Wednesday January 9, 2008
Ongkili: Report those who use racial issues in polls
PUTRAJAYA: There will be no place for racial bigotry in the next general election and anyone using racial issues should be reported to the National Unity and Integration Department.
“We have 3,750 Rukun Tetangga members and they will also be our eyes and ears,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Although using racial sentiments to fish for votes is no so rampant, those found drumming up support via such means could be charged under the law, he said.
“The Malaysian society is getting more mature and it does not benefit political parties to use racial issues to fish for votes,” he said during the National Unity
and Integration Department 2008 gathering.
“We hope politicians will be more careful with what they say. Even if they are challenged, they should choose words carefully and not worsen the situation,” he said.
Dr Ongkili noted that in East Malaysia, fewer politicians play up racial issues because people do not support racist leaders.
He said the department was in the midst of setting up an inter-religious relations unit.
“It’ll be a reference point and aims to overcome obstacles that prevent unity as a result of religious differences,” he said.
He said that besides economic issues and racial chauvinism, other challenges to national unity were inter-religious relations, crime and security issues.
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