MINISTERS TO RAISE RELIGIOUS, RACIAL PROVOCATION ISSUES AT CABINET MEETING TOMORROW

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Steven Sim and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan will bring up the issue of religious and racial provocation at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

In a Facebook post today, Sim called for an end to all forms of religious and racial violence and provocation in the country.

“The police must act firmly against all perpetrators, no matter who they are, and they must face the harshest legal action, whether it involves desecration of the Quran, Hindu symbols, provoking temple demolitions, committing vandalism, or burning vehicles,” he said.

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He also urged all parties to take responsibility for reducing racial tensions by stopping the spread of hatred that could undermine national unity.

Sim stressed that Malaysians need to stand together and reject the agendas of provocateurs and extremists.

“Our enemies are not each other, regardless of race or religion.  In a world full of turmoil, Malaysians must unite to strengthen businesses and develop the economy for the well-being of all, irrespective of race or religion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramanan highlighted the recent rise in racist and extremist posts and comments on social media, which he said have increased tensions within the community.

He also called on the public to allow the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)  to conduct detailed investigations and to refrain from taking matters into their own hands.

Ramanan made the remarks after witnessing the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ex-Servicemen's Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Social Security Organisation here today.

Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Nga Kor Ming said the issue of provocative actions related to religious sensitivities should be raised at the Cabinet meeting to ensure harmony and unity among Malaysia’s multi-racial society are preserved.

He said the matter was important, particularly when certain parties attempt to incite tension by insulting other religions or engaging in extreme provocations.

Nga stressed that any individual found insulting holy books, religious symbols or carrying out actions that could incite conflict among followers of different faiths should face legal action, regardless of their background or position.

“I am not referring to anyone in particular, but any party that insults another person’s religion must be charged in court.

“That is why tomorrow, during the Cabinet meeting, I will raise the matter so that the Attorney General’s Chambers can take strict action against all extremists,” he told reporters after attending the Sentuhan Kasih Ramadan Programme with the Housing and Local Government Ministry here today.

Earlier, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang was reported to have said that any form of violence, religious provocation, hatred or extreme actions that touch on racial and religious sensitivities are completely unacceptable in a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia.

He said the National Unity Ministry (KPN) took the recent incident seriously, which had the potential to threaten the harmony of the community in the country and wanted action against extremists who tried to threaten the country's peace to be taken without compromise.

-- BERNAMA