KUALA LUMPUR: No new laws are needed to address racism as existing legislation is enough to curb the issue, says Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang.
The National Unity Minister listed at least 10 existing laws that cover the matter, which include Sections 295, 296, 298, 298A, 504, 505 and 506 of the Penal Code.
He also said this included Section 8A(1) of the Printing Press and Publication Act 1984, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Sedition Act 1948.
“The ministry is of the opinion that there is no need to draft or introduce a new law such as the Anti-Discrimination Act as the existing laws are adequate.
“However, if the situation is pressing and when the government feels that there is a need to review existing laws to curb hate speech or provocative racial-based sentiments, then the ministry would fully support it,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 18).
Aaron was responding to a question from Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) who had asked the ministry to state whether there is a need for an Anti-Discrimination Act to curb racism, especially following the recent incident involving a trader in Sepang.
Aaron said that the incident involving the corn seller who put up a racially insensitive signboard had been resolved with the help of members of the Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) as middlemen.
“The apology session was held in a restaurant in Sepang which was also attended by representatives of the Indian community, influencers, local residents, officials from the National Unity Department and the police.
“The act played by the KRT in solving the polemic had strengthened public confidence in the group’s role as an agent of unity and problem solving,” he added.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) later stood up and said that there had been efforts by a previous administration to introduce three Bills pertaining to the matter.
He said that during Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s tenure, there were Bills to introduce the Religious and Racial Hatred Act, Equality Act, and National Harmony Commission Act.
“I believe that the drafts were still on the table during the administration of the 8th and 9th Prime Ministers (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob).
“I suggest that the ministry review and discuss these Bills,” he said, adding that there should be one single law that encompasses all three proposals.
In response, Aaron said the proposals were discussed but had been rejected as the provisions existed in the Penal Code and the Federal Constitution.
“The Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) in July 2023 had held engagements to study the effectiveness of existing laws, challenges faced by the enforcement and proposals to introduce alternative civil laws,” he said.
However, he added the dialogues were inconclusive and it was decided that there was no need for a new act against discrimination.
