Revive plans to table national harmony law, says MP

PARLIAMENT

 | A Pakatan Harapan lawmaker has urged the government to revive plans to table a law on national harmony first mooted more than five years ago to replace the Sedition Act 1948.

Hasan Bahrom (Harapan-Tampin) said he agreed with Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian) who suggested that steps should be taken to curb racial and religious hatred.

"I wholly agree and suggest the government table a law related to national harmony which was raised several parliament sessions ago.

"A national harmony law is important for us in order for Malaysians from all races, creed and religions to unite and live together," said Hasan (above) in his speech to debate the royal address.

In his question to Hasan, Tuan Ibrahim had cited DAP deputy secretary-general Nga Kor Ming's “Taliban” remark against PAS as an example of speech which must be rejected.

Tuan Ibrahim also suggested the government reconsider plans to amend or abolish the Sedition Act.

Hasan, however, noted that opposition leaders should also refrain from labelling non-Muslims as kafir harbi meaning enemies of the religion.

"All parties should stop raising issues that could strain the harmonious ties among races," he said.

Since the start of the current parliament session, heated debates were sparked by the controversial “Taliban” comment and a "declaration of war" remark used to describe the possible outcome of a PAS-Umno union.

This prompted Speaker Mohd Ariff Mohd Yusoff (above) to caution members of the House against fanning racial sentiments.

Shortly after taking power in the 14th general election, the Harapan government has moved to re-evaluate the National Harmony Bill initiated by the previous BN administration.

The bill was one out of three drafted by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) in 2015, along with the Religious and Racial Hatred Bill, and the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill.

De facto religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa has since said the government plans to table an Anti-Discrimination Act, the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Act and the Religious and Racial Hatred Act sometime this year. - Mkini