punitive.
“It means that if one violates it, he or she will be fined. That is easier to solve or convict,” she told reporters after appearing as a guest on a state elections forum at Menara Dato Onn here last night.
Azalina said the proposal to create the new act was presented to the cabinet yesterday and received a positive response.
According to her, the challenge faced at the moment is when social media is used to play up 3R sentiments, it can be denied and there is no solid evidence to prove it.
Therefore, she said the new act was a solution to the 3R issue that had become more prevalent in the country in recent years and would ensure the needs of the future generation are better met.
Meanwhile, Azalina, who is also Umno’s information chief, said the decision of the French Court of Appeal to reject the enforcement of a partial award to the Sulu Group proved the stability of the Madani government.
“The Sulu case cannot be won (by the Sulu group) if the government is stable. They took advantage, they are not stupid. They know that if the prime minister changes, sometimes the attorney-general changes – (so) they take advantage,” she said.
She said political stability was vital to safeguarding the country’s peace and economy and continuing the people’s agenda. – Bernama, July 13, 2023
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