National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang has trained his guns on the media, blaming reporters for “deliberately wanting to fan flames” on sensitive issues, especially those related to race and religion.
Aaron said this in response to a reporter seeking his comments on “Jom Ziarah”, an event under "Project Article 11".
He sidestepped questions on the programme, which made headlines after a Bersatu leader claimed it was a “Christian evangelist” programme.
The Kanowit MP, instead, issued a stern warning to media practitioners to quit acting like instigators, asserting that “it’s enough”.
“I have been telling the media, please cool it down on sensitive issues. You are trying to put ‘gas’ into this country. Please don’t do it,” he said after launching the “Hanya Dikau - Seniman Agung P Ramlee” exhibition at the KLIA Terminal 1 today.
“Don’t add fuel to the fire (jangan api-apikan) on issues (that have been resolved)… There are people who have different sensitivities. Please. Enough.
“It’s a problem with the media. You try to put something sensitive… You want to fan the flames. Please don’t do it. That’s my advice,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aaron (above) has also dismissed reports that the people are divided, saying it’s merely “a problem with the media”.
“That is your opinion. How do you know it’s polarised? We have our Unity Index. Please don’t put thoughts into my mouth,” he said when asked on his plans to heal the polarised nation.
Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim issued a stern warning that authorities would act against those stoking racial and religious tensions.
Anwar said he had also instructed security forces to keep an eye out on those who are “desperate” or slighted, who may exploit sentiments and pay people to cause chaos.
His warning came in the wake of several incidents over the past month that saw heightened racial and religious tensions.
Among them was the “Jom Ziarah” programme, which was headed by Impact Malaysia - an agency affiliated with the Youth and Sports Ministry.
It involves youths visiting houses of worship as part of Impact Malaysia’s efforts to increase awareness of the country’s diverse society.
The initiative drew the ire of certain quarters who accused it of “Christian evangelism” as one of the upcoming line-ups of the programme is a visit to a church in Klang.
On March 13, Bersatu leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin accused Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh of Christian evangelism over the planned “Jom Ziarah Gereja” event.
Impact Malaysia has since denied the claims of evangelism.
Yeoh had also denied the evangelism charge and lodged a police report against Badrul.
In the Dewan Rakyat the following day, Yeoh, who is also Segambut MP, clarified that no Muslim youths had been involved in the programme.
She told the august house that “Projek Artikel 11” would be handed over to the Unity Ministry from that day onwards.
Keeping to her word, in a circular to all Youth and Sports Ministry personnel dated March 15, Yeoh declared that several existing programmes under the ministry will be handed over to other ministries.
The planned church visit - which was supposed to happen last weekend - was subsequently cancelled. - Mkini
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