HOME Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has warned that opposition leaders could be the most affected if authorities take action against individuals inciting social tensions.
He said political leaders should refrain from using issues related to race, religion, and the monarchy (commonly referred to as the 3R issues) as political tools, as it could destabilise the nation.
Speaking to the media after attending a programme at Masjid Ar-Raudhah on Saturday, Saifuddin made it clear that any action based on existing laws would likely target a significant number of opposition figures.
"I can confirm that if action is taken based on current laws, many of the members of Parliament from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's party (Secretary-General of PAS) would be affected," a local malay daily cited him saying.
Saifuddin pointed out that if he or the police were to enforce provisions under the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, or any other relevant laws, these individuals would be among those facing legal consequences.
"If I or the police were to enforce the provisions under the Penal Code, the Communications Act, or other laws, they would be among the most affected," he stated.
The minister stressed that politics should be based on policies and solutions to address the people's issues, rather than exploiting racial or religious sentiments to gain political support.
He also responded to a recent statement by Takiyuddin, who urged the government to handle national harmony issues fairly and transparently. Takiyuddin had warned that if the government simply denied responsibility and blamed others, it would worsen public perception and create opportunities for certain groups to stir tensions.
In a separate development, Saifuddin revealed that the Ministry of Education had registered 12,101 cases of missing documentation, including birth certificates, citizenship certificates, and MyKads, involving schoolchildren under the "Program Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) Didik."
"This data was obtained from the Ministry of Education, and I have instructed the National Registration Department (JPN) to resolve all cases by June this year.
To date, 4,565 cases, or 38 percent, have been successfully resolved," he added. - March 9, 2025
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