Anti-discrimination law will help but won’t cure all, say ministers

PETALING JAYA: Federal ministers agree that an anti-discrimination law might help prevent racial discrimination in the country but warn against treating such legislation as a silver bullet.

Speaking to FMT in the wake of the latest case in which a couple in Kuala Lumpur was rejected by a prospective landlord for “looking Indian and Malay”, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and P Waytha Moorthy said other issues like religious sensitivities were often at play.

Mujahid, who is minister in charge of Islamic affairs, said landlords might have religious reasons for wanting tenants of a certain background.

“It’s how you say it,” he told FMT. “Explain why you want a certain tenant, but don’t put a blanket ban on someone’s race or religion.”

In some cases, he said, people unintentionally discriminated against others out of ignorance. He opined that legislation was only necessary where discrimination is deliberate.

“A law will not totally solve the problem, but it is needed as you cannot let society be dictated by those intent on discriminating against others,” he said.

He also suggested that laws be coupled with education to prevent a repeat of such cases.

Waytha, who is minister in charge of national unity and well-being, also called for clear communication between landlords and prospective tenants to reduce misunderstanding.

“Renting out a home is a personal decision,” he said. “Sometimes landlords may have religious reasons for preferring a tenant who shares the same beliefs.

“Landlords should be clear on their expectations of their tenants and the rules by which they want their tenants to abide. From there, allow the tenants to decide whether they want to apply to rent the place or not.”

He too said a law against discrimination would not solve everything as addressing the situation also required a change of mindset.

Across the political divide, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said education was the key to teaching Malaysians to see the good in people instead of racially profiling one another.

He told FMT it was unacceptable to assume the worst of a person based on race, especially in this day and age.

“While it is the owner’s right to rent to whom he wants to, discriminating against a certain race is chauvinistic,” he said.

Divyang Hong, who faced similar rejection in Penang, said the situation was “ridiculous”.

“It’s almost as if being qualified, responsible tenants will never be a reality for people who don’t look like they fit the part,” he said.

Despite speaking fluent Mandarin, Hong, who is of Chinese and Indian heritage, was rejected by a number of landlords who wanted only Chinese tenants.

He will soon move from Penang to Kuala Lumpur where he fears that finding a room to rent will be just as difficult.

“I am actually quite worried,” he told FMT. -FMT