[UPDATED] MCMC, cops considering special 3R unit: Fahmi

BANGI – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will assess the necessity to establish a special unit to look into cases relating to 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues that are often played up during election campaigning periods, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said this follows data presented by the Centre of Independent Journalism on the 15th general election (GE15) and how there was a worrying spike of 3R issues within a short period.

“That’s why I believe MCMC and PDRM will have to assess the necessity to perhaps set up a special unit...the kind of desperado politics that exploit 3R during the campaign cannot be allowed to persist," he said to reporters after launching the Global Conference on Communication, Culture and Contemporary Media 2023 here today.

Fahmi has also expressed his disappointment following the actions of some politicians who are using 3R materials in their campaign, despite the Malay rulers’ decree that political campaigns should not touch on 3R matters.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain have also reminded everyone to refrain from touching on 3R sensitivities during the campaigning period for the upcoming state polls.

“Those who continue to play up 3R issues…will face the brunt of the law. The warnings have been given…I think sufficient warnings have been given.

“That’s why last night on the campaign trail, I said to be prepared to face the consequences,” he said. 

Yesterday, Fahmi expressed disappointment and criticised the statement issued by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is alleged to have insulted the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Earlier, it was reported that at a ceramah, Sanusi had made a statement that is alleged to have insulted the Selangor sultan.

When asked about the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s suggestion of studying a new act to impose civil penalties on those who play up 3R sentiments, Fahmi welcomed the suggestion. 

Regarding the infographics on groceries bill released by the Community Communications Department (J-KOM) that has been heavily criticised, Fahmi said he has spoken to the department's director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff on the matter and it will be better coordinated in the future.

Fahmi said he has asked the department to make sure that the content that is being put out is checked against the figures and the narrative that is aimed to be set by the respective ministries.

“I have checked with both JKOM and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and ascertained that the numbers that are presented in the said graphics are correct, factually correct, but the complaint was that it was tone deaf.

“I agree. I think JKOM perhaps needs to view some of its modus operandi and focus on certain key areas...we will have an internal discussion after this,” he said. – Bernama, July 13, 2023